Yes, if you have any questions you can ask, and I may be able to answer. I do not know how different it is from one visa office (London) to another (Paris).
I am in the last process of the application. Waiting for passport request at some point. It has been a very long process for us (4 years nearly) and still not over yet.
I agree with you about bureaucracy in Spain. That is what keeps me away from Spain, all the useless paperwork!!! Canada will be a great option is you want something between Europe and the USA.
I know Seville very well, I studied 2 years of High School there and my parents are still living there, they have been there for 16 years now.
Have you heard of a website called www.trackitt.com, I recommend you to sign up, it gives you a very good idea of processing times based on other applicants around the world.