SUNNY AND WARM MANILVA JUST WITH CLOUDS COMING OVER AT THE MOMENT

FRIDAY 13^th/ SPEPTEMBER 2013.

So far ,so good!!  We went for the early bus this morning but our friend Julia picked us up; it was shopping time in Sabinillas,only ‘Mercadona’and the paper shop then I went and got a taxi and picked Brenda up. After unpacking we walked down to the market for some fresh flowers and Brenda bought a new pair of jeans off one of the local stalls; The pictures above show the on-going work along the ‘Pedreta’ and  the structure going up around the ‘Roman Oven’

We then called Andy and he took us across to the garage, in the meantime I had checked the petrol receipt with an old one and they were the same, which means it was not a mistake with the Diesel as the garage man Pedro also confirmed later! So this means that its something else, fingers crossed as we wait to hear !

We met Anna while we were out so she walked back from the garage with us and picked up her papers as well as some fresh Figs and Grapes that out neighbours have passed in. Mano and Anna are joining us for supper on Sunday evening as I’ am making my classic ‘Fish Pie’ which we haven’t had in a while; seven sorts of fresh fish and seafood with my secret ingredients and of course toped with Brenda’s famous Mashed Potato – in fact the last time that we had ‘Fish Pie’ was when Brian and Lilli made it when they were staying with us for the ‘Vendimia Festival’ two years ago! ( It was Delicious!)

It is still very hot and sunny today despite the forecast and it looks like we might just miss the rain tomorrow before it goes nice again over the weekend and into next week; the bad weather that is hitting other parts of Spain is blowing in from the Atlantic Hurricane that is causing havoc at the moment!

Of course this afternoon I will be watching stage 19 of the “ Vuelta 2013’from S,Vincente Barquera to Oviedo – Alto Naranco in the ‘Principality of Astirias’ over 181kms; the 3 second difference between the leader Nibali and Horner is going to make it rather interesting today and on tomorrows mountain stage before the last stage in to Madrid on Sunday!

The Spanish rider Joaquin Rodfrquez won the stage but more importantly Chri Horner now leads the tour by 3 seconds from Nibali and is tonight wearing the RED jersey!

Over in San Fransisco the ‘America’s Cup it getting very interesting as ‘Oracle Team USA’ brought in a new ‘Tactician’ as they have sacked the old one, none other than Sir Ben Ainslie the five times Olympic Gold medal winner and the top racing seaman in the World at the moment! ‘Emirates Team New Zealand’ had not read the script as they then went out and won the next two races !! Oh dear !!

On Saturday the football returns over in England in the ‘Premier League’ as Stoke take on Manchester City at home, Everton welcome Chelsea to ‘Goodison Park’ ( Founded in 1878,won the ‘League Championship’ nine times !) For Big Bri over in Finland !! On Sunday its Swansea v Liverpool; over here in ‘La Liga’ Villareal welcome Real Madrid and it has just been announced  that  the most expensive player in the world, Gareth Bale will play in his first game for Madrid!

Before we have supper we have been asked out to the opening of Brenda’s Dentist’s new ‘Bodega la Espanola'’ at long last, half way down Calle Iglasia on the left; pictures to follow later as you can now see above;  Victor Brenda's dentist is from Argentina so he has built in the kitchen a large ,round,open BBQ pit, he is in front of it with his mother-in-law, Victor is a world renowned BBQ Judge in his own right!The food was rather special,Smoked Sausage,Chorizo,Black Pudding,thick cut Beef - all from Argentina and served 'Open' on local bread as a Tapas.

The dish of the night was his homemade 'Empanades' - two sorts,one with chopped Beef and the others with the addition of Smoked Cheese, the pastry was so light that they melt in your mouth! They were originally a Spanish dish from the regions of Galicia and Asturias which the Spanish conqueror's introduced into the country back in the 16th century,Lumy up at Bar Rojas makes her version of them,sometimes they are deep-fried but these were straight from the oven,by far the best way!

This evening for supper we are having ‘Merluza – Hake’ deep-fried in ‘Crusecampo Batter’ with Mushy Peas and square Chips, homemade Tartar sauce on the side.Half size portions later on !! 

Thought for the Day; See above.

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