WERE OFF! WOOHOO

Good start to this long break, won 40 quid on the grand national, that was Lin's Tiger Roll, followed by a delay to our flight, followed by fee upgrade to business class. Shame about the delay but we are spending it in the Club Lounge - tough, but someone has to do it.

AIRMILES TO SEVILLE (lost in ether)

What a lovely place. Had to battle with snow & muppets on M25, broken down Mercs in middle lane, crashes and the stupid NumPlateRecog in car park. Made it on to BA flight. Seats so cramped 9in between seat back your seat cushion. Steward person was 5miles short of a free flight, when I asked for black coffee, she asked whether I wanted cappuccino - duh. Bus from airport good, hotel v.nice in Jewish district, which is a maze of narrow alleys that Google maps cannot penetrate. Wandered the town to the parasol which Linda hips could not negotiate. Spent afternoon on guided tour in the Alcazar, which is fantastic. It is a moorish, then Christian palace with wonderful gardens. Spent the evening on slap-up meal in the oldest restaurant in Seville. 2morrow on river cruise, then guided tour round our hotel, followed by getting sloshed again. It is the only solution to the IBS, I can't tell if it's that or the booze that's giving me the shits. On balance I prefer the booze.

LOVELY SEBBIE

Nice day today with some success & some fails. Wandered around Plaza de Espana - ask me about the tile displays. Went on boat tour, just the 2 of us  with free wine - good. Not much to see on river - bad. Had tour of Jew district booked, tour company sent wrong meeting point - bad. Boat tour gave us internet guide of Jew land so went on our own - good. Went to tapas bar, super grub, wonderful cheese & ham, massive brandy - all good, good, good.  Good choice of loose tea here, fruits would love this town.

MALECON

We'ved moved hotels down to the Verdado district. This is a newer area, well it was in the 50's, that had embassies and bigger properties. The Malecon is a coastal stretch that could be brilliant but is too run down. The hotel we are in is a bit like the Tower of Terror, including dodgy lifts. Still it's very nice. The breakfast buffet was fantastic - it had everything, just like on a cruise, only better - free champagne for Lin. Dinner buffet equally as good. We've been bashing the mohitos, drink prices are very good. The weather's been top notch, so good that my hat caught fire today. Everything is really tatty around us, although there is some investment going on, we wandered down to the Melia Cohiba Hotel which is very nice. Next door is the Riviera Hotel which harks back to the Mafia days of Godfather 2. Locals all out playing baseball this morning.

TOWER OF TERROR STRIKES BACK

Today started normally, breakfast good, lifts have a mind of their own. Went for a walk and came across the US embassy which looks like it's under siege. Strolled back lunch time, went upstairs - couldn't get in room. Down to reception, new key, back up - didn't work. Back down, back up, new key BD, BU - same result. New key, Franc comes up with us, key doesn't work. Maid key works. BD, BU this time with Gaston-the-maintenance. Yet another new key, complete re-program, BU, BD, - door opens, safe opens but no electricity when you put in wall box. BD, BU with Franc, this time 2 keys. This works the lights OK, we just have to have 2 keys. Not being able to open safe was potential nightmare, no money, tickets or passports when we leave tomorrow. I see Paul's first car ended up over here.

MALECON

We'ved moved hotels down to the Verdado district. This is a newer area, well it was in the 50's, that had embassies and bigger properties. The Malecon is a coastal stretch that could be brilliant but is too run down. The hotel we are in is a bit like the Tower of Terror, including dodgy lifts. Still it's very nice. The breakfast buffet was fantastic - it had everything, just like on a cruise, only better - free champagne for Lin. Dinner buffet equally as good. We've been bashing the mohitos, drink prices are very good. The weather's been top notch, so good that my hat caught fire today. Everything is really tatty around us, although there is some investment going on, we wandered down to the Melia Cohiba Hotel which is very nice. Next door is the Riviera Hotel which harks back to the Mafia days of Godfather 2. Locals all out playing baseball this morning.

CHECKED OUT

Checked out, had couple of hours to spare. Took buggy ride with driver who hated the regime. Said they couldn't have Macdonald's but had MacCastros instead. He says the whole place is a shambles with no freedoms. Took us to a load of local places we wouldn't find. Pretty interesting.