MANILVA NEWSLETTER

We have been in the house for four weeks now and are starting to settle into a routine now that we have finished un-packing.We have also started to furnish the guest rooms,new nets last week and a new cane and wicker bedhead in the double room which was dropped off the same evening after we saw it in the shop in Sabrinillas! The other day we went out for a walk in the village and found our way thru the narrow streets and ended up in the local bar below Carlo's apartment for a lunchtime drink-no driving ! The process for the paper work has been updated so next week we have to go to the Civil Police and sign in for our “NIE” so we can then go to the town hall and obtain the necessary forms to become resident here and then we are able to obtain all the benefits etc.Our Spanish bank account is open and running and we set up standing orders for the services;From this weekend it is the start of “ Semana Santa “ which is a very special time in Spain,the first procession in the village is tomorrow and goes on throughout the week with the the final one on Friday which is done in strict silence This all happens in the streets around us and past the town hall to the church at the bottom of the village. The Costa del Sol is full for the whole week with holiday people and family's meeting up for the festivities,Sally ,Mano and Anna's daughter is coming over for the week with her two chidren and is staying at the Aparthotel,Mano who is now the Food and Beverage manager showed us the Spa,the Restaurant and Cafe Bar which are due to open later in the year-very impressive and the Restaurant has terrific views from the balcony,Over next week end we have been called in to help at the bar and poolside “Chirigito” as our housesitting job has cancelled due to a change in plans by the owner that we worked for a couple of weeks ago.At the same time we are receiving calls about the Winnebago from our adverts in the paper all the time,which we pass on to the garage,The other evening we even made time to sit on the roof terrace over looking the roofs of the village with our Gin and Tonic and Bacardi and Coke as the sun went down over the coast !!Also over the last two weeks we have been cooking all our old favourites,including Stews,Curry,Lamb and Pork chops and Steaks,last night it was fish night when we had Fillets of Halibut,all cooked in the best Olive Oil,The now famous “Omelette” of choice is also back on the menu as well! During the last week we have also been busy sending E-mails to all our family and friends updating them with all the news if they have not had a chance to view the blog-page.Watch out for all the pictures of the procession's during the Easter week.Vidal and Gissy are very dear friends from the site are starting to work now that it is getting busy in the bars so last weekend I went down and picked up Gissy from the marina and she did Brenda's hair at our house as well as cutting mine and also putting face masks on us!That evening I went to bed with a blond for the first time!! ( Brenda )