Un paseo on a sunny day

Inspiration for Moisés

Puff of cloud.

Two Parejas.

Typical Sevillano niños, time-warped from 1940s Britain.

By my casa vieja.


En frente de mi new house.

Neidín

Que alegia! La niña mas wapa de Sevilla, sin dudas :)

Patio Colours

Seville has finally shaken off the last of its winter clothes and the sun and temperatures have begun to shoot up. All the little corner shops and balconies and garden centres are sporting geraniums, and hot pinks, reds and purples are everywhere. Our little patio has been transformed into a colourful oasis! It's perfect for sitting in and eating breakfast or supping wine in at the end of the day :)

Illuminated

La Madrugá Widows

Semana Santa

On the Thursday night of Semana Santa, the madrugá, the most famous and popular processions take place, and pass the Cathedral in the early hours of the morning. The candles and lights, the heavy smell of orange blossom and incense (plus of course the lack of sleep) all help build up the drama.

This year I was fortunate enough to get a ticket that permitted me to cross Calle Sierpes, a street the runs through the centre, and where the two most famous virgins pass: La Macarena and La Virgen de Triana.
My friend and I snuck into a shop doorway and waited, cameras at the ready as each fanfare announced the next cofradia: first of all the nazarenos, in their tall pointed caps and robes, black white or purple depending on which procession they're with, and carrying candles or crosses, and often with bare feet. Next the cristo, high up with his cross, normally accompanied by a brass band and more nazarenos. And finally the virgin, swinging as she is walked solemnly and slowly down the narrow streets.

Each virgin is different, and vying for attention in beautiful bejewelled robes and with gold and silver plated candle sticks surrounding her. And as each virgin is different, so are the people's responses to her as she passes, either a reverent silence or catcalling, whistles and shouts of 'Que guapa! Guapa guapa!' ('How beautiful!'). The more noise that is made, the more you can be sure that you are standing next to admirers of that particular virgin; like its two football teams, Sevilla is very passionately divided between La Macarena or La Virgen de Triana

As interesting as the virgins and processions and music and pomp however, are the faces of those watching, sometimes crying, sometimes yawning or laughing, or the costaleros on their breaks in between carrying the heavy floats on their shoulders, smoking their cigarettes or grabbing a quick beer before hurrying back to their cofradia.

Still Moments

Knick-knacks the Parisian Way

Wonderful finds at the flea market near Porte de Vanves in south Paris, but not enough money or space in our luggage (or space in our flat!) to bring them all home. This is when a camera comes in as a second-best... we might not have been able to buy anything but at least we got photos! I especially liked this strange man with a pig: a flick of a switch on his back, and he lifts the pig to his mouth and sticks his tongue out to lick the pig in the process! Very odd, still not sure exactly why or what it's for!

Snippets of Montmartre

There was a perfect moment in Montmartre,
sitting on a bench
looking down on Paris sprawled beneath us
and eating pan o chocolate,
and suddenly the sun came out and it lit the whole city up
and neither one of us had to say a word.

I love you in Paris

...for loving french croissants and the surprise on your face at the first bite...


...for your obsession with shoes and photographing my feet to help me decide on which shoes to buy at the Sunday Bastille Market...


...for always carrying a sketchbook... for your creativity... and for your talent...


...for your quiet patience as I struggle to get 'the right shot' of a random heart found on a cold street corner...


... for being Moisés, mi media naranja, no matter what city you're in...

Rainy Night

Just before spring kicked in, Seville had a series of ridiculously wet rainy days, which are only any fun if you're sitting in a car with a camera. Or in the bar in front of said car with a beer!

Photos by me and moisés

Country Romp

Spring finally sprung the other day, and I was itching to get out of the city and soak in that wonderful new green. We jumped into our walking boots and drove up to the Sierra Norte and had a lovely day wandering down country lanes, talking to cows and horses, picnicking next to a lake and snoozing under a tree. After the wettest winter I've ever experienced, it was a well needed mini-holiday! Sun, please don't stay away so long next time, we missed you!