Yesterday we took the kids into town to see the Christmas lights – the first year they’ve both been old enough to appreciate them. I was expecting to see the half-million-euro illuminations burst into brilliant life at 6pm, as night…
A cosy night in Cortes
This weekend my family and I took a well-earned break from the usual monotony of me not being able to tear myself away from the computer, and my son not being able to tear himself away from the television, too…
Fear and repression in Franco’s Spain
Last week I saw two new films about Spain under Franco’s dictatorship. Both were dominated, predictably, by the recurrent themes of injustice, incarceration, abuse and human suffering. Both had a strong Andalucian connection: one was set and filmed here; the…
(Finally) converted to the cult of the iphone
After two years of deliberation over handset prices, different tariffs and networks, and wondering whether it was really just an overpriced triumph of design over content and style over substance, I finally have an iphone. Yes, I know I’m very late…
Sunday in the countryside: lakes and mountains, toros bravos and pata negra cochinos
Yesterday we decided to make the most of the beautiful weather and head off into the Sierra Norte, to see the lakes near Guillena. This area is about 40 minutes’ drive from Seville. As usual, we had no idea where…