A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY - ' NOTCHE DE SAN JUAN '

SATURDAY 23^rd/ JUNE 2018.   “ NOCHE DE SAN JUAN “

We all had a nice lie in this morning after the hottest night of the year so far, ‘Paddy’ slept for most of the night on the marble floor, before joining us on the bed this morning, for lots of cuddled & hugs, that’s ‘Paddy’ – not us! We then sorted ourselves out for the day ahead after all the excitement of yesterday, after freshening up we went out for the first walk of the day, around the bottom of the village, which is now ‘Paddy’s’ favourite walk!

He has all his spots for his ‘ messages’ – when we returned Brenda was on duty, for her famous ‘ Campo’ Poached Eggs on Toast, with mugs of strong tea. ‘ Paddy ‘ is eating very well, in his own time, his regular food & biscuits, as well as some little bits of ‘ goodies’ – Chicken, Pork, Duck, Steak, Liver, etc - with a ‘ treat’ to follow!

We are having at home weekend, taking things easy, we are not going down to Sabinillas for all the ‘Notche de San Juan’ Festivities, as it’s just too busy and very difficult to park, one year when all the folks were here I had to park the car, after dropping them off, nearly a mile and a half away! I took me nearly 2 hours to collect them later!! On our last walk of the day, we are going down to the ‘Mirador- View Place’ at the bottom of the village to watch the fireworks display, which kicks off just after mid-night.  

Also this evening down in the ‘Pabellon’( the large celebration venue ) down by the sports complex there is a ‘ Flamenco Festival – Fin de Curso’ taking place at the same time, with various local artists performing, arranged by the ‘ Peña Flamenco ‘ Association of Manilva.

This morning the sun was out first things and the sky was already bright blue by the time we set off on our walk, there is still a very pleasant cooling breeze, which keeps it just bearable on the shady side of the street, by lunchtime it will be 28/29 degs+ - overnight 20 degs, tomorrow is going to be even a little hotter, next week we are in for a very ‘ hot-one’ – hovering in the high 20s, low 30s, watch this space.

See below the sunrise over the ‘ Mediterranean’ this morning.

Yesterday evening we got ourselves ‘dressed up’ and ready, before we set off to ‘Venta Garcia’ for Brenda’s 75^th Birthday Celebrations, as you can see below, the beautiful bunch of flowers, from Sandra, arrived at lunchtime as we were sat outside ‘ Bar Rojas’ for our light ‘Tapas’ lunch, ‘Bar Castillo’ is closed for holidays.

When we arrived at ‘ Venta Garcia’ the owner ‘Jesus’ welcomed me with open arms and two kisses, in his usual fashion ‘ Welcome Malcolm’ !

We sat outside in the patio/bar on a balmy evening, two glasses of the excellent, chilled  ‘ Cava Rosado’ arrived, as we perused the Menus & Wine list,  with a rather special ‘ House Canape’ of a crispy ‘Tampura Prawn’ resting on a Fruit Compote arrived. 

We then ordered a nice glass of a  ‘Rueda Sauvignon Blanc’ for Brenda and a ‘ Cuba Libre’ for me, as you can see below it was an ‘ Helluva’ one!

Brenda had the starter of the day, from the special selection, a ‘ Timbale of Prawns, Avocado & Mango’ while I choose from the main menu, the ‘ Scallops resting on a Pea Puree’ For her main course she had another special of the day, a ‘Half of Roast Duck ‘ resting on a Fruit stuffing, I choose one of the ‘ Fish of the Day’ specials – my favourite ‘ Grilled Sole’ with ‘ Frits  as you can see below. 

We had a nice corner table ( see above) with the ever attentive ‘ Jesus’ looking after us, Brenda had a very nice glass of the ‘House Rioja’ with her Duck, the starters arrived, both delicious, and then we waited a little while, for the main course, as they ‘cook’ to order, the Duck was very tasty and my large ‘ Grilled Sole’ was perfect,  but still not as good as ‘ Restaurante Macues’ – which can’t be beaten! No desserts were called for, as the lights dimmed and ‘ Jesus’ came along with a small ‘Birthday Treat’ with just one candle, as the other 74 coudn’t fit on! Brenda had a ‘ Cafe Cortado’ as the on the ‘house ‘ Brandy & Limoncello’ arrived. 

A very relaxing  evening in a proper Clothed & Glassed restaurant, with great service, it reminds us of somewhere in the past ??!! 

This afternoon/evening on the sports front; we will be catching the Racing from ‘Royal Ascot’ - the ‘World Cup football ‘ from Russia, the ‘Tennis’ from the UK and the ‘ French Grand Prix’ from the ‘ Paul Ricard Circuit’ outside Marseille.

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Grilled Entrecote Steaks’ – seasoned and then cooked on a very hot griddle-plate ‘ Med-Rare’ and left to rest, garnished with seared Asparagus Spears & Button Mushrooms, accompanied with whole French Green Beans and twice-cooked ‘ Chips’

After supper we will be watching the next episode of the ‘Welsh’ police drama( with sub-titles) “ Hidden “ as well as catching the pen-ultimate episode of the Swedish/Danish crime/drama “ The Bridge “ that we missed last night!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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