A VERY COLD, OVERCAST & DAMP SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY.

SATURDAY 6^th JANUARY 2018.     “ FIESTA DE LOS REYES “

We had a nice lie in this morning as the village is very quiet, to say the least, it’s a ‘ Bank Holiday ‘ here in Spain on ‘ Three Kings Day ‘ – all the shops and bars are closed, for now, the children are still on holiday, no neighbours out as it’s rather cold, with a very stiff breeze blowing, the Church bells will start later!

Yesterday evening I missed the ‘Three Kings ‘ parade as I was out collecting the car from the garage, it’s all repaired and going very well, as it should after all the work, at great expense! It was due to be dropped off earlier, before we went out to James & Michala’s wedding reception down in ‘Bar Pedreta’ – but as usual ‘Pedro’ didn’t arrive on time!

James & Michala were married in Gibraltar earlier in the morning with our dear Irish friends Mick & Illona as the witnesses, we popped down to congratulate the happy couple and ended up staying for the Paella, two sorts, Fish & Meat, before the cake cutting. The photographer at the registry office was Daniela, as she was off work, it’s one of her many talents!


See below the ' classic ' Gibraltar wedding picture of the happy couple.

And at the reception;

During all the excitement of yesterday I forgot to pick up our 'Roscon de Ryes ' cake from the local Bakery so we will have to wait until Monday!

Brenda shot out with the camera, in the early evening, while I was sorting the car out, but sadly just missed the start, of the rather poor parade, this year, as it set off around the village on a different route.  So sadly no pictures this year.( so far )

See  below some pictures from earlier in the day;

Overnight the rain arrived along with a very cold wind, this morning, at the moment, it’s dry but overcast, cloudy with storm clouds in the sky, more rain to come later, no doubt, by this afternoon it will be only 12/13 degs, if we are lucky, over the next two days it’s more of the same, but keeping dry, the rest of next week is looking a little warmer, reaching 16/17 degs, fingers crossed, with just the threat of the wet stuff in the air, watch this space.




See the view down in Sabinillas this afternoon as the storm clouds clear over the beach.

Meanwhile over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, Sandra's house is covered and the road outside is looking beautiful as the ' Winter Snow ' hits them hard !

All this means that we are now able to meet up with, as arranged, our dear friend Joyce ( Baby) tomorrow lunchtime and go along to our favourite restaurant for their excellent ‘ Sunday Roast Lunch’ – “ Kokomo “ over in Estepona, were we will have a good catch-up & gossip with all her news.

Next week in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’  ‘Chico’ is arriving on Tuesday for another weeks holiday and then on Wednesday little princess ‘ Reina’ is back with us for her usual three days, no sign of ‘ Chispa’ at the moment, as Isobel is not very well and is not letting her out!

Earlier this evening we had a nice surprise when Jan called in with ' Charlie' to wish us a ' Happy New Year ' - she also gave Brenda a very nice bouquet of flowers as a 'thank you ' - sadly on 'New Year's Eve' morning ' Charlie' was attacked and badly bitten by a local Alsatian, on his back, while Brian was out walking him, unusually Brian had him on the lead, he's back to his normal self and came charging up our street and shook the front door!

We are also going to make appointments down at the Medical Centre, in Sabinillas, next week, to see our Doctor, Natalia, for check-ups/reviews etc, as we have some Hospital appointments on the horizon over the next couple of months, hopefully the transfer has gone through from the local surgery up here in the village, watch this space.

On Wednesday the new ‘Pizzareria’ is opening in our street, two doors down from us, “ Pizza Lovers “ – we have been asked to pop along by our Italian friend Domenico, who own’s it.

On Friday I will be out on my travels down in Sabinillas for the weekly shopping.

At the moment Brenda is taking down all the Xmas decorations, not her favourite job, so I’m keeping a low profile and only appearing when she shouts!

This evening for our supper we are having ‘ Grilled Fillet Steaks ‘ cooked on a very hot griddle-plate ‘ Med-Rare’ – then left to rest, garnished with seared Asparagus Spears & Button Mushrooms and deep-fried Onion Rings ( Milk & Flour!) with whole Baby French Green Beans and of course twice-cooked ‘ Frits ‘ – Dijon Mustard to taste!  

On the sports front this weekend; over in the UK it’s the Third Round of the ‘FA Cup’ – last night Liverpool welcomed Everton in a very exciting game as they won 2-1, when their new Dutch player ‘Van Dijk’ scored the winning goal! Today Manchester City welcome the high flying Burnley, over here it’s the return of the ‘La Liga’ after the Xmas break, Barcelona are at home to Lavante & Real Madrid travel to Celta Viga.

This afternoon we will be watching the ‘ National Hunt Racing’ from Sandown Park and Chepstow, where the rescheduled ‘Welsh Grand National’ is taking place.

After supper this evening we will be channel hopping before watching over on BBC Four the next two episodes of the excellent French police/crime drama series ( Sub-Titles!) – “ Spiral “




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Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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