Tuesday 27th May.
We awoke to a hot and sunny day and after toast and tea we walked around to the local shops to buy some essential food as they are a lot cheaper here in the village;the butchers is particularly very cheap with the local pork and beef cuts being are favourites as well as the chicken which is always fresh and he cuts them as you require and then skins and bones it and chops up the bones for stock! In the evening we had a curry for dinner which each time I make it gets hotter as I find more curry powders in the shops.
Wednesday 28th May.
Today was a day for washing as there was a slight breeze so after Brenda had put the washing out on the roof terrace we went for a walk around the village and took some more pictures as you can see below! We started at the entrance to the village that comes up from Sabinillas through the vine fields.The new Local Police headquarters is now open and shortly the fire station is also going to open next to it; above it is the School of Music as they are very into their brassbands in the area with all the parades and next to it is the Radio and TV station whilst just across the road is the small Post Office,the Police station used to be the same size but now the Police chief’s office alone is bigger in the new headquarters!We then walked thru the village past the town hall in the main street by our house and went down to the local surgery which is run by one doctor who is also the deputy mayor and big time politician as well!Just past the surgery is the street down to the large Cultural centre which has all sorts of social things on all the time.Next to it is the entrance to the Manilva FC. Football stadium which is a multi-use pitch and has some sort of football on most of the time including a seven a side team as well as next to the pitch on the far side are the Paddle Tennis courts,its very popular here and a new league has just started.The very impressive Sports centre is also next to the ground and holds all sorts of sports including Basketball,Handball,Volleyball,Five a Side Football,Gymnastics and Climbing on the very good wall as you can see.There are three fully equipped gyms and outside are all weather Tennis courts and sports pitches as well as a large open air swimming pool for the local residents. As you walk into the centre of the village you pass the Infants School and the Primary School were Fabio goes to in the morning,the High School is on the other side of the village over looking the coast.The view of the church as you can see is quiet spectacular from this side of the village and the quiet cemetery is in a secluded spot next to it. As you walk up thru the village you pass the small Cultural centre and bar for the old men of the village;everythink is 85cent.and multiple’s there off!!The village is very well kept and the main streets are washed down every week and the manual and mechanical cleaners look after all the side streets.In the main street just by our house are the very cleaver rubbish bins that you drop your rubbish into and it goes down into a below ground storage unit and they are emptied by a large collection lorry during the night!
Thursday 29th May. One " Helluva " Day.
During last night as we were having supper and watching the TV. Brenda complained that she had a watery eye and as we were going to bed she said that she thought that she had bitten her lip as it was slightly swollen but we did not think any think was wrong at the time. How wrong were we to be as when she got up in the morning we found that she had lost the use of the left side of her face and looked like she had been punched by Mike Tyson! We shot to our doctors in Estepona and as soon as he saw her he confirmed what we already thought, either she had had a stroke or it could be “ Bells Palsy” She had no other symptoms and he immediately arranged for her to go to an Consultant at a clinic in Marbella for a Brain Scan!! So we shot into the city and found the clinic and Brenda who was very brave went in for the scan which takes over half an hour to complete.The result usually take 24 hrs. but we had arranged to collect the scan straight away and take it back to our very good doctor in Estepona where he was waiting to give us his opinion.He was very good and told us straight away that it was not a stroke and her brain scan was all clear!! He then showed us on the scan that it was the ear infection that Brenda has had for the last couple of weeks had got to the main nerve on the side of the face and it was “ Bells Palsy” He then gave Brenda an injection and put her on various tablets to help her straight away. We arrived home in a state of shock but after speaking to our friends here and in Wales we then got to grips with the problem and I went on the internet and soon found out all about Bells Palsy,the reason why.the symptoms and how to treat the problems which we printed out and have now become very quickly experts on!! Over the next couple of days she is having more injections and is already feeling a little better and is also looking a lot better! We have also changed all the menu’s and we are now eating soft foods to help with the digestion problem.
Friday 30th May.
We went back to the doctor and he spent some time with us and gave Brenda another injection and confimed that he could already see a small improvement to her eye and that next week after some more treatment and artificial tears to help her get some movement back to her eye lid she will start to recover over the next few weeks. We called into the hypermarket and stocked up for the weekend with Rice ! This weekend we are going to take it very easy and we have cancelled Sunday Dinner,Anna is away in Wales for a week and Fabio has a temperature so the clan is keeping a low profile!
Saturday 31st.May.
The weather is getting nicer all the time and the forecast for next week is very hot-30deg.+This morning we went for a walk and bumped into some Spanish friends and they all had heard about Brenda on the grapevine of the local family and were very nice and wished her all the best and a quick recovery.Tonight we are having Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Spring onions and my special vegetable fried rice.Brenda is out on the roof terrace and Tim our very dear friend from Colwyn Bay has just phoned and when we came in yesterday there was a lovely message on Facebook from his daughter Jo which we very much appreciated.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
MANILVA, THE VILLAGE FACILITIES.
The pictures below,taken today,show some of the facilities that our small village has to offer and gives you an idea of why we are settling here.
Monday, May 26, 2008
MANILVA.
Saturday 24th. May.
We got up early and arrived at the Aparthotel to prepare the buffet in the very small kitchen with very little equipment,we did buy a very large pan to boil the Gambas in and the prawns were cooked on sea salt on a hot plate which when they are cooking crackle! We served them hot and the Gambas cold,As well as traditional salads we made some coleslaw and potato salad to give the buffet a hint of England as well as a pasta salad with fresh Tuna,The stuffed peppers were served warm and went down very well along with all sorts of cold cured meats and chorizo and the carved Negro ham served with crisp dry biscuits. Every thing was dressed and accompanied with various dips and garnished with fresh mint and parsly.We recommended a Pink Champagne with a fresh local strawberry in the frosted glass’s for the toast and also we arranged for Vidal to come and play on the terrace as a surprise to Rafael the birthday boy! The weather was warm and hot and the party went on all day and into the night,we have been asked to do the same again for his wife on the 21st June,which is the Saturday before Brenda’s big birthday on the Sunday-watch this space!
Sunday 25th.May.
As usual we had a lie in and then had a late brunch of Bacon, Sausage and Eggs as we got the dinner ready in the afternoon.We had invited Anna and some of her family who are over here on a golfing holiday and staying at the Aparthotel for our now traditional Sunday Roast,this week is was Roast Leg of Pork with all the trimmings and followed with Crepes for sweet.We met David,Debbie and their son Tom earlier in the week at the hotel.We started with a Cava with Kir which we bought in Lucon which now seems a long time ago!from the distillery in the town.Carlos,Ana Mari and Fabio called in for a drink and Mano joined us later after he had finished work and we were just getting onto the Soberano brandy! Another Helluva Sunday!
Monday 26th May.
Today we caught up with the chores around the house after the weekend and I later popped out with Mano to Estepona to take some pictures for him and send them to him on an e-mail as he needed them for the building project that he is also evolved with, Over the weekend Brenda’s sister Jenny rang her to catch up with all the news and our dear friend Tim also rang on Sunday and we caught up with all his family news as he was Roasting a Leg of Lamb for them and some friends as well ! Just as I am typing this the plumber has arrived and fitted a new sink and wash stand and cupboard in white wood and marble in our downstairs loo which we had the problems with last Sunday-very quick by local standards! Tonight we are having cold Roast Pork and salad for supper.
We got up early and arrived at the Aparthotel to prepare the buffet in the very small kitchen with very little equipment,we did buy a very large pan to boil the Gambas in and the prawns were cooked on sea salt on a hot plate which when they are cooking crackle! We served them hot and the Gambas cold,As well as traditional salads we made some coleslaw and potato salad to give the buffet a hint of England as well as a pasta salad with fresh Tuna,The stuffed peppers were served warm and went down very well along with all sorts of cold cured meats and chorizo and the carved Negro ham served with crisp dry biscuits. Every thing was dressed and accompanied with various dips and garnished with fresh mint and parsly.We recommended a Pink Champagne with a fresh local strawberry in the frosted glass’s for the toast and also we arranged for Vidal to come and play on the terrace as a surprise to Rafael the birthday boy! The weather was warm and hot and the party went on all day and into the night,we have been asked to do the same again for his wife on the 21st June,which is the Saturday before Brenda’s big birthday on the Sunday-watch this space!
Sunday 25th.May.
As usual we had a lie in and then had a late brunch of Bacon, Sausage and Eggs as we got the dinner ready in the afternoon.We had invited Anna and some of her family who are over here on a golfing holiday and staying at the Aparthotel for our now traditional Sunday Roast,this week is was Roast Leg of Pork with all the trimmings and followed with Crepes for sweet.We met David,Debbie and their son Tom earlier in the week at the hotel.We started with a Cava with Kir which we bought in Lucon which now seems a long time ago!from the distillery in the town.Carlos,Ana Mari and Fabio called in for a drink and Mano joined us later after he had finished work and we were just getting onto the Soberano brandy! Another Helluva Sunday!
Monday 26th May.
Today we caught up with the chores around the house after the weekend and I later popped out with Mano to Estepona to take some pictures for him and send them to him on an e-mail as he needed them for the building project that he is also evolved with, Over the weekend Brenda’s sister Jenny rang her to catch up with all the news and our dear friend Tim also rang on Sunday and we caught up with all his family news as he was Roasting a Leg of Lamb for them and some friends as well ! Just as I am typing this the plumber has arrived and fitted a new sink and wash stand and cupboard in white wood and marble in our downstairs loo which we had the problems with last Sunday-very quick by local standards! Tonight we are having cold Roast Pork and salad for supper.
SANLUCAR DE BARRAMEDA.
Friday 23rd.May.
We set off early to Sanlucar de Barrameda with Mano to catch the market as we had to buy the freshest and best Seafood,Hams and Vegetables for the birthday buffet on Saturday of the owner of the Aparthotel where the Guerrero family work and us occasionally ! Mano was born in Sanlucar along with his five brothers and four sisters ! and had told us over the years all about it but when we got there we were totally surprised as it is a vibrant city just past Jerez and Cadiz situated at the entrance to the Guadalquivir River on the coast with the Atlantic on one side and the Mediterraneo on the other; we were expecting a small fishing village as it was when Mano left it with his family nearly fifty years ago to go to Barcelona !It is also in the heart of the sherry making region and has many famous Bodegas in the city and in the country around,we sampled some of the local Manzanilla and were introduced to the Viruta aged sherry for the first time from the casks on display in the pictures.As we walked to the market we passed all the grand house’s with open patio’s at their entrance’s. The market is open six days a week and is on the narrow streets and in a large and noisy market hall in the centre of the city.We looked around and checked the price’s as we found the largest and best Gambas,Langustines and Prawns on a fish stall in the heart of the market and which the owner turned out to know Mano from when he was a child ! Just opposite we also found the best and most expensive cured hams and Chorizo on the butchers stall and just down the on the other side of the market we found all the Lettuce,Tomatoes and so on for the salads as well as some home made Spanish sweet Peppers stuffed with a savory Chicken filling. We also bought a special carving knife for the ham as it has to be sliced very thin and I had a lot of local experts to show me how they carve it !We then called into the oldest and best Hotel in the city, “Tartaneros Hotel” which happens to be one of Mano and Anna’s favorite’s as well.They have been promising to take us to it for years and we are planning to return soon,as you can see in the pictures it has loads of character and atmosphere and it is also the Bullfighters Hotel when the “ Corrida de Toros ” is on, as it was whilst we were there as you can see in the pictures of The Plaza de Toros.If you click on the photo you can read the details and on the casks also.This part of Spain is also the most religious and as you can see it has many church’s in the city,over twenty and just on our short walk to the market we passed five including Santa Domingo where Mano was christened ! The green awnings over the street are to protect the walkers in the processions in the narrow streets where the sun gets through.The Plaza de Cabildo is the main square in the city and is where everybody parades in their finest in the evening as the café’s become alive and they then walk down to the seafront to the many fish restaurants, some of which are the finest in Spain.On our way to Sanlucar we passed “Venta Antonio” which has its own landing strip for private jets to land bringing the cutomers from Madrid and all over Spain.The Guadalquivir River,one of the longest in Spain,has on the opposite bank the largest wild life reserve in Europe.The famous and large Seafood comes from where the fresh water meets the Atlantic and Mediterraneo sea water and they taste so sweet and fresh.Over the weekend in Sanlucar it was also the time for the Feria de la Manzanilla which is a celebration of all things Spanish including dressing up in the national costume,eating and drinking,dancing, and also the bullfights as well as Carriage driving and Horse Racing on the beach .Sanlucar de Barrameda – we shall return !!
We set off early to Sanlucar de Barrameda with Mano to catch the market as we had to buy the freshest and best Seafood,Hams and Vegetables for the birthday buffet on Saturday of the owner of the Aparthotel where the Guerrero family work and us occasionally ! Mano was born in Sanlucar along with his five brothers and four sisters ! and had told us over the years all about it but when we got there we were totally surprised as it is a vibrant city just past Jerez and Cadiz situated at the entrance to the Guadalquivir River on the coast with the Atlantic on one side and the Mediterraneo on the other; we were expecting a small fishing village as it was when Mano left it with his family nearly fifty years ago to go to Barcelona !It is also in the heart of the sherry making region and has many famous Bodegas in the city and in the country around,we sampled some of the local Manzanilla and were introduced to the Viruta aged sherry for the first time from the casks on display in the pictures.As we walked to the market we passed all the grand house’s with open patio’s at their entrance’s. The market is open six days a week and is on the narrow streets and in a large and noisy market hall in the centre of the city.We looked around and checked the price’s as we found the largest and best Gambas,Langustines and Prawns on a fish stall in the heart of the market and which the owner turned out to know Mano from when he was a child ! Just opposite we also found the best and most expensive cured hams and Chorizo on the butchers stall and just down the on the other side of the market we found all the Lettuce,Tomatoes and so on for the salads as well as some home made Spanish sweet Peppers stuffed with a savory Chicken filling. We also bought a special carving knife for the ham as it has to be sliced very thin and I had a lot of local experts to show me how they carve it !We then called into the oldest and best Hotel in the city, “Tartaneros Hotel” which happens to be one of Mano and Anna’s favorite’s as well.They have been promising to take us to it for years and we are planning to return soon,as you can see in the pictures it has loads of character and atmosphere and it is also the Bullfighters Hotel when the “ Corrida de Toros ” is on, as it was whilst we were there as you can see in the pictures of The Plaza de Toros.If you click on the photo you can read the details and on the casks also.This part of Spain is also the most religious and as you can see it has many church’s in the city,over twenty and just on our short walk to the market we passed five including Santa Domingo where Mano was christened ! The green awnings over the street are to protect the walkers in the processions in the narrow streets where the sun gets through.The Plaza de Cabildo is the main square in the city and is where everybody parades in their finest in the evening as the café’s become alive and they then walk down to the seafront to the many fish restaurants, some of which are the finest in Spain.On our way to Sanlucar we passed “Venta Antonio” which has its own landing strip for private jets to land bringing the cutomers from Madrid and all over Spain.The Guadalquivir River,one of the longest in Spain,has on the opposite bank the largest wild life reserve in Europe.The famous and large Seafood comes from where the fresh water meets the Atlantic and Mediterraneo sea water and they taste so sweet and fresh.Over the weekend in Sanlucar it was also the time for the Feria de la Manzanilla which is a celebration of all things Spanish including dressing up in the national costume,eating and drinking,dancing, and also the bullfights as well as Carriage driving and Horse Racing on the beach .Sanlucar de Barrameda – we shall return !!
Friday, May 23, 2008
MANILVA.
Monday 19th. May.
The plumber arrived at 9-00am with the agent and had repaired the leak and replaced the tiles where he had to break into the wall by 11-am.The insurance man then came and took some pictures and authorized the new sink and cupboards. All very Un-Spanish and very efficient ! We then caught up with the tidy up and washing as we had no water until the repair was done,Brenda for the very first time used the dishwasher to catch up with all the plates and cutlery.In the evening I made a large pan of stew for supper using all the bits of fresh vegetables and potatoes we had left in the larder and the beef was the trimmings from the Entrecote steaks from the Spanish butcher last week.
Tuesday 20th MAY.
In the morning we went down to Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the doctors to check her ear after the virus infection had cleared up but she was still having problems with her hearing; more drops and syringing will hopefully clear up the infection over the next few days.We then went to the hypermarket and stocked up after the weekend before we called on Vidal and Gissy to catch up with all their news.In the evening we had a call from our dear friend Tim and he put Ben on as it was his 14th.birthday so we were able to wish him all the very best on reaching his manhood!
Wednesday 21st. May.
As the weather is getting hotter each day we had a quiet day at home and I caught up with the blog and Brenda caught up with her suntan on the roof terrace! In the evening we watched the football on Spanish T.V. as we had a light supper of Spanish Omelette which was not very successful as it stuck in the pan! And Manchester Utd. won!
Thursday 22nd May.
Today was the hottest day so far as it reached 30.o.cen.in the afternoon and no wind as we walked up to see Mano at the Aparthotel as he has asked us to prepare a cold buffet for his boss’s birthday on Saturday.On Friday we are going shopping with him to find some special seafood,cured ham and the freshest vegetables to make a spectacular Spanish with an English influence Buffet!! We are going to Sanlucar de Barrameda just past Jerez as is has the best seafood and markets in Spain.In the evening we had some pork chops from our local butcher with Stir-Fried vegetables in our Wok .Later on I was live on the Pete Price show on City Talk in Liverpool talking about old wrestlers from the early 60s.The Winnebago as it is the centenary of caravans this weekend and the topic of the day “ What makes you smile and happy? ” We found out that we both have a love of Smart cars as Peter has had three and is always smiling as he drives it,just like me! I have also just made a note on the calendar as it is a very special birthday one month from today,it’s Brenda’s- - th. birthday as she was born in 1943-up’s!! I,ve done it now!!As we speak plans are being made,watch this spot!
The plumber arrived at 9-00am with the agent and had repaired the leak and replaced the tiles where he had to break into the wall by 11-am.The insurance man then came and took some pictures and authorized the new sink and cupboards. All very Un-Spanish and very efficient ! We then caught up with the tidy up and washing as we had no water until the repair was done,Brenda for the very first time used the dishwasher to catch up with all the plates and cutlery.In the evening I made a large pan of stew for supper using all the bits of fresh vegetables and potatoes we had left in the larder and the beef was the trimmings from the Entrecote steaks from the Spanish butcher last week.
Tuesday 20th MAY.
In the morning we went down to Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the doctors to check her ear after the virus infection had cleared up but she was still having problems with her hearing; more drops and syringing will hopefully clear up the infection over the next few days.We then went to the hypermarket and stocked up after the weekend before we called on Vidal and Gissy to catch up with all their news.In the evening we had a call from our dear friend Tim and he put Ben on as it was his 14th.birthday so we were able to wish him all the very best on reaching his manhood!
Wednesday 21st. May.
As the weather is getting hotter each day we had a quiet day at home and I caught up with the blog and Brenda caught up with her suntan on the roof terrace! In the evening we watched the football on Spanish T.V. as we had a light supper of Spanish Omelette which was not very successful as it stuck in the pan! And Manchester Utd. won!
Thursday 22nd May.
Today was the hottest day so far as it reached 30.o.cen.in the afternoon and no wind as we walked up to see Mano at the Aparthotel as he has asked us to prepare a cold buffet for his boss’s birthday on Saturday.On Friday we are going shopping with him to find some special seafood,cured ham and the freshest vegetables to make a spectacular Spanish with an English influence Buffet!! We are going to Sanlucar de Barrameda just past Jerez as is has the best seafood and markets in Spain.In the evening we had some pork chops from our local butcher with Stir-Fried vegetables in our Wok .Later on I was live on the Pete Price show on City Talk in Liverpool talking about old wrestlers from the early 60s.The Winnebago as it is the centenary of caravans this weekend and the topic of the day “ What makes you smile and happy? ” We found out that we both have a love of Smart cars as Peter has had three and is always smiling as he drives it,just like me! I have also just made a note on the calendar as it is a very special birthday one month from today,it’s Brenda’s- - th. birthday as she was born in 1943-up’s!! I,ve done it now!!As we speak plans are being made,watch this spot!
Monday, May 19, 2008
MANILVA
Tuesday 13th. May
After our busy weekend we caught up with all the jobs around the house and popped out for some shopping in the local shops.we are now finding which ones to go too for different things,for intense the small one down the road has the freshest vegetables.another one the best bread and so on.They all stock everything just like Ronnie Barkers in Open All Hours !We also have a chemists and opticians in the main street and a dentist’s just around the corner.For supper we had omelettes and then watched an DVD.
Wednesday 14th.May.
The weather is now warm and sunny and as the day goes on it gets hotter so we end up on the roof terrace in the late afternoon and in the early evening we have a drink in our chill out room on the first floor in which we have now got a small water feature with the sound of the running water to add to the atmosphere and tranquility. On the blog page there was a comment from one of Penny’s friends from Bridgnorth who we met last year,Veronica( Ronnie ) left some very nice comments about the blog and told us that her and Penny are coming over for a week’s holiday at the end of this week.They are going to “ Las Alcazares” which is about three hours away just past Cartagena and by Murcia on the coast,it’s a little too far for the Smart Car but we hope to see them later in the year.As we were having a drink at lunchtime in the main street with Anna,Carlos and Fabio Brenda was nibbling some nuts and raisins and damaged a tooth,the local dentists was closed so she rang the dentist in Estepona which we have used over the last year and he saw her within an hour and she went back in the early evening and was fixed up by 8-oopm and not very expensive also ! In the evening we had dinner at Carlos’s apartment as Ana Mari was also off and Mano came round after work,so with Anna there as well we all sat down all at once ! Fabio was his usual happy self and when we came to walk home he took my hand and took me to his wardrobe and pointed to his coat as he wanted to come home with us ! A very nice family night was had by all as very shortly Carlos and Ana Mari are moving into a new house which they have just bought on the edge of the village next to the Aparthotel.
Thursday 15th May.
We walked down to Mano and Anna’s house which is a minute away from Carlos’s new house as they have been having some interior renovations done in their lower lounge which now looks like a New York loft with the new Brick faced walls which is just what Anna wanted as New York is her favorite city!Most days now we walk up and down the village and are starting to get some much needed exercise at long last! In the evening we had a light supper and listened to the local music station “ Kiss FM ”which we also drive to all the time as it plays non stop golden oldies.
Friday 16th.May.
We now make Friday our day out for shopping at the hypermarket and the English butchers on the same side of Estepona and then call into the garage to check on the Winnebago.In the evening Vidal dropped Gissy off on his way to a gig just down the coast below us as she was cutting my hair and giving Brenda the full works .For supper we had Pan-Fried Fillets of Sea Trout with a lemon butter sauce and local new potatoes and asparagus.Before Gissy arrived I went out for a walk around the village in the siesta hour and took the pictures below showing the village at its best,next week I am going to do the same but show all the amenities.
Saturday 17th.May.
We had a lie in and then when we went downstairs we found that we had a leak in the toilet next to the kitchen coming from the tiled wall by the wash basin,it got worse by the hour so we called the owner and her son Rafael and his wife Marjoleine called in and arranged for a plumber to come around later, we then showed them around the house in which Rafael was born!They seemed very impressed with what we have done to make it our home. At lunchtime we are eating more healthy food with crisp lettuce and local Beef Tomatoes top of the list with the local olive oil and a lovely Tuna Pate from the shop opposite. In the evening we then had steak and frits for supper !
Sunday 18th.May.
Sunday started as a normal day but ended up as one of the best and funniest days that we have had here since we moved in! “ One Helluva Sunday ” We had a late brunch with the homemade Pork sausage from the English butchers and then started to get the Sunday Roast on the way,Anna was joining us and Vidal and Gissy after some rain tickets finally made it also so we put the Roast Lamb in the oven,studded with garlic and Rosemary with Brenda’s famous vegetables,Carrots glazed with Ginger,Cauliflower and Leeks in Cheese sauce, Cabbage with Smoked Bacon and Garden Peas a la Francaise which I had made the night before as well as Roast Potatoes in Duck Fat and Boulangere Potatoes-all local and fresh !We then made some English style Tapas for starters and local strawberries for dessert.The problem with the leak had got worse and by the time Vidal and Gissy arrived Brenda was having to bail out all the time so we rang again and said that it was now an emergency and that somebody would have to come around ASAP. Vidal soon found the problem was in the back wall behind the sink so we turned off the mains and waited !Vidal then did a couple of jobs around the house including putting a socket back into the wall in my office and hanging a beaded curtain on the inside of the front doors.Anna arrived and we then started on Gin and Tonics,Cuba Libres and the local Rioja.The owner of the house Senora Maria arrived to see what the damage was and Gissy and then Anna spoke to her as she speaks no English,and with Vidal also telling her what the problem was she said that she would see what she could do as it was Sunday,ie.” Manana”!! As she was in the kitchen I showed her what I was cooking and she was very impressed and said Muy Bonito as Brenda then showed her around and we said goodbye.The evening went on and just as we were about to sit down at 8-30pm.the front door bell went and it was the senora with two senors who just went to the toilet to check the leak that we had stopped! I was just putting out everything and the next moment Anna came into the kitchen and told me to look into the dining room- the senora had sat down in the main chair and was obviously expecting dinner! One of us must have given her the impression when she called earlier that she was invited but nobody was owning up to it !! I even for one moment thought that the two senors were going to sit down as well and Anna and Gissy said that my face had to be seen to be believed !!! as I carved the Lamb and counted the Roast Potatoes!!!! We all sat down but the two senors had left so we re-arranged the table and had a very funny and lively dinner with the wine flowing and the conversation in Spanish and English getting louder all the time. Mano’s plated meal was the Lamb Bone and Vegetables.! Senora Maria after we had dessert then left but not before she had gone to her car and brought back a book with all kitchen gadgets and food pictures in it and she then went all thru it in detail as if she was trying to sell me the gadgets! Mano and Anna set off home still laughing and Vidal and Gissy stayed late and chatted about the evening. Hopefully the plumber will arrive in the morning as we have no water till then.
After our busy weekend we caught up with all the jobs around the house and popped out for some shopping in the local shops.we are now finding which ones to go too for different things,for intense the small one down the road has the freshest vegetables.another one the best bread and so on.They all stock everything just like Ronnie Barkers in Open All Hours !We also have a chemists and opticians in the main street and a dentist’s just around the corner.For supper we had omelettes and then watched an DVD.
Wednesday 14th.May.
The weather is now warm and sunny and as the day goes on it gets hotter so we end up on the roof terrace in the late afternoon and in the early evening we have a drink in our chill out room on the first floor in which we have now got a small water feature with the sound of the running water to add to the atmosphere and tranquility. On the blog page there was a comment from one of Penny’s friends from Bridgnorth who we met last year,Veronica( Ronnie ) left some very nice comments about the blog and told us that her and Penny are coming over for a week’s holiday at the end of this week.They are going to “ Las Alcazares” which is about three hours away just past Cartagena and by Murcia on the coast,it’s a little too far for the Smart Car but we hope to see them later in the year.As we were having a drink at lunchtime in the main street with Anna,Carlos and Fabio Brenda was nibbling some nuts and raisins and damaged a tooth,the local dentists was closed so she rang the dentist in Estepona which we have used over the last year and he saw her within an hour and she went back in the early evening and was fixed up by 8-oopm and not very expensive also ! In the evening we had dinner at Carlos’s apartment as Ana Mari was also off and Mano came round after work,so with Anna there as well we all sat down all at once ! Fabio was his usual happy self and when we came to walk home he took my hand and took me to his wardrobe and pointed to his coat as he wanted to come home with us ! A very nice family night was had by all as very shortly Carlos and Ana Mari are moving into a new house which they have just bought on the edge of the village next to the Aparthotel.
Thursday 15th May.
We walked down to Mano and Anna’s house which is a minute away from Carlos’s new house as they have been having some interior renovations done in their lower lounge which now looks like a New York loft with the new Brick faced walls which is just what Anna wanted as New York is her favorite city!Most days now we walk up and down the village and are starting to get some much needed exercise at long last! In the evening we had a light supper and listened to the local music station “ Kiss FM ”which we also drive to all the time as it plays non stop golden oldies.
Friday 16th.May.
We now make Friday our day out for shopping at the hypermarket and the English butchers on the same side of Estepona and then call into the garage to check on the Winnebago.In the evening Vidal dropped Gissy off on his way to a gig just down the coast below us as she was cutting my hair and giving Brenda the full works .For supper we had Pan-Fried Fillets of Sea Trout with a lemon butter sauce and local new potatoes and asparagus.Before Gissy arrived I went out for a walk around the village in the siesta hour and took the pictures below showing the village at its best,next week I am going to do the same but show all the amenities.
Saturday 17th.May.
We had a lie in and then when we went downstairs we found that we had a leak in the toilet next to the kitchen coming from the tiled wall by the wash basin,it got worse by the hour so we called the owner and her son Rafael and his wife Marjoleine called in and arranged for a plumber to come around later, we then showed them around the house in which Rafael was born!They seemed very impressed with what we have done to make it our home. At lunchtime we are eating more healthy food with crisp lettuce and local Beef Tomatoes top of the list with the local olive oil and a lovely Tuna Pate from the shop opposite. In the evening we then had steak and frits for supper !
Sunday 18th.May.
Sunday started as a normal day but ended up as one of the best and funniest days that we have had here since we moved in! “ One Helluva Sunday ” We had a late brunch with the homemade Pork sausage from the English butchers and then started to get the Sunday Roast on the way,Anna was joining us and Vidal and Gissy after some rain tickets finally made it also so we put the Roast Lamb in the oven,studded with garlic and Rosemary with Brenda’s famous vegetables,Carrots glazed with Ginger,Cauliflower and Leeks in Cheese sauce, Cabbage with Smoked Bacon and Garden Peas a la Francaise which I had made the night before as well as Roast Potatoes in Duck Fat and Boulangere Potatoes-all local and fresh !We then made some English style Tapas for starters and local strawberries for dessert.The problem with the leak had got worse and by the time Vidal and Gissy arrived Brenda was having to bail out all the time so we rang again and said that it was now an emergency and that somebody would have to come around ASAP. Vidal soon found the problem was in the back wall behind the sink so we turned off the mains and waited !Vidal then did a couple of jobs around the house including putting a socket back into the wall in my office and hanging a beaded curtain on the inside of the front doors.Anna arrived and we then started on Gin and Tonics,Cuba Libres and the local Rioja.The owner of the house Senora Maria arrived to see what the damage was and Gissy and then Anna spoke to her as she speaks no English,and with Vidal also telling her what the problem was she said that she would see what she could do as it was Sunday,ie.” Manana”!! As she was in the kitchen I showed her what I was cooking and she was very impressed and said Muy Bonito as Brenda then showed her around and we said goodbye.The evening went on and just as we were about to sit down at 8-30pm.the front door bell went and it was the senora with two senors who just went to the toilet to check the leak that we had stopped! I was just putting out everything and the next moment Anna came into the kitchen and told me to look into the dining room- the senora had sat down in the main chair and was obviously expecting dinner! One of us must have given her the impression when she called earlier that she was invited but nobody was owning up to it !! I even for one moment thought that the two senors were going to sit down as well and Anna and Gissy said that my face had to be seen to be believed !!! as I carved the Lamb and counted the Roast Potatoes!!!! We all sat down but the two senors had left so we re-arranged the table and had a very funny and lively dinner with the wine flowing and the conversation in Spanish and English getting louder all the time. Mano’s plated meal was the Lamb Bone and Vegetables.! Senora Maria after we had dessert then left but not before she had gone to her car and brought back a book with all kitchen gadgets and food pictures in it and she then went all thru it in detail as if she was trying to sell me the gadgets! Mano and Anna set off home still laughing and Vidal and Gissy stayed late and chatted about the evening. Hopefully the plumber will arrive in the morning as we have no water till then.
Friday, May 16, 2008
MANILVA,THE VILLAGE.
Friday 16th May.
This is the village of Manilva at 4-00pm during siesta,we hope it gives you a idea of where we are living and why we have fallen in love with it!
This is the village of Manilva at 4-00pm during siesta,we hope it gives you a idea of where we are living and why we have fallen in love with it!
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