Monday/Thursday 27th/31st December 2009.
After the long Xmas weekend we took things easy on Monday and Tuesday and just pottered about the house and caught up with some reading; Turkey Curry was on the menu for Monday and kept popping up during the week! On Wednesday morning we went down to Tarifa to do the shopping and at the same time we took Boo to the vets for another check up. He is fine and the tablets are working! The same as me!!! Today I was up and out before 7-30am to go to the bank in Estepona to collect a cash transfer to pay the water bill, it eventually came through but it was to late to get to the office to settle the account. Tonight we are having Steak and Frits for dinner and are then going to watch the New Year in with Jools Holland, at twelve o’clock we will go out on the top balcony and listen to the ships horns in the Bay of Gibraltar as we crack open a bottle of something sparkling to toast a happy and healthy 2010 as well as a more prosperous one, fingers crossed!!
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA - SUNDAY SPECIAL.
Sunday 27th December 2009.
The best day by far over the Christmas period; no wind or rain and the sun starting to come out and the temperature going up! Eggs and Bacon for breakfast started the day as we meant to go on, as it was Sunday we had a special roast, Rib of Beef on the bone, cooked rare and served with oven baked Onions in a white sauce, puree of Carrots and baby new Turnips, whole Green Beans, Honey glazed Parsnips and Baby Herb crusted roast Potatoes; I made a Red wine gravy to fill the Yorkshire puddings! It reminded us of a very dear friend many years ago who used to Roast a whole Fillet of Beef smeared in Mustard and made the gravy/jus roti with a whole bottle of Chateau Lafitte Rothchild 1973, those were the days!! After a late lunch we sat out on the balcony in the sunshine with a clear blue sky and the views of Africa for the first time as we had our tea (No great Coffee drinkers) with our Xmas chocolates and After Eight mints! The picture below shows Joan in her Sunday best finery.
PS; We had another bottle of a fine Rioja with the Beef !
The best day by far over the Christmas period; no wind or rain and the sun starting to come out and the temperature going up! Eggs and Bacon for breakfast started the day as we meant to go on, as it was Sunday we had a special roast, Rib of Beef on the bone, cooked rare and served with oven baked Onions in a white sauce, puree of Carrots and baby new Turnips, whole Green Beans, Honey glazed Parsnips and Baby Herb crusted roast Potatoes; I made a Red wine gravy to fill the Yorkshire puddings! It reminded us of a very dear friend many years ago who used to Roast a whole Fillet of Beef smeared in Mustard and made the gravy/jus roti with a whole bottle of Chateau Lafitte Rothchild 1973, those were the days!! After a late lunch we sat out on the balcony in the sunshine with a clear blue sky and the views of Africa for the first time as we had our tea (No great Coffee drinkers) with our Xmas chocolates and After Eight mints! The picture below shows Joan in her Sunday best finery.
PS; We had another bottle of a fine Rioja with the Beef !
CASA OLIMPIA - BOXING DAY.
Saturday 26th December 2009. BOXING DAY.
Toasted Bacon butties for breakfast with mugs of steaming tea started the day in the right way; Joan is not feeling well, her arthritis in her back has been acting up over Xmas so we decided to have a lazy day about the villa and take things easy. For lunch we had Lobster soup, Baxters, with cream and Brandy added along with Brenda’s Melba toast (Memories of the good old days when we served it in our restaurants all the time) In the afternoon we watched the racing from Kempton Park; Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase for the fourth straight time and the Bank holiday crowds went mad, the atmosphere was electric and the coverage on Channel 4 was great. In the evening for supper we had cold Turkey with Bubble and Squeak as we settled down to watch the TV.
Toasted Bacon butties for breakfast with mugs of steaming tea started the day in the right way; Joan is not feeling well, her arthritis in her back has been acting up over Xmas so we decided to have a lazy day about the villa and take things easy. For lunch we had Lobster soup, Baxters, with cream and Brandy added along with Brenda’s Melba toast (Memories of the good old days when we served it in our restaurants all the time) In the afternoon we watched the racing from Kempton Park; Kauto Star won the King George VI Chase for the fourth straight time and the Bank holiday crowds went mad, the atmosphere was electric and the coverage on Channel 4 was great. In the evening for supper we had cold Turkey with Bubble and Squeak as we settled down to watch the TV.
Sunday, December 27, 2009
JENNY'S BIRTHDAY.
Sunday 27th December 2009,
We would like to wish Jenny, Brenda’s baby sister, a very happy birthday and hope that she has a “ Helluva ” day! Our love to all the family as Jenny is staying with her sister Norah,her son Darren and her elder son David and his wife Claire and their children Catlin and Elie who are visiting today and have come down from the wilds of Carlisle !
PS; They did not make it due to the snow on the lanes by their house !!
We would like to wish Jenny, Brenda’s baby sister, a very happy birthday and hope that she has a “ Helluva ” day! Our love to all the family as Jenny is staying with her sister Norah,her son Darren and her elder son David and his wife Claire and their children Catlin and Elie who are visiting today and have come down from the wilds of Carlisle !
PS; They did not make it due to the snow on the lanes by their house !!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA - CHRISTMAS DAY 2009.
25th December 2009 CHRISTMAS DAY.
We decided at the start of the week to sort the problems out here at the villa after Christmas and so settled down to having a good as Christmas as we could have; it is only in the last few years since we retired that the Xmas period has meant anything to us as we have been working over the festive season all our lives and although it was always enjoyable it was not the same as normal people! So our Xmas day got off to a great start as we called the folks over in Australia from our bed! We knew that Jack and Lyn had planned to go out later to see all the family so it was the right time to catch them and at the same time surprise them; we caught up with all their news and sent out love to everybody over in Australia. We then called Tim over in Colwyn Bay as we got up. He was just starting the same breakfast as us, back here, of scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Bucks Fizz! Joan came down and joined us to start off the day in the proper fashion! We then got the Turkey into the oven; it was a Spanish one but prepared English style, not like last year! I then made the Chestnut stuffing and the Pigs in Blanket with the Chipolatas and Smoked Bacon from the English butchers. Brenda got going on the vegetables; Baby Sprouts with streaky Bacon, Parsnips in Spanish Honey,Galzed Carrotts,Cauliflower and Broccoli florets in a Cheddar Cheese sauce and garden peas; the roast potatoes were cooked in Goose fat, from home, I then made finger coating pan gravy and we also had the crispy bacon from off the Turkey. Joan came back down and we sat at the large table in the main lounge for our starter of Smoked Pink Trout and Crab. We are saving the fine wines for another day so we opened a very nice bottle of sparkling rose Cava and then a fine bottle of Rioja; during the day the phone never stopped as all Joan’s family called and we got through to Jenny and Norah over in Runcorn after their Xmas lunch, Jenny is staying with Norah over the Xmas period. After our late lunch and as we sat at the table we received two surprise calls on our Spanish mobile; one was from our Spanish neighbours in Manilva, who were having their Xmas party and called to wish us “ Feliz Navidad ” and the second one was from a sunny beach in Trinidad – Vidal !! Who is over at his mothers’ house for the first time in years with all his family! The pictures below give you a little taste of the decorations around the villa, the Xmas table and Joan in her cracker hat, Brenda put the bows on the two dogs who were not impressed! Later we settled down to watch TV, one programme that we usually don’t watch is Eastenders but this episode was very good and got terrific reviews in the papers this morning unlike the Queens speech which was terrible, I’m sorry to say.Then the Royal Family was very funny and Gavin and Stacy was excellent.During the early morning of Xmas day and all through Friday the weather has been terrible – thunderstorms with 80km tornadoes and power cuts all the time!! Finally we would like to wish all our family and friends a very “ Merry Christmas ” we hope that you all had a “ Helluva ” day just like us !!
We decided at the start of the week to sort the problems out here at the villa after Christmas and so settled down to having a good as Christmas as we could have; it is only in the last few years since we retired that the Xmas period has meant anything to us as we have been working over the festive season all our lives and although it was always enjoyable it was not the same as normal people! So our Xmas day got off to a great start as we called the folks over in Australia from our bed! We knew that Jack and Lyn had planned to go out later to see all the family so it was the right time to catch them and at the same time surprise them; we caught up with all their news and sent out love to everybody over in Australia. We then called Tim over in Colwyn Bay as we got up. He was just starting the same breakfast as us, back here, of scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon and Bucks Fizz! Joan came down and joined us to start off the day in the proper fashion! We then got the Turkey into the oven; it was a Spanish one but prepared English style, not like last year! I then made the Chestnut stuffing and the Pigs in Blanket with the Chipolatas and Smoked Bacon from the English butchers. Brenda got going on the vegetables; Baby Sprouts with streaky Bacon, Parsnips in Spanish Honey,Galzed Carrotts,Cauliflower and Broccoli florets in a Cheddar Cheese sauce and garden peas; the roast potatoes were cooked in Goose fat, from home, I then made finger coating pan gravy and we also had the crispy bacon from off the Turkey. Joan came back down and we sat at the large table in the main lounge for our starter of Smoked Pink Trout and Crab. We are saving the fine wines for another day so we opened a very nice bottle of sparkling rose Cava and then a fine bottle of Rioja; during the day the phone never stopped as all Joan’s family called and we got through to Jenny and Norah over in Runcorn after their Xmas lunch, Jenny is staying with Norah over the Xmas period. After our late lunch and as we sat at the table we received two surprise calls on our Spanish mobile; one was from our Spanish neighbours in Manilva, who were having their Xmas party and called to wish us “ Feliz Navidad ” and the second one was from a sunny beach in Trinidad – Vidal !! Who is over at his mothers’ house for the first time in years with all his family! The pictures below give you a little taste of the decorations around the villa, the Xmas table and Joan in her cracker hat, Brenda put the bows on the two dogs who were not impressed! Later we settled down to watch TV, one programme that we usually don’t watch is Eastenders but this episode was very good and got terrific reviews in the papers this morning unlike the Queens speech which was terrible, I’m sorry to say.Then the Royal Family was very funny and Gavin and Stacy was excellent.During the early morning of Xmas day and all through Friday the weather has been terrible – thunderstorms with 80km tornadoes and power cuts all the time!! Finally we would like to wish all our family and friends a very “ Merry Christmas ” we hope that you all had a “ Helluva ” day just like us !!
Friday, December 25, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday 22nd/23rd/24th December 2009.
After a busy day on Monday running about the Costa del Sol and Brenda back at the villa brushing out the cellar flood we took it easy on Tuesday; I caught up with the e-mails and Facebook messages inc.birthday greetings to Michelle over in Preston. On Wednesday morning we went down to Tarifa through the mist and rain to the supermarket for our fresh vegetables for the Xmas period.Thursday, Xmas eve was a “ Helluva ” day in more ways than one! I was up and out early to get across to Manilva to check the house out and pick up all the cards; many thanks once again to everybody for all your news messages inside the cards and more baby photos! I then picked up some cash and went down to the English butchers to pick up our order for Xmas inc.Rib of Beef and Steak and Kidney along with homemade Chipolatas. I then went across to Estepona to collect a money transfer from Chris in London, it took over two and a half hours to come and the bank was closing early! On the way back I had some other messages to go for and in-between the rain storms I stopped for a tea and caught up with the Spanish news on the TV in the bar; it has not stopped raining for six days and there are floods everywhere in Andalucia and deep snow on all the mountains but the temperature down here on the Costa del Sol is going up all the time and by the end of the week it will be 20 degs again! My last stop was the most important,the wine merchants were I picked up a bottle of Cloudy Bay for the starter,a very nice Savigny les Beaune and a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose to finish!!Meanwhile back at the villa Brenda was keeping the flood at bay in the cellar after the most severe storm so far,she took the picture below during the worst of the rain,as I got back the sun was out and the garden looked like a tropical rain forest with steam coming off as the temperature went up!! In the evening we started to get things ready,sadly Chris did not make his flight as the weather beat him,he tried to get a transfer to Madrid and then down to Malaga but it was not possible so he is coming over sometime in the next few days!
After a busy day on Monday running about the Costa del Sol and Brenda back at the villa brushing out the cellar flood we took it easy on Tuesday; I caught up with the e-mails and Facebook messages inc.birthday greetings to Michelle over in Preston. On Wednesday morning we went down to Tarifa through the mist and rain to the supermarket for our fresh vegetables for the Xmas period.Thursday, Xmas eve was a “ Helluva ” day in more ways than one! I was up and out early to get across to Manilva to check the house out and pick up all the cards; many thanks once again to everybody for all your news messages inside the cards and more baby photos! I then picked up some cash and went down to the English butchers to pick up our order for Xmas inc.Rib of Beef and Steak and Kidney along with homemade Chipolatas. I then went across to Estepona to collect a money transfer from Chris in London, it took over two and a half hours to come and the bank was closing early! On the way back I had some other messages to go for and in-between the rain storms I stopped for a tea and caught up with the Spanish news on the TV in the bar; it has not stopped raining for six days and there are floods everywhere in Andalucia and deep snow on all the mountains but the temperature down here on the Costa del Sol is going up all the time and by the end of the week it will be 20 degs again! My last stop was the most important,the wine merchants were I picked up a bottle of Cloudy Bay for the starter,a very nice Savigny les Beaune and a bottle of Laurent Perrier Rose to finish!!Meanwhile back at the villa Brenda was keeping the flood at bay in the cellar after the most severe storm so far,she took the picture below during the worst of the rain,as I got back the sun was out and the garden looked like a tropical rain forest with steam coming off as the temperature went up!! In the evening we started to get things ready,sadly Chris did not make his flight as the weather beat him,he tried to get a transfer to Madrid and then down to Malaga but it was not possible so he is coming over sometime in the next few days!
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA - JUST.
Saturday/Sunday/Monday 19th/20th/21st. December 2009.
The weather has changed for the worst; the forecast is for severe rain storms over the next few days and could go on for all of next week but the temperatures are not as cold as was expected; the villa is in a very exposed position and is taking a bashing but with not many leaks, at the moment! Boo does not like the thunder and lightening and stays very close to Brenda at all times, the cats are in the cellar most of the time keeping out of the rain and all the animals have now been sprayed and the dogs are taking their tablets. After our usual Saturday night supper of Steak and frits we watched the final of SCD with our fingers crossed that the storm would not cut off the satellite system, it didn’t and the surprise winner was Chris Hollins! On Sunday we had for a change Lamb chops roasted on Boulangere potatoes with amongst the vegetables some fresh sprouts. Late in the afternoon our Chris phoned from England and spoke to Joan about Christmas and what was going to happen to her going into 2010, she then called one of her grandchildren and it all got a little confusing to say the least! Watch this space! First thing on Monday morning I went out in the Smart car across to Manilva to attempt to pay the water bill, once again, whilst I was out the most severe thunder storm struck and all along the coast everywhere was flooding and I got soaked as I met up with Mano and Anna for a bacon buttie and a mug of steaming tea.The bill is still not paid so we will have to cross our fingers that it is not cut off like last time! When I returned to the villa Brenda had lost a phone call from Chris due to a power cut so I called him back and had a rather strained conversation with him as we are now very unhappy and have lost all our confidence in him, at the same time the payment system has broken down and we now owed a great deal of money!!! We are stuck here because of Joan and feel that we are being taken advantage of, which we are! We have also with Mano’s help have made emergency plans to move out at short notice if it is not resolved over the next day or so to our satisfaction. Once again watch this space in the ongoing saga of the Sextons on their travels!!
The weather has changed for the worst; the forecast is for severe rain storms over the next few days and could go on for all of next week but the temperatures are not as cold as was expected; the villa is in a very exposed position and is taking a bashing but with not many leaks, at the moment! Boo does not like the thunder and lightening and stays very close to Brenda at all times, the cats are in the cellar most of the time keeping out of the rain and all the animals have now been sprayed and the dogs are taking their tablets. After our usual Saturday night supper of Steak and frits we watched the final of SCD with our fingers crossed that the storm would not cut off the satellite system, it didn’t and the surprise winner was Chris Hollins! On Sunday we had for a change Lamb chops roasted on Boulangere potatoes with amongst the vegetables some fresh sprouts. Late in the afternoon our Chris phoned from England and spoke to Joan about Christmas and what was going to happen to her going into 2010, she then called one of her grandchildren and it all got a little confusing to say the least! Watch this space! First thing on Monday morning I went out in the Smart car across to Manilva to attempt to pay the water bill, once again, whilst I was out the most severe thunder storm struck and all along the coast everywhere was flooding and I got soaked as I met up with Mano and Anna for a bacon buttie and a mug of steaming tea.The bill is still not paid so we will have to cross our fingers that it is not cut off like last time! When I returned to the villa Brenda had lost a phone call from Chris due to a power cut so I called him back and had a rather strained conversation with him as we are now very unhappy and have lost all our confidence in him, at the same time the payment system has broken down and we now owed a great deal of money!!! We are stuck here because of Joan and feel that we are being taken advantage of, which we are! We have also with Mano’s help have made emergency plans to move out at short notice if it is not resolved over the next day or so to our satisfaction. Once again watch this space in the ongoing saga of the Sextons on their travels!!
Saturday, December 19, 2009
CASA OLIMPIIA.
Tuesday/Friday 15th/18th December 2009.
Tuesday was our at home day as we pottered about the villa; the two dogs and two cats are all well and eating, Boo is Brenda’s dog and follows her everywhere, Millie is a little madam and has her own ways whilst the two cats are now staying in a lot more. Joan is keeping well and also eats everything we give her. On Wednesday morning I had to go across to our bank in Estepona to collect a money transfer, on the way I got caught in a rain storm which was very severe and I had to pull over as the visibility was down to zero and the Smart car is not built to withstand storms! On the way back I called into our house in Manilva and picked up the post; thanks for the cards, keep then coming as we look forward to them so much, also in some of them we get news updates and pictures about the year and what’s been happening; Brenda’s nephew in Australia Jeff is taking up a new position as CEO of a large company in South East Asia and is moving over to Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia with his wife Annette for a few years so they sent us all their contact details, meanwhile back in Bridgnorth our dear friend Penny had lots of news and one of Brenda’s old girlfriends Irene and her husband Peter sent us a picture of their latest grandchild, a boy who weighed in at 10lbs 9oz ! Whist I was in Estepona I had to call into the Mercedes garage and have new windscreen wipers fitted to the Smart car after the storm!! On the way back I called into the English butchers and ordered the Turkey and Rib of Beef for Xmas day and Boxing Day as well as Kidneys for a Steak and Kidney pie as we have four days to think about. First thing on Thursday morning I went down to Tarifa to pay the water bill but we have a problem as it has to be paid in cash, not by card and it is a large amount as it is the bill for July and August when the pool was in use! Watch this space. We then took Boo to the vets for a check up and to collect some tablets for him and Mille as well as a spray, he was very good as it was his first time in the Smart car and he had to stand in the front with Brenda! Friday was a shopping day at the supermarkets in Tarifa and in the evening for a change we had Scampi Provencale with rice for supper before we settled down to watch the TV only for the Satellite connection to be knocked off by an Atlantic storm that hit us in the late evening! As I am typing this the sun is out, the wind has dropped and it is a clear day overlooking the Strait to Africa.
Tuesday was our at home day as we pottered about the villa; the two dogs and two cats are all well and eating, Boo is Brenda’s dog and follows her everywhere, Millie is a little madam and has her own ways whilst the two cats are now staying in a lot more. Joan is keeping well and also eats everything we give her. On Wednesday morning I had to go across to our bank in Estepona to collect a money transfer, on the way I got caught in a rain storm which was very severe and I had to pull over as the visibility was down to zero and the Smart car is not built to withstand storms! On the way back I called into our house in Manilva and picked up the post; thanks for the cards, keep then coming as we look forward to them so much, also in some of them we get news updates and pictures about the year and what’s been happening; Brenda’s nephew in Australia Jeff is taking up a new position as CEO of a large company in South East Asia and is moving over to Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia with his wife Annette for a few years so they sent us all their contact details, meanwhile back in Bridgnorth our dear friend Penny had lots of news and one of Brenda’s old girlfriends Irene and her husband Peter sent us a picture of their latest grandchild, a boy who weighed in at 10lbs 9oz ! Whist I was in Estepona I had to call into the Mercedes garage and have new windscreen wipers fitted to the Smart car after the storm!! On the way back I called into the English butchers and ordered the Turkey and Rib of Beef for Xmas day and Boxing Day as well as Kidneys for a Steak and Kidney pie as we have four days to think about. First thing on Thursday morning I went down to Tarifa to pay the water bill but we have a problem as it has to be paid in cash, not by card and it is a large amount as it is the bill for July and August when the pool was in use! Watch this space. We then took Boo to the vets for a check up and to collect some tablets for him and Mille as well as a spray, he was very good as it was his first time in the Smart car and he had to stand in the front with Brenda! Friday was a shopping day at the supermarkets in Tarifa and in the evening for a change we had Scampi Provencale with rice for supper before we settled down to watch the TV only for the Satellite connection to be knocked off by an Atlantic storm that hit us in the late evening! As I am typing this the sun is out, the wind has dropped and it is a clear day overlooking the Strait to Africa.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA AND MANILVA.
Sunday/Monday 13th/14th December 2009.
Over the weekend the weather has gone a little cooler but the sun is still out during the day and with only a little breeze it can be described as “Crisp” After a lie in we got our Sunday lunch on the way, at the hypermarket the other day we picked up a two for one offer on Chickens! In the evening we watched TV, the X Factor final, the BBC sports personality of 2009 and then the UK snooker final; Joe,Giggs and Ding being the winners!
We got up early on Monday morning and set off across to San Pedro for cards then I dropped Brenda at our house in Manilva as I had an appointment with the doctor at the surgery for a check up and more results of some tests, all is well, the tests were clear and I am as sound as a bell, fingers crossed, that’s me not the doctor! The picture shows how the new Wine Centre has shot up, it is starting to look very impressive and will be a great asset to the village when it opens in 2010.On the way back we called into see Mano and Anna and catch up with all the news, we are trying to meet up at some time over Xmas,as we left the village Brenda posted the last of our cards in the post office; we had collected a lot of stuff from the house including pots and pans, food from the larder and deep freeze,xmas decorations including our three climbing Father Christmas’s and more clothes for Brenda! We stopped at our local supermarket to stock up for the week so by the time we were due to head back the Smart car was full and we only just managed to get a bag of logs in the front on top of Brenda! Cold Chicken for supper ended the day down here on the sunny Costa del Sol and round the corner in Tarifa.
Over the weekend the weather has gone a little cooler but the sun is still out during the day and with only a little breeze it can be described as “Crisp” After a lie in we got our Sunday lunch on the way, at the hypermarket the other day we picked up a two for one offer on Chickens! In the evening we watched TV, the X Factor final, the BBC sports personality of 2009 and then the UK snooker final; Joe,Giggs and Ding being the winners!
We got up early on Monday morning and set off across to San Pedro for cards then I dropped Brenda at our house in Manilva as I had an appointment with the doctor at the surgery for a check up and more results of some tests, all is well, the tests were clear and I am as sound as a bell, fingers crossed, that’s me not the doctor! The picture shows how the new Wine Centre has shot up, it is starting to look very impressive and will be a great asset to the village when it opens in 2010.On the way back we called into see Mano and Anna and catch up with all the news, we are trying to meet up at some time over Xmas,as we left the village Brenda posted the last of our cards in the post office; we had collected a lot of stuff from the house including pots and pans, food from the larder and deep freeze,xmas decorations including our three climbing Father Christmas’s and more clothes for Brenda! We stopped at our local supermarket to stock up for the week so by the time we were due to head back the Smart car was full and we only just managed to get a bag of logs in the front on top of Brenda! Cold Chicken for supper ended the day down here on the sunny Costa del Sol and round the corner in Tarifa.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday 10th/11th/12th December 2009.
On Thursday we had a quiet day around the villa and in the afternoon I made a large pan of Beef Stew with twelve different vegetables, Lentils and diced potatoes which we had for supper along with Cabbage and shredded Beetroot. First thing on Friday morning we went down to the very large Hypermarket outside Algeciras to stock up the larder for Xmas as well as get some more decorations,glasses,crackers,chocolates and nuts for Brenda! Later in the day I spoke to Chris over in London and finalized the payment details for the car insurance, electricity and other essentials which I will see to on Monday. This morning after a lie in I came down to Brenda’s famous poached eggs on toast as you can see in the picture below! We then got the two dogs into the bath and gave them a shampoo and blow dry, as when they came in from their morning run around Boo was covered in pine needles and Millie had four black paws that looked like Wellington boots, they then go out on the balcony and dry off in the noon day sunshine as you can see. The Xmas tree pictures don’t give you the full view as we have only just started the decorations, we have already got five Poinsettias in the lounge! We have just come off the phone after a quick call to Jack and Lyn in Australia as the have just moved into their new home, today and we also called Gissy to wish her a very happy birthday. The forecast for next week is a little colder; we are getting the tail end of your weather over in England, for a change! Tonight after our steak and frits dinner we are watching the semi-finals of SCD,Darcey Bussell is dancing on the show and then over the next two nights the final of X FACTOR !!
On Thursday we had a quiet day around the villa and in the afternoon I made a large pan of Beef Stew with twelve different vegetables, Lentils and diced potatoes which we had for supper along with Cabbage and shredded Beetroot. First thing on Friday morning we went down to the very large Hypermarket outside Algeciras to stock up the larder for Xmas as well as get some more decorations,glasses,crackers,chocolates and nuts for Brenda! Later in the day I spoke to Chris over in London and finalized the payment details for the car insurance, electricity and other essentials which I will see to on Monday. This morning after a lie in I came down to Brenda’s famous poached eggs on toast as you can see in the picture below! We then got the two dogs into the bath and gave them a shampoo and blow dry, as when they came in from their morning run around Boo was covered in pine needles and Millie had four black paws that looked like Wellington boots, they then go out on the balcony and dry off in the noon day sunshine as you can see. The Xmas tree pictures don’t give you the full view as we have only just started the decorations, we have already got five Poinsettias in the lounge! We have just come off the phone after a quick call to Jack and Lyn in Australia as the have just moved into their new home, today and we also called Gissy to wish her a very happy birthday. The forecast for next week is a little colder; we are getting the tail end of your weather over in England, for a change! Tonight after our steak and frits dinner we are watching the semi-finals of SCD,Darcey Bussell is dancing on the show and then over the next two nights the final of X FACTOR !!
Friday, December 11, 2009
Thursday, December 10, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA MANILVA ESTEPONA.
Saturday/Wednesday 5th/9th December 2009.
On Saturday morning a light Tarifa breeze had got up so Brenda did the washing and aired the clothes on the balcony; this weekend is a bank holiday in Spain and they are closed until Wednesday as on Monday it is a saints day and on Tuesday they celebrate the Spanish constitution so it is the longest holiday of the year as it starts on Friday; the traffic on the roads all over Spain goes mad and it is the weekend when the most accidents on the road take place! Mano who is now working as the night manager at the Manilva Green Apart hotel says it was very busy with all the customers coming from all over Spain, especially Madrid. In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch SCD, the right result this time! Bacon butties started off the day on Sunday as we had a small Leg of Lamb to roast for a late Sunday lunch, instead of roast potatoes I made a dish of Boulangere potatoes and finished the Lamb on it! We also had amongst the vegetables creamed Leeks which reminded us of our dear friend Tim, back in North Wales who often gave us his special Garlic infused Lamb with all the trimmings. Tim and Thea had gone away for a long weekend to Cologne to see some friends so when we phoned on our regular Friday evening call we had a nice chat with Jo who is home over Christmas. Monday was catch up day around the villa and at the same time we dug out the Xmas decorations and the trees; a bit of a problem with the large one as the top third was missing and it took me three hours to find it in the garage! The weather is still sunny all the time with no wind and the views across the Strait are still unbelievable. I was catching up with the e-mails over Tuesday morning when the Skype alarm went off; it was a friend that we met on our travels, back in France, who was very helpful to us as at the time when we were just starting to get to know the Winnebago as he was a long standing Winnebago user and had been across in the USA many times, Tony Turner has now settled in Arizona for six months of the year and was calling us from there, nice talking to you Tony and thanks for the call, we will keep in touch! In the evening, late on BBB1 there was a documentary on Joan Baez which was excellent and had a interview with Bob Dylan going over the old times when they traveled around the USA.We shot across to Manilva first thing on Wednesday morning and called into the surgery to make an appointment to see our doctor and get our flu jabs; we then stopped at the house and collected some more clothes for over Christmas as well as the first Xmas cards! We then went to Estepona to do some shopping and also called into our bank to collect a money transfer from Chris over in London which he had sent by Moneygram, not Western Union, it took over two hours for it to come through, I ended up locked in the bank with our manager and Raul who looks after our account – thanks! It meant that we missed the shops that we were going too so we are having to go out on Friday morning to the Hypermarket. On the way back we called into the marina in Estepona to post cards and get some more stamps so I was able to take the picture below which is the entrance to the port and shows the Poinsettias in front of the famous Reinaldo’s bar.
On Saturday morning a light Tarifa breeze had got up so Brenda did the washing and aired the clothes on the balcony; this weekend is a bank holiday in Spain and they are closed until Wednesday as on Monday it is a saints day and on Tuesday they celebrate the Spanish constitution so it is the longest holiday of the year as it starts on Friday; the traffic on the roads all over Spain goes mad and it is the weekend when the most accidents on the road take place! Mano who is now working as the night manager at the Manilva Green Apart hotel says it was very busy with all the customers coming from all over Spain, especially Madrid. In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch SCD, the right result this time! Bacon butties started off the day on Sunday as we had a small Leg of Lamb to roast for a late Sunday lunch, instead of roast potatoes I made a dish of Boulangere potatoes and finished the Lamb on it! We also had amongst the vegetables creamed Leeks which reminded us of our dear friend Tim, back in North Wales who often gave us his special Garlic infused Lamb with all the trimmings. Tim and Thea had gone away for a long weekend to Cologne to see some friends so when we phoned on our regular Friday evening call we had a nice chat with Jo who is home over Christmas. Monday was catch up day around the villa and at the same time we dug out the Xmas decorations and the trees; a bit of a problem with the large one as the top third was missing and it took me three hours to find it in the garage! The weather is still sunny all the time with no wind and the views across the Strait are still unbelievable. I was catching up with the e-mails over Tuesday morning when the Skype alarm went off; it was a friend that we met on our travels, back in France, who was very helpful to us as at the time when we were just starting to get to know the Winnebago as he was a long standing Winnebago user and had been across in the USA many times, Tony Turner has now settled in Arizona for six months of the year and was calling us from there, nice talking to you Tony and thanks for the call, we will keep in touch! In the evening, late on BBB1 there was a documentary on Joan Baez which was excellent and had a interview with Bob Dylan going over the old times when they traveled around the USA.We shot across to Manilva first thing on Wednesday morning and called into the surgery to make an appointment to see our doctor and get our flu jabs; we then stopped at the house and collected some more clothes for over Christmas as well as the first Xmas cards! We then went to Estepona to do some shopping and also called into our bank to collect a money transfer from Chris over in London which he had sent by Moneygram, not Western Union, it took over two hours for it to come through, I ended up locked in the bank with our manager and Raul who looks after our account – thanks! It meant that we missed the shops that we were going too so we are having to go out on Friday morning to the Hypermarket. On the way back we called into the marina in Estepona to post cards and get some more stamps so I was able to take the picture below which is the entrance to the port and shows the Poinsettias in front of the famous Reinaldo’s bar.
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Saturday, December 05, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Friday 30th November/4th December 2009
This week has been yet another lovely crisp and sunny week with clear blue skies; On Monday and Tuesday we caught up with the chores about the villa and started to bring out the Xmas decorations as we start to plan our Christmas over here in Tarifa, will Manilva miss us- you bet !The forecast for Wednesday was very good so we took the chance to take Joan across to Marbella to the cemetery to put some flowers on her husbands grave, it turned out to be rather special as the temperature rose to 25 degs.so on the way back we stopped at Tricky Rickys for a light lunch and sat outside on the terrace. On the way back we called into the English butchers and picked up a small Leg of Lamb for Sunday lunch. Dinner on Thursday was Braised steak and Onions with mash. First thing on Friday morning I was out and about chasing some money transfers, unsuccessfully, so on the way back I stopped at the supermarket and picked up the essentials for the weekend. The problem with the transfers was that the Western Union system was not working so I had to find a Moneygram agents office – this weekend it is a long Bank holiday in Spain, till Tuesday so I will find the nearest office on the internet over the weekend, next week we have all the bills to pay, water, electricity and the car insurance on the VW which means that I have to contact Chris and arrange the various payments either by cash or his credit card!
This week has been yet another lovely crisp and sunny week with clear blue skies; On Monday and Tuesday we caught up with the chores about the villa and started to bring out the Xmas decorations as we start to plan our Christmas over here in Tarifa, will Manilva miss us- you bet !The forecast for Wednesday was very good so we took the chance to take Joan across to Marbella to the cemetery to put some flowers on her husbands grave, it turned out to be rather special as the temperature rose to 25 degs.so on the way back we stopped at Tricky Rickys for a light lunch and sat outside on the terrace. On the way back we called into the English butchers and picked up a small Leg of Lamb for Sunday lunch. Dinner on Thursday was Braised steak and Onions with mash. First thing on Friday morning I was out and about chasing some money transfers, unsuccessfully, so on the way back I stopped at the supermarket and picked up the essentials for the weekend. The problem with the transfers was that the Western Union system was not working so I had to find a Moneygram agents office – this weekend it is a long Bank holiday in Spain, till Tuesday so I will find the nearest office on the internet over the weekend, next week we have all the bills to pay, water, electricity and the car insurance on the VW which means that I have to contact Chris and arrange the various payments either by cash or his credit card!
Monday, November 30, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 27th/28th 29th November 2009.
On Friday morning after tea and toast on the balcony we dropped down to Tarifa to do the weekend shopping; the views across the Straits were spectacular as it was sunny, crisp, no wind and clear, you could see the snow on the Atlas mountains and Tangier stood out on the coast next to the Atlantic. The forecast for the Sunday is rain but we can’t complain as it’s the first in six months! During the week, on Wednesday, the skydiver with a jet pack wing on his back attempted an intercontintal crossing from Morocco to Spain and ended up in the sea, they definitely choose the wrong day as it was windy and cloudy and if they had waited till Friday-no problem! Pan fried Salmon for supper and then we caught up with the TV; over the last couple of days we have seen the latest QI with Stephen Fry, the new, last series of Gavin and Stacey and on Saturday the Rugby. We had Steak and frits before we all watched SCD, which was very good, then Joan watches the X-Factor! As we got up on Sunday the rain started and during the morning turned into a storm so we decided not to take Joan out as she had not been too well over the last few days, a nice bowl of steaming hot Heinz Tomato soup soon put her right and we then shot out across to Guadalmina to Tricky Ricky’s for Sunday lunch as it was our 38th wedding anniversary, as soon as we got around to the coast past Manilva it stopped raining and we were able to sit outside under the canopy and have a lovely lunch starting with an exceptional Cream of Chicken and Leek soup followed by Roast Beef, Pork and Lamb with mashed and roast potatoes,cabbage,creamed Leeks, puree of Carrots, Broccoli and Pan gravy in a sauce boat! A complimentary bottle of house wine, which we brought back with us finished off a nice day; on the way back we stopped off at the house in Manilva and picked up the mail and some more clothes as it is looking like we will be in the villa for Christmas, after a long phone call from Chris on Sunday morning it sounds that the family are not coming over as we expected! Earlier we had been on Skype to Australia, Jack and Lyn are packing as they move into their new house in two weeks time, we also rang Jenny over in England before we made a pre arranged Skype video call to Tim in Colwyn Bay,for the first time I managed to get the system working and we were able to see Tim and he could see us! Watch out the world !! The pictures above show the Strait at different times in the day over the last few days.
On Friday morning after tea and toast on the balcony we dropped down to Tarifa to do the weekend shopping; the views across the Straits were spectacular as it was sunny, crisp, no wind and clear, you could see the snow on the Atlas mountains and Tangier stood out on the coast next to the Atlantic. The forecast for the Sunday is rain but we can’t complain as it’s the first in six months! During the week, on Wednesday, the skydiver with a jet pack wing on his back attempted an intercontintal crossing from Morocco to Spain and ended up in the sea, they definitely choose the wrong day as it was windy and cloudy and if they had waited till Friday-no problem! Pan fried Salmon for supper and then we caught up with the TV; over the last couple of days we have seen the latest QI with Stephen Fry, the new, last series of Gavin and Stacey and on Saturday the Rugby. We had Steak and frits before we all watched SCD, which was very good, then Joan watches the X-Factor! As we got up on Sunday the rain started and during the morning turned into a storm so we decided not to take Joan out as she had not been too well over the last few days, a nice bowl of steaming hot Heinz Tomato soup soon put her right and we then shot out across to Guadalmina to Tricky Ricky’s for Sunday lunch as it was our 38th wedding anniversary, as soon as we got around to the coast past Manilva it stopped raining and we were able to sit outside under the canopy and have a lovely lunch starting with an exceptional Cream of Chicken and Leek soup followed by Roast Beef, Pork and Lamb with mashed and roast potatoes,cabbage,creamed Leeks, puree of Carrots, Broccoli and Pan gravy in a sauce boat! A complimentary bottle of house wine, which we brought back with us finished off a nice day; on the way back we stopped off at the house in Manilva and picked up the mail and some more clothes as it is looking like we will be in the villa for Christmas, after a long phone call from Chris on Sunday morning it sounds that the family are not coming over as we expected! Earlier we had been on Skype to Australia, Jack and Lyn are packing as they move into their new house in two weeks time, we also rang Jenny over in England before we made a pre arranged Skype video call to Tim in Colwyn Bay,for the first time I managed to get the system working and we were able to see Tim and he could see us! Watch out the world !! The pictures above show the Strait at different times in the day over the last few days.
Thursday, November 26, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Saturday/Thursday 21st/26th November 2009.
Just another weekend over here in Tarifa and the weather is still warm and sunny but a little cooler at night; Joan is fine and has some pain in her back at the moment but as she says for her age she is remarkable well! Steak and frits for dinner on Saturday followed by TV. On Sunday the roast was Chicken with all the trimmings inc.mashed Carrots and Parsnips for a change. This week we are taking things easy and catching up with all the bits and pieces around the villa as well as starting to make plans for Xmas!? Brenda has started to write cards as the Australian ones have to be in the post shortly and we have also a lot of birthdays coming up in December. If we are on your Xmas card list please send them to our home address in Manilva ! Thank you in advance !! On Tuesday evening on BBC1 there was a excellent documentary on Dame Shirley Bassey;she was interviewed at her home and the flash backs of her early shows on TV were very good, it then showed her rehearsing with her musical director as they put together the new album in the studio, when all the songs were written by new songwriters especially for her, including Gary Barlow,KT Tunstall,the Pet Shop Boys and lots of others. She then performed all the songs on the Electric Proms programme that I talked about a couple of weeks ago. We went over to Estepona on Wednesday morning to get our hair cut;Gissy as usual welcomed us with open arms and we sat on her balcony for continental breakfast overlooking the beach and sea in the warm sunshine, we caught up with all her news including the latest from Vidal in Lima,Peru!Next week he is on his way to Trinidad to see his mother, he has not been home for some time and his brother Felix, who also lives here on the Costa del Sol is joining the whole family for the first time in decades at Christmas.Ah ! Today we have had for the first time in over six months some wet stuff falling out of the sky- Rain !! but it is still warm !! I am now off to make a Chicken curry for supper tonight.
Just another weekend over here in Tarifa and the weather is still warm and sunny but a little cooler at night; Joan is fine and has some pain in her back at the moment but as she says for her age she is remarkable well! Steak and frits for dinner on Saturday followed by TV. On Sunday the roast was Chicken with all the trimmings inc.mashed Carrots and Parsnips for a change. This week we are taking things easy and catching up with all the bits and pieces around the villa as well as starting to make plans for Xmas!? Brenda has started to write cards as the Australian ones have to be in the post shortly and we have also a lot of birthdays coming up in December. If we are on your Xmas card list please send them to our home address in Manilva ! Thank you in advance !! On Tuesday evening on BBC1 there was a excellent documentary on Dame Shirley Bassey;she was interviewed at her home and the flash backs of her early shows on TV were very good, it then showed her rehearsing with her musical director as they put together the new album in the studio, when all the songs were written by new songwriters especially for her, including Gary Barlow,KT Tunstall,the Pet Shop Boys and lots of others. She then performed all the songs on the Electric Proms programme that I talked about a couple of weeks ago. We went over to Estepona on Wednesday morning to get our hair cut;Gissy as usual welcomed us with open arms and we sat on her balcony for continental breakfast overlooking the beach and sea in the warm sunshine, we caught up with all her news including the latest from Vidal in Lima,Peru!Next week he is on his way to Trinidad to see his mother, he has not been home for some time and his brother Felix, who also lives here on the Costa del Sol is joining the whole family for the first time in decades at Christmas.Ah ! Today we have had for the first time in over six months some wet stuff falling out of the sky- Rain !! but it is still warm !! I am now off to make a Chicken curry for supper tonight.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Friday 16th/20th November 2009.
As the weather is still holding up we have gone into our taking it easy and reading mode; Brenda catches up with the chore in the morning and goes out on the balcony in the afternoon whilst I catch up with the e-mails and blog during the day and cook after lunch. This week we have had a Chicken curry, Sausages and mash, Pork fillet in a lemon butter sauce ( The Lemons came from the orchard ! ) and cold Ham and eggs. We have had very little contact with Chris over in London as he is in the middle of some very heavy business deals and seems to spend his whole life in meetings from early in the morning till late at night! We have also been in touch with all the usual casualties! Tim brought us up to date with all his news over in Colwyn Bay, as did the two sisters in England and Jack and Lyn in Australia whilst at the same time Brenda spoke also to Gissy as Vidal has gone over to Peru on business and then onto Trinidad to see his mother and might not be back until the new year! On Friday morning I went across to Manilva but could not get near to the house as the council had blocked all the roads into the village to do some major repairs to the roads, as I came around the village and down towards the coast Mano called me and I met him and Juan for a morning drink at his regular bar which is just at the start of the village; we caught up with all the village gossip and news, which we miss! I then carried on to do all my messages at the supermarket, paper shop, telephone shop, cash point and the butchers; just as I was getting back to the car Anna, who was also out shopping spotted me so we went for a mug of tea and a Bacon butty in the square in the centre of Sabinillas,we sat out in the morning sun and put the world to rights after catching up with all her news after their holiday over in Lanzarote to see their daughter Sally and her grandchildren. Brenda has arranged to go over to Gissy next week to get her hair cut, it still grows like mad and at the end of the week we are going out for Sunday lunch as it is our 38th wedding anniversary on the 29th ! It only seems like yesterday when we walked down the aisle in Port Sunlight with my child bride !!
As the weather is still holding up we have gone into our taking it easy and reading mode; Brenda catches up with the chore in the morning and goes out on the balcony in the afternoon whilst I catch up with the e-mails and blog during the day and cook after lunch. This week we have had a Chicken curry, Sausages and mash, Pork fillet in a lemon butter sauce ( The Lemons came from the orchard ! ) and cold Ham and eggs. We have had very little contact with Chris over in London as he is in the middle of some very heavy business deals and seems to spend his whole life in meetings from early in the morning till late at night! We have also been in touch with all the usual casualties! Tim brought us up to date with all his news over in Colwyn Bay, as did the two sisters in England and Jack and Lyn in Australia whilst at the same time Brenda spoke also to Gissy as Vidal has gone over to Peru on business and then onto Trinidad to see his mother and might not be back until the new year! On Friday morning I went across to Manilva but could not get near to the house as the council had blocked all the roads into the village to do some major repairs to the roads, as I came around the village and down towards the coast Mano called me and I met him and Juan for a morning drink at his regular bar which is just at the start of the village; we caught up with all the village gossip and news, which we miss! I then carried on to do all my messages at the supermarket, paper shop, telephone shop, cash point and the butchers; just as I was getting back to the car Anna, who was also out shopping spotted me so we went for a mug of tea and a Bacon butty in the square in the centre of Sabinillas,we sat out in the morning sun and put the world to rights after catching up with all her news after their holiday over in Lanzarote to see their daughter Sally and her grandchildren. Brenda has arranged to go over to Gissy next week to get her hair cut, it still grows like mad and at the end of the week we are going out for Sunday lunch as it is our 38th wedding anniversary on the 29th ! It only seems like yesterday when we walked down the aisle in Port Sunlight with my child bride !!
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Saturday/Sunday 14th/15th November 2009.
Another weekend over here in Tarifa and the weather is still very good, infact they are starting to forecast that it will be the warmest November in over 70 yrs! This morning Brenda has been catching up with housekeeping and I caught up with the e-mails which we look forward to seeing as our family and friends bring us up to date with all the latest news. In the evening we had a late supper after watching SCD,it was rather exciting with the injuries to the dancers and Bruce being sick with the flu, Joan eats earlier on a Saturday so as she can watch the dancing and then X- Factor afterwards. As usual we all had steak and frits with all the trimmings and then fresh Pineapple and ice cream for a change.
Sunday started with a lie in and Smoked Bacon butties on the terrace before we got lunch ready; we also rang on Skype the folks over in Australia to get the news about the funeral which took place on Friday and then we caught up with our dear friend Tim in Colwyn Bay who had been away on business in Berlin for week; he had a very exciting time as he was there on the Monday when the celebrations took place for the 20th anniversary of when the wall came down and also was shown around the city and visited all the famous landmarks. Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding with five vegetables, roast potatoes and pan gravy soon settled us down and in the evening we watched BBC1 and Joan watched the X Factor results to round off another week in sunny Tarifa.
PS; Thank you to " Adrian " who left a very nice comment on the blog,it is very rewarding when somebody besides family and friends has read the blog and enjoyed it - thanks!
Another weekend over here in Tarifa and the weather is still very good, infact they are starting to forecast that it will be the warmest November in over 70 yrs! This morning Brenda has been catching up with housekeeping and I caught up with the e-mails which we look forward to seeing as our family and friends bring us up to date with all the latest news. In the evening we had a late supper after watching SCD,it was rather exciting with the injuries to the dancers and Bruce being sick with the flu, Joan eats earlier on a Saturday so as she can watch the dancing and then X- Factor afterwards. As usual we all had steak and frits with all the trimmings and then fresh Pineapple and ice cream for a change.
Sunday started with a lie in and Smoked Bacon butties on the terrace before we got lunch ready; we also rang on Skype the folks over in Australia to get the news about the funeral which took place on Friday and then we caught up with our dear friend Tim in Colwyn Bay who had been away on business in Berlin for week; he had a very exciting time as he was there on the Monday when the celebrations took place for the 20th anniversary of when the wall came down and also was shown around the city and visited all the famous landmarks. Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding with five vegetables, roast potatoes and pan gravy soon settled us down and in the evening we watched BBC1 and Joan watched the X Factor results to round off another week in sunny Tarifa.
PS; Thank you to " Adrian " who left a very nice comment on the blog,it is very rewarding when somebody besides family and friends has read the blog and enjoyed it - thanks!
Saturday, November 14, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA - ESTEPONA.
Monday/Friday 9th/13th November 2009.
On Monday after the terrible news from Australia we had a quiet day around the villa gathering our thoughts; the weather is picking up again with no wind so as the sun comes out it soon becomes warm and the temperature is reaching 25/27 degs.in fact it has been the hottest October in the last 60 years! In the evening we had cold Roast Loin of Pork which was left over from our Sunday lunch, during the day I had been trying to make contact with Chris, over in London, as we need to make plans for Christmas and also we have had some problems with bank transfers which need to be resolved, also some important documents did not reach us at the villa, which were sent by DHL/FED-EX last week. The main problem is that the villa does not have a post box address and is not on the postal route! They were given exact details and our phone number but still did not find us! So on Tuesday I went across to Estepona to find the depot, with no luck, and ended up on a wild goose chase up and down the Costa del Sol ! Eventually I went to the Western Union office and picked up a cash transfer, which Chris had sent and at the same time I opened a private post box so as all the mail can be directed to it in the future, but at the time of typing this envelope has still not arrived in the new post box. For dinner we had Braised Steak and Onions with Cabbage and mash to keep us going!! Over the next two days and with numerous phone calls and texts and two more trips across to Estepona we have still not resolved the missing letter. Yesterday we went back again to Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the dentists for a check up so we also went to the Hypermarket after some shopping in the town centre, for a change.Carrefort has everything you need and as we have an account with them we get discount on all goods, I also managed to get the new Dan Brown book “ The Lost Symbol ” which I am looking forward to reading over the weekend. For supper last night we had Baked Sole, which I skinned myself, with a foaming lime butter, baby new potatoes and green vegetables, the sole was beautiful and fell off the bone as we filleted them! Just like in a restaurant !! Later we watched Jools Holland with his usual eclectic mix of artists and music.
On Monday after the terrible news from Australia we had a quiet day around the villa gathering our thoughts; the weather is picking up again with no wind so as the sun comes out it soon becomes warm and the temperature is reaching 25/27 degs.in fact it has been the hottest October in the last 60 years! In the evening we had cold Roast Loin of Pork which was left over from our Sunday lunch, during the day I had been trying to make contact with Chris, over in London, as we need to make plans for Christmas and also we have had some problems with bank transfers which need to be resolved, also some important documents did not reach us at the villa, which were sent by DHL/FED-EX last week. The main problem is that the villa does not have a post box address and is not on the postal route! They were given exact details and our phone number but still did not find us! So on Tuesday I went across to Estepona to find the depot, with no luck, and ended up on a wild goose chase up and down the Costa del Sol ! Eventually I went to the Western Union office and picked up a cash transfer, which Chris had sent and at the same time I opened a private post box so as all the mail can be directed to it in the future, but at the time of typing this envelope has still not arrived in the new post box. For dinner we had Braised Steak and Onions with Cabbage and mash to keep us going!! Over the next two days and with numerous phone calls and texts and two more trips across to Estepona we have still not resolved the missing letter. Yesterday we went back again to Estepona as Brenda had an appointment at the dentists for a check up so we also went to the Hypermarket after some shopping in the town centre, for a change.Carrefort has everything you need and as we have an account with them we get discount on all goods, I also managed to get the new Dan Brown book “ The Lost Symbol ” which I am looking forward to reading over the weekend. For supper last night we had Baked Sole, which I skinned myself, with a foaming lime butter, baby new potatoes and green vegetables, the sole was beautiful and fell off the bone as we filleted them! Just like in a restaurant !! Later we watched Jools Holland with his usual eclectic mix of artists and music.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
AUSTRALIA.
Sunday 8th November 2009.
IN MEMORY OF YVONNE DUTTON/PEREIRA.
OCTOBER 28TH 1962 – NOVEMBER 8TH 2009.
This morning we had one of the phone calls that you most dread; it started with the words “I have some bad news” and came from Norah, Brenda’s sister just after we had been on the phone to her other sister in England Jenny. She had just had a phone call from Lyn in Australia, the other sister to say that her youngest daughter Yvonne had just passed away. She had been ill for some time and was in a hospice receiving new treatment but sadly lost her fight. We called Jack and Lyn on the Skype phone and were able to speak to Lyn to pass on our thoughts at this very sad time; our love goes to her brother Jeff and her two sisters Deb and Annette also. We are also thinking of her beloved husband Roger and her two sons, Brandon and Geoff together with all the extended family and friends over in Australia.Deb has just posted these words in memory of her sister which sum up all our thoughts at this tragic moment; “Farewell my darling sister, bet you have enormous golden wings, love you and miss you more than words can ever say”
We are thinking of all the family over the very sad loss of a life so young,
Malcolm and Brenda, Norah and Jenny xxxx
IN MEMORY OF YVONNE DUTTON/PEREIRA.
OCTOBER 28TH 1962 – NOVEMBER 8TH 2009.
This morning we had one of the phone calls that you most dread; it started with the words “I have some bad news” and came from Norah, Brenda’s sister just after we had been on the phone to her other sister in England Jenny. She had just had a phone call from Lyn in Australia, the other sister to say that her youngest daughter Yvonne had just passed away. She had been ill for some time and was in a hospice receiving new treatment but sadly lost her fight. We called Jack and Lyn on the Skype phone and were able to speak to Lyn to pass on our thoughts at this very sad time; our love goes to her brother Jeff and her two sisters Deb and Annette also. We are also thinking of her beloved husband Roger and her two sons, Brandon and Geoff together with all the extended family and friends over in Australia.Deb has just posted these words in memory of her sister which sum up all our thoughts at this tragic moment; “Farewell my darling sister, bet you have enormous golden wings, love you and miss you more than words can ever say”
We are thinking of all the family over the very sad loss of a life so young,
Malcolm and Brenda, Norah and Jenny xxxx
Saturday, November 07, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Saturday 2nd/7th November 2009.
Just another week over here in a sunny Tarifa, the weather is still very good for the time of year with long warm days and not cold at night. On Monday I did my usual trip over to Estepona and Manilva and picked up all the essentials for the week. Tuesday was Chicken curry night and on Wednesday we got ourselves ready for Thursday and Friday as we are over in Estepona at the Marriott resort on two sales training days for them. We have not had very much contact with Chris over in London during the last couple of weeks as he is in the middle of some very heavy business dealings to do with his company but hopefully it will be resolved by this weekend. On Thursday morning we went over very early to Estepona as Brenda has not been well with mouth ulcers and it had got into her face; she has not been eating much and has been feeling down, the dentists fitted her in straight away and soon sorted things out and by lunch time she was back to her old self! The weather at the resort for the two days was very hot and sunny and it gave us a break from the villa back in Tarifa and we were paid in vouchers to use at the Spa. Hotel and restaurant over the next few months! Today we have been down to Tarifa for the weekend shopping and Joan’s tablets, tonight it is steak and frits for dinner before we settle down to watch SCD,last night, Friday, we had Calves Liver with Smoked Bacon, sausages and Onions on mash before we watched Robbie Williams and Jools Holland late on. I have just spoken to Chris and it sounds that things have been resolved, which is good news so I am going off to watch the Rugby Union internationals,come on England and Wales ! Oh and sorry to all our Australian family in advance !!
PS; Australia have just beaten us !!
PPS; Wales to beat New Zealand next !!!
PPPS;The All Blacks won also !!!! but the England Rugby League team have just beaten the Kiwis in the semis final and play the Australian's next week !
PPPPS; They murdered us in the final !!
Just another week over here in a sunny Tarifa, the weather is still very good for the time of year with long warm days and not cold at night. On Monday I did my usual trip over to Estepona and Manilva and picked up all the essentials for the week. Tuesday was Chicken curry night and on Wednesday we got ourselves ready for Thursday and Friday as we are over in Estepona at the Marriott resort on two sales training days for them. We have not had very much contact with Chris over in London during the last couple of weeks as he is in the middle of some very heavy business dealings to do with his company but hopefully it will be resolved by this weekend. On Thursday morning we went over very early to Estepona as Brenda has not been well with mouth ulcers and it had got into her face; she has not been eating much and has been feeling down, the dentists fitted her in straight away and soon sorted things out and by lunch time she was back to her old self! The weather at the resort for the two days was very hot and sunny and it gave us a break from the villa back in Tarifa and we were paid in vouchers to use at the Spa. Hotel and restaurant over the next few months! Today we have been down to Tarifa for the weekend shopping and Joan’s tablets, tonight it is steak and frits for dinner before we settle down to watch SCD,last night, Friday, we had Calves Liver with Smoked Bacon, sausages and Onions on mash before we watched Robbie Williams and Jools Holland late on. I have just spoken to Chris and it sounds that things have been resolved, which is good news so I am going off to watch the Rugby Union internationals,come on England and Wales ! Oh and sorry to all our Australian family in advance !!
PS; Australia have just beaten us !!
PPS; Wales to beat New Zealand next !!!
PPPS;The All Blacks won also !!!! but the England Rugby League team have just beaten the Kiwis in the semis final and play the Australian's next week !
PPPPS; They murdered us in the final !!
Monday, November 02, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 39th/31st October/1st November 2009.
On Friday morning we went down to the supermarkets in Tarifa for the weekend shopping; the weather is still warm and very sunny at the moment. We are still able to sit out on the balcony and Brenda spends all her time in the afternoon sunshine, we have all the windows and door open and it is very pleasant with the little Tarifa breeze. For dinner, for a change we had steaks of Hake baked in the oven in a savory Provencale sauce with new potatoes. Saturday was very warm, in fact it was too hot to have our lunch on the terrace so we moved into the kitchen and Joan joined us for a prawn and fruit salad after having a breath of fresh air on the balcony,30degs and rising! For dinner we had steak and frits after watching SCD as it was on earlier than usual; later I watched the football and I was sorry that I did as Liverpool were beaten, by Fulham and played terrible! This Sunday for a change we had our lunch sooner than later and I cooked it in front of Joan as we did not have a roast but instead we had Spanish Pork cutlets, from our butcher in Manilva,with all the usual vegetables and Lyonnaise potatoes ! We watched a new period drama on BBC1 about the history of the Old Bailey and I stopped up to watch a documentary on Fleetwood Mac and then Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood live in Madison Square Garden in New York, both of which were very good.
On Friday morning we went down to the supermarkets in Tarifa for the weekend shopping; the weather is still warm and very sunny at the moment. We are still able to sit out on the balcony and Brenda spends all her time in the afternoon sunshine, we have all the windows and door open and it is very pleasant with the little Tarifa breeze. For dinner, for a change we had steaks of Hake baked in the oven in a savory Provencale sauce with new potatoes. Saturday was very warm, in fact it was too hot to have our lunch on the terrace so we moved into the kitchen and Joan joined us for a prawn and fruit salad after having a breath of fresh air on the balcony,30degs and rising! For dinner we had steak and frits after watching SCD as it was on earlier than usual; later I watched the football and I was sorry that I did as Liverpool were beaten, by Fulham and played terrible! This Sunday for a change we had our lunch sooner than later and I cooked it in front of Joan as we did not have a roast but instead we had Spanish Pork cutlets, from our butcher in Manilva,with all the usual vegetables and Lyonnaise potatoes ! We watched a new period drama on BBC1 about the history of the Old Bailey and I stopped up to watch a documentary on Fleetwood Mac and then Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood live in Madison Square Garden in New York, both of which were very good.
Friday, October 30, 2009
LLANDUDNO.
Thursday 29th October 2009.
BBC 1 QUESTION TIME.
This weeks edition came from Llandudno so we watched with great interest to see if we could spot any faces in the audience; we were not disappointed as one of the questions from the audience was from Nigel Roberts, an old friend and customer and we also spotted Julie Fallon Smith who used to work for us many years ago, her question was we found out later edited out! The panel featured John Sargeant, who was very good and talked a lot of sence,Jacqui Smith the ex-Home Secretary, who was murdered by the audience over her expenses claims as was the Shadow Minister for Wales,Cheryl Gillan who had amongst many things claimed for dog food! The Lib-Dem MP Lembit Opik was as usual Lembit Opik! But the star of the show was Elfyn Llwyd,MP for Plaid Cymru who talked a lot of sence,it is a pity that the small parties don’t get heard a lot more; the audience were also very good and had some very good questions and comebacks to the panel.
BBC 1 QUESTION TIME.
This weeks edition came from Llandudno so we watched with great interest to see if we could spot any faces in the audience; we were not disappointed as one of the questions from the audience was from Nigel Roberts, an old friend and customer and we also spotted Julie Fallon Smith who used to work for us many years ago, her question was we found out later edited out! The panel featured John Sargeant, who was very good and talked a lot of sence,Jacqui Smith the ex-Home Secretary, who was murdered by the audience over her expenses claims as was the Shadow Minister for Wales,Cheryl Gillan who had amongst many things claimed for dog food! The Lib-Dem MP Lembit Opik was as usual Lembit Opik! But the star of the show was Elfyn Llwyd,MP for Plaid Cymru who talked a lot of sence,it is a pity that the small parties don’t get heard a lot more; the audience were also very good and had some very good questions and comebacks to the panel.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 26th/27th/28th October 2009.
On Monday morning I went on my now regular run over to Estepona and Manilva to catch up with life in the outside world! At the English butchers they had got in some gravy browning that I had been chasing for a few months, at home there was a letter from the Pensions people updating my details and telling us about the changes in the system in the future, not that it matters to us as we have both been working for over 45 years and Brenda already receives hers and mine is due in 12 months time ! In the evening we had cold Chicken for supper with the leftover vegetables. When I was in Manilva I took a quick picture of the new wine centre which is shooting up and looks to be on course to open in the middle of 2010,as you can see below.
The weather has settled down again and it is now warm and sunny all the time, the only problem we have had is that the electricity went off during the night for about five hours and when it came back on in the morning it was not at full power so I’ve had all sorts of problems with the phone and IT connections,the TV system,fridge and various lights in the villa! During Tuesday I then made a Beef stew for dinner which we had with Cabbage and Baby Beetroot.The gardeners came over and carried on with the outside hedge trimming during the day until the large commercial cutter blew up!
Wednesday was a cleaning and chores day and Joan was expecting the Physiotherapist in the afternoon but she called in the morning to say that she was not very well and would get back to us later in the week.We have had a very brief call from Chris to say that he will call us on Thursday to catch up with all his news and ours at the same time ! For supper we are having Sausages with crispy smoked Bacon and fried onions served on top of Brenda’s famous mash, I picked them up from the butchers on Monday.
On Monday morning I went on my now regular run over to Estepona and Manilva to catch up with life in the outside world! At the English butchers they had got in some gravy browning that I had been chasing for a few months, at home there was a letter from the Pensions people updating my details and telling us about the changes in the system in the future, not that it matters to us as we have both been working for over 45 years and Brenda already receives hers and mine is due in 12 months time ! In the evening we had cold Chicken for supper with the leftover vegetables. When I was in Manilva I took a quick picture of the new wine centre which is shooting up and looks to be on course to open in the middle of 2010,as you can see below.
The weather has settled down again and it is now warm and sunny all the time, the only problem we have had is that the electricity went off during the night for about five hours and when it came back on in the morning it was not at full power so I’ve had all sorts of problems with the phone and IT connections,the TV system,fridge and various lights in the villa! During Tuesday I then made a Beef stew for dinner which we had with Cabbage and Baby Beetroot.The gardeners came over and carried on with the outside hedge trimming during the day until the large commercial cutter blew up!
Wednesday was a cleaning and chores day and Joan was expecting the Physiotherapist in the afternoon but she called in the morning to say that she was not very well and would get back to us later in the week.We have had a very brief call from Chris to say that he will call us on Thursday to catch up with all his news and ours at the same time ! For supper we are having Sausages with crispy smoked Bacon and fried onions served on top of Brenda’s famous mash, I picked them up from the butchers on Monday.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Monday, October 26, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd/24th/25th October 2009.
On Thursday we took things easy and had a quiet day pottering about the villa catching up with the chores after the excitement of the good news on Wednesday; Joan is fine but still a little bit worried as we have had no contact with Chris for over a week and she starts to think the worse when he does not call. The weather is getting nicer everyday and the forecast for the weekend is hot, we went down to the supermarket in Tarifa on Friday for the weekend shopping and for supper we had Pan Fried fillet of Hake for a change with Asparagus spears and Spinach. By Saturday it was up to 28 degs and we sat out on the balcony, with Joan, for a salad lunch before watching the sport with a live match on later in the day; in the evening after a steak and frit dinner we watched SCD.and later the BBC Electric Proms which was absolutely fabulous, Dame Shirley Bassey was just unbeleavable,her voice was just the same and she performed her socks off !Catch it if you can on IPlayer.As the sun went down on Saturday evening the sky was something to be seen and I tried to catch the view from the top terrace as the sun set down into the Atlantic past Africa, the pictures below give you a little taste of the sky and hopefully if Father Xmas treats me to the latest Digi-Cam ,from Gibraltar, they will be even better the next time !The sky started off the same on Sunday morning and the day was the hottest this week but we did notice that the clocks going back an hour have made a big difference as it was nearly dark as we sat down to our Sunday lunch of Roast Chicken with all the trimmings including my proper homemade gravy which is finger coating good ! To finish of a great day Liverpool played Manchester Utd off the park and Torres scored a wonder goal in their two nil defeat, Sir Alex blamed the ref. as usual!!
On Thursday we took things easy and had a quiet day pottering about the villa catching up with the chores after the excitement of the good news on Wednesday; Joan is fine but still a little bit worried as we have had no contact with Chris for over a week and she starts to think the worse when he does not call. The weather is getting nicer everyday and the forecast for the weekend is hot, we went down to the supermarket in Tarifa on Friday for the weekend shopping and for supper we had Pan Fried fillet of Hake for a change with Asparagus spears and Spinach. By Saturday it was up to 28 degs and we sat out on the balcony, with Joan, for a salad lunch before watching the sport with a live match on later in the day; in the evening after a steak and frit dinner we watched SCD.and later the BBC Electric Proms which was absolutely fabulous, Dame Shirley Bassey was just unbeleavable,her voice was just the same and she performed her socks off !Catch it if you can on IPlayer.As the sun went down on Saturday evening the sky was something to be seen and I tried to catch the view from the top terrace as the sun set down into the Atlantic past Africa, the pictures below give you a little taste of the sky and hopefully if Father Xmas treats me to the latest Digi-Cam ,from Gibraltar, they will be even better the next time !The sky started off the same on Sunday morning and the day was the hottest this week but we did notice that the clocks going back an hour have made a big difference as it was nearly dark as we sat down to our Sunday lunch of Roast Chicken with all the trimmings including my proper homemade gravy which is finger coating good ! To finish of a great day Liverpool played Manchester Utd off the park and Torres scored a wonder goal in their two nil defeat, Sir Alex blamed the ref. as usual!!
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 19th/20th/21st October 2009.
Monday 19th.
We had to get up bright and early as I had an appointment at the surgery, in Manilva, with our doctor for a check up; he gave me the once over and updated my records, my blood pressure is under control as is the Diabetes level, I’ve just got to keep taking the tablets ,for now. He then diagnosed a trapped nerve and muscle damage in the back of my shoulder and gave me a prescription for a course of tablets to relieve the pain and help with the discomfort,which it has! I then called into check the house and collect any mail before going to the chemists in the main street,the bank in Estepona and also some shopping at the large hypermarket for things we can’t get around here.On the way back I picked up some Braising steak from the English butchers and Pork Cutlets from the Spanish butcher before heading back to Tarifa.On checking for e-mails etc. we noticed that one of our friends has come onto Facebook,welcome Joyce at long last! In the evening we had Turkey breast flattened and cooked with Balsamic vinegar with Brenda’s green vegetables and new potatoes.
Tuesday 20th.
The garden people arrived in the morning and are working on the pine hedges all around the outside of the property which have not been seen to in years, at the same time Juan fixed the leak under the sink in the kitchen which had got bad over the weekend. During the day I got the Braised steak on the go with lots of vegetables inc. Carrots,Celery.Beans.Mushrooms and sauté Onions which we had later for dinner with Brenda’s mashed potatoe!Over the last couple of weeks we have been watching on BBC2 the very interesting series “ Wainwrights Walks” and “ Railway Walks ” introduced by Julia Bradbury and later I watched the first of the electric proms featuring Robbie Williams who was excellent and all the reviews in the papers and on the television the next day said the same !
Wednesday 21st October, Result Day.
This morning we had to be up very early,again,to go across to the Costa del Sol hospital on the other side of Marbella as we had an appointment with the consultant for the results of my Prostate Biopsy,the very short outcome being that my test had proved negative !! We came out rather happy and then went for a champagne breakfast in the Don Carlos ***** hotel next door !!! On returning to Casa Olimpia we made all the phone calls to family and friend who have supported us over the last few weeks and posted messages on Facebook and Twitter ! In the evening we had Chicken curry for supper, we have been on comfort food for the last few days as the the weather has changed for the worse, with high winds and heavy rain, the first in six months but then it is back to normal on Friday with very hot and sunny temperatures forecast for the next seven days!
Monday 19th.
We had to get up bright and early as I had an appointment at the surgery, in Manilva, with our doctor for a check up; he gave me the once over and updated my records, my blood pressure is under control as is the Diabetes level, I’ve just got to keep taking the tablets ,for now. He then diagnosed a trapped nerve and muscle damage in the back of my shoulder and gave me a prescription for a course of tablets to relieve the pain and help with the discomfort,which it has! I then called into check the house and collect any mail before going to the chemists in the main street,the bank in Estepona and also some shopping at the large hypermarket for things we can’t get around here.On the way back I picked up some Braising steak from the English butchers and Pork Cutlets from the Spanish butcher before heading back to Tarifa.On checking for e-mails etc. we noticed that one of our friends has come onto Facebook,welcome Joyce at long last! In the evening we had Turkey breast flattened and cooked with Balsamic vinegar with Brenda’s green vegetables and new potatoes.
Tuesday 20th.
The garden people arrived in the morning and are working on the pine hedges all around the outside of the property which have not been seen to in years, at the same time Juan fixed the leak under the sink in the kitchen which had got bad over the weekend. During the day I got the Braised steak on the go with lots of vegetables inc. Carrots,Celery.Beans.Mushrooms and sauté Onions which we had later for dinner with Brenda’s mashed potatoe!Over the last couple of weeks we have been watching on BBC2 the very interesting series “ Wainwrights Walks” and “ Railway Walks ” introduced by Julia Bradbury and later I watched the first of the electric proms featuring Robbie Williams who was excellent and all the reviews in the papers and on the television the next day said the same !
Wednesday 21st October, Result Day.
This morning we had to be up very early,again,to go across to the Costa del Sol hospital on the other side of Marbella as we had an appointment with the consultant for the results of my Prostate Biopsy,the very short outcome being that my test had proved negative !! We came out rather happy and then went for a champagne breakfast in the Don Carlos ***** hotel next door !!! On returning to Casa Olimpia we made all the phone calls to family and friend who have supported us over the last few weeks and posted messages on Facebook and Twitter ! In the evening we had Chicken curry for supper, we have been on comfort food for the last few days as the the weather has changed for the worse, with high winds and heavy rain, the first in six months but then it is back to normal on Friday with very hot and sunny temperatures forecast for the next seven days!
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA AND MARBELLA.
Saturday/Sunday 17th/18th October 2009.
Saturday 17th.
After breakfast on the balcony we went down to Tarifa to catch up with the shopping; on our return Brenda went into one of her cleaning modes when every thing gets the full treatment so I retired to the TV lounge to watch the sport ! The weather is hot and sunny with no wind so the days are very pleasant and by the afternoon it reaches 26 degs.In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch SCD after the Grand Prix qualifying which was exciting.
Sunday 18th.
We all got ourselves dressed up after breakfast as we were going to the cemetery in Marbella; we had promised to take Joan, if none of the family were here, to the grave of her late husband as she likes to go on the anniversary of his birthday to lay some flowers; it was a beautiful day and we found the cemetery at the top of the old part of the town. Joan has picked this spot as it is the most beautiful situated cemetery with all the trees offering shade and tranquility, as you can see in the picture. Joan arranged the flowers herself and had a little chat to him; it was very moving but also very nice at the same time. The cemetery has all the usual walled graves covered in flowers as well as large gravestones and family mausoleums which are all looked after as well as the grounds. We then came back to Guadalmina for our Sunday lunch at Tricky Rickys;it turned out that Joan lived just behind the restaurant by the side of the golf course and the last time she was in the restaurant was when the whole family had a surprise birthday breakfast party for him a few years ago! All in all it was a very happy day and Joan was very strong and we enjoyed her company as we had another lovely Sunday lunch. When we got back to the villa I watched the Grand Prix from Brazil and later Emma on BBC1. A very nice day down on the very hot and sunny Costa del Sol.
Saturday 17th.
After breakfast on the balcony we went down to Tarifa to catch up with the shopping; on our return Brenda went into one of her cleaning modes when every thing gets the full treatment so I retired to the TV lounge to watch the sport ! The weather is hot and sunny with no wind so the days are very pleasant and by the afternoon it reaches 26 degs.In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch SCD after the Grand Prix qualifying which was exciting.
Sunday 18th.
We all got ourselves dressed up after breakfast as we were going to the cemetery in Marbella; we had promised to take Joan, if none of the family were here, to the grave of her late husband as she likes to go on the anniversary of his birthday to lay some flowers; it was a beautiful day and we found the cemetery at the top of the old part of the town. Joan has picked this spot as it is the most beautiful situated cemetery with all the trees offering shade and tranquility, as you can see in the picture. Joan arranged the flowers herself and had a little chat to him; it was very moving but also very nice at the same time. The cemetery has all the usual walled graves covered in flowers as well as large gravestones and family mausoleums which are all looked after as well as the grounds. We then came back to Guadalmina for our Sunday lunch at Tricky Rickys;it turned out that Joan lived just behind the restaurant by the side of the golf course and the last time she was in the restaurant was when the whole family had a surprise birthday breakfast party for him a few years ago! All in all it was a very happy day and Joan was very strong and we enjoyed her company as we had another lovely Sunday lunch. When we got back to the villa I watched the Grand Prix from Brazil and later Emma on BBC1. A very nice day down on the very hot and sunny Costa del Sol.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA AND ESTEPONA.
Wednesday/Thursday/Friday 14th/15th/16th October 2009.
On Wednesday morning the phone started ringing; the first call was from the hospital in Marbella to arrange an appointment with the consultant for next Wednesday to hear the results of the Prostate Biopsy, next the surgery rang to make an appointment with my doctor to review my case and check out the pain below my shoulder blade and down my arm, on Monday and lastly the medical centre in Estepona rang for me to go and have an eye test this Friday morning! I will survive!!
We have settled back into life at the villa and Joan is fine along with the two dogs who had a shower, blow dry and brush which they do not like and is a major operation. Chris was due home, again, but sadly as I am typing this there is still no news. In the evening we had Escalope of Pork in a lime butter sauce with baby new potatoes for supper. The weather continues to be warm and sunny with the temperature at 26/27 degs and higher. We went down to Tarifa on Thursday morning for some tablets for Joan and light bulbs for around the villa and when we returned there was an e-mail from the Marriott Resort in Marbella offering us two days work at the start of November, which we have done before, on their customer experience sales executive training programme, they pay us with vouchers to use later. In the afternoon I made Chicken curry for dinner, which I have now built up my spices and pastes here at the villa as we spot them in the different supermarkets on our travels.
Friday morning we had a bit of an emergency on our hands as Brenda had cracked a dental repair she had earlier this year so as I was on my way to Estepona for my eye test she came along and I dropped her off at our dentists, without an appointment, he is very good and saw her straight away and arranged to have the problem solved by two o’clock, This ment that we had a couple of hours to spare so we went for a spot of lunch on the front in Estepona as you can see in the pictures below, as it happened it also gave my eyes time to clear as they has put some drops in to dilate my pupils and I could not see to drive! As usual on Friday we had Salmon fillets pan fried and served on spinach for supper before we settled down to watch the TV.
On Wednesday morning the phone started ringing; the first call was from the hospital in Marbella to arrange an appointment with the consultant for next Wednesday to hear the results of the Prostate Biopsy, next the surgery rang to make an appointment with my doctor to review my case and check out the pain below my shoulder blade and down my arm, on Monday and lastly the medical centre in Estepona rang for me to go and have an eye test this Friday morning! I will survive!!
We have settled back into life at the villa and Joan is fine along with the two dogs who had a shower, blow dry and brush which they do not like and is a major operation. Chris was due home, again, but sadly as I am typing this there is still no news. In the evening we had Escalope of Pork in a lime butter sauce with baby new potatoes for supper. The weather continues to be warm and sunny with the temperature at 26/27 degs and higher. We went down to Tarifa on Thursday morning for some tablets for Joan and light bulbs for around the villa and when we returned there was an e-mail from the Marriott Resort in Marbella offering us two days work at the start of November, which we have done before, on their customer experience sales executive training programme, they pay us with vouchers to use later. In the afternoon I made Chicken curry for dinner, which I have now built up my spices and pastes here at the villa as we spot them in the different supermarkets on our travels.
Friday morning we had a bit of an emergency on our hands as Brenda had cracked a dental repair she had earlier this year so as I was on my way to Estepona for my eye test she came along and I dropped her off at our dentists, without an appointment, he is very good and saw her straight away and arranged to have the problem solved by two o’clock, This ment that we had a couple of hours to spare so we went for a spot of lunch on the front in Estepona as you can see in the pictures below, as it happened it also gave my eyes time to clear as they has put some drops in to dilate my pupils and I could not see to drive! As usual on Friday we had Salmon fillets pan fried and served on spinach for supper before we settled down to watch the TV.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
GUADALMINA ALTA.
Thursday/Tuesday 8th/13th. October 2009.
For the last six days we have been over in Guadalmina Alta looking after the villa as Clive and Carolyn had a short brake over in London;Mano and Anna looked after Casa Olimpia at the same time-thank you ! I dropped them at the airport at Malaga and then came back over to Tarifa and we moved across in the afternoon, Bruno and Abbie were delighted to see us and the two house cats also, the fish in the pond have grown spectacularly as has the wild cats in the garden-now ten! On Friday morning we went out to do the shopping and called into see Gissy to thank her for looking after the girls hair, back at Le Casa del Abuelo Clive’s mum has moved into the old part of the Villa, Joan, yes another one is very independent and looks after herself. Brenda has been for a swim every afternoon as the sun moves around but sadly I have not been able to as I have a bad shoulder at the moment. The weather is staying warm and sunny every day and the forecast is also looking good, we have been eating out on the balcony and the view has also improved due to the new glass front ,as you can see in the picture below On Saturday evening we popped out to Restaurante Victor for dinner and had another excellent meal and on Sunday afternoon we had our Sunday lunch at Ricky’s which was very good as usual. Monday was a bank holiday in Spain so everything was closed and the roads were not busy; we picked the folks up from the airport on Tuesday afternoon and then came back over to the villa in Tarifa to let Mano and Anna escapes to Manilva !
For the last six days we have been over in Guadalmina Alta looking after the villa as Clive and Carolyn had a short brake over in London;Mano and Anna looked after Casa Olimpia at the same time-thank you ! I dropped them at the airport at Malaga and then came back over to Tarifa and we moved across in the afternoon, Bruno and Abbie were delighted to see us and the two house cats also, the fish in the pond have grown spectacularly as has the wild cats in the garden-now ten! On Friday morning we went out to do the shopping and called into see Gissy to thank her for looking after the girls hair, back at Le Casa del Abuelo Clive’s mum has moved into the old part of the Villa, Joan, yes another one is very independent and looks after herself. Brenda has been for a swim every afternoon as the sun moves around but sadly I have not been able to as I have a bad shoulder at the moment. The weather is staying warm and sunny every day and the forecast is also looking good, we have been eating out on the balcony and the view has also improved due to the new glass front ,as you can see in the picture below On Saturday evening we popped out to Restaurante Victor for dinner and had another excellent meal and on Sunday afternoon we had our Sunday lunch at Ricky’s which was very good as usual. Monday was a bank holiday in Spain so everything was closed and the roads were not busy; we picked the folks up from the airport on Tuesday afternoon and then came back over to the villa in Tarifa to let Mano and Anna escapes to Manilva !
Thursday, October 08, 2009
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 5th/6th/7th October.
Monday 5th.
We were up bright and early as we where going to Gibraltar and I wanted to make sure that we got across the border before the traffic built up and the flights in at around 11-o clock started; it also means that the multi storey car park still has space at the bottom of Main Street.I left the girls to shop and shot up to the top of Main street as I was going to a particular shop to order some parts for my shaver.As you can see the three sisters managed to shop till they dropped before we bought the duty free allowance; on the way out of Gibraltar we saw the large cruise line just arriving in the port as you can just see in the pictures below. On Monday evening we had cold Pork and leftovers with crispy Roast potatoes for supper.
Tuesday 6th.
In the morning we left the sisters packing as we went down to the supermarket in Tarifa to stock up with the essentials; For Lunch we had individual Fish Pies that I had made up from the pie that I put in the deep freeze a couple of weeks ago. Over lunch time I managed to make contact with Jack and Lyn on the Skype phone so the sisters had another long chat, we could also see them in Australia but they could not see us! In the late afternoon Vidal and Gissy arrived, with two friends who we had not met before,Gissy had promised to come to see to Brenda’s hair and ended up also doing Norah’s, Jenny’s and Joans! We went down on the lower terrace and it soon resembled a hairdressers shop! Meanwhile the Vina Sol was flowing as we put the world to rights. The picture below shows the four girls after having the full treatment, thanks Gissy ! We then all sat around the kitchen table and ate bowls of hot Beef stew with crusty bread, that I had made earlier in the day, washed down with a fine Rioja.
Wednesday 7th.
This morning we took Norah and Jenny down to the border to go across to the airport for their flight home; the picture below shows them saying their goodbyes as they set off into Gibraltar, it is only a hundred yards to the airport. We are missing them all ready and are looking forward to them coming to see us every year from now on! When we got back to the villa I went on the PC and have now hopefully mastered being able to get the web cam working both ways so the folks in Australia can see us at the same time, Vidal gave me some tips. Watch out also to Tim and Thea in Old Colwyn ! when we are next in touch. As we came past the main port there was another very large liner just docking; on checking when we got back it turned out to be the “ Independence of Sea ” It is the largest cruise liner in the world and is owned by Royal Caribbean,they are currently building two more the same; it is 160-000 tons, has 15 decks and over 3700 hundred passengers ! We are watching out for it as it on the way to Southampton later today but there is a sea mist. When we were in Gibraltar I was checking out the latest digi cams which have a far greater zoom and negations are under way to purchase one for xmas ! On the way back we went across to see Clive and Carolyn in Guadalmina as we are going across on Thursday lunchtime to look after the villa and animals for six days;Mano and Anna are moving in here whilst we are away.
Monday 5th.
We were up bright and early as we where going to Gibraltar and I wanted to make sure that we got across the border before the traffic built up and the flights in at around 11-o clock started; it also means that the multi storey car park still has space at the bottom of Main Street.I left the girls to shop and shot up to the top of Main street as I was going to a particular shop to order some parts for my shaver.As you can see the three sisters managed to shop till they dropped before we bought the duty free allowance; on the way out of Gibraltar we saw the large cruise line just arriving in the port as you can just see in the pictures below. On Monday evening we had cold Pork and leftovers with crispy Roast potatoes for supper.
Tuesday 6th.
In the morning we left the sisters packing as we went down to the supermarket in Tarifa to stock up with the essentials; For Lunch we had individual Fish Pies that I had made up from the pie that I put in the deep freeze a couple of weeks ago. Over lunch time I managed to make contact with Jack and Lyn on the Skype phone so the sisters had another long chat, we could also see them in Australia but they could not see us! In the late afternoon Vidal and Gissy arrived, with two friends who we had not met before,Gissy had promised to come to see to Brenda’s hair and ended up also doing Norah’s, Jenny’s and Joans! We went down on the lower terrace and it soon resembled a hairdressers shop! Meanwhile the Vina Sol was flowing as we put the world to rights. The picture below shows the four girls after having the full treatment, thanks Gissy ! We then all sat around the kitchen table and ate bowls of hot Beef stew with crusty bread, that I had made earlier in the day, washed down with a fine Rioja.
Wednesday 7th.
This morning we took Norah and Jenny down to the border to go across to the airport for their flight home; the picture below shows them saying their goodbyes as they set off into Gibraltar, it is only a hundred yards to the airport. We are missing them all ready and are looking forward to them coming to see us every year from now on! When we got back to the villa I went on the PC and have now hopefully mastered being able to get the web cam working both ways so the folks in Australia can see us at the same time, Vidal gave me some tips. Watch out also to Tim and Thea in Old Colwyn ! when we are next in touch. As we came past the main port there was another very large liner just docking; on checking when we got back it turned out to be the “ Independence of Sea ” It is the largest cruise liner in the world and is owned by Royal Caribbean,they are currently building two more the same; it is 160-000 tons, has 15 decks and over 3700 hundred passengers ! We are watching out for it as it on the way to Southampton later today but there is a sea mist. When we were in Gibraltar I was checking out the latest digi cams which have a far greater zoom and negations are under way to purchase one for xmas ! On the way back we went across to see Clive and Carolyn in Guadalmina as we are going across on Thursday lunchtime to look after the villa and animals for six days;Mano and Anna are moving in here whilst we are away.
CASA OLIMPIA.
Saturday/Sunday 3rd/4th October 2009.
In the morning I dropped the sisters down in Tarifa to do some souvenir shopping;meanwhile we caught up with the housework! In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch some TV.On Sunday we all had a lie in after the week out and about on the Costa del Sol;the weather is getting nicer every day,warm and very hot with even no breeze here in Tarifa ! The Roast Loin of Pork was succulent and we all sat down to our late Sunday lunch after spending some time on the balcony in the morning watching the ships go by.
In the morning I dropped the sisters down in Tarifa to do some souvenir shopping;meanwhile we caught up with the housework! In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then settled down to watch some TV.On Sunday we all had a lie in after the week out and about on the Costa del Sol;the weather is getting nicer every day,warm and very hot with even no breeze here in Tarifa ! The Roast Loin of Pork was succulent and we all sat down to our late Sunday lunch after spending some time on the balcony in the morning watching the ships go by.
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
Monday, October 05, 2009
Friday, October 02, 2009
ESTEPONA BENALMADENA RONDA.
Thursday/Friday 1st/2nd October 2009.
Thursday 1st.
In the morning we went across to Estepona as I had arranged to meet Mano at the bank to pass on some payments for the work completed at the villa; Norah and Jenny went shopping and sightseeing as we had also arranged to see Ben and Andrea over in Benalmadena,they are over for a weeks holiday and are staying in the all inclusive holiday village. When we arrived the gate security would not let us in, the only way was to pay for a day pass,45euros each! So they came to the gate and we had a short chat, their baby daughter Freya is now 15 months old with blonde hair and blue eyes and we have fallen in love with her as they introduced her to us as Uncle Malcolm and Aunty Brenda ! The other piece of news they told us was that they are getting married in May next year, guess where, Gibraltar ! This means that the whole family will be down here in our neck of the woods and we will get to go to the wedding, when we receive the invitation ! We then went back over to Estepona and picked Norah and Jenny up and stopped at the marina for a quick snack lunch at the “ Irish Fiddler ”as you can see in the picture. In the evening back at the villa we had the Barnsley Lamb chops on Boulangere potatoes for dinner.
Friday 2nd.
Today the weather forecast was very good and so it proved; we drove over to Manilva then up through the mountains to Casares,Gaucin,Algatocin and into Ronda. We gave the girls the tour around Ronda and after parking the car we walked around the walls and past the famous bullring and down to the bridge across the gorge. For lunch we went to our favorite restaurant “ Don Miguel ”built into the walls of the gorge and had another great meal, Brenda had the Monkfish and Prawn Brochette, Norah had Pink Trout, Jenny had the Hake in a savory sauce and I had the Roasted Leg of baby Lamb with our own mint sauce! The Rosado went down a treat and the restaurant looked after us very well, we then went across the bridge into the old town and whilst the girls wandered about I did some checking out of the Boutique hotels for future reference ! The temperature went up to 33degs.as we walked back to the car.
Thursday 1st.
In the morning we went across to Estepona as I had arranged to meet Mano at the bank to pass on some payments for the work completed at the villa; Norah and Jenny went shopping and sightseeing as we had also arranged to see Ben and Andrea over in Benalmadena,they are over for a weeks holiday and are staying in the all inclusive holiday village. When we arrived the gate security would not let us in, the only way was to pay for a day pass,45euros each! So they came to the gate and we had a short chat, their baby daughter Freya is now 15 months old with blonde hair and blue eyes and we have fallen in love with her as they introduced her to us as Uncle Malcolm and Aunty Brenda ! The other piece of news they told us was that they are getting married in May next year, guess where, Gibraltar ! This means that the whole family will be down here in our neck of the woods and we will get to go to the wedding, when we receive the invitation ! We then went back over to Estepona and picked Norah and Jenny up and stopped at the marina for a quick snack lunch at the “ Irish Fiddler ”as you can see in the picture. In the evening back at the villa we had the Barnsley Lamb chops on Boulangere potatoes for dinner.
Friday 2nd.
Today the weather forecast was very good and so it proved; we drove over to Manilva then up through the mountains to Casares,Gaucin,Algatocin and into Ronda. We gave the girls the tour around Ronda and after parking the car we walked around the walls and past the famous bullring and down to the bridge across the gorge. For lunch we went to our favorite restaurant “ Don Miguel ”built into the walls of the gorge and had another great meal, Brenda had the Monkfish and Prawn Brochette, Norah had Pink Trout, Jenny had the Hake in a savory sauce and I had the Roasted Leg of baby Lamb with our own mint sauce! The Rosado went down a treat and the restaurant looked after us very well, we then went across the bridge into the old town and whilst the girls wandered about I did some checking out of the Boutique hotels for future reference ! The temperature went up to 33degs.as we walked back to the car.
ALGECIRAS/MANILVA.
Tuesday/Wednesday 29th/30th September 2009.
Tuesday 29th.
After are usual toast and tea breakfast I dropped the girls down to the Algeciras street market next to the bullring and shot back up to the villa; as I was checking out the e-mails the Skype phone alarm went off, it was Jack and Lyn calling from Australia so I was able to have a long chat with both of them and catch up with all their news, they are following the blog with great interest at the same time. At lunch time I went back to the market and picked the girls up and we went across the road to the new shopping mall to see the new Primark which opened two weeks ago, we all had a good look around and we picked up a couple of things including a new duvet cover for our bed in Manilva.In the evening we had the Chicken curry that I made on Monday for supper and all had second helpings all round !
Wednesday 30th.
This morning we went across to the house in Manilva, we also took Joan with us so as she could see the village where we live and how we live. I had practiced getting the VW up to the front door so as Joan could walk inside and she then was able to come with us to Bar Rochas for lunch, The weather was warm and sunny so we sat outside and as usual watched the world go by;Mano and Anna joined us later as you can see in the pictures below, the Rosado and beer soon started flowing and some other friends also stopped for a drink as they passed, we then had an excellent lunch of fried battered fish and frits together with various assorted Tapas to start and finished off with Carajillo’s.On the way back we called into Puerto Duquesa marina, the fishing port of Castillo de la Duquesa and finally the marina at Sotogrande as you can see in the last picture!
Tuesday 29th.
After are usual toast and tea breakfast I dropped the girls down to the Algeciras street market next to the bullring and shot back up to the villa; as I was checking out the e-mails the Skype phone alarm went off, it was Jack and Lyn calling from Australia so I was able to have a long chat with both of them and catch up with all their news, they are following the blog with great interest at the same time. At lunch time I went back to the market and picked the girls up and we went across the road to the new shopping mall to see the new Primark which opened two weeks ago, we all had a good look around and we picked up a couple of things including a new duvet cover for our bed in Manilva.In the evening we had the Chicken curry that I made on Monday for supper and all had second helpings all round !
Wednesday 30th.
This morning we went across to the house in Manilva, we also took Joan with us so as she could see the village where we live and how we live. I had practiced getting the VW up to the front door so as Joan could walk inside and she then was able to come with us to Bar Rochas for lunch, The weather was warm and sunny so we sat outside and as usual watched the world go by;Mano and Anna joined us later as you can see in the pictures below, the Rosado and beer soon started flowing and some other friends also stopped for a drink as they passed, we then had an excellent lunch of fried battered fish and frits together with various assorted Tapas to start and finished off with Carajillo’s.On the way back we called into Puerto Duquesa marina, the fishing port of Castillo de la Duquesa and finally the marina at Sotogrande as you can see in the last picture!
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday 28th September 2009.
This morning all the girls joined me on my usual run; I dropped Brenda, Norah and Jenny at the house so that they could see the village and where we live for the first time, the surgery had messed up my prescription and I have now run out of my tablets but should have the problem resolved by Wednesday. I then called into the bank, the butchers and supermarket before going back up to Manilva to pick up the sisters, Brenda had shown them around and was sat outside in the main street having a coffee at one of the bars; we then gave them a little tour around the area and on the way back we called in to the town where the possible hotel project will be next year. In the afternoon I made a large pan of Chicken curry for dinner on Tuesday as tomorrow I am dropping them off at the street market in Algeciras and then going back later to take them to the shopping mall to go to see the new Primark shop and then in the afternoon we will go down to Tarifa to stock up for the week as we have now a very busy week ahead planned, on Wednesday we are going over to Manilva for lunch,Mano and Anna are joining us and we caught up with the owners of Bar Rochas in the village and they are going to look after us, on Thursday we going over for lunch to Benalmadena to see Ben and Andrea and on Friday we are going to show the sisters Ronda ! This evening we had Pork escalope in a lime butter sauce with caralamised Apple slices.Juan called in and fixed the hot water boiler and Chris phoned later in the evening from the Canary Islands,where he is on business to catch up with things back here in Tarifa.
This morning all the girls joined me on my usual run; I dropped Brenda, Norah and Jenny at the house so that they could see the village and where we live for the first time, the surgery had messed up my prescription and I have now run out of my tablets but should have the problem resolved by Wednesday. I then called into the bank, the butchers and supermarket before going back up to Manilva to pick up the sisters, Brenda had shown them around and was sat outside in the main street having a coffee at one of the bars; we then gave them a little tour around the area and on the way back we called in to the town where the possible hotel project will be next year. In the afternoon I made a large pan of Chicken curry for dinner on Tuesday as tomorrow I am dropping them off at the street market in Algeciras and then going back later to take them to the shopping mall to go to see the new Primark shop and then in the afternoon we will go down to Tarifa to stock up for the week as we have now a very busy week ahead planned, on Wednesday we are going over to Manilva for lunch,Mano and Anna are joining us and we caught up with the owners of Bar Rochas in the village and they are going to look after us, on Thursday we going over for lunch to Benalmadena to see Ben and Andrea and on Friday we are going to show the sisters Ronda ! This evening we had Pork escalope in a lime butter sauce with caralamised Apple slices.Juan called in and fixed the hot water boiler and Chris phoned later in the evening from the Canary Islands,where he is on business to catch up with things back here in Tarifa.
CASA OLIMPIA.
Friday/Saturday/Sunday 25th/26th/27th September 2009.
Friday morning I dropped Norah and Jenny down in Tarifa with a street map and arranged to pick them up three hours later! After a quick snack lunch we then went back down to Tarifa with Joan to take her to the chiropodist for her appointment, she was not looking forward to the visit and it took a lot of persuading to get her there as it was her first time! Afterwards she was very happy and can’t wait to go back in two months! As it was so nice we then after picking Norah and Jenny up in the old town went for a drive along the coast and had a late afternoon drink and coffee in a beach bar. In the evening it was fish supper night with Salmon and Halibut fillets on the menu before we settled down to watch SCD.The forecast for the weekend was not good with heavy rain storms and thunder and lighting which hit us during Friday night and all day Saturday but we can’t complain as it is the first bad weather in six months!! Juan called in on Saturday morning to check the kitchen hot water boiler and soon discovered that we had a thermostat problem and promised to come with the new part on Monday. We all caught up with some reading during the day, it is not cold when this sort of weather hits us and we still able to go out on the covered balcony at lunchtime, in the evening we had our usual steak and frits for dinner. We all had a lie in on Sunday morning, the weather had settled down and the sun came out by lunchtime, for breakfast we had toasted Smoked Bacon and Chorizo butties as we were having a late Sunday lunch; Roast Chicken with the full works hit all the right spots and as you can see in the picture below the sisters started the day with cocktails on the balcony!
Friday morning I dropped Norah and Jenny down in Tarifa with a street map and arranged to pick them up three hours later! After a quick snack lunch we then went back down to Tarifa with Joan to take her to the chiropodist for her appointment, she was not looking forward to the visit and it took a lot of persuading to get her there as it was her first time! Afterwards she was very happy and can’t wait to go back in two months! As it was so nice we then after picking Norah and Jenny up in the old town went for a drive along the coast and had a late afternoon drink and coffee in a beach bar. In the evening it was fish supper night with Salmon and Halibut fillets on the menu before we settled down to watch SCD.The forecast for the weekend was not good with heavy rain storms and thunder and lighting which hit us during Friday night and all day Saturday but we can’t complain as it is the first bad weather in six months!! Juan called in on Saturday morning to check the kitchen hot water boiler and soon discovered that we had a thermostat problem and promised to come with the new part on Monday. We all caught up with some reading during the day, it is not cold when this sort of weather hits us and we still able to go out on the covered balcony at lunchtime, in the evening we had our usual steak and frits for dinner. We all had a lie in on Sunday morning, the weather had settled down and the sun came out by lunchtime, for breakfast we had toasted Smoked Bacon and Chorizo butties as we were having a late Sunday lunch; Roast Chicken with the full works hit all the right spots and as you can see in the picture below the sisters started the day with cocktails on the balcony!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Thursday, September 24, 2009
TARIFA.
THURSDAY 24TH SEPTEMBER 2009.
Today I have had a lovely day out and about down here in Tarifa on my 64th birthday! This morning we had a champagne breakfast before setting out for lunch to our favorite restaurant at Torre de la Penna on the beach just past Tarifa.The weather as the day went on got hotter and very sunny- 30degs. as we sat watching the kite surfers in the Atlantic swell. After a very nice lunch we drove further down the coast to a small village called Bolonia; it is very unusual in that it is not really a village but more a selection of single story houses and Hostels with a lot of chiringuito’s along the beach. Its name sounds more Italian than Spanish and it has a history going back to when the Romans invaded this part of Spain. It is in a spectacular position which you get to by a road over the mountains,one very strange thing is that the long horned cattle are allowed to roam along the roads and all over the place as if you where in India and they are treated like sacred cows!The one in the picture crossed the road just as we were leaving! This morning we rang Jack and Lyn in Australia on the Skype phone and so we had the four sisters all talking at once ! The pictures below show the girls with Joan in the restaurant,the beach and chiringuito at Bolonia with me just in the picture! And on the way back we dropped into Tarifa and caught the fast boat from Tanger arriving into the harbour.A big thank you to everybody for the cards and messages on Facebook.
Today I have had a lovely day out and about down here in Tarifa on my 64th birthday! This morning we had a champagne breakfast before setting out for lunch to our favorite restaurant at Torre de la Penna on the beach just past Tarifa.The weather as the day went on got hotter and very sunny- 30degs. as we sat watching the kite surfers in the Atlantic swell. After a very nice lunch we drove further down the coast to a small village called Bolonia; it is very unusual in that it is not really a village but more a selection of single story houses and Hostels with a lot of chiringuito’s along the beach. Its name sounds more Italian than Spanish and it has a history going back to when the Romans invaded this part of Spain. It is in a spectacular position which you get to by a road over the mountains,one very strange thing is that the long horned cattle are allowed to roam along the roads and all over the place as if you where in India and they are treated like sacred cows!The one in the picture crossed the road just as we were leaving! This morning we rang Jack and Lyn in Australia on the Skype phone and so we had the four sisters all talking at once ! The pictures below show the girls with Joan in the restaurant,the beach and chiringuito at Bolonia with me just in the picture! And on the way back we dropped into Tarifa and caught the fast boat from Tanger arriving into the harbour.A big thank you to everybody for the cards and messages on Facebook.
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