Saturday 31st.January.
After dropping Clive and Carolyn at the airport in Malaga at lunchtime when we got back to the house we took the dogs for a run on the beach at Cancelada just along the coast.Bruno is a old hand but the new Boxer Puppy,Abigale,still has to be lifted in and out of the Landcruiser! The picture below shows them when we returned to Casa Abuelo.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
MANILVA,FABIO'S 3RD BIRTHDAY PARTY.
Friday 30th January.
We joined the family for the party of the year,so far! Carlos and Ana were excellent hosts with the drinks flowing and the buffet was filled with lots of very tasty Tapas and hand carved Ham .thanks to Mano.It gets very noisy as all the children arrive with their parents and the beer starts to flow for the adults!As the night went on and the Bacardi and Gin took a bashing we were all in fine voice when it was the time to cut the cake as you can see in the pictures below;later one of Fabio's uncles produced a 18 year old vintage Black Rum so the Cubre Libres realy had a tasty kick! On the way home Mano and Anna joined us for a night cap in Bar Rojas to end a " Helluva " day in sunny Manilva.
We joined the family for the party of the year,so far! Carlos and Ana were excellent hosts with the drinks flowing and the buffet was filled with lots of very tasty Tapas and hand carved Ham .thanks to Mano.It gets very noisy as all the children arrive with their parents and the beer starts to flow for the adults!As the night went on and the Bacardi and Gin took a bashing we were all in fine voice when it was the time to cut the cake as you can see in the pictures below;later one of Fabio's uncles produced a 18 year old vintage Black Rum so the Cubre Libres realy had a tasty kick! On the way home Mano and Anna joined us for a night cap in Bar Rojas to end a " Helluva " day in sunny Manilva.
Friday, January 30, 2009
MANILVA.
Thursday/Friday 29th/30th January.
Thursday 29th.
It was another great day in Manilva as we went for our longest walk yet,we walked around the village and up and down all the side streets in the oldest part by the Primary School.We had a call from Eddy and Gigi in Ostend as we got up and we are going to contact them on Skype later;Whilst we were out Carolyn phoned to see if we were free this weekend as they have to go to Italy and London suddenly on business,we are, so we are waiting for the phone call to arrange times to go to Guadalmina Alta for a few days and look after the house and the cats and dogs!In the afternoon I made Beef Stew for dinner which we had with Cabbage and Beetroot. Later on our blog page I found a nice comment from Chris/Admin,who we don’t know, about Manilva and how much they miss it so I have put some pictures on taken on Friday as we walked down to the market by the sports hall.
Friday 30th.January.
We picked up some fresh vegetables from the local market in the village after we had been down to Sabinillas to collect all the free papers that come out on Friday.I have been posting the latest pictures onto the photo graphic competition page of the Sur on which last year I came second, and I am also trying to get a weather picture shown on the main news and weather programme on TVE on the 9.oclock news spot,they have all been about the snow,wind and rain and so I am hoping that my sunny pictures from Manilva will get on!We rang Thea,Tims wife,in Colwyn Bay at work to wish her a very happy birthday as we are out tonight at Fabios party,its his third birthday and the whole village will be there in the large garage under the Grandparents house,its used for lots of parties during the year and has been adapted for the purpose.Watch out for a picture of the birthday boy over the weekend. Carolyn has just phoned and we are going to house sit for a week untill next Friday and we are dropping them at the airport on Saturday lunchtime,so the blog will be coming from Guadalmina and we will report on their new dog,Abigale,a Boxer pup! along with all the other animals.
Thursday 29th.
It was another great day in Manilva as we went for our longest walk yet,we walked around the village and up and down all the side streets in the oldest part by the Primary School.We had a call from Eddy and Gigi in Ostend as we got up and we are going to contact them on Skype later;Whilst we were out Carolyn phoned to see if we were free this weekend as they have to go to Italy and London suddenly on business,we are, so we are waiting for the phone call to arrange times to go to Guadalmina Alta for a few days and look after the house and the cats and dogs!In the afternoon I made Beef Stew for dinner which we had with Cabbage and Beetroot. Later on our blog page I found a nice comment from Chris/Admin,who we don’t know, about Manilva and how much they miss it so I have put some pictures on taken on Friday as we walked down to the market by the sports hall.
Friday 30th.January.
We picked up some fresh vegetables from the local market in the village after we had been down to Sabinillas to collect all the free papers that come out on Friday.I have been posting the latest pictures onto the photo graphic competition page of the Sur on which last year I came second, and I am also trying to get a weather picture shown on the main news and weather programme on TVE on the 9.oclock news spot,they have all been about the snow,wind and rain and so I am hoping that my sunny pictures from Manilva will get on!We rang Thea,Tims wife,in Colwyn Bay at work to wish her a very happy birthday as we are out tonight at Fabios party,its his third birthday and the whole village will be there in the large garage under the Grandparents house,its used for lots of parties during the year and has been adapted for the purpose.Watch out for a picture of the birthday boy over the weekend. Carolyn has just phoned and we are going to house sit for a week untill next Friday and we are dropping them at the airport on Saturday lunchtime,so the blog will be coming from Guadalmina and we will report on their new dog,Abigale,a Boxer pup! along with all the other animals.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
SOTOGRANDE.
Wednesday 28th January.
This morning was the finest day so far this year,18 degs.blue skies,warm sun and crisp on the Costa del Sol! We walked down to Mano and Anna’s and ended up going with them for a drive along the coast road to Torre Guadiaro and into Sotogrande Marina where we sat outside over looking the marina for a coffee and beer.This time of the year on the Costa del Sol is one of the reasons why we are here on the coast above Gibraltar with the views of the mountains inland and across the straits to Africa.Mano and I are planning to go fishing and also for a little Golf practice on the Dequesa golf course in the next few weeks as it is quiet and there are no visitors at this time of the year.The pictures below will give you a little taste of life down here and what the rich get up to with their toys!
This morning was the finest day so far this year,18 degs.blue skies,warm sun and crisp on the Costa del Sol! We walked down to Mano and Anna’s and ended up going with them for a drive along the coast road to Torre Guadiaro and into Sotogrande Marina where we sat outside over looking the marina for a coffee and beer.This time of the year on the Costa del Sol is one of the reasons why we are here on the coast above Gibraltar with the views of the mountains inland and across the straits to Africa.Mano and I are planning to go fishing and also for a little Golf practice on the Dequesa golf course in the next few weeks as it is quiet and there are no visitors at this time of the year.The pictures below will give you a little taste of life down here and what the rich get up to with their toys!
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
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" AUNTY " ANN 1908/2009
Tuesday 27th January.
Today is a very special day for the Willis family in Ross On Wye; Alan’s mother Ann is 101 !She has been my “ Aunty Ann ”since I was just five and we went to live in the same street,five doors down from them.Alan and I grew up together and have remained friends since.His parents and mine were great friends and in later life Ann and my Mom,Eileen, were close friends and went everywhere together.A couple of years ago we saw Ann when we stayed with the family in Ross on Wye and last year when we rung Alan to pass on our love and best wishes to Ann we had a great surprise when he put her on the phone and we were able to speak to her on her hundredth birthday!They are taking her out to lunch today and when we phoned last night we caught up with all the family news;Mark their eldest son is getting married later in the year,Miranda is still living and working in Madrid and their youngest son,Michael started work in his first job yesterday in Dublin!So Alan and Glenys have a busy year ahead,we wish them all,Health,Wealth and Happiness for the future.
Today is a very special day for the Willis family in Ross On Wye; Alan’s mother Ann is 101 !She has been my “ Aunty Ann ”since I was just five and we went to live in the same street,five doors down from them.Alan and I grew up together and have remained friends since.His parents and mine were great friends and in later life Ann and my Mom,Eileen, were close friends and went everywhere together.A couple of years ago we saw Ann when we stayed with the family in Ross on Wye and last year when we rung Alan to pass on our love and best wishes to Ann we had a great surprise when he put her on the phone and we were able to speak to her on her hundredth birthday!They are taking her out to lunch today and when we phoned last night we caught up with all the family news;Mark their eldest son is getting married later in the year,Miranda is still living and working in Madrid and their youngest son,Michael started work in his first job yesterday in Dublin!So Alan and Glenys have a busy year ahead,we wish them all,Health,Wealth and Happiness for the future.
Monday, January 26, 2009
MANILVA.DONACION DE SANGRE.
Monday 26th.January.
The blood transfusion bus arrived outside the town hall and I was the first up the steps to donate;the problem is that they can’t use blood if you lived in England between 1980/1996. at the moment,so they thanked me very much and asked me to try again in the future when the rules will hopefully be changed.
The blood transfusion bus arrived outside the town hall and I was the first up the steps to donate;the problem is that they can’t use blood if you lived in England between 1980/1996. at the moment,so they thanked me very much and asked me to try again in the future when the rules will hopefully be changed.
MANILVA.
Sunday 25th January.
Mano rang us in the morning to see if we wanted to go down to the Sunday market which takes place on the Feria Ground;its car boot as well as fruit and vegetables,clothes,CDs,Pottery,local goods Etc.They picked us up and we shot down in between the showers,Anna bought very unusual material and Mano spotted a second hand electric Plancha Grill for us! We then came back up to the village and stopped at Bar Rojas for a drink.they were closed for a family party,later,but looked after us as we are regulars! Carlos joined us before he went into work as we walked down to the house for a late Brunch;the full works,two sorts of Smoked Bacon, local Chorizo, Farm House Sausage,local Tomatoes and Mushrooms,Heinz Baked Beans,Fresh Eggs and of course Sauté Potatoes all washed down with Beer! Later in the evening after the folks had gone we watched the Chinese New Year celebrations on the local and national news;It’s the “ Year of the Earth Ox ”2009 and our sign is very good with the saying “ Never forget the hard times when you’re lucky” which just about sums us up!!
Monday 26th January.
This morning there is a cold but bracing wind blowing up from the sea but the sun is out and there is no rain forecast for the next few days, excellent drying weather, so Brenda tells me! We set off for our morning constitutional around the village and on our way called into the Las Vinas Sports Hall to find out about using the facilities, its free for old age pensioners,so Brenda is OK! and its five euros per week for me.We then stopped at the surgery to find out about giving blood,if they want ours! as I had seen on the local TV that they were due in Manilva,it turns out that the mobile unit is coming today at five o’clock and it will be parked outside the Town Hall at the top of our street! So watch this space for the Blood report.At the moment Brenda is typing an e-mail to our dear friends in Belgium,Eddy and Gigi,who sent us a newsy Christmas card,they were the very first people that we met on our travels when we parked next to them on the site in Le Touquet !
Mano rang us in the morning to see if we wanted to go down to the Sunday market which takes place on the Feria Ground;its car boot as well as fruit and vegetables,clothes,CDs,Pottery,local goods Etc.They picked us up and we shot down in between the showers,Anna bought very unusual material and Mano spotted a second hand electric Plancha Grill for us! We then came back up to the village and stopped at Bar Rojas for a drink.they were closed for a family party,later,but looked after us as we are regulars! Carlos joined us before he went into work as we walked down to the house for a late Brunch;the full works,two sorts of Smoked Bacon, local Chorizo, Farm House Sausage,local Tomatoes and Mushrooms,Heinz Baked Beans,Fresh Eggs and of course Sauté Potatoes all washed down with Beer! Later in the evening after the folks had gone we watched the Chinese New Year celebrations on the local and national news;It’s the “ Year of the Earth Ox ”2009 and our sign is very good with the saying “ Never forget the hard times when you’re lucky” which just about sums us up!!
Monday 26th January.
This morning there is a cold but bracing wind blowing up from the sea but the sun is out and there is no rain forecast for the next few days, excellent drying weather, so Brenda tells me! We set off for our morning constitutional around the village and on our way called into the Las Vinas Sports Hall to find out about using the facilities, its free for old age pensioners,so Brenda is OK! and its five euros per week for me.We then stopped at the surgery to find out about giving blood,if they want ours! as I had seen on the local TV that they were due in Manilva,it turns out that the mobile unit is coming today at five o’clock and it will be parked outside the Town Hall at the top of our street! So watch this space for the Blood report.At the moment Brenda is typing an e-mail to our dear friends in Belgium,Eddy and Gigi,who sent us a newsy Christmas card,they were the very first people that we met on our travels when we parked next to them on the site in Le Touquet !
Saturday, January 24, 2009
MANILVA.
Thursday/Saturday 22nd/24th January.
Thursday 22nd.
We spent today at home as the weather forecast was not good;Brenda has been cleaning the house from top to bottom including all the tiles in the bathroom and both kitchens,I held the small ladder when required! Meanwhile in the office I spent some time updating the Skype site,it is now up to date with info.and a new picture when you receive a call Skype to Skype,Vidal has just put it onto his PC.so we will be able to speak to them at no cost and we are also going to get the web-cam on-line so we can see them as well. In the evening we had Lamb Stew with Cabbage for dinner and then watched a film on the TV.
Friday 23rd.
In between the showers we shot down to Sabinillas for the weekend shopping as the forecast is for storms over the weekend;it is not as cold as it has been,one day it went down to just 10 Degs.! but it is now back up to 17/18 Degs,during the day even when it is raining!For supper we had an Omellete using up the last of the eggs which we have been living on since Sunday! How many ways can you cook an egg? Later we watched a regular programme on TV. which is on every Friday and has young children on it performing from the age of four,upwards.
Saturday 24th. Sports Day.
Over night the storm passed us with high winds and rain bur we were very lucky as Northern Spain took the worst of it with winds reaching 170KM/H in parts along the Atlantic coast and up to San Sebastian,it reminded us of the time,at the start of our travels in the Winnebago,when we were caught in a Hurricane and were nearly killed just above San Sebastian.Sadly on the coast by Barcelona a Sports Hall collapsed and four children have been killed and there have been many more fatalities across Spain and into France. We went for our walk late in the morning and called into the Football Stadium to watch the Senior Seven A Side tournament as you can see in the pictures below,Manilva are in the Orange shirts and attacking the goal in front of us but we did not stay to watch the match as the wind was so strong that you could not sit in the stands for long! We went across to Las Vinas,the sports hall,and watched a very exciting Junior Basketball match between Manilva and Malaga,sadly Manilva lost but it turned out that Malaga are the unbeaten league and cup champions! Manilva played very well near the end of the match and nearly snatched it! The atmosphere in the hall was electric and Manilva RTV was filming the match to be shown later. The pictures below show Manilva,in blue,scoring late on.Tonight we are having T-Bone steak and frits for dinner,we picked them up from the English butchers as they were on offer! Tomorrow Mano and Anna are coming round to join us for a late Brunch.
Thursday 22nd.
We spent today at home as the weather forecast was not good;Brenda has been cleaning the house from top to bottom including all the tiles in the bathroom and both kitchens,I held the small ladder when required! Meanwhile in the office I spent some time updating the Skype site,it is now up to date with info.and a new picture when you receive a call Skype to Skype,Vidal has just put it onto his PC.so we will be able to speak to them at no cost and we are also going to get the web-cam on-line so we can see them as well. In the evening we had Lamb Stew with Cabbage for dinner and then watched a film on the TV.
Friday 23rd.
In between the showers we shot down to Sabinillas for the weekend shopping as the forecast is for storms over the weekend;it is not as cold as it has been,one day it went down to just 10 Degs.! but it is now back up to 17/18 Degs,during the day even when it is raining!For supper we had an Omellete using up the last of the eggs which we have been living on since Sunday! How many ways can you cook an egg? Later we watched a regular programme on TV. which is on every Friday and has young children on it performing from the age of four,upwards.
Saturday 24th. Sports Day.
Over night the storm passed us with high winds and rain bur we were very lucky as Northern Spain took the worst of it with winds reaching 170KM/H in parts along the Atlantic coast and up to San Sebastian,it reminded us of the time,at the start of our travels in the Winnebago,when we were caught in a Hurricane and were nearly killed just above San Sebastian.Sadly on the coast by Barcelona a Sports Hall collapsed and four children have been killed and there have been many more fatalities across Spain and into France. We went for our walk late in the morning and called into the Football Stadium to watch the Senior Seven A Side tournament as you can see in the pictures below,Manilva are in the Orange shirts and attacking the goal in front of us but we did not stay to watch the match as the wind was so strong that you could not sit in the stands for long! We went across to Las Vinas,the sports hall,and watched a very exciting Junior Basketball match between Manilva and Malaga,sadly Manilva lost but it turned out that Malaga are the unbeaten league and cup champions! Manilva played very well near the end of the match and nearly snatched it! The atmosphere in the hall was electric and Manilva RTV was filming the match to be shown later. The pictures below show Manilva,in blue,scoring late on.Tonight we are having T-Bone steak and frits for dinner,we picked them up from the English butchers as they were on offer! Tomorrow Mano and Anna are coming round to join us for a late Brunch.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
MANILVA.
Sunday/Wednesday 18th/21st. January.
Sunday 18th.
In the morning after a late start we went for a walk around the village and ended up at the sports stadium,Las Vinas, were we bumped into Mano and Anna with their grandson Fabio who was playing in the childrens play park next to the football stadium.We dropped him for his lunch at his Spanish grandparents house and went for a drink in Bar Rojas and when we picked him up later we went down to Mano and Anna’s house for a spot of lunch,Anna’s Steak and Ale Pie with crusty pastry went down a treat as did the accompanying Frits with fried Eggs! We had met one of our friendly locals in the village earlier,Antonio,who was passing the bar with a bucket of freshly laid eggs which he had just collected,so eggs are on the menu for a next couple of days! Fabio had his afternoon nap and later after work Carlos called in to collect him.
Monday 19th.
The forecast for the week is cold but sunny so we stayed in and caught up with some reading which lately we have not had time for.Brenda put the washing out to dry on the roof terrace,last week when the owner happened to call in the clothes were on the stand in the lounge drying,she has now told us that she has a spin dryer which will fit in next to washing machine so we are arranging to pick it up this week.Tim phoned from Colwyn Bay and brought up to date with all his news,mainly about the kids,Jo is auditioning for drama courses at university’s around the country and Ben is going to take his GSE exams a year early! Well done Ben and fingers crossed.
Tuesday 20th. Barack Obama Inauguration. 2009.
Our morning walk was brisk to say the least as the wind was blowing and out of the sun it was cold,In the late afternoon we settled down to watch the inauguration on the TV,in Spanish.We could hear the speech’s over the Spanish announcers translation and later we caught up with it again on the BBC news video on line on the PC.It was very moving and the Spanish TVE 2 coverage was excellent,we thought that the two Pastors got it just right,the first one when he said the Lords Prayer,which was a surprise and the second one was a typical Bible basher! When they got out of “ The Beast” on Pennsylvania Avenue and walked towards the White House it just took our breathes away.Later on after I had seen all the coverage from Sky News,ITN,MSN news and the morning editions of the newspapers ,online,I gave a live report on Citytalk at 1-00am on the Pete Price show and talked about the historic day and the local reaction down here in southern Spain.
Wednesday 21st.
We called into the bank in Estepona on our way to see Vidal and Gissy who also had been watching the CNN coverage on TV on Tuesday and they said how moving the whole day was for them also.On the way back at lunchtime the views along the coast road were terrific,you could see the Atlas mountains in Africa and Gibraltar was shimmering in the sun with the Mediterranean a deep green colour. Later this afternoon we are going down to the solicitors office in Sabinillas to sign the contract on the house for another eleven months,it’s a Spanish law that contracts are just for that period only.
Sunday 18th.
In the morning after a late start we went for a walk around the village and ended up at the sports stadium,Las Vinas, were we bumped into Mano and Anna with their grandson Fabio who was playing in the childrens play park next to the football stadium.We dropped him for his lunch at his Spanish grandparents house and went for a drink in Bar Rojas and when we picked him up later we went down to Mano and Anna’s house for a spot of lunch,Anna’s Steak and Ale Pie with crusty pastry went down a treat as did the accompanying Frits with fried Eggs! We had met one of our friendly locals in the village earlier,Antonio,who was passing the bar with a bucket of freshly laid eggs which he had just collected,so eggs are on the menu for a next couple of days! Fabio had his afternoon nap and later after work Carlos called in to collect him.
Monday 19th.
The forecast for the week is cold but sunny so we stayed in and caught up with some reading which lately we have not had time for.Brenda put the washing out to dry on the roof terrace,last week when the owner happened to call in the clothes were on the stand in the lounge drying,she has now told us that she has a spin dryer which will fit in next to washing machine so we are arranging to pick it up this week.Tim phoned from Colwyn Bay and brought up to date with all his news,mainly about the kids,Jo is auditioning for drama courses at university’s around the country and Ben is going to take his GSE exams a year early! Well done Ben and fingers crossed.
Tuesday 20th. Barack Obama Inauguration. 2009.
Our morning walk was brisk to say the least as the wind was blowing and out of the sun it was cold,In the late afternoon we settled down to watch the inauguration on the TV,in Spanish.We could hear the speech’s over the Spanish announcers translation and later we caught up with it again on the BBC news video on line on the PC.It was very moving and the Spanish TVE 2 coverage was excellent,we thought that the two Pastors got it just right,the first one when he said the Lords Prayer,which was a surprise and the second one was a typical Bible basher! When they got out of “ The Beast” on Pennsylvania Avenue and walked towards the White House it just took our breathes away.Later on after I had seen all the coverage from Sky News,ITN,MSN news and the morning editions of the newspapers ,online,I gave a live report on Citytalk at 1-00am on the Pete Price show and talked about the historic day and the local reaction down here in southern Spain.
Wednesday 21st.
We called into the bank in Estepona on our way to see Vidal and Gissy who also had been watching the CNN coverage on TV on Tuesday and they said how moving the whole day was for them also.On the way back at lunchtime the views along the coast road were terrific,you could see the Atlas mountains in Africa and Gibraltar was shimmering in the sun with the Mediterranean a deep green colour. Later this afternoon we are going down to the solicitors office in Sabinillas to sign the contract on the house for another eleven months,it’s a Spanish law that contracts are just for that period only.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
MANILVA AND MIJAS PUEBLO.
Friday/Saturday 16th/17th January.
Friday 16th
In the morning we popped down to the supermarket in Sabinillas and when we came back Mano and Anna called in with Fabio as they were babysitting for the day as both Carlos and Ana Mari were working at the Aparthotel.Fabio is a very happy little boy and he will not leave Mano for one second when they are with him;his English is getting better by the day and his Spanish understanding and thinking comes out all the time,at the end of the month he is three and the party is planned at the Abuela’s casa in the next street were the Spanish Grandparents live, they also baby-sit and feed him all the time as this is the traditional Spanish way with familes.After supper we watched one of the regular programme’s that we watch and are now able to follow a bit better! Just a quick Happy Birthday to our dear friend Penny in Bridgnorth and thanks once again for the calender!
Saturday 17th
As we set off to Mijas the weather forecast was warm and sunny for the day and the drive along the coast road after Marbella towards Fuengirola at this time of the year is spectacular to say the least,we then went up the bendy road to Mijas Pueblo and found the villa on the way to Coin on the back road out of Mijas higher up the mountain.Judi and Brian welcomed us to Casa Leon with their four dogs and a cat!As you can see in the pictures the villa overlooks the mountains to the right and down to the coast and Africa on a clear day.The other pictures show the back of old Mijas and the famous old and very small bullring in the centre of the village,as usual Brenda is looking better then ever in the very warm lunchtime sunshine! We are going to look after the villa and the animals in February for a long weekend and are going to go and spend a day with them at the start of the month to see their routine, the animals not Judi and Brians!! As is the way when we got back to the house we found a card in the postbox from Clive and Carolyn in Guadalmina and after speaking to them on the phone they are going to arrange some dates for us to go back and look after Casa Abuela and Bruno and the 7/8 cats together with a new member of the family,a Boxer Puppy,in the next couple of months,This is a good start to the New Year !
Friday 16th
In the morning we popped down to the supermarket in Sabinillas and when we came back Mano and Anna called in with Fabio as they were babysitting for the day as both Carlos and Ana Mari were working at the Aparthotel.Fabio is a very happy little boy and he will not leave Mano for one second when they are with him;his English is getting better by the day and his Spanish understanding and thinking comes out all the time,at the end of the month he is three and the party is planned at the Abuela’s casa in the next street were the Spanish Grandparents live, they also baby-sit and feed him all the time as this is the traditional Spanish way with familes.After supper we watched one of the regular programme’s that we watch and are now able to follow a bit better! Just a quick Happy Birthday to our dear friend Penny in Bridgnorth and thanks once again for the calender!
Saturday 17th
As we set off to Mijas the weather forecast was warm and sunny for the day and the drive along the coast road after Marbella towards Fuengirola at this time of the year is spectacular to say the least,we then went up the bendy road to Mijas Pueblo and found the villa on the way to Coin on the back road out of Mijas higher up the mountain.Judi and Brian welcomed us to Casa Leon with their four dogs and a cat!As you can see in the pictures the villa overlooks the mountains to the right and down to the coast and Africa on a clear day.The other pictures show the back of old Mijas and the famous old and very small bullring in the centre of the village,as usual Brenda is looking better then ever in the very warm lunchtime sunshine! We are going to look after the villa and the animals in February for a long weekend and are going to go and spend a day with them at the start of the month to see their routine, the animals not Judi and Brians!! As is the way when we got back to the house we found a card in the postbox from Clive and Carolyn in Guadalmina and after speaking to them on the phone they are going to arrange some dates for us to go back and look after Casa Abuela and Bruno and the 7/8 cats together with a new member of the family,a Boxer Puppy,in the next couple of months,This is a good start to the New Year !
Thursday, January 15, 2009
MANILVA.
Tuesday/Thursday 13th/15th January.
Tuesday 13th.
Everyday now we go for a walk as it is now warm in the sun although it goes cold when you are out of the sun but we are very lucky as the rest of Spain is experiencing Artic conditions with in some places they have snow for the first time in fifty years! We did our shopping in the village and now we top up at the supermarket only when we have to.Daily shopping is good as we buy fresh in small quantities on impulse buying,what we want when we want and we are supporting the local economy at the same time! In the evening after supper we practiced our Spanish pronunciation as we watched the news,no problemente!
Wednesday 14th.
We walked down to the end of the village to see Mano and Anna and catch up with the news and gossip, we also exchange newspapers and books at the same time.They have got over their colds and flu,Gripe in Spanish!
When we got back I spent some time in the office catching up with the e-mails and the blog page;the two projects that I am working on,the TV programme on the local station and the book on my/our life are ongoing,I am planning to spend a set amount of time each day on the book as my typing improves and I learn how to use the Hard drive on the PC and each week I prepare a new update of the proposed format for the TV as I follow the news on the TV and PC as well as reading the newspapers on line.I am also learning new skills on the two laptops,the present challenges are to get the Web Cam working and print some business cards! Mano showed me the Manilva Life web page,which is a little out of date,but I am proposing to start posting pictures from the Digi Cam and Camcorder as when I did the same in the Sur in English newspaper I came second in the competition at the first attempt!
Thursday 15th.
Today we called into to see Vidal and Gissy on the other side of Estepona as they are now also over the Gripe and Gissy had a business proposal to make to us about making some money as the gig work at this time of the year is very quiet; we are giving the idea some thought but we have had three phone calls after putting the ad back in the paper,in fact one of the calls was as we were at Gissy’s and we are going over to Mijas on Saturday morning to meet the people and hopefully arrange to look after the animals and the villa sometime next week as they have to go to England at short notice. Watch this space!
Tuesday 13th.
Everyday now we go for a walk as it is now warm in the sun although it goes cold when you are out of the sun but we are very lucky as the rest of Spain is experiencing Artic conditions with in some places they have snow for the first time in fifty years! We did our shopping in the village and now we top up at the supermarket only when we have to.Daily shopping is good as we buy fresh in small quantities on impulse buying,what we want when we want and we are supporting the local economy at the same time! In the evening after supper we practiced our Spanish pronunciation as we watched the news,no problemente!
Wednesday 14th.
We walked down to the end of the village to see Mano and Anna and catch up with the news and gossip, we also exchange newspapers and books at the same time.They have got over their colds and flu,Gripe in Spanish!
When we got back I spent some time in the office catching up with the e-mails and the blog page;the two projects that I am working on,the TV programme on the local station and the book on my/our life are ongoing,I am planning to spend a set amount of time each day on the book as my typing improves and I learn how to use the Hard drive on the PC and each week I prepare a new update of the proposed format for the TV as I follow the news on the TV and PC as well as reading the newspapers on line.I am also learning new skills on the two laptops,the present challenges are to get the Web Cam working and print some business cards! Mano showed me the Manilva Life web page,which is a little out of date,but I am proposing to start posting pictures from the Digi Cam and Camcorder as when I did the same in the Sur in English newspaper I came second in the competition at the first attempt!
Thursday 15th.
Today we called into to see Vidal and Gissy on the other side of Estepona as they are now also over the Gripe and Gissy had a business proposal to make to us about making some money as the gig work at this time of the year is very quiet; we are giving the idea some thought but we have had three phone calls after putting the ad back in the paper,in fact one of the calls was as we were at Gissy’s and we are going over to Mijas on Saturday morning to meet the people and hopefully arrange to look after the animals and the villa sometime next week as they have to go to England at short notice. Watch this space!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
MANILVA.
Monday 12th.January.
The sun was out as we went across to Estepona to call and place our add in the newspaper with the agent for house-sitting,on the way back we called into the card shop in the marina and as I waited outside it was hot in the noon day sun as the temperature reached 18 degs.When we arrived home the postman had had dropped off the mail which included a calendar from Penny in Bridgnorth;we had asked her if it was possible to get us one as when we stayed with her, Veronica her friend, gave us one which we have used all last year,the calendar has fabulous pictures of Bridgnorth which are taken by Veronica’s. partner and it is the only English thing that we have in the house to remind us of England! The first picture on this years calendar shows Low Town on New Years Eve with the crowds outside the Fosters Arms and in front of the Falcon Hotel which we discovered nearly forty years ago when we were introduced to Low Town before we went up to High town and visited all the bars in the main street by the old Town Hall! It brings back to many happy memories and a big thank you to Penny for sending us the last one on sale in the local church!
The sun was out as we went across to Estepona to call and place our add in the newspaper with the agent for house-sitting,on the way back we called into the card shop in the marina and as I waited outside it was hot in the noon day sun as the temperature reached 18 degs.When we arrived home the postman had had dropped off the mail which included a calendar from Penny in Bridgnorth;we had asked her if it was possible to get us one as when we stayed with her, Veronica her friend, gave us one which we have used all last year,the calendar has fabulous pictures of Bridgnorth which are taken by Veronica’s. partner and it is the only English thing that we have in the house to remind us of England! The first picture on this years calendar shows Low Town on New Years Eve with the crowds outside the Fosters Arms and in front of the Falcon Hotel which we discovered nearly forty years ago when we were introduced to Low Town before we went up to High town and visited all the bars in the main street by the old Town Hall! It brings back to many happy memories and a big thank you to Penny for sending us the last one on sale in the local church!
Sunday, January 11, 2009
MANILVA FOOTBALL REPORT.
Sunday 12th January.
CAMPEONATO DE ESPANA CADETE DE FUTBOL 2009.
At lunchtime today we watched the Regional Final between yesterday’s winners,Castilla y Leon and Madrid. The Madrid team were a lot stronger and bigger than Leon and had control of most of the game,they scored just before the end of the first half when the Leon goalkeeper came off his line and missed the ball,leaving the forward to tap in!In the second half despite the substitute’s it did not work like yesterday although both goalkeepers had to make fine saves late in the match.
CAMPEONATO DE ESPANA CADETE DE FUTBOL 2009.
At lunchtime today we watched the Regional Final between yesterday’s winners,Castilla y Leon and Madrid. The Madrid team were a lot stronger and bigger than Leon and had control of most of the game,they scored just before the end of the first half when the Leon goalkeeper came off his line and missed the ball,leaving the forward to tap in!In the second half despite the substitute’s it did not work like yesterday although both goalkeepers had to make fine saves late in the match.
MANILVA.
Friday/Sunday 9th/11th January.
Friday 9th.
After our day out with Joyce we stayed local on Friday morning and picked up what we needed for the weekend in the local supermarket and butchers.As I caught up with the blog we received an e-mail from France;every year at this time the Batard family send us “ Bien Cordialment” Josiane and Joseph are the people that looked after us on their site in the village of Maisdon Sur Serve outside Nantes when we broke down on our way to Spain at the start of our travels. They are wine makers and their vineyard is in the centre of the Muscadet region where they make and produce various Muscadet Serve Et Maine Sur Lie under their label “ Domaine Des Croix”When we stopped at their vineyard it was just after the grapes had been picked and we had the chance to taste the first pressings at the time!Our very best wishes go to the Batard familyfor 2009.In the evening for dinner we had Braised Steak and Onions with Mash and Cabbage,comfort food par excellence!
Saturday 10th.
As you will see below on Saturday we found ourselves at the football stadium in the warm sunshine watching the Cadet Football Tournament, as we had a long walk around the village to stretch the legs!When we got back to the house we had more live football on the TV to watch much to Brenda’s dismay !! For supper we had some lovely double Lamb Chops roasted on Boulangere Potatoes before we settled down to watch a late film,in Spanish, as it helps us with our learning the language more quickly.
Sunday 11th.
We walked down to the stadium at lunchtime and caught another match which you will have read about and seen the from the pictures above.On our way back we called into Bar Rojas for are usual Sunday glass of Rosado and we had a plate of the house “ Albondigas” with Frits to warm us up after watching the match.Tonight we are having a quiet night at home after another great week here in Manilva on the Costa Del Sol!
Friday 9th.
After our day out with Joyce we stayed local on Friday morning and picked up what we needed for the weekend in the local supermarket and butchers.As I caught up with the blog we received an e-mail from France;every year at this time the Batard family send us “ Bien Cordialment” Josiane and Joseph are the people that looked after us on their site in the village of Maisdon Sur Serve outside Nantes when we broke down on our way to Spain at the start of our travels. They are wine makers and their vineyard is in the centre of the Muscadet region where they make and produce various Muscadet Serve Et Maine Sur Lie under their label “ Domaine Des Croix”When we stopped at their vineyard it was just after the grapes had been picked and we had the chance to taste the first pressings at the time!Our very best wishes go to the Batard familyfor 2009.In the evening for dinner we had Braised Steak and Onions with Mash and Cabbage,comfort food par excellence!
Saturday 10th.
As you will see below on Saturday we found ourselves at the football stadium in the warm sunshine watching the Cadet Football Tournament, as we had a long walk around the village to stretch the legs!When we got back to the house we had more live football on the TV to watch much to Brenda’s dismay !! For supper we had some lovely double Lamb Chops roasted on Boulangere Potatoes before we settled down to watch a late film,in Spanish, as it helps us with our learning the language more quickly.
Sunday 11th.
We walked down to the stadium at lunchtime and caught another match which you will have read about and seen the from the pictures above.On our way back we called into Bar Rojas for are usual Sunday glass of Rosado and we had a plate of the house “ Albondigas” with Frits to warm us up after watching the match.Tonight we are having a quiet night at home after another great week here in Manilva on the Costa Del Sol!
Saturday, January 10, 2009
MANILVA FOOTBALL REPORT.
Saturday 10th.January.
CAMPEONATO DE ESPANA CADETE DE FUTBOL 2009.
This is my first Sports Blog from Sunny Manilva and is a report on the match that took place today between Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha in the National Cadet 14-16 years Spanish Championship which is taking place in the Manilva Football ground and also down at the Estepona stadium over the weekend.The weather for the weekend is spectacular as you can see from the pictures,in the rest of Spain it is deep snow everwhere even in Madrid which is the highest capital city in Europe but does not usually have snow! The first picture shows the celebrities at the match,Mano with his grandson Fabio on his shoulders, Vicente Del Bosquet the new Manager of Spains National team and on the right Fermando Hierro who played for Real Madrid as a full back and was also the Captain of Spain before Raul and later played for Bolton.The kick off in the warm Manilva sunshine was watched by a good crowd and Leon soon took the lead at the far end,with more goals to follow and La Mancha scoring just before half time when the score was 3-1 to Leon.The Leon subs warmed up at half time and from the corner taken at our end in the picture below one of the subs scored the goal as you can see by the celebratons taking place! The Manager/Trainer in the picture gave the Leon team its pep talk at half time and the final result showed this-5-1 to Castilla y Leon over Castill La Mancha! We also spoke to the Mayor who is very happy with having the Regional Championship here in sunny Manilva and at the same time we exchanged New Years greetings with her.
CAMPEONATO DE ESPANA CADETE DE FUTBOL 2009.
This is my first Sports Blog from Sunny Manilva and is a report on the match that took place today between Castilla y Leon and Castilla La Mancha in the National Cadet 14-16 years Spanish Championship which is taking place in the Manilva Football ground and also down at the Estepona stadium over the weekend.The weather for the weekend is spectacular as you can see from the pictures,in the rest of Spain it is deep snow everwhere even in Madrid which is the highest capital city in Europe but does not usually have snow! The first picture shows the celebrities at the match,Mano with his grandson Fabio on his shoulders, Vicente Del Bosquet the new Manager of Spains National team and on the right Fermando Hierro who played for Real Madrid as a full back and was also the Captain of Spain before Raul and later played for Bolton.The kick off in the warm Manilva sunshine was watched by a good crowd and Leon soon took the lead at the far end,with more goals to follow and La Mancha scoring just before half time when the score was 3-1 to Leon.The Leon subs warmed up at half time and from the corner taken at our end in the picture below one of the subs scored the goal as you can see by the celebratons taking place! The Manager/Trainer in the picture gave the Leon team its pep talk at half time and the final result showed this-5-1 to Castilla y Leon over Castill La Mancha! We also spoke to the Mayor who is very happy with having the Regional Championship here in sunny Manilva and at the same time we exchanged New Years greetings with her.
Friday, January 09, 2009
MANILVA.
Tuesday/Thursday 6th/8th January.
Tuesday 6th.
Today was another at home day as we caught up with the chores after the celebrations at the start of the week.I now leave the PCs on when we are in the house so that we can hear the Skype alarm when a call comes in,just like a normal telephone,this means that we can answerer the Skype to Skype call which are free! It worked today as we received a live cam-call from Zoe in Manchester,she has just returned from a few months in St.Lucia on the boat that Graham,her husband is Captain of.This was also our first cam-call we have had and it was very clear and I recognized Zoe’s hall behind her as we caught up with all the news;The one thing that I’ve not been able to get to work at the moment is the Web-cam,so watch out in the future as I master the technology! In the evening we had Turkey for supper which I think will appear on the menu for the next few days!
Wednesday 7th.
In the morning we went across to Estepona to the bank and on the way back we picked up the shopping, as we arrived at the house we bumped into three people in the street who asked us for directions;they ended up in the house and joined us for a lunchtime drink! So hello and nice to meet you,Dave,John and Emily.In the afternoon we had a phone call from our old and dear friend Joyce who has been over for Christmas staying at her house in Alhaurin el Grande above Marbella so we arranged to meet for a day out on Thursday.Later Anna called in as she was out for a walk,she is still not right and when we spoke to her later she was back in bed taking the tablets! Guess what we had for supper? Cold Turkey and Chips!!
Thursday 8th.
The weather for the last few days has been warm and sunny so Joyce came across to us at lunchtime;we started with Kir Royal as we caught up with all the news as we not seen her since earlier last year when Jane was staying with us and we met her in Marbella for a lively lunch! We went down to Sabinillas to a small Tapas bar that Anna had recommended to us and we had the Menu del Dia,three course’s with a bottle of wine and coffee all for eight euros each! Later we went for a walk along the sea wall in the tiny fishing port of El Castillo which is just past Duquesa Marina and then we had a coffee and brandy on the front in Sabinillas as we sat out side in the late afternoon sunshine,In the evening we put the world to right back at the house and as we walked Joyce back up the street we called into Bar Rojas for a nightcap with the locals,whilst we were there somebody brought in freshly caught Baby Whitebait which are fried in hot oil after being dipped in flour,they are illegal but delicious! The pictures below show us having a great day out with Joyce on the Costa del Sol.
Tuesday 6th.
Today was another at home day as we caught up with the chores after the celebrations at the start of the week.I now leave the PCs on when we are in the house so that we can hear the Skype alarm when a call comes in,just like a normal telephone,this means that we can answerer the Skype to Skype call which are free! It worked today as we received a live cam-call from Zoe in Manchester,she has just returned from a few months in St.Lucia on the boat that Graham,her husband is Captain of.This was also our first cam-call we have had and it was very clear and I recognized Zoe’s hall behind her as we caught up with all the news;The one thing that I’ve not been able to get to work at the moment is the Web-cam,so watch out in the future as I master the technology! In the evening we had Turkey for supper which I think will appear on the menu for the next few days!
Wednesday 7th.
In the morning we went across to Estepona to the bank and on the way back we picked up the shopping, as we arrived at the house we bumped into three people in the street who asked us for directions;they ended up in the house and joined us for a lunchtime drink! So hello and nice to meet you,Dave,John and Emily.In the afternoon we had a phone call from our old and dear friend Joyce who has been over for Christmas staying at her house in Alhaurin el Grande above Marbella so we arranged to meet for a day out on Thursday.Later Anna called in as she was out for a walk,she is still not right and when we spoke to her later she was back in bed taking the tablets! Guess what we had for supper? Cold Turkey and Chips!!
Thursday 8th.
The weather for the last few days has been warm and sunny so Joyce came across to us at lunchtime;we started with Kir Royal as we caught up with all the news as we not seen her since earlier last year when Jane was staying with us and we met her in Marbella for a lively lunch! We went down to Sabinillas to a small Tapas bar that Anna had recommended to us and we had the Menu del Dia,three course’s with a bottle of wine and coffee all for eight euros each! Later we went for a walk along the sea wall in the tiny fishing port of El Castillo which is just past Duquesa Marina and then we had a coffee and brandy on the front in Sabinillas as we sat out side in the late afternoon sunshine,In the evening we put the world to right back at the house and as we walked Joyce back up the street we called into Bar Rojas for a nightcap with the locals,whilst we were there somebody brought in freshly caught Baby Whitebait which are fried in hot oil after being dipped in flour,they are illegal but delicious! The pictures below show us having a great day out with Joyce on the Costa del Sol.
Tuesday, January 06, 2009
MANILVA,NEWSFLASH.
Tuesday 6th.January.
Well it’s a good news day,for the moment at least! We have just had a visit from the owner and her family with her Husband,her Son the Lawyer,his Wife also a Lawyer and translater,her Sister,who is our next door neighbour and another neighbour to tell us that they have excepted our offer and we will sign the contracts by the end of the week for another eleven months! They all came in the house and wished us a happy “ Reyes” day at the same time!
Well it’s a good news day,for the moment at least! We have just had a visit from the owner and her family with her Husband,her Son the Lawyer,his Wife also a Lawyer and translater,her Sister,who is our next door neighbour and another neighbour to tell us that they have excepted our offer and we will sign the contracts by the end of the week for another eleven months! They all came in the house and wished us a happy “ Reyes” day at the same time!
MANILVA,THE REYES PARADE.
Monday 5th.January.
We were up bright and early as we had to get ready for our party in the evening;First I had to refill the Spanish Turkey and then with Brenda’s help stich and skewer it back together! Job done it went in the oven for four hours as we moved the furniture,set the tables and prepared the starters and vegetables.By lunchtime we were ready and sat down to relax for an hour or two when the phone started ringing,Fistly Mano and Anna called off because they both had the flu,then Vidal and Gisssy had gone worse as they had not been well with the same bug for a few days and finally Carlos rang to say that Ana Mari had to work! So we went from ten to five in a few minutes!The curse of the Turkey had struck again!! In the evening Andy and his wife Anna,who has not been very well for quite a while and is still on treatment,joined us for dinner,with Carlos who had to go into work later to take over from Ana Mari ! Before we sat down to dinner we walked up our street to watch the “Reyes” Parade at 8-00pm.This is the big Spanish holiday of the year and celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings with street parades all over the country.Our little one in the village was very good as you can see in the pictures below with the whole village out as it made it’s way along the main street,as the floats pass they throw sweets( Caramelos) out to the crowds who collect them in plastic bags and up- turned umbrellas! The Mayor was in the lead car,the Chief of Police was sounding his alarm on the Police car and the Band and singers were giving it their all! We then sat down to the Turkey,the sequel,part three!We had a lovely night and caught up with all the village gossip as the beer and wine flowed.
We were up bright and early as we had to get ready for our party in the evening;First I had to refill the Spanish Turkey and then with Brenda’s help stich and skewer it back together! Job done it went in the oven for four hours as we moved the furniture,set the tables and prepared the starters and vegetables.By lunchtime we were ready and sat down to relax for an hour or two when the phone started ringing,Fistly Mano and Anna called off because they both had the flu,then Vidal and Gisssy had gone worse as they had not been well with the same bug for a few days and finally Carlos rang to say that Ana Mari had to work! So we went from ten to five in a few minutes!The curse of the Turkey had struck again!! In the evening Andy and his wife Anna,who has not been very well for quite a while and is still on treatment,joined us for dinner,with Carlos who had to go into work later to take over from Ana Mari ! Before we sat down to dinner we walked up our street to watch the “Reyes” Parade at 8-00pm.This is the big Spanish holiday of the year and celebrates the arrival of the Three Kings with street parades all over the country.Our little one in the village was very good as you can see in the pictures below with the whole village out as it made it’s way along the main street,as the floats pass they throw sweets( Caramelos) out to the crowds who collect them in plastic bags and up- turned umbrellas! The Mayor was in the lead car,the Chief of Police was sounding his alarm on the Police car and the Band and singers were giving it their all! We then sat down to the Turkey,the sequel,part three!We had a lovely night and caught up with all the village gossip as the beer and wine flowed.
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