August Staycation in Freiburg

Ryan and Angela left Freiburg yesterday for Sevilla but while they were here we ate out a lot and cooked Sunday lunches at my flat. We went out to some restaurant favourites and some new ones. Looking at it on the surface you could say all we did was eat, or it was all about the food, but for me it was a chance to enjoy getting out to explore with good friends.

A warning to one reader at least, you're going to get hungry after these pictures...

Asia Wok, Rieselfeld, curried duck

Angela made Calabrese pasta 

Cordon Bleu at Schwarzer Kater or Black Cat

The first day we sat down and made a rough plan of where we wanted to go for dinners out. Ryan's wish was to have at least one Cordon Bleu which is a schnitzel wrapped around cheese and ham version here. He declared this one good, but wait, there is another coming up.

After this dinner we went to a small wine festival, one winery, in the Munster Platz.

On their wedding anniversary we took the tram and bus to Chada Thai, a firm favourite you've read about here for years. 

My delicious Pad Thai I ALWAYS get.

Sunset from the flat that evening and to give you a break from food pics. 

Seoul99 with the table grill I told you about last blog.

Bev made Caesar salad and salmon

The Golden Anchor is a neighbourhood restaurant that was very busy on this Tuesday night with locals. Service was fast and efficient and food good although a bit on the expensive side, it would be a lovely place for special occasions.

Just to prove we do get some... veggies.

Another Cordon Bleu for Ryan and Schnitzel for Angela and I

Ajit and Alana on the left.

Ajit is a long time friend of Angela and Ryan's. They went to his band concert at the Aubach Festival and he treated them as part of the crew (with no heavy lifting). We got together with them the last evening Ryan and Angela were in Freiburg at the "other" Italian restaurant in Rieselfeld. Frankly, it fell completely flat, both service, food and drink were not good. The good was the company, Ajit and Alana are wonderful people and had just come back from India to visit his relatives so conversation was lively and we learned much about Indian culture.

Ryan was telling Ajit about my "abusive" cat Lexi and how in Sevilla he had put on oven mitts to try patting her. She likes to sit high on the stairs and swat anyone coming by, including me of course. Fun for her but if you're not quick painful claw tattoos happen. Here is a "double" picture Crina took. 

Do I look good in this tuxedo? You are stuck with it babe!

Us at the train station, bye for now you two, see you in Sevilla!

It was a wonderful visit with my good friends and a hot but enjoyable staycation!

Happy Labour Day to you in Canada this weekend!

Happy BC Day!

 Ryan and Angela are in Freiburg yeah! We went via tram to the Messe which is a large conference centre with acres of parking area where the Classic car show was held. https://www.schauinsland-klassik.de/news

This picture was taken because they figured the car fit my small size, small car. My good friends do that, Pepe also did it years ago. Anyway, the manufacturer Opel was prominent which is intriguing because it has not been available in North America to my knowledge. The ad for the event said there would be lots of classic cars from the U.S. but not so much of what we saw. Classic car shows I have been to in Madeira Park were organized by manufacturer and very regimented. Here it was mostly a "free for all". 

After we came back to my flat and Angela made chicken, lemon, parmesan, garlic spaghetti that was so yummy!

This is an alley that spans a main tram hub to a neighbourhood, close to the train station and houses all the major amenities possible. It has always been Oriental inspired but an American style restaurant was at one edge with a sanded beach area. Honestly it never really fit with the vibe. Now Korean BBQ has taken that space with hibachis at the table, feels right. This little pocket of Asia in Freiburg is blooming! 

Look to the skyline early many Saturday mornings and you will see this! It is so quiet up there, my balloon trip was outside Calgary, lots of fun until the basket tipped on landing.

My friend and cleaner Crina gave me these roses her first day back and you see Lexi watching birds.

Another sunset... 

Happy BC Day!

Happy Canada Day!

 

I was on my way to lunch with my friend Frank at our usual eatery Ciao Bella today and had brought him one of these Canadian flag pins. I was also wearing one, on a whim, I stopped in at the florist and gave her one of the pins. She thanked me profusely, hugged me and gave me this rose. The family is from Afghanistan and they have relatives who moved to Canada, treated well there, and so they appreciate Canada. Okay, now I am carrying a beautiful rose that will wilt or die over lunch, run home, chuck it in water, run back to Ciao Bella for a delightful lunch. The enabling factors here, the restaurant isn't far, there is a tram, and I was very early. Good Canada Day!

May in Sevilla and Back to Freiburg

 We got back to Freiburg this last Friday. I used the same driver that took us to Zurich in November. We drove an unusual route but very interesting one, through Titisee, the lake town I'd been to before. The usual route had traffic problems around Basel so the GPS sent us this way, all good.

First thing on Saturday I did a shop for veggies and the farmer gave me this rose to say welcome back, so kind of her.

The night before I left the Rocio celebration came down my street. I have been to the town it is based in, also called Rocio, at the edge of Donana Park. Here is the explanation of what it is. https://www.spain.info/en/calendar/el-rocio-pilgrimage/

Now the pictures outside my window.

As it was this year, Ryan, Angela and Pepe met more frequently, Wednesday reserved for breakfast at El Tinto and Sunday for mostly home cooked lunches. One day we wanted to eat traditional Spanish fare and so went to Bar Rodriguez.

It was very good traditional Spanish food! I would say better than some of the "fancy/dancy" food we've had. I went to the entrance to pay and a fellow recognized me from Granado which was Ryan's favourite coffee place, sadly, closed now. He came out from the bar, saw Ryan, Angela and Pepe and a joyful reunion happened. 

We also went for breakfast at Parceria owned by Andres and Cata where they do avocado on toast, fruit bowls etc. Less traditional than El Tinto with matching price difference but still more affordable than the tourist centred places closer to me. 

This is the "view" directly across from my living room, liked the shadows.

All for now, back in Freiburg and today it is 37 C so the heat wave across Europe has hit here too.

April in Sevilla

Sevilla holds the final European soccer match. Last year, Scots brought fireworks that sent my nerves on jangle, especially when one exploded after I'd opened a window right under me. f**k. This year it is fans wearing the blue or red striped jerseys and yelling chants in the streets. relatively tame, well anything but firecrackers is, yes? 

Abril de Feria is happened April 21 to 26 this year. Major grocery stores closed for Wednesday to let staff attend but El Cortes only reduces by an hour at each end of the day. Bet those employees wished they worked for another grocers. Actually the staff attends the Tuesday night and Wednesday is the day to recover.

Here are some pictures

Here are some pictures, but I noticed one, two horse team, struggling and slipping over the cobbles which made me wonder why, were they fresh off the farm? All the others clopped along in rhythm. The streets are still covered in wax from Semana Santa, cars are still screeching around corners, despite the City's attempts to clean them.

This was the team that struggled.

Looking straight into my patio.

Ryan's 50th birthday was this week and we had planned a lunch out to Barrabaras which is relatively good, our favourite Aljibe is sadly closed now, cook retired. I invited Pepe last minute because Ryan didn't want a big deal made, but hey, the four amigos have to celebrate together. Pepe brought lots of "props" to let everyone else know Ryan was 50! 

Priceless! or Prince for a day!

How we met, Pepe had rented two of his apartments, to Bruce and I, and Ryan and Angela so suggested, since we all travelled a lot, that we meet and we've been best friends since. 

Both Ryan and Angela need new shoes so they requested that Pepe drive them to the Sevilla Fashion Outlet mall. 

https://www.sevillafashionoutlet.com/en

It was smaller than I expected but certainly had most of the known brands there for clothing. I went for the walk mostly and a day out with friends since I am the least brand knowledgeable, but it was fun.

The Jacaranda trees are in their full, purple bloom right now, here is a website that shows their glory, much better than the picture I took. I have two really large ones that border Museo Plaza and really enjoying them.

https://www.jacarandaspain.com/view-blog-post/43-spain-news-why-summer-in-the-costa-blanca-is-special.html

Sundays here are "family" lunch days when Ryan and Angela come here and we cook together. Usually one of us cooks and the other two help or relax. Ryan is always on beverage duty, sparkling water and wine. Pepe comes when he can but weekends are his family days too. 

So that was April in Sevilla, I usually am in Freiburg by now but decided to stay longer this year to hang out with my amigos here.

Trip to Lagos, Part 3 and final

 Thursday and it's breakfast at Lazy Jack's again, apparently we are a sucker for Joao's jokes and energy. He truly is a nice person. 

We were at the marina for breakfast and some ladies had purchased pastries to take away. They were on the wharf and a seagull swooped in and snatched the entire croissant from her fingers! True meaning of take away I guess... Then, of course, there was a gull fight to get a piece of it. They are bold those gulls.

Later in the afternoon I got a haircut from his wife Carina who does an excellent job. When I mentioned Joao's energy she jokingly said, you, the customers get it all, he comes home to become a couch potato. We had a good conversation about politics that she was careful to find out my viewpoint ahead to make sure there was no offence. They have two older dogs and a year old one that comes to work with her and she enjoys walking. 

This is the chillin' Mabell (spelling?)

I stayed downtown until Ryan and Angela could come in for dinner and we were treated to a young lady playing classical music on a digital cello. We carried on to have dinner at O'Mexilhao which specializes in seafood and Gin cocktails. It was a feast and a real treat!

Left to right: Regular with cardamom seed; cucumber; strawberry

Yes, you do see salad there, I try to have some vegetable and in turn get Ryan and Angela to eat their veggies, NO I am not their mom... and a plate of calamari on the left. I tried the mussels but Ryan and Angela enjoyed them the most. 

Good Friday now and I take the tourist "train" on wheels around the city. No commentary and basically went to two beaches and east of Lagos. If you want to go to those places it is a good deal at 5 Euros per one circular ride. What I'd forgotten was the tuk-tuk tourist ride is much better, taken the last time we were here. It goes through the city since it is much smaller and can handle the narrow streets and you get an amusing and knowledgeable commentary. Oh well, got some sea breeze and a hard seat for the ride. 

Before dinner Friday evening Ryan and I had cocktails at the Green Room which is a Mexican restaurant, I had a margarita and he had a espresso martini. Yum, haven't had a margarita in years.

Then we went back to the Dumplings House Momo and enjoyed more conversation with the owners.

Saturday we went to Odiaxere, a small village about 20 minutes by car for piri-piri chicken with Paul and Anja. It is tradition to go there because they know the owners well and the food is fabulous served sharing style with the chicken, fries and salad.

Chicken on the right.

Then we went back to Paul and Anya's home to meet up with their five rescue dogs, the shy one took a liking to me so I had lovely soft ears and head to pet the entire visit. They have a beautiful cacti garden around the edges of the yard which I envied. There are many storks in nests in this area, looked like an outdoor stork hotel in one field! 

Sunday we drove to a small tourist town and beach called Praia do Carvoeiro, walked in the sand under sunny skies and then watched people walk by, many with varying tinges of pink skin. 

Pepe said before we left, at least get your feet wet and in the sand at the beach, Ryan's reply, I'm a beach adjacent person but Angela complied.

The waitress, Lizzie, at Samir who's tag line is "I heart (love) sexy food and drinks" was friendly and spoke Spanish so she told us of the living conditions there, too expensive for locals, as we've heard from others. 

Then we drove to the top of the cliff to the boardwalk that seems to stretch for miles over the cliffs next to the sea and Algar Seco Rocks, beach is called Praia do Paraiso providing a very good view of what we see across the Algarve. 

That tent like structure is a restaurant you have to walk down/up to, not me thanks.

Last dinner was back in Lagos at Favorita, around the corner from the apartment as it was our last for this trip. This is how our table was reserved.

Chicken pesto spagetti - yummy!

Driving back to Sevilla on Monday it is hilly terrain with many farms, even a solar panel farm, but mostly orange and olive groves. The roads are rough in places so Angela would yell "butt clench" because it really does hurt the butt and back when going over some of the worse ones. 

I saw large rock walls, much like in the UK but these are boulder size winding across the agricultural fields, which made me wonder, larger animals? or using what is available with less effort to make them smaller... 

We took the rental car back to the train station which was crowded chaos, Ryan called an Uber since the taxi queue was very, very long. The times we have called this company for rides has been a good experience, drivers are courteous and talkative in Spanish. There is no hesitation about destination because they know the areas well and the cars are clean and comfortable. 

Great trip to a favourite destination that will always warrant a return visit. Friendly people, great food and being by the ocean, what's not to like? Thank you to Ryan for driving and most of these photographs, thank you to Angela for the butt warnings as she navigated and co-piloted. Thanks to my adoptive brother and sister for the wonderful experience!