A description of life in the village of Pruna, nestled in the Andalusian mountains of Seville

It can be quite daunting going into real Spanish bars, no visible menus, English treated as if is a long lost language spoken by horrifying apparitions, the staff smoking behind the bar, the No fume posters clearly visible.

On entering Pruna from Olvera on the left you will see a couple of bars, Bar Eleutro (also known as bar castillio) is the cheapest place in Pruna, but maintains excellent quality. Their Tostados con tomate y Jamon are quite heavenly (photoed below) a roll cut in half, toasted, rubbed with fresh tomatoe, drizzled with local olive oil, then topped with hand cut serrano ham, this AND a cup of cafe con leche costs 2 euros! Not an early opening bar, getting there before 10am is risky, they also have great tapas, and serve generous tapas with all cold drinks.

On the same side a litle higher up, the Colorosa Ratones is a great place! On Fridays they have tapas for one euros each from 8pm, and we pig out, finishing off with coffees and brandy, a fabulous and really inexpensive night out. Clean and friendly, a really lovely place.

Following the signpost to Biblioteca Municipal you go into the central square at the back of the church, to your right is the MiraMar, the most popular bar with the expats, menu in english, and the morning sun on the outside make this bar, owned and run by Antonio, friendly and accessible.

Opposite is a rather shabby looking bar, The Bar Campo, but they are so friendly and the coffee is great, I have been told that there tostados come with as much pate as you want, self service from a big tin. In winter the sun streams onto the front, and if you gesture that you want a table outside they will oblige, even though at a mere 20 degrees centigrade it is obviously midwinter to them.

At the end of Calle Real is Antonios, a very forbidding red brick building with no outside space, only clearly a bar due to the double doors and the people drinking inside, do not be put off!! Antonio and his family have a farm and often sell home gathered snails in sauce. their tostados are HUGE and their coffee is almost criminally strong. This is where I go when it is dull or raining, and I miss it when in England.

Like everyone else I only go to certain bars, so please give me information on all the bars that you use to that I can put them up to!!

It is strange living in an area that has Sunday down as a day of rest, no shops open, nothing to do but sit down and enjoy the world go by.

The Spanish tend to meet up and go for walks and coffees with the whole family. Algodonales, a 20 minute drive from Pruna, has become a hub for people to meet. The village overflows with bars and cafes, patesseries are open, chemists too, and the wonderful roast chicken shop has a queue (just follow the aroma)

Outside the church from midday onwards is a free bouncy castle for the children on just by a small park, so this would be a great day out if you had small children.

I love the atmosphere of bustling village life with a laid back Sunday feel.