Sunday 29th.June
As you can see below Manilva and us went wild as Spain beat Germany and are now “ Campeones ” of Europe 2008! We went to Mano’s bar and watched the match with all the family and friends from the village then we walked down to the fountain and joined in with the celebrations as the whole village came to the fountain as the cars came up the hill blowing their horns,One “ Helluva ”party has now started !
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
MANILVA.
Tuesday 24th. June.
After the night before we had a lie in and a lazy day at home.The “ Noche de San Juan” festival takes place at the same time each year and is a continuation of a pagan tradition under a Christian name.We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the burning of the “ Juas” and the fireworks which were the best on the coast.We caught up with the jobs around the house and in the late afternoon we went on the roof terrace which is now getting hotter every day,the forecast by the weekend is 37 degs! For supper we had Lamb Chops Boulangere for the last time for a while as it gets too hot with the oven on in the kitchen.
Wednesday 25th.June.
We were up early and shot down to the National Police station in Estepona to start the process off to stay in Spain.Outside the police station all the local and national TV crews where filming at the entrance as over the last week Estepona has been the main news item as The Mayor together with five councilors,businessmen and lawyer’s have been thrown in jail for corruption.Spanish and local TV have been covering it every day and Estepona has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons!We had called in last week and so we had filled in the documents for Numero de Identidad de Extranjero ( NIE ) and after a long wait and a quick run to the bank to pay for the documents we came out with our first papers.Mano is checking everything and advises us as we are going along.We then called into the ITV ( MOT ) station and checked out that we had all the right papers to start changing the Smart car to the Spanish system and eventually the number plates as we have to do this within one month after finishing the paper work.We booked an appointment for Friday morning and on the way back picked up some Gambas for supper which we had with salad and then watched the football as Germany won the first semi final.
Thursday 26th.June.
The next document we had to obtain was issued from the Town Hall who are our neighbours! So we went in first thing in the morning and with the help of Carlos on the mobile we found the right office and registered with the local council and obtained the “ Empadronamiento” to go with the NIE. After a early dinner we walked up to the Aparthotel and caught up with all the Guerrero family in the bar to watch the other semi final with all the locals,Carlos and I led the chanting and banging on the tables as Spain beat Italy and the village once again went mad!The fountain was in use once again so watch out for the pictures when Spain win in the final!!
Friday 27th,June.
First thing in the morning we went to the ITV station in the industrial estate above Estepona to get the Smart car checked only to run up against Spanish bureaucracy for the first time and probably not for the last time as they would not register the car without another Spanish document which they had not told us about when we called in the day before! So on Tuesday morning next week Mano has arranged for his best friends son in law,Nico the local motorcycle champion to come with me in the Smart car to Malaga to obtain all the paper work and hopefully finish off all the documents for the car, fingers crossed! We then called in to the local surgery and again checked out the procedures to register into the healthcare system. So on Monday we are going back to the police station to get the forms of “ Certificado de Residencia” to fill in and then when we are registered as Resident in Spain we have to go to the Local INSS office in Estepona with all the documents and also a E121 form from the Pension Service in England which we have already got but on ringing them in Newcastle we found out that I need a different form which they have put in the post!We are then given a paper card “ Tarjeta de Afiliacion” and then take it back to the doctors surgery to finish off the job of becoming resident in Spain! Mano is also arranging Spanish insurance for the Smart car in the next week as the English one runs out.
Saturday 28th,June.
This weekend is forecast to be the hottest yet and could go above the 40 degs mark for the first time so we are taking it easy as next week we are going to be out and about and also Carlos and Ana Mari are having a BBQ at their new house and we have asked all the family around before Sally and the kids go back to Tenerife for a Roast dinner! Tomorrow we are going up to the Aparthotel to watch the final and see Spain win the cup! so watch out for the pictures and the blog report of what we will get up too!
After the night before we had a lie in and a lazy day at home.The “ Noche de San Juan” festival takes place at the same time each year and is a continuation of a pagan tradition under a Christian name.We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the burning of the “ Juas” and the fireworks which were the best on the coast.We caught up with the jobs around the house and in the late afternoon we went on the roof terrace which is now getting hotter every day,the forecast by the weekend is 37 degs! For supper we had Lamb Chops Boulangere for the last time for a while as it gets too hot with the oven on in the kitchen.
Wednesday 25th.June.
We were up early and shot down to the National Police station in Estepona to start the process off to stay in Spain.Outside the police station all the local and national TV crews where filming at the entrance as over the last week Estepona has been the main news item as The Mayor together with five councilors,businessmen and lawyer’s have been thrown in jail for corruption.Spanish and local TV have been covering it every day and Estepona has been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons!We had called in last week and so we had filled in the documents for Numero de Identidad de Extranjero ( NIE ) and after a long wait and a quick run to the bank to pay for the documents we came out with our first papers.Mano is checking everything and advises us as we are going along.We then called into the ITV ( MOT ) station and checked out that we had all the right papers to start changing the Smart car to the Spanish system and eventually the number plates as we have to do this within one month after finishing the paper work.We booked an appointment for Friday morning and on the way back picked up some Gambas for supper which we had with salad and then watched the football as Germany won the first semi final.
Thursday 26th.June.
The next document we had to obtain was issued from the Town Hall who are our neighbours! So we went in first thing in the morning and with the help of Carlos on the mobile we found the right office and registered with the local council and obtained the “ Empadronamiento” to go with the NIE. After a early dinner we walked up to the Aparthotel and caught up with all the Guerrero family in the bar to watch the other semi final with all the locals,Carlos and I led the chanting and banging on the tables as Spain beat Italy and the village once again went mad!The fountain was in use once again so watch out for the pictures when Spain win in the final!!
Friday 27th,June.
First thing in the morning we went to the ITV station in the industrial estate above Estepona to get the Smart car checked only to run up against Spanish bureaucracy for the first time and probably not for the last time as they would not register the car without another Spanish document which they had not told us about when we called in the day before! So on Tuesday morning next week Mano has arranged for his best friends son in law,Nico the local motorcycle champion to come with me in the Smart car to Malaga to obtain all the paper work and hopefully finish off all the documents for the car, fingers crossed! We then called in to the local surgery and again checked out the procedures to register into the healthcare system. So on Monday we are going back to the police station to get the forms of “ Certificado de Residencia” to fill in and then when we are registered as Resident in Spain we have to go to the Local INSS office in Estepona with all the documents and also a E121 form from the Pension Service in England which we have already got but on ringing them in Newcastle we found out that I need a different form which they have put in the post!We are then given a paper card “ Tarjeta de Afiliacion” and then take it back to the doctors surgery to finish off the job of becoming resident in Spain! Mano is also arranging Spanish insurance for the Smart car in the next week as the English one runs out.
Saturday 28th,June.
This weekend is forecast to be the hottest yet and could go above the 40 degs mark for the first time so we are taking it easy as next week we are going to be out and about and also Carlos and Ana Mari are having a BBQ at their new house and we have asked all the family around before Sally and the kids go back to Tenerife for a Roast dinner! Tomorrow we are going up to the Aparthotel to watch the final and see Spain win the cup! so watch out for the pictures and the blog report of what we will get up too!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
MANILVA,MESSAGE FROM BRENDA.
Tuesday 24th.June.
I just wanted to say a “ Big Thank You ” to all my family in England and Australia and to all our very dear friends every where. I’ve had phone calls,e-mails,Facebook posts,Singing E-mail cards and Birthday cards,so to say that I’ve had a “ Helluva” birthday is an understatement!! See pictures above.
Love to All.
Brenda xx
I just wanted to say a “ Big Thank You ” to all my family in England and Australia and to all our very dear friends every where. I’ve had phone calls,e-mails,Facebook posts,Singing E-mail cards and Birthday cards,so to say that I’ve had a “ Helluva” birthday is an understatement!! See pictures above.
Love to All.
Brenda xx
MANILVA,FESTIVAL OF SAN JUAN 2008.
Monday 23rd June Festival of San Juan 2008.
After the celebrations yesterday we had a lie in before we started to plan the outfits for tonight’s festivities down on the beach at Sabinillas for the Festival of San Juan.At this time last year we had to sit and watch every thing from the Winnebago as I was still getting over the five broken ribs after coming off the scooter! We had an early supper as it starts to happen from 10-00pm onwards.It is one of the most important saints day’s of the year and all the locals in their thousands go down to the beach front to watch and join in with the party.The main square is covered with lights and a large stage is next to the front with a very hot 19 piece band that opens up the festivities with a selection of Spanish,Samba,Rumba and Popular music with 8 singers,4 girls and 4 men giving it all that they have got as you can see in the pictures below! Then at 12-midnight the very large tableau that has been built on the beach and is a different theme each year is set on fire by a fountain of fireworks! By then everybody has moved on to the front and the beach to watch and to dip their feet in the sea and make a wish!All of a sudden a 45mins. Musical fireworks display starts on the beach and they play Classical,Pop,Theme Tunes and Rock music all set to the firework display which is very spectacular as it happens right in front of you as you can see in the picture’s.As always in Spain all the families are out from babies to the grandparents with stalls selling food and drink from a very large outside bar,Manilva TV films all the proceeding’s and just two policeman are there to blow their whistles and control the crowds!!
After the celebrations yesterday we had a lie in before we started to plan the outfits for tonight’s festivities down on the beach at Sabinillas for the Festival of San Juan.At this time last year we had to sit and watch every thing from the Winnebago as I was still getting over the five broken ribs after coming off the scooter! We had an early supper as it starts to happen from 10-00pm onwards.It is one of the most important saints day’s of the year and all the locals in their thousands go down to the beach front to watch and join in with the party.The main square is covered with lights and a large stage is next to the front with a very hot 19 piece band that opens up the festivities with a selection of Spanish,Samba,Rumba and Popular music with 8 singers,4 girls and 4 men giving it all that they have got as you can see in the pictures below! Then at 12-midnight the very large tableau that has been built on the beach and is a different theme each year is set on fire by a fountain of fireworks! By then everybody has moved on to the front and the beach to watch and to dip their feet in the sea and make a wish!All of a sudden a 45mins. Musical fireworks display starts on the beach and they play Classical,Pop,Theme Tunes and Rock music all set to the firework display which is very spectacular as it happens right in front of you as you can see in the picture’s.As always in Spain all the families are out from babies to the grandparents with stalls selling food and drink from a very large outside bar,Manilva TV films all the proceeding’s and just two policeman are there to blow their whistles and control the crowds!!
Monday, June 23, 2008
MANILVA.
Tuesday 17th. June.
We had a lazy day at home and caught up with all the chores around the house and in the afternoon we went for a walk for some fresh air as it is now becoming very hot all the time as the clear blue skies offer no cover to the sun so you walk in the shade where you can.We had a light supper and watched the football on Spanish TV which every match seems to be getting more exciting by the day.
Wednesday 18th. June.
In the morning we shot across to Marbella to the shopping mall which was closed last week and got most of the things that we wanted except for the Aramis products that I use which are harder and harder to get,in fact when Jane came over last month she brought some things for me as she had asked if there was anything that we needed ! We then checked out the Winnebago and also called in to see Vidal and Gissy.In the evening after dinner of Steak and Frits we again watched the football.
Thursday 19th. June.
We went to the local shops in the village and called into the butchers at the bottom of Calle Inglasia and whilst in the shop I heard my name being called and went outside to see at the top of the street Fabio out with his Spanish grandmother who was calling my name,she let Fabio go and he run down the street at great speed and jumped into my arms ! In the late afternoon Brenda was on the roof terrace and I was just taking up the cocktails when the front door bell went and it was Anna,Fabio’s English grandmother! She joined us for cocktails and then stayed for dinner,we were having Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Spring Onions and we also then hit the Kir Royal’s Mano called in after work and we made some arrangements to start the paper work to become resident here in Spain.
Friday 20th. June.
Friday is shopping day so we went in the morning to the Hypermarket after we had called at the ITV. Depot ( The Spanish equilevent of our MOT) to check the details to get the Smart Car checked and then the number plates changed as we have to do this after we sign the papers. We also found the National Police office and got the NIE. Forms to fill in to register into the Spanish Tax and Health systems before we then sign the papers to become Spanish citizens !We are also getting some quotes for Spanish insurance for the car but we don’t need to change the driving license as the international one has a few years to run.In the evening Vidal dropped Gissy off at the house on the way to a gig and she gave Brenda a haircut and face massage as a birthday present ! Later that evening as I checked the PC,s I found that I had a problem with both of them and have only on Monday come back on line with the help of a friend in Manilva and I am catching up with all the e-mails, messages and singing cards as I am typing this!
Saturday 21st. June.
We had another lazy day at home and in the afternoon we walked up to see Mano at the Aparthotel and he helped us fill in the forms so as we can go down to Estepona next week to start the process off.We had a light supper and went to bed fairly early to prepare for the big day!!
SUNDAY 22 nd. June, 2008 Brenda’s Birthday.
We got up to another fabulous day and started off with Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Trout accompanied with Rose Champagne to start the day of celebrations! We then got ready slowly as we had booked a table at the Beach House Restaurant on the far side of Marbella which has now become our favorite for 3-30 pm for Sunday lunch. We arrived to find the place was totally full and the beach was also very busy with the sun seekers as we sat down on the veranda over looking the view! We started with an aperitif of Kir Royal’s as we selected the menu, Brenda had Scallops and I had large Prawns in Tempura batter to start then we both had the Roast Rib of Beef,rare with all the vegetables and crisp roast potatoes. We had a bottle of the house recommended crisp white Davila and Brenda also had a large glass of a excellent Murua to accompany her Beef.As usual everything was excellent and we sat and enjoyed the views on a balmy afternoon on the first time that we have been out to lunch on Brenda’s birthday! We then made our way back along the coast and on the other side of Marbella we called into see Vidal and Gissy as he had a gig at a bar and restaurant and as we entered he serenaded Brenda with a calypso version of Happy Birthday as we had a drink with them.The pictures below need no explaining ! We then came back to the Aparthotel in Manilva where Mano and Anna had arranged a surprise Birthday party as their daughter Sally was over on holiday with her two children and staying at the hotel,Carlos and Ana Mari were working but Anna was looking after Fabio so the whole family and some regulars in the bar including the Chief of Police sang the Spanish version of Happy birthday and then the English one as she cut the cake and the Cava flowed !All the children gave Brenda presents and a great time was had by all. We then watched The Spanish Team on TV. beat the Italians and I was given a yellow card by the owner for leading the noise and banging on the tables!! We then partied into the night and as we drove home into the village we joined in with all the cars as they hooted their horns as they passed through the main street! At 3-00 am we sat and had some Beans on Toast after one “ HELLUVA” birthday!! Tomorrow is a very special saints day on the Costa del Sol “San Juan” and is celebrated in the evening with Fireworks and Bonfires on the beach at Midnight, we are going to two parties so watch out for the photos and blog!
We had a lazy day at home and caught up with all the chores around the house and in the afternoon we went for a walk for some fresh air as it is now becoming very hot all the time as the clear blue skies offer no cover to the sun so you walk in the shade where you can.We had a light supper and watched the football on Spanish TV which every match seems to be getting more exciting by the day.
Wednesday 18th. June.
In the morning we shot across to Marbella to the shopping mall which was closed last week and got most of the things that we wanted except for the Aramis products that I use which are harder and harder to get,in fact when Jane came over last month she brought some things for me as she had asked if there was anything that we needed ! We then checked out the Winnebago and also called in to see Vidal and Gissy.In the evening after dinner of Steak and Frits we again watched the football.
Thursday 19th. June.
We went to the local shops in the village and called into the butchers at the bottom of Calle Inglasia and whilst in the shop I heard my name being called and went outside to see at the top of the street Fabio out with his Spanish grandmother who was calling my name,she let Fabio go and he run down the street at great speed and jumped into my arms ! In the late afternoon Brenda was on the roof terrace and I was just taking up the cocktails when the front door bell went and it was Anna,Fabio’s English grandmother! She joined us for cocktails and then stayed for dinner,we were having Stir-Fried Beef with Ginger and Spring Onions and we also then hit the Kir Royal’s Mano called in after work and we made some arrangements to start the paper work to become resident here in Spain.
Friday 20th. June.
Friday is shopping day so we went in the morning to the Hypermarket after we had called at the ITV. Depot ( The Spanish equilevent of our MOT) to check the details to get the Smart Car checked and then the number plates changed as we have to do this after we sign the papers. We also found the National Police office and got the NIE. Forms to fill in to register into the Spanish Tax and Health systems before we then sign the papers to become Spanish citizens !We are also getting some quotes for Spanish insurance for the car but we don’t need to change the driving license as the international one has a few years to run.In the evening Vidal dropped Gissy off at the house on the way to a gig and she gave Brenda a haircut and face massage as a birthday present ! Later that evening as I checked the PC,s I found that I had a problem with both of them and have only on Monday come back on line with the help of a friend in Manilva and I am catching up with all the e-mails, messages and singing cards as I am typing this!
Saturday 21st. June.
We had another lazy day at home and in the afternoon we walked up to see Mano at the Aparthotel and he helped us fill in the forms so as we can go down to Estepona next week to start the process off.We had a light supper and went to bed fairly early to prepare for the big day!!
SUNDAY 22 nd. June, 2008 Brenda’s Birthday.
We got up to another fabulous day and started off with Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Trout accompanied with Rose Champagne to start the day of celebrations! We then got ready slowly as we had booked a table at the Beach House Restaurant on the far side of Marbella which has now become our favorite for 3-30 pm for Sunday lunch. We arrived to find the place was totally full and the beach was also very busy with the sun seekers as we sat down on the veranda over looking the view! We started with an aperitif of Kir Royal’s as we selected the menu, Brenda had Scallops and I had large Prawns in Tempura batter to start then we both had the Roast Rib of Beef,rare with all the vegetables and crisp roast potatoes. We had a bottle of the house recommended crisp white Davila and Brenda also had a large glass of a excellent Murua to accompany her Beef.As usual everything was excellent and we sat and enjoyed the views on a balmy afternoon on the first time that we have been out to lunch on Brenda’s birthday! We then made our way back along the coast and on the other side of Marbella we called into see Vidal and Gissy as he had a gig at a bar and restaurant and as we entered he serenaded Brenda with a calypso version of Happy Birthday as we had a drink with them.The pictures below need no explaining ! We then came back to the Aparthotel in Manilva where Mano and Anna had arranged a surprise Birthday party as their daughter Sally was over on holiday with her two children and staying at the hotel,Carlos and Ana Mari were working but Anna was looking after Fabio so the whole family and some regulars in the bar including the Chief of Police sang the Spanish version of Happy birthday and then the English one as she cut the cake and the Cava flowed !All the children gave Brenda presents and a great time was had by all. We then watched The Spanish Team on TV. beat the Italians and I was given a yellow card by the owner for leading the noise and banging on the tables!! We then partied into the night and as we drove home into the village we joined in with all the cars as they hooted their horns as they passed through the main street! At 3-00 am we sat and had some Beans on Toast after one “ HELLUVA” birthday!! Tomorrow is a very special saints day on the Costa del Sol “San Juan” and is celebrated in the evening with Fireworks and Bonfires on the beach at Midnight, we are going to two parties so watch out for the photos and blog!
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
MANILVA.
Saturday 14th June.
Yet another hot and sunny day as the summer season sets in and the forecast is for it to get even hotter as the month goes on.We are making plans to cook up on the roof terrace as the kitchen annex where the electric hotplate is not very big and gets very hot when I am cooking up a storm!The electric oven in the main kitchen which has taken a bashing over the last few months with all the roasting is also going to be given a rest as we change the menus for the summer season!! We are going to use our small portable gas BBQ, and an electric hot plate and set them up on the roof terrace on the side which goes into the shade in the afternoon as the sun moves round and we will eat outside.Brenda is starting to go really brown as she is spending a lot more time on the terrace. Meanwhile I am planning where to put the fans and a large portable air conditioner in the house as well as when to use the air conditioning unit ! We are going to sleep in the guest room if it’s not in use! As it also has a large ceiling fan ! We have also now started to drop all the shutters on the windows and door-Spanish style which cuts out the natural light but does make a difference.
Sunday 15th June.
Sunday is cooked breakfast day so we had some local Bacon and Eggs as we got up late in the morning.Mano and Anna are not coming for dinner as Anna has found some jobs for Mano to do round the house on his first day off for quite a while! In the afternoon we went up to our favorite bar in the village and had the small prawns on sticks which are very good and cheap! As we have to watch the coppers at the moment until the Winnebago sells! In the evening for supper we had Chicken salad and watched the football on TV. Which is getting very interesting and exciting as the Spanish team is looking very good ! We also sent off some birthday greetings to Brenda’s nephew, Jeff who is travelling around Europe at the moment with his wife Annette on a five week holiday- six/seven countries so far ! and to our dear friend Zoe in Manchester who is probably away helping her husband Graham on the executive yacht on which he is the captain.What a life!!
Monday 16th June.
In the morning we called into our Spanish bank in Estepona and also at the same time we called into the office of the Sur in English to re book are adverts,over the weekend I had noticed that in the paper there is a monthly photographic competition on line so I have with a little bit of difficulty posted some of my pictures on the web page which is controlled by an administrator and they have been accepted and are already on the newspaper web page when we looked this morning! Watch this space yet again as another string to the bow is happening!!
We went to check out the Winnebago and at the same time they are getting us some quotes for the insurance on the Smart car and to change the plates to Spanish as we have to do this when we sign the resident papers in August. We then called into to see Vidal and Gissy on the site as we don’t see as much of them as we would like as they are now playing a lot more gigs and caught up with all their news.In the evening we had Lamb chops baked in the oven on Boulangere potatoes ,the butcher cut the chops especially for us and we had a really nice meal accompanied with the local Rioja! We have also found some Spanish Cassis in a wine shop in Estepona for our Kir Royale’s to go with the very cheap but excellent local Cava! I have booked a table for Sunday lunch at the Beach House restaurant on the far side of Marbella for Brenda’s birthday,it’s the first time that we have been out on her birthday for a very long time and we are looking forward to somebody else cooking lunch! All our friends are working so we are going to catch up with them as and when over the weekend.
Yet another hot and sunny day as the summer season sets in and the forecast is for it to get even hotter as the month goes on.We are making plans to cook up on the roof terrace as the kitchen annex where the electric hotplate is not very big and gets very hot when I am cooking up a storm!The electric oven in the main kitchen which has taken a bashing over the last few months with all the roasting is also going to be given a rest as we change the menus for the summer season!! We are going to use our small portable gas BBQ, and an electric hot plate and set them up on the roof terrace on the side which goes into the shade in the afternoon as the sun moves round and we will eat outside.Brenda is starting to go really brown as she is spending a lot more time on the terrace. Meanwhile I am planning where to put the fans and a large portable air conditioner in the house as well as when to use the air conditioning unit ! We are going to sleep in the guest room if it’s not in use! As it also has a large ceiling fan ! We have also now started to drop all the shutters on the windows and door-Spanish style which cuts out the natural light but does make a difference.
Sunday 15th June.
Sunday is cooked breakfast day so we had some local Bacon and Eggs as we got up late in the morning.Mano and Anna are not coming for dinner as Anna has found some jobs for Mano to do round the house on his first day off for quite a while! In the afternoon we went up to our favorite bar in the village and had the small prawns on sticks which are very good and cheap! As we have to watch the coppers at the moment until the Winnebago sells! In the evening for supper we had Chicken salad and watched the football on TV. Which is getting very interesting and exciting as the Spanish team is looking very good ! We also sent off some birthday greetings to Brenda’s nephew, Jeff who is travelling around Europe at the moment with his wife Annette on a five week holiday- six/seven countries so far ! and to our dear friend Zoe in Manchester who is probably away helping her husband Graham on the executive yacht on which he is the captain.What a life!!
Monday 16th June.
In the morning we called into our Spanish bank in Estepona and also at the same time we called into the office of the Sur in English to re book are adverts,over the weekend I had noticed that in the paper there is a monthly photographic competition on line so I have with a little bit of difficulty posted some of my pictures on the web page which is controlled by an administrator and they have been accepted and are already on the newspaper web page when we looked this morning! Watch this space yet again as another string to the bow is happening!!
We went to check out the Winnebago and at the same time they are getting us some quotes for the insurance on the Smart car and to change the plates to Spanish as we have to do this when we sign the resident papers in August. We then called into to see Vidal and Gissy on the site as we don’t see as much of them as we would like as they are now playing a lot more gigs and caught up with all their news.In the evening we had Lamb chops baked in the oven on Boulangere potatoes ,the butcher cut the chops especially for us and we had a really nice meal accompanied with the local Rioja! We have also found some Spanish Cassis in a wine shop in Estepona for our Kir Royale’s to go with the very cheap but excellent local Cava! I have booked a table for Sunday lunch at the Beach House restaurant on the far side of Marbella for Brenda’s birthday,it’s the first time that we have been out on her birthday for a very long time and we are looking forward to somebody else cooking lunch! All our friends are working so we are going to catch up with them as and when over the weekend.
Friday, June 13, 2008
MANILVA.
Tuesday 10th. June.
The forecast for the next few weeks is hot and sunny and as we get up we see the bright blue skies over Manilva as we plan out what to do for the week.Today we stayed local and asked Anna around for supper as I had made a very hot curry and she had been fancying one for ages ! We also had a phone call re. our House-sitting advert from a very nice lady offering us a full time position but we said no very nicely but she asked us to send her some more details to put on file so we then started a series of e-mails as we got to know about her and the company she works for and visa-versa she found out about us from the blog-page! The outcome is that we have now been put on the web page of the company that she runs down on the Costa del Sol for a British based company;Dr. Julia Nilsson PhD. Is also a very interesting person in her own right and has a very varied CV as she has travelled around the world. “Alpha Concierge Lux ” specialise’s in looking after the VIP customers every need-watch this space!
Wednesday 11th.June.
We went off in the morning to Marbella to do some shopping at the large mall and down in Porto Banus for a particular CD and toiletries that we can’t get at our end of the Costa only to find out that they where all closed for the Feria holiday in Marbella! So we had to come all the way back and on the way we called into the garage to check on the Winnebago.We have an advert in the local paper everyweek and get 2/3 calls a week which we pass on to the garage who also have a advert in the trade paper each week.Fingers crossed! We also have a problem down on the coast as the garages are running out of petrol due to the transport drivers strike which started on Monday.In the evening we listened to Paul Hickling on REM.FM 91.9 which is a English speaking talk radio station and he was the guest on the Profiles show,one to watch for the future!
Thursday 12th.June.
Brenda had her last jab today and the doctor is very happy with all the results and the great improvement that she has shown over the past couple of weeks so she is now on some tablets to make sure that things carry on getting better over the next couple of weeks. We then went to the Hypermarket to do the weekly shopping only to find that it was empty of all the fresh goods and of most of the general goods due to the drivers strike which has hit everywhere very quickly due to panic buying but you can understand it when you see the lorries on the roads when we cross Spain,everything goes by road! The fishermen are also on strike so even some of the fish restaurants have been forced to close,all due to the fuel cost problems here. The strike is now nearly over and things will get back to normal by next week.
Friday 13th June !
We went out to the local shops and we hunted around and found most things in one or another as we stocked up for the weekend as the shops got back to normal as the lorries started to arrive from all over Spain.We called into our local butcher and bought some Pork as Mano is off on Sunday and might be able to make dinner if everything stays the same! Brenda goes out on the roof terrace in the afternoon to sunbath and I join her later as the sun moves round as we have been taking things very easy and giving her the chance to get fully better.She has also spoken to her two sisters in England who have been on holiday as they did not know about Brenda’s illness before they went away. I’ve also put some more radio stations on the PC and have also got the English newspaper’s on line as the papers have not been arriving due to the strike.At lunchtime we are now eating salad made from all the very fresh local growers who have kept the shops in the village stocked.
The forecast for the next few weeks is hot and sunny and as we get up we see the bright blue skies over Manilva as we plan out what to do for the week.Today we stayed local and asked Anna around for supper as I had made a very hot curry and she had been fancying one for ages ! We also had a phone call re. our House-sitting advert from a very nice lady offering us a full time position but we said no very nicely but she asked us to send her some more details to put on file so we then started a series of e-mails as we got to know about her and the company she works for and visa-versa she found out about us from the blog-page! The outcome is that we have now been put on the web page of the company that she runs down on the Costa del Sol for a British based company;Dr. Julia Nilsson PhD. Is also a very interesting person in her own right and has a very varied CV as she has travelled around the world. “Alpha Concierge Lux ” specialise’s in looking after the VIP customers every need-watch this space!
Wednesday 11th.June.
We went off in the morning to Marbella to do some shopping at the large mall and down in Porto Banus for a particular CD and toiletries that we can’t get at our end of the Costa only to find out that they where all closed for the Feria holiday in Marbella! So we had to come all the way back and on the way we called into the garage to check on the Winnebago.We have an advert in the local paper everyweek and get 2/3 calls a week which we pass on to the garage who also have a advert in the trade paper each week.Fingers crossed! We also have a problem down on the coast as the garages are running out of petrol due to the transport drivers strike which started on Monday.In the evening we listened to Paul Hickling on REM.FM 91.9 which is a English speaking talk radio station and he was the guest on the Profiles show,one to watch for the future!
Thursday 12th.June.
Brenda had her last jab today and the doctor is very happy with all the results and the great improvement that she has shown over the past couple of weeks so she is now on some tablets to make sure that things carry on getting better over the next couple of weeks. We then went to the Hypermarket to do the weekly shopping only to find that it was empty of all the fresh goods and of most of the general goods due to the drivers strike which has hit everywhere very quickly due to panic buying but you can understand it when you see the lorries on the roads when we cross Spain,everything goes by road! The fishermen are also on strike so even some of the fish restaurants have been forced to close,all due to the fuel cost problems here. The strike is now nearly over and things will get back to normal by next week.
Friday 13th June !
We went out to the local shops and we hunted around and found most things in one or another as we stocked up for the weekend as the shops got back to normal as the lorries started to arrive from all over Spain.We called into our local butcher and bought some Pork as Mano is off on Sunday and might be able to make dinner if everything stays the same! Brenda goes out on the roof terrace in the afternoon to sunbath and I join her later as the sun moves round as we have been taking things very easy and giving her the chance to get fully better.She has also spoken to her two sisters in England who have been on holiday as they did not know about Brenda’s illness before they went away. I’ve also put some more radio stations on the PC and have also got the English newspaper’s on line as the papers have not been arriving due to the strike.At lunchtime we are now eating salad made from all the very fresh local growers who have kept the shops in the village stocked.
Monday, June 09, 2008
MANILVA.
Friday 6th.June.
We were up late today as we had a bit of a night with Vidal and Gissy on Thursday on our visit to the Roman Oasis as you can see on the blog below; we started on Kir Royal and finished on it at 1-30 this morning! Friday is shopping day for us as we go to the hypermarket for the weekend .For supper we had Pan-fried Fillets of Pink Trout in a lemon butter sauce with local potatoes and garden peas.
Saturday 7th June.
Today it is Dean Sullivan’s birthday off Citytalk in Liverpool so we sent him a e-mail in Spanish wishing him happy birthday and received a nice reply back from him,yesterday Jane was on his programme. Today is also Jo’s 17th.birthday in Old Colwyn so we had sent the card two weeks ago to make sure it got there in lots of time,we then left a message in Spanish on her Facebook page and today we sent her a singing birthday e-mail and in the afternoon we rang and spoke to her before the birthday party later in the day at her home in the garden! She has just posted the pictures on her Facebook page showing her and all her Girlfriends partying! In the evening we toasted her with Kir Royal which has become our drink at the moment as it’s just right for now and the Cava is very cheap! For supper we had T-Bone steaks and Frits as the English butcher down in the port had just cut them when we called in to see what he had.We also this morning went to our local Spanish butcher in the village and bought a very fresh local Chicken for dinner tomorrow as Anna can’t join us as she is playing in the local pool league with Carlos,
Sunday 8th June.
We were woken by a phone call from our dear friend Tim to tell us all about Jo’s party as he was walking the dog in the park in Old Colwyn and he said that it was great and that there were no problems and they had a “ Helluva ” time! We had our usual English breakfast which is our treat on Sunday and in the afternoon we went up the street to our regular Tapas bar and sat and watched the world go by after the motorcycle rally had passed thru on it’s way to one of the other seven White villages higher up in the hills; they had small fresh gambas on sticks cooked on the char grill which were beautiful and we washed them down with the local Vino Blanco in the late afternoon sunshine!In the evening I popped the Chicken in the oven and we had it for supper with all the trimmings before we settled down to watch a film on Spanish TV.
Monday 9th.June.
Brenda had an appointment at the doctor’s for a jab and check up,over the weekend she has steadily improved as is nearly back to normal so he is reducing the tablets and she has only one more visit on Thursday for her final injection! She is also doing the exercises every day so the improvment is quite spectacular and she is nearly back to her old/young self! I received a thank you e-mail from the owner of the Roman Oasis ,Paul Hicking as I was typing this blog; I sent him over the weekend details of our blog-page about the Roman Oasis and he seem’s very impressed with it and Vidal! He also told us in the e-mail about a Radio Station that he is being interviewed by on Wednesday evening so we will tune in and listen to it as he is talking about his life ! I am still working on getting on local Radio/TV. and have started to practice writing about my early life in Liverpool and working in Hotels from the age of 16! Watch this space- it will happen!!
We were up late today as we had a bit of a night with Vidal and Gissy on Thursday on our visit to the Roman Oasis as you can see on the blog below; we started on Kir Royal and finished on it at 1-30 this morning! Friday is shopping day for us as we go to the hypermarket for the weekend .For supper we had Pan-fried Fillets of Pink Trout in a lemon butter sauce with local potatoes and garden peas.
Saturday 7th June.
Today it is Dean Sullivan’s birthday off Citytalk in Liverpool so we sent him a e-mail in Spanish wishing him happy birthday and received a nice reply back from him,yesterday Jane was on his programme. Today is also Jo’s 17th.birthday in Old Colwyn so we had sent the card two weeks ago to make sure it got there in lots of time,we then left a message in Spanish on her Facebook page and today we sent her a singing birthday e-mail and in the afternoon we rang and spoke to her before the birthday party later in the day at her home in the garden! She has just posted the pictures on her Facebook page showing her and all her Girlfriends partying! In the evening we toasted her with Kir Royal which has become our drink at the moment as it’s just right for now and the Cava is very cheap! For supper we had T-Bone steaks and Frits as the English butcher down in the port had just cut them when we called in to see what he had.We also this morning went to our local Spanish butcher in the village and bought a very fresh local Chicken for dinner tomorrow as Anna can’t join us as she is playing in the local pool league with Carlos,
Sunday 8th June.
We were woken by a phone call from our dear friend Tim to tell us all about Jo’s party as he was walking the dog in the park in Old Colwyn and he said that it was great and that there were no problems and they had a “ Helluva ” time! We had our usual English breakfast which is our treat on Sunday and in the afternoon we went up the street to our regular Tapas bar and sat and watched the world go by after the motorcycle rally had passed thru on it’s way to one of the other seven White villages higher up in the hills; they had small fresh gambas on sticks cooked on the char grill which were beautiful and we washed them down with the local Vino Blanco in the late afternoon sunshine!In the evening I popped the Chicken in the oven and we had it for supper with all the trimmings before we settled down to watch a film on Spanish TV.
Monday 9th.June.
Brenda had an appointment at the doctor’s for a jab and check up,over the weekend she has steadily improved as is nearly back to normal so he is reducing the tablets and she has only one more visit on Thursday for her final injection! She is also doing the exercises every day so the improvment is quite spectacular and she is nearly back to her old/young self! I received a thank you e-mail from the owner of the Roman Oasis ,Paul Hicking as I was typing this blog; I sent him over the weekend details of our blog-page about the Roman Oasis and he seem’s very impressed with it and Vidal! He also told us in the e-mail about a Radio Station that he is being interviewed by on Wednesday evening so we will tune in and listen to it as he is talking about his life ! I am still working on getting on local Radio/TV. and have started to practice writing about my early life in Liverpool and working in Hotels from the age of 16! Watch this space- it will happen!!
Saturday, June 07, 2008
MANILVA MOTORCYCLE RALLY.
Saturday 7th.June.
The annual Motorcycle Rally hit our quiet village this afternoon,we heard it coming up the hill! It’s based on the Feria/Market ground down in the valley for two days.The sound is unbelievable as they rev.up and show off to the locals.The Rally is controlled by the Local Police and the Guardia Civil and they even have an ambulance following the riders! The pictures below show just some of the bikes as they stopped for refreshments at the new bar in the village that has just opened. I was offered a ride on the Harley and said that I would go and get my helmet which we have kept but was stopped by she who must be obeyed !
The annual Motorcycle Rally hit our quiet village this afternoon,we heard it coming up the hill! It’s based on the Feria/Market ground down in the valley for two days.The sound is unbelievable as they rev.up and show off to the locals.The Rally is controlled by the Local Police and the Guardia Civil and they even have an ambulance following the riders! The pictures below show just some of the bikes as they stopped for refreshments at the new bar in the village that has just opened. I was offered a ride on the Harley and said that I would go and get my helmet which we have kept but was stopped by she who must be obeyed !
Friday, June 06, 2008
MANILVA. THE ROMAN OASIS.
Thursday 5th.June.
In the morning we shot down to the Doctors in Estepona for Brenda to have her check up and injections,she is improving every day and when we returned there was a couple of e-mails from friends,Jane and Penny thank you! In the evening we took Vidal and Gissy to The Roman Oasis,Restaurant and Bar in the valley below us in Manilva to show them the setting and the place, it was named after the nearby Roman Baths.Its been open for 26 years and is owned and run by Paul Hickling,the “ Lunatic “ his words and his lovely and talented present wife Pattie,his words also!As you can see from the pictures below it is very spectacular and as the sun goes down the lights come on!The buffet starter is as many visits as you wish and it’s famous for the Whole Leg of Roasted Lamb together with other hearty food from the barbecues and wood burning oven as you can see.The new round party table seats 20 people and there is also an Adventure Area for the children.As the sun goes down and the lights and flaming torches come on in this tropical setting under the stars the atmosphere is very special.The Bilingual Parrots also add to the whole experience- it also has a renowned port list of one hundred different ports to finish off the evening.Vidal also performed for them as he had all his gear in the car,for free to show them a little of what he could offer them in the future. The customers in the restaurant were all very impressed and I got talking to one very nice couple,Darren and Karen McClellan and their daughter who were on holiday from Liverpool! It’s a small world!!
In the morning we shot down to the Doctors in Estepona for Brenda to have her check up and injections,she is improving every day and when we returned there was a couple of e-mails from friends,Jane and Penny thank you! In the evening we took Vidal and Gissy to The Roman Oasis,Restaurant and Bar in the valley below us in Manilva to show them the setting and the place, it was named after the nearby Roman Baths.Its been open for 26 years and is owned and run by Paul Hickling,the “ Lunatic “ his words and his lovely and talented present wife Pattie,his words also!As you can see from the pictures below it is very spectacular and as the sun goes down the lights come on!The buffet starter is as many visits as you wish and it’s famous for the Whole Leg of Roasted Lamb together with other hearty food from the barbecues and wood burning oven as you can see.The new round party table seats 20 people and there is also an Adventure Area for the children.As the sun goes down and the lights and flaming torches come on in this tropical setting under the stars the atmosphere is very special.The Bilingual Parrots also add to the whole experience- it also has a renowned port list of one hundred different ports to finish off the evening.Vidal also performed for them as he had all his gear in the car,for free to show them a little of what he could offer them in the future. The customers in the restaurant were all very impressed and I got talking to one very nice couple,Darren and Karen McClellan and their daughter who were on holiday from Liverpool! It’s a small world!!
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
MANILVA.
Sunday 1st. June.
The forecast for next week is very hot and sunny 29/31cen.and today was the hottest yet.After a late breakfast we went for a walk around the village and called into the tapas bar at the top of our street for a vino blanco and cuba libre then came back to the house and Brenda went and caught the sun in the late afternoon as it moves around towards the hills and over Gibraltar.We had a light supper and a early night as we had to be out early the next morning to go to the doctors.
Monday 2nd June.
Over the weekend there has been a steady improvement in Brenda’s face as the injections start to work and she is also doing some facial exercises to help with the recovery. Our doctor,Dr.Konrad Wienands says that the improvement is very good and arranged for a course of injections today,Tuesday and Thursday as well as changing the tablet dosage’s to match the improvements.We picked up some Lambs Liver from the English butchers and had it for supper with Brenda’s famous mashed potato as she is now able to eat a bit better as her mouth is also slowly responding to the treatment.Later we watched Spanish TV and a documentary on a very famous singer,Rocio Guarado who died a couple of years ago and was married to a very great bullfighter.She had a helluva voice and a fantastic stage presence and is worshipped over here like a saint and every year at this time on the anniversary of her death they all go to the village of her birth,Chipolena on the coast by Sanlucar.
Tuesday 3rd June.
After calling in at the doctors we did a little local shopping in the back streets of Estepona and found a very good Fruit and Vegetable shop before we went to the garage and turned over the Winnebago and also moved it a small distance on the forecourt so as the owner can re-arrange the cars on the site.This week he is also advertising it on the Spanish and German internet as well as the local car sales paper and we have re-booked our advert in the Sur Englaise at the same time,We need a sale ASAP! We then called into see Vidal and Gissy and caught up with all their news as they are now starting to get busy with gigs up and down the coast.Anna has arrived back from North Wales and rang to speak to Brenda to catch up with the news and as they were talking she told us that her grandson,Fabio had just been taken into hospital in Marbella as his temperture had gone up over the day. We knew he was not well as we had seen Carlos over the weekend and had also spoken to Mano but it had gone up very quickly and had turned to Pneumonia and he was on a drip! The report as I am typing this is that it has gone down and he is on a course of antibiotics and will be out by the weekend.
Wednesday 4th June.
The phone went at 7-30am this morning,it was Brenda’s sister in Australia Lyn who had just read the blog-page as she had been away over the weekend so she was calling to see how she was,so they were able to have a long chat and it also was good for Brenda to hear a friendly voice.She has not told her two sisters in England as they are both on holiday and she will call them when they return.We then walked up to the Aparthotel and caught up with all the family as they came back from the hospital,at the same time Vidal and Gissy were there also as they had a meeting to try and arrange some dates over the summer period-watch this space! Brenda is now on the roof terrace sunbathing and I have just been on a new blog-page for travellers,Travelpod.com Brenda’s sister gave us the details as her son and his wife,Jeff and Annette are travelling around Europe so we caught up with them in Greece and exchanged messages and e-mails earlier today.Tonight we are having a light supper as we have arranged to go out with Vidal and Gissy tomorrow to show them The Roman Oasis Restaurant and bar in the valley below us.It has just reopened for the summer and is a very special and unusual place so watch out for the report and pictures.As they dropped us off we noticed that the fountain on the roundabout was on so I jumped out and took the picture above!
The forecast for next week is very hot and sunny 29/31cen.and today was the hottest yet.After a late breakfast we went for a walk around the village and called into the tapas bar at the top of our street for a vino blanco and cuba libre then came back to the house and Brenda went and caught the sun in the late afternoon as it moves around towards the hills and over Gibraltar.We had a light supper and a early night as we had to be out early the next morning to go to the doctors.
Monday 2nd June.
Over the weekend there has been a steady improvement in Brenda’s face as the injections start to work and she is also doing some facial exercises to help with the recovery. Our doctor,Dr.Konrad Wienands says that the improvement is very good and arranged for a course of injections today,Tuesday and Thursday as well as changing the tablet dosage’s to match the improvements.We picked up some Lambs Liver from the English butchers and had it for supper with Brenda’s famous mashed potato as she is now able to eat a bit better as her mouth is also slowly responding to the treatment.Later we watched Spanish TV and a documentary on a very famous singer,Rocio Guarado who died a couple of years ago and was married to a very great bullfighter.She had a helluva voice and a fantastic stage presence and is worshipped over here like a saint and every year at this time on the anniversary of her death they all go to the village of her birth,Chipolena on the coast by Sanlucar.
Tuesday 3rd June.
After calling in at the doctors we did a little local shopping in the back streets of Estepona and found a very good Fruit and Vegetable shop before we went to the garage and turned over the Winnebago and also moved it a small distance on the forecourt so as the owner can re-arrange the cars on the site.This week he is also advertising it on the Spanish and German internet as well as the local car sales paper and we have re-booked our advert in the Sur Englaise at the same time,We need a sale ASAP! We then called into see Vidal and Gissy and caught up with all their news as they are now starting to get busy with gigs up and down the coast.Anna has arrived back from North Wales and rang to speak to Brenda to catch up with the news and as they were talking she told us that her grandson,Fabio had just been taken into hospital in Marbella as his temperture had gone up over the day. We knew he was not well as we had seen Carlos over the weekend and had also spoken to Mano but it had gone up very quickly and had turned to Pneumonia and he was on a drip! The report as I am typing this is that it has gone down and he is on a course of antibiotics and will be out by the weekend.
Wednesday 4th June.
The phone went at 7-30am this morning,it was Brenda’s sister in Australia Lyn who had just read the blog-page as she had been away over the weekend so she was calling to see how she was,so they were able to have a long chat and it also was good for Brenda to hear a friendly voice.She has not told her two sisters in England as they are both on holiday and she will call them when they return.We then walked up to the Aparthotel and caught up with all the family as they came back from the hospital,at the same time Vidal and Gissy were there also as they had a meeting to try and arrange some dates over the summer period-watch this space! Brenda is now on the roof terrace sunbathing and I have just been on a new blog-page for travellers,Travelpod.com Brenda’s sister gave us the details as her son and his wife,Jeff and Annette are travelling around Europe so we caught up with them in Greece and exchanged messages and e-mails earlier today.Tonight we are having a light supper as we have arranged to go out with Vidal and Gissy tomorrow to show them The Roman Oasis Restaurant and bar in the valley below us.It has just reopened for the summer and is a very special and unusual place so watch out for the report and pictures.As they dropped us off we noticed that the fountain on the roundabout was on so I jumped out and took the picture above!
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