A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK;

MONDAY 4^th/ AUGUST 2014.

After our regular breakfast of toast, tea and fresh fruit we shot around to the surgery to make an appointment for Brenda to see our doctor for a good check up and update – Wednesday morning was the first available; we then carried on down to Sabinillas for a little shopping expedition; our first port of call was the ‘Feratirias’ for some light bulbs and batteries, next it was the ‘Chinese Bazaar’ for a small picture frame then onto the ‘English Butchers’ in Duquesa for some Gammon Steaks, this is were thing started to go wrong.

He had none in, they are due tomorrow! Next it was the bank to pick up some cash from the machine, it was not working so I had to go and join the queue inside, this is were things got a bit nasty as they said my card was not registered and to go to our bank in Estapona – this was mad as we use the branch of our bank all the time and have done many transactions in the past with them, the manager was not helpful and I went back later and complained to him in very strong terms about the service – after getting some cash from the machine that had then been fixed!!

Our next port of call was the ‘Garden Centre’ for some fresh plants for the wall pots; they had nothing suitable in the color( yellow) that we wanted, another disappointment on our travels as we had stopped at the ‘Charity Shop’ on the way and they had noting suitable in stock – Anna & Mano had beaten us to the best selection!!

PS; Brenda did find a nice pair of white slacks to wear on Tuesday!

We called into the garage to top up the car with petrol; it was very busy as everywhere is at this time of the year, lots of traffic and no parking anywhere - the height of the holiday season – not our favorite time especially as it’s one of the hottest days so far with no breeze! Finally it was ‘Super Sol’ for some essential English ingredients – no problems!

We then came back up to the house and unpacked; I checked the car for oil and water as we are going across to Estepona in the morning, sadly Claus & Doreen have had to cancel our lunch out with them as they now have workmen coming to do some essential maintenance as they are going back to Germany on Friday.Den & Josie are 'Hitching' a lift into Estepona and we will then catch up with them later for a spot of lunch and a cool drink as the forecast is 36/37degs!

They are calling on Thursday to say goodbye after we go down to ‘Bodegon Andaluz’ for a Tapas lunch with them! We are still going to Estepona tomorrow as I need my hair trimming and Brenda is going for some cosmetics and possible a little retail therapy!

At lunchtime Mano & Anna called in for a good chat and gossip, Anna did some work on our Mobiles at the same time.

This evening for supper we are having ‘Tortilla’ with Smoked Ham & Mixed Salad; last night after supper we could not find any good films to watch so ended up watching “ Meet the Fockers” from 2004 with a mega-cast of Robert De Niro,Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand and Blythe Danner,Gwyneth Paltrow’s mother! We should have guessed by the title as the ‘Fockers’ was awful!!

PPS; We think that Brian,Lilli and their two dogs Duncan & Penny are on their way down to sunny Manilva at this moment?! Official confirmation to follow!! He is due to start work next Monday 11th August !! To say that we and the whole village is excited is somewhat of an understatement to say the least !!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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