Friday 31st.July 2009.
No running about today so after letting in the workmen we have had a lazy day about the villa; they are continuing to clear and take away the rubbish, fix cane poles to all the new Fir trees and started laying the tiles on the top terrace, by the end of the day it was ¾ finished. During the day they are also watering the ground with the new sprinklers and you can see the grass starting to come back, Juan who is a master of all trades keeps them going and even found time to fix and repair a leak in Joan’s bathroom. The pumping house equipment will be fixed by Monday just in time as the pool has to go over the lip and flood the surrounding stone floor for the system to kick in,check the picture’s out below of the pool taken during the day! At lunchtime we sat out on the middle balcony, with Joan, and we had some lovely fresh Sardines Portuguese style with crusty bread, this evening later on Brenda and I watched the sunset over Africa as we ate mini Chicken Brochettes with savory rice and mixed Pepper sauce! For our sweet at lunchtime we had some very juicy, sweet fresh Pineapple, during the day we also are drinking a lot of ice cold water and sucking Lime lollies at various times! As you can see we have got back our appetite, in small portions!
Friday, July 31, 2009
MANILVA NEWS FLASH.
MANILVA WINE CENTRE OPENING CEREMONY.
On Thursday 30th July 2009 the Mayoress of Manilva,Antonia Munoz and the Andalucia Minister for Tourism,Luciano Alonso laid the first stone for the new Manilva Wine Centre which is being built next to the new Fire Station on Calle Mar at the entrance to the village; The building which will have three floors, in the basement there will be an labatory and the main Bodega ( Wine Cellar ) On the ground floor will be situated the visitor reception, office’s and archives as well as an audio visual presentation, and on the first floor there will be a wine bar and kitchen along with a conference/theatre and stage and a large roof terrace. It is due to open at the end of 2010! Site photograph to follow on Monday.
On Thursday 30th July 2009 the Mayoress of Manilva,Antonia Munoz and the Andalucia Minister for Tourism,Luciano Alonso laid the first stone for the new Manilva Wine Centre which is being built next to the new Fire Station on Calle Mar at the entrance to the village; The building which will have three floors, in the basement there will be an labatory and the main Bodega ( Wine Cellar ) On the ground floor will be situated the visitor reception, office’s and archives as well as an audio visual presentation, and on the first floor there will be a wine bar and kitchen along with a conference/theatre and stage and a large roof terrace. It is due to open at the end of 2010! Site photograph to follow on Monday.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Thursday 30th July 2009.
Today is the hottest day of the year so far, 38degs.and rising! The workmen have been finishing off in the garden clearing the grass and tree trimmings; it has taken six loads so far and about another four to go! They have started on the top roof terrace and have already laid the felt and skimmed over with concrete by lunch time; they have to spray it down all the time due to the extreme heat. All the Fir trees have been planted and tomorrow they are being fixed to strong cane poles and at the same time the new tile floor will go down on the terrace. The pool is nearly full and they are then going to test and run all the equipment after they have fixed a broken pump part, so fingers crossed we will be in the pool this weekend! This morning we went down to Tarifa for the weekend shopping, called in the jewellers to get Joan’s watch fixed and put the VW through the car wash.Fresh Prawns and Sardines are on the menu over the weekend and no Sunday roast!By Friday they are moving into the master bedroom to clear up some unfinished stone work,re-plaster and the paint.
PS; We have just been on the sun loungers by the side of the pool as the sun went down,a little light breeze came up and we went for a paddle;the water is already warm-gorgeous !
Today is the hottest day of the year so far, 38degs.and rising! The workmen have been finishing off in the garden clearing the grass and tree trimmings; it has taken six loads so far and about another four to go! They have started on the top roof terrace and have already laid the felt and skimmed over with concrete by lunch time; they have to spray it down all the time due to the extreme heat. All the Fir trees have been planted and tomorrow they are being fixed to strong cane poles and at the same time the new tile floor will go down on the terrace. The pool is nearly full and they are then going to test and run all the equipment after they have fixed a broken pump part, so fingers crossed we will be in the pool this weekend! This morning we went down to Tarifa for the weekend shopping, called in the jewellers to get Joan’s watch fixed and put the VW through the car wash.Fresh Prawns and Sardines are on the menu over the weekend and no Sunday roast!By Friday they are moving into the master bedroom to clear up some unfinished stone work,re-plaster and the paint.
PS; We have just been on the sun loungers by the side of the pool as the sun went down,a little light breeze came up and we went for a paddle;the water is already warm-gorgeous !
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday 27th July 2009.
The workmen arrived early and carried on clearing the garden and at the same time, Juan, Mano’s building partner was checking and repairing the pool as it was emptied and cleaned; the conifer trees have been ordered to go along the border of the drive and new wicker fencing to go along the wall fence to act as a wind brake and restrict the view from the lane is being dropped off on Wednesday at the same time; Joan is fine and getting excited about going to her new apartment in the Docklands, I am getting quotes from various carriers ready for the move by the end of the August This morning we took Boo down to the vets in Tarifa as he has been scratching his back and it has caused a blister; the vet gave him a couple of injections, shaved the spot and treated it and at the same time spayed him with a very expensive Flea spray, we then had to go to the chemists to get the course of tablets, Millie when we got back has been sprayed and the cats when we can catch them are getting the same treatment! Brenda the other night was bitten all over just as Joan and I have been in the past, so we hope that we have got on top of the problem now. At lunchtime we have a little light snack and in the evening we have cut down on the portions and are keeping it simple as the hot weather is now in to stay and our appetites have decreased.
Tuesday 28th July 2009.
This morning the garden workmen have attacked the fruit orchard in the lower garden which was very overgrown, you can now see the Orange, Lemon, Fig and Plum trees and we are still discovering more! The pool is now empty and the filter system has been overhauled and new sand put in ready to start the pumps and fill it up. I shot across to the bank in Estepona and then called into the house to collect the mail and pay the water and electricity bills before I stopped at the English butchers and picked up some fresh Calves Liver for dinner on Wednesday. The dogs are fine and Boo is back to his old self but we have not seen the cats as both the dogs love chasing them up the trees! All the garden rubbish and other waste in the grounds have been bagged and are starting to be taken away; they are now pruning the trees and clearing the borders around the Palm trees, they also have started to water everywhere with the hoses and we are getting some large sprinklers to carry on with the job. Chris has asked me to find a gardener to look after the pool maintenance and the gardens on a weekly bases which Mano has said that one of his lads can do. For supper we had Chicken Fillets pan fried in a Citrus sauce with New Potatoes and veg.
Wednesday 29th July 2009.
We let the workmen in and I then went across to Manilva for a breakfast meeting with Mano and Juan to check on the progress and pay for the start of the work; they are planning on filling the pool today and clearing all the waste bags and rubbish, which is going to take several loads in their lorry, and hope to commence on the top terrace later today; this will cause a lot of mess as they have to brake up the old floor first, then lay the new concrete, Felt and tiles and at the same time install a new waterproofing course. The terrace is on the third floor so they will have to come through the villa to get to it for most of the work! Juan arrived at the villa just after I got back with the Conifer trees and Wicker fencing and they have just started to plant the trees along the border wall of the drive. Tonight we are having the Calves Liver with all the trimmings for dinner, we must be mad! The photo above, taken this morning, shows the new Manilva Fire station in all it’s glory.
The workmen arrived early and carried on clearing the garden and at the same time, Juan, Mano’s building partner was checking and repairing the pool as it was emptied and cleaned; the conifer trees have been ordered to go along the border of the drive and new wicker fencing to go along the wall fence to act as a wind brake and restrict the view from the lane is being dropped off on Wednesday at the same time; Joan is fine and getting excited about going to her new apartment in the Docklands, I am getting quotes from various carriers ready for the move by the end of the August This morning we took Boo down to the vets in Tarifa as he has been scratching his back and it has caused a blister; the vet gave him a couple of injections, shaved the spot and treated it and at the same time spayed him with a very expensive Flea spray, we then had to go to the chemists to get the course of tablets, Millie when we got back has been sprayed and the cats when we can catch them are getting the same treatment! Brenda the other night was bitten all over just as Joan and I have been in the past, so we hope that we have got on top of the problem now. At lunchtime we have a little light snack and in the evening we have cut down on the portions and are keeping it simple as the hot weather is now in to stay and our appetites have decreased.
Tuesday 28th July 2009.
This morning the garden workmen have attacked the fruit orchard in the lower garden which was very overgrown, you can now see the Orange, Lemon, Fig and Plum trees and we are still discovering more! The pool is now empty and the filter system has been overhauled and new sand put in ready to start the pumps and fill it up. I shot across to the bank in Estepona and then called into the house to collect the mail and pay the water and electricity bills before I stopped at the English butchers and picked up some fresh Calves Liver for dinner on Wednesday. The dogs are fine and Boo is back to his old self but we have not seen the cats as both the dogs love chasing them up the trees! All the garden rubbish and other waste in the grounds have been bagged and are starting to be taken away; they are now pruning the trees and clearing the borders around the Palm trees, they also have started to water everywhere with the hoses and we are getting some large sprinklers to carry on with the job. Chris has asked me to find a gardener to look after the pool maintenance and the gardens on a weekly bases which Mano has said that one of his lads can do. For supper we had Chicken Fillets pan fried in a Citrus sauce with New Potatoes and veg.
Wednesday 29th July 2009.
We let the workmen in and I then went across to Manilva for a breakfast meeting with Mano and Juan to check on the progress and pay for the start of the work; they are planning on filling the pool today and clearing all the waste bags and rubbish, which is going to take several loads in their lorry, and hope to commence on the top terrace later today; this will cause a lot of mess as they have to brake up the old floor first, then lay the new concrete, Felt and tiles and at the same time install a new waterproofing course. The terrace is on the third floor so they will have to come through the villa to get to it for most of the work! Juan arrived at the villa just after I got back with the Conifer trees and Wicker fencing and they have just started to plant the trees along the border wall of the drive. Tonight we are having the Calves Liver with all the trimmings for dinner, we must be mad! The photo above, taken this morning, shows the new Manilva Fire station in all it’s glory.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Sunday 26th July 2009.
Yet another glorious day with a slight breeze so first thing in the morning Chris and Jane took the dogs down to the beach in Tarifa to give them a run in the sand dunes; this gave us a chance to prepare a light finger buffet as Chis had told us that he could have 3/4friends coming around at lunchtime for drinks, we had stocked up and we were ready. When they got back he had a phone call to say that they could not make it, which did not stop us opening a fine vintage bottle of Laurent Perrier to finish off a lovely weekend and the comments about the buffet were excellent! Chris is a vegetarian and we had catered for his needs as we knew from Joan what he liked.The picture below shows Joan,Jane and Brenda in the lounge looking at the buffet.
In the early evening I dropped them back down to Gibraltar to catch the evening flight to Luton.
Yet another glorious day with a slight breeze so first thing in the morning Chris and Jane took the dogs down to the beach in Tarifa to give them a run in the sand dunes; this gave us a chance to prepare a light finger buffet as Chis had told us that he could have 3/4friends coming around at lunchtime for drinks, we had stocked up and we were ready. When they got back he had a phone call to say that they could not make it, which did not stop us opening a fine vintage bottle of Laurent Perrier to finish off a lovely weekend and the comments about the buffet were excellent! Chris is a vegetarian and we had catered for his needs as we knew from Joan what he liked.The picture below shows Joan,Jane and Brenda in the lounge looking at the buffet.
In the early evening I dropped them back down to Gibraltar to catch the evening flight to Luton.
CASA OLIMPIA.
Friday 25th July 2009.
Late on Thursday evening we had a phone call from Chris to say that he was coming over for the weekend and he would call this morning to confirm his flight details; we are up early to let the workmen in, the garden is starting to take shape and the pool is very nearly empty so we then shot down to the hypermarket in Tarifa and stocked up with food and wine for a suspected busy weekend, we were not wrong! He called back to say that he would be on the afternoon flight from Gatwick arriving at 6-00pm and so I planned to pick him up from Gibraltar in the VW, the only problem was that he called back to say that the flight was delayed due to a problem at the airport, it turned out to be a crash of an incoming jet and the airport was then closed! Eventually the flight was due to arrive at 9-00pm so I set off to pick him up; it’s only 20mins.away from the villa, it arrived finally at 10-15pm and I then found that it was two passengers as Chris was accompanied with Jane who we had met at the wedding reception a couple of weeks ago! Joan and the dogs gave him a very happy welcome and we cracked open a bottle of Cava Rosado to start the weekend, Joan had had a light supper before I left and came down and joined us for a while, we then opened another Cava and finished off the night on large Vodka/Tonics, Gin/Tonic and Bacardi and Coca Cola as we caught up with all the news and put the world to rights!
Saturday 26th July 2009.
We all got up late and after sorting thing out for the weekend we had Scrambled Eggs and Smoked Salmon on the balcony for brunch with fresh orange juice from the trees in the garden! Chris went out in the Merc,with the top down, to show Jane around Tarifa and when he returned he had booked a table in his favourite family run Italian in old Tarifa.Before we went out we had some drinks on the terrace overlooking Africa on a balmy evening, needless to say I had the white outfit on again! We had a great evening out and our host was in fine form as he told us some tales about his life in the past both over here and in England,not to be repeated here!
We arrived back after yet again another “ Helluva ”day down here in Tarifa!
Late on Thursday evening we had a phone call from Chris to say that he was coming over for the weekend and he would call this morning to confirm his flight details; we are up early to let the workmen in, the garden is starting to take shape and the pool is very nearly empty so we then shot down to the hypermarket in Tarifa and stocked up with food and wine for a suspected busy weekend, we were not wrong! He called back to say that he would be on the afternoon flight from Gatwick arriving at 6-00pm and so I planned to pick him up from Gibraltar in the VW, the only problem was that he called back to say that the flight was delayed due to a problem at the airport, it turned out to be a crash of an incoming jet and the airport was then closed! Eventually the flight was due to arrive at 9-00pm so I set off to pick him up; it’s only 20mins.away from the villa, it arrived finally at 10-15pm and I then found that it was two passengers as Chris was accompanied with Jane who we had met at the wedding reception a couple of weeks ago! Joan and the dogs gave him a very happy welcome and we cracked open a bottle of Cava Rosado to start the weekend, Joan had had a light supper before I left and came down and joined us for a while, we then opened another Cava and finished off the night on large Vodka/Tonics, Gin/Tonic and Bacardi and Coca Cola as we caught up with all the news and put the world to rights!
Saturday 26th July 2009.
We all got up late and after sorting thing out for the weekend we had Scrambled Eggs and Smoked Salmon on the balcony for brunch with fresh orange juice from the trees in the garden! Chris went out in the Merc,with the top down, to show Jane around Tarifa and when he returned he had booked a table in his favourite family run Italian in old Tarifa.Before we went out we had some drinks on the terrace overlooking Africa on a balmy evening, needless to say I had the white outfit on again! We had a great evening out and our host was in fine form as he told us some tales about his life in the past both over here and in England,not to be repeated here!
We arrived back after yet again another “ Helluva ”day down here in Tarifa!
Monday, July 27, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday 20th July 2009.
First thing in the morning Mano and Anna arrived and we shot off to the house in Manilva to pick up the mail and then down to the bank in Estepona before we went across to Casa Abuelo; we took Clive and Carolyn to the rail station in Malaga as they were going on the new fast train to Madrid,2hrs40mins later you are in the heart of the city! The villa, much to our surprise is still a work site with painters, solar engineers, electrian,joiners, all working flat out to get the job finished,the windows and glass where going in as we arrived and the new bottom kitchen was nearly ready but the gas hob in the top kitchen had still not been installed. We slept in the old part of the house which is finished but it was in a mess as the rest of the furnishings are in there from the rest of the villa! The two dogs Bruno and Abbie have their own home and large pen in the grounds and where delighted to see us, the two cats also came to us and the fish in the pond nearly jumped out of it when I went to feed them! The bonus was that the pool which is in the sun all day was all ready for us to jump in as the workmen left and the sun moves behind the trees, heaven is the only word to describe it !! In the evening I went out for an Indian take a way as we had no electric or gas to cook on!
Tuesday 21st. July. 2009.
In the morning we went down to the local hypermarket to stock up with some essentials, ice being the main one for the drinks by the pool! We stopped in Guadalmina at a very nice Tapas bar and had some excellent, different ones for a change. The villa was a hive of activity with the new en suite bathroom and Jacuzzi being installed during the day, in the evening we christened the new bottom kitchen as the electricity was now on, steak and salad with a nice chilled Rosado after our dip in the pool ended the day.
Wednesday 22nd.July 2009.
After seeing all the workmen in we went across to the large shopping centre above Marbella as we needed to stock up with some cosmetics, as we passed C&As of all things they had a sale on, only this time it was me that bought the bargains, a white pair of Bermuda shorts with a white cotton tea shirt ! I had bought Brenda, luckily a new purple top in the Mango sale just a few minutes before! On the way home we called into the shops and quite by chance I spotted a beautiful pair of white soft leather slip on moccasin’s that have ended up as my birthday present, for September!! In the evening, after another swim in the pool we decided to treat our selves to a night out and went down to Restaurante Victor,it is rather special, we ate there last time we were at Casa Abuelo and we were not to be disappointed, the house Prawn Beignets to start just melts in your mouth, Brenda had the whole Sea Bass baked in the oven and then brought to the table and filleted, served with very fine Green Beans tossed in garlic, whilst I had the most succulent large Sirloin steak, cooked medium rare and served with very fine frits, it cut like butter and tasted out of this world! The restaurant is very calm and cool and the staff is very attentive as the owner and his father watch over the running of the restaurant, inside and on the outside tables. Brenda had an excellent glass of cool Rioja with her fish and the whole evening was so relaxed and friendly,Oh of course I was in my new, all white, outfit- Brenda said that I looked like King Faruke!!
Thursday 23rd.July 2009.
The villa was again a hive of activity and during the morning the new gas hob was installed, we had a light sandwich lunch and after checking all the animals I set off to the Bus station in Marbella as Carolyn had caught the shuttle bus from the train station in Malaga after returning from Madrid. Malaga is a major city and the traffic is unbelievable, at the same time they are putting in a new underground Metro so the streets are rather mad! After handing over we shot back across to Tarifa and let Mano and Anna get away back to Manilva as they had a busy weekend of dining and partying for Mano’s birthday.Mano’s workmen have started on the garden and pool and it is already starting to take shape, we should be swimming in the pool by next Friday! They are refencing the side walls and also planting the drive with over 70 new trees before they start on installing the new top terrace floor and making good all the exterior waterproofing before the whole outside is painted white! Joan was fine and Boo and Millie raced out to welcome us home!Egg and chips for dinner after a busy day on the very hot and sunny Costa del Sol and Tarifa finished the day off.
First thing in the morning Mano and Anna arrived and we shot off to the house in Manilva to pick up the mail and then down to the bank in Estepona before we went across to Casa Abuelo; we took Clive and Carolyn to the rail station in Malaga as they were going on the new fast train to Madrid,2hrs40mins later you are in the heart of the city! The villa, much to our surprise is still a work site with painters, solar engineers, electrian,joiners, all working flat out to get the job finished,the windows and glass where going in as we arrived and the new bottom kitchen was nearly ready but the gas hob in the top kitchen had still not been installed. We slept in the old part of the house which is finished but it was in a mess as the rest of the furnishings are in there from the rest of the villa! The two dogs Bruno and Abbie have their own home and large pen in the grounds and where delighted to see us, the two cats also came to us and the fish in the pond nearly jumped out of it when I went to feed them! The bonus was that the pool which is in the sun all day was all ready for us to jump in as the workmen left and the sun moves behind the trees, heaven is the only word to describe it !! In the evening I went out for an Indian take a way as we had no electric or gas to cook on!
Tuesday 21st. July. 2009.
In the morning we went down to the local hypermarket to stock up with some essentials, ice being the main one for the drinks by the pool! We stopped in Guadalmina at a very nice Tapas bar and had some excellent, different ones for a change. The villa was a hive of activity with the new en suite bathroom and Jacuzzi being installed during the day, in the evening we christened the new bottom kitchen as the electricity was now on, steak and salad with a nice chilled Rosado after our dip in the pool ended the day.
Wednesday 22nd.July 2009.
After seeing all the workmen in we went across to the large shopping centre above Marbella as we needed to stock up with some cosmetics, as we passed C&As of all things they had a sale on, only this time it was me that bought the bargains, a white pair of Bermuda shorts with a white cotton tea shirt ! I had bought Brenda, luckily a new purple top in the Mango sale just a few minutes before! On the way home we called into the shops and quite by chance I spotted a beautiful pair of white soft leather slip on moccasin’s that have ended up as my birthday present, for September!! In the evening, after another swim in the pool we decided to treat our selves to a night out and went down to Restaurante Victor,it is rather special, we ate there last time we were at Casa Abuelo and we were not to be disappointed, the house Prawn Beignets to start just melts in your mouth, Brenda had the whole Sea Bass baked in the oven and then brought to the table and filleted, served with very fine Green Beans tossed in garlic, whilst I had the most succulent large Sirloin steak, cooked medium rare and served with very fine frits, it cut like butter and tasted out of this world! The restaurant is very calm and cool and the staff is very attentive as the owner and his father watch over the running of the restaurant, inside and on the outside tables. Brenda had an excellent glass of cool Rioja with her fish and the whole evening was so relaxed and friendly,Oh of course I was in my new, all white, outfit- Brenda said that I looked like King Faruke!!
Thursday 23rd.July 2009.
The villa was again a hive of activity and during the morning the new gas hob was installed, we had a light sandwich lunch and after checking all the animals I set off to the Bus station in Marbella as Carolyn had caught the shuttle bus from the train station in Malaga after returning from Madrid. Malaga is a major city and the traffic is unbelievable, at the same time they are putting in a new underground Metro so the streets are rather mad! After handing over we shot back across to Tarifa and let Mano and Anna get away back to Manilva as they had a busy weekend of dining and partying for Mano’s birthday.Mano’s workmen have started on the garden and pool and it is already starting to take shape, we should be swimming in the pool by next Friday! They are refencing the side walls and also planting the drive with over 70 new trees before they start on installing the new top terrace floor and making good all the exterior waterproofing before the whole outside is painted white! Joan was fine and Boo and Millie raced out to welcome us home!Egg and chips for dinner after a busy day on the very hot and sunny Costa del Sol and Tarifa finished the day off.
CASA OLIMPIA.
Saturday/Sunday 18th/19th July 2009.
On Saturday we started to pack for our move over to Guadalmina Alta next week for four days,Clive and Carolyn are going to Madrid to the see the Eagles in concert;meanwhile Mano and Anna are moving across to here to look after Joan and the animals for us.The weather now is hot and sunny every day and very warm during the night,we now have eight fans going 24/7 and the windows and door open all day!Light lunch’s and small dinners are now the rule and plenty of cold water and ice lollies!! As usual on Sunday we had a our Sunday Roast,Chicken with all the trimmings,some rules are hard to brake!
On Saturday we started to pack for our move over to Guadalmina Alta next week for four days,Clive and Carolyn are going to Madrid to the see the Eagles in concert;meanwhile Mano and Anna are moving across to here to look after Joan and the animals for us.The weather now is hot and sunny every day and very warm during the night,we now have eight fans going 24/7 and the windows and door open all day!Light lunch’s and small dinners are now the rule and plenty of cold water and ice lollies!! As usual on Sunday we had a our Sunday Roast,Chicken with all the trimmings,some rules are hard to brake!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA/CASA ABUELO.NEWS UPDATE.
Wednesday 22nd July 2009
I will update the blog in the next two days as we have been rather busy and have not been able to get on line untill this morning !! Keep watching !!
I will update the blog in the next two days as we have been rather busy and have not been able to get on line untill this morning !! Keep watching !!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
TARIFA BEACH.
Thursday/Friday 16th/17th.July 2009.
Thursday 16th.
The weather this week has been the best so far this year and for a long time, blue skies, warm sunshine and a little breeze with the temperature‘s in the high 30s.We dropped down to Tarifa to do the weekend shopping and pick some tablets and gel up from the chemists for Joan;on the way back across the mountain road the views to Africa and inland to the Atlas mountains are just spectacular.Joan is now back to her normal self and is starting to worry about moving back to England,Chris has not phoned ,as usual,so we have not been able to make any arrangements about the future yet and also give him the quotes from Mano to do the work to improve the villa. Next week we are over in Guadalmina Alta for a few days at Casa Abuelo as Clive and Carolyn are going to Madrid, the renovation work on the villa is ongoing and we are looking forward to seeing how it looks-Mano and Anna are coming across on Monday morning for four or five days to look after Joan and the animals. After our meeting last Saturday in Sotogrande we have not heard from the folks about looking after their villa on a weekly 2/3 days, which is a little disappointing as between us we could have offered them a very good service!?
Friday 17th.
This morning we had planned to take Joan out for lunch as we now have the use of the VW and so after a little problem with our bank, I had forgot to cancel the standing order for our private medical cover and as I checked our accounts on line noticed that the yearly payment had gone out, we don’t need the cover as we are now in the Spanish system and so after a couple of phone calls things were sorted. We then set off down to Torre de la Pena to our favourite restaurant for a light lunch, Brenda has some Langoustines a la Plancha which were so fresh and sweet and Joan had Avocado with Crab as we sat and watched the light Atlantic swell in the idyllic setting;we did not want to leave as we sat having our coffee overlooking the beach! On the way back we called into the Hotel Dos Mares which is nearer to Tarifa and is right by the main spot for the kite and windsurfers,as you can see in the picture below,the hotel is in a very beautiful spot on the beach and is rather special although the picture does not do it justice! It was also the hotel where Chris’s younger daughter,Nina,was married on the beach a few years ago.For supper we had Salmon fillet’s in a light citrus sauce before we settled down to watch a little TV after another perfect day down here in southern Spain!
Thursday 16th.
The weather this week has been the best so far this year and for a long time, blue skies, warm sunshine and a little breeze with the temperature‘s in the high 30s.We dropped down to Tarifa to do the weekend shopping and pick some tablets and gel up from the chemists for Joan;on the way back across the mountain road the views to Africa and inland to the Atlas mountains are just spectacular.Joan is now back to her normal self and is starting to worry about moving back to England,Chris has not phoned ,as usual,so we have not been able to make any arrangements about the future yet and also give him the quotes from Mano to do the work to improve the villa. Next week we are over in Guadalmina Alta for a few days at Casa Abuelo as Clive and Carolyn are going to Madrid, the renovation work on the villa is ongoing and we are looking forward to seeing how it looks-Mano and Anna are coming across on Monday morning for four or five days to look after Joan and the animals. After our meeting last Saturday in Sotogrande we have not heard from the folks about looking after their villa on a weekly 2/3 days, which is a little disappointing as between us we could have offered them a very good service!?
Friday 17th.
This morning we had planned to take Joan out for lunch as we now have the use of the VW and so after a little problem with our bank, I had forgot to cancel the standing order for our private medical cover and as I checked our accounts on line noticed that the yearly payment had gone out, we don’t need the cover as we are now in the Spanish system and so after a couple of phone calls things were sorted. We then set off down to Torre de la Pena to our favourite restaurant for a light lunch, Brenda has some Langoustines a la Plancha which were so fresh and sweet and Joan had Avocado with Crab as we sat and watched the light Atlantic swell in the idyllic setting;we did not want to leave as we sat having our coffee overlooking the beach! On the way back we called into the Hotel Dos Mares which is nearer to Tarifa and is right by the main spot for the kite and windsurfers,as you can see in the picture below,the hotel is in a very beautiful spot on the beach and is rather special although the picture does not do it justice! It was also the hotel where Chris’s younger daughter,Nina,was married on the beach a few years ago.For supper we had Salmon fillet’s in a light citrus sauce before we settled down to watch a little TV after another perfect day down here in southern Spain!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday 13th/14th/15th July 2009.
Monday 13th.
This morning was my usual running about day; Before I left I spoke to Mano as he is putting together a quote for some work to be done on the villa, it requires a new floor on the top terrace, rain and damp proving on various spots and then the whole outside to be re-painted with three coats in white after the walls have been repaired! Then the garden requires some serious attention to bring it back to its original look, all this is stage one as there are then some plans to work on the inside of the villa putting in new bathrooms, updating the facilities and possible large dormer windows and patio doors in the two master bedrooms.Finally the pool needs to be cleaned and put back into working order.Watch this space. As I got nearer to Estepona Mano rang to warn me that the banks were closed for a saints day, I dropped into Sabinillas and called into a sister bank only to find that their computer system was down and they could only give me a minimum amount of cash so I had to change all my plans and drive back to the villa! The weather this week is spectacular, getting hotter every day and very warm during the night.Cold Beef and Salad for supper was just right and after wards we watched the Tour de France.
Tuesday 14th.
Today we have caught up with all the chores around the villa and Brenda has been washing and ironing non stop! We then bathed Boo and Millie for the first time, they were both very good and Brenda sat on the top balcony and dried and groomed them in the afternoon sunshine. I watched the Tour de France, live, and then we had Pan Fried Chicken with savory Rice for dinner.
Wednesday 15th.
We had to be up early to go across to the Costa del Sol Hospital just past Marbella as I had an appointment at the Urology department for a check up with the consultant;I then found out where my Prostate is as he approached me with his gloves on and all jellied up!!Charming,and Brenda knew as she had looked it up but did not tell me!!! The outcome is that I will have to go back for a small operation, under a local anaesthetic for a Prostate Biopsy, God help me as to where they stick the needle!! We then called at our bank in Estepona before we went up to the surgery in Manilva to collect my prescriptions for more tablets and at the same time we dropped of some clean washing at the house and checked the mail box. By the time we got back the temperature had reached 37degs.and the very light breeze is warm,a siesta and then cold drinks to follow on the balcony are called for! The pictures below, taken this morning, show our new fire engine in the fire station,Sotogrande Marina on Saturday morning and the Rotisserie chef, at the wedding, injecting his secret marinade into the Lamb.
Monday 13th.
This morning was my usual running about day; Before I left I spoke to Mano as he is putting together a quote for some work to be done on the villa, it requires a new floor on the top terrace, rain and damp proving on various spots and then the whole outside to be re-painted with three coats in white after the walls have been repaired! Then the garden requires some serious attention to bring it back to its original look, all this is stage one as there are then some plans to work on the inside of the villa putting in new bathrooms, updating the facilities and possible large dormer windows and patio doors in the two master bedrooms.Finally the pool needs to be cleaned and put back into working order.Watch this space. As I got nearer to Estepona Mano rang to warn me that the banks were closed for a saints day, I dropped into Sabinillas and called into a sister bank only to find that their computer system was down and they could only give me a minimum amount of cash so I had to change all my plans and drive back to the villa! The weather this week is spectacular, getting hotter every day and very warm during the night.Cold Beef and Salad for supper was just right and after wards we watched the Tour de France.
Tuesday 14th.
Today we have caught up with all the chores around the villa and Brenda has been washing and ironing non stop! We then bathed Boo and Millie for the first time, they were both very good and Brenda sat on the top balcony and dried and groomed them in the afternoon sunshine. I watched the Tour de France, live, and then we had Pan Fried Chicken with savory Rice for dinner.
Wednesday 15th.
We had to be up early to go across to the Costa del Sol Hospital just past Marbella as I had an appointment at the Urology department for a check up with the consultant;I then found out where my Prostate is as he approached me with his gloves on and all jellied up!!Charming,and Brenda knew as she had looked it up but did not tell me!!! The outcome is that I will have to go back for a small operation, under a local anaesthetic for a Prostate Biopsy, God help me as to where they stick the needle!! We then called at our bank in Estepona before we went up to the surgery in Manilva to collect my prescriptions for more tablets and at the same time we dropped of some clean washing at the house and checked the mail box. By the time we got back the temperature had reached 37degs.and the very light breeze is warm,a siesta and then cold drinks to follow on the balcony are called for! The pictures below, taken this morning, show our new fire engine in the fire station,Sotogrande Marina on Saturday morning and the Rotisserie chef, at the wedding, injecting his secret marinade into the Lamb.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Wednesday/Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday 8th/9th/10th /11th/12th. July 2009
Wednesday 8th.
After our trip to England we had a lot of sorting out to do today; Brenda got to work on the washing and I shot across to Estepona to the bank, then up to the house to get the mail and then picked up the newspapers before stopping at the English butchers. On the way over I called into the garage to check on the VW repair, it was ready so when I got back to the villa I dropped the Smart car at the local hotel and got a taxi back to the garage! Joan is a little off sorts and has a tummy upset so she is not eating very much and we are treating her; it is also very hot and at night so we do not get much sleep at the same time. The dogs and cats are all fine and Mano and Anna enjoyed them selves in the villa over the weekend.
Thursday 9th.
In the morning we went down to the supermarkets to stock up for the weekend and gave the VW a little run.Tarifa is getting busier all the time as the weather is hot and sunny every day and with the little breeze it is very pleasant down in the old town. Joan is a little better today and has started to get her appetite back and look a lot brighter, more like her old self! In the evening we had a light supper and caught up with the news.
Friday 10th.
Today was an at home day as we settled back into life at the villa; Joan is a lot better and the dogs are keeping out of the sun;the villa stays cool during the day so they spend a lot of time on the marble floors! For supper tonight we had Pan Fried Fillets of Halibut with my version of Patatas Bravas. During the day we spoke to Brenda’s sister Jenny and to our dear friend in Colwyn Bay,Tim and in the evening Jack and Lyn called from Australia to catch up with all the news;by then I had been able to catch up with the blog so they have all been able to see and read about the wedding!
Saturday 11th.
This morning we popped across to Sotogrande to the “ K ” bar as we had arranged to meet some new clients who had phoned us whilst we were in England, Mike and Margaret Balfour have a five bed roomed villa on the Valderrama estate and want us to cover the villa and dog sitting on a regular weekly basis,for two/three days so we are waiting to here from them after a very nice get to know meeting and must thank them for their very kind time and attention,Mano and Anna have also offered to help when we can’t get to them as it is only 15mins. from Manilva. In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and Joan ate everything as well as some delicious fresh local Pineapple!
Sunday 12th.
We had a lie in and when we got up the weather was beautiful with clear blue skies and warm sunshine and the views across to Africa are spectacular! Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings in the late afternoon after watching the German Grand Prix hit all the right spots! Next week I am going to start the procedure to re-new Joan’s passport as it expires at the start of September and at the end of this week I spoke to the Embassy in Madrid to get them to send the papers to our house as Casa Olimpia does not have a post box! Watch this space.
Wednesday 8th.
After our trip to England we had a lot of sorting out to do today; Brenda got to work on the washing and I shot across to Estepona to the bank, then up to the house to get the mail and then picked up the newspapers before stopping at the English butchers. On the way over I called into the garage to check on the VW repair, it was ready so when I got back to the villa I dropped the Smart car at the local hotel and got a taxi back to the garage! Joan is a little off sorts and has a tummy upset so she is not eating very much and we are treating her; it is also very hot and at night so we do not get much sleep at the same time. The dogs and cats are all fine and Mano and Anna enjoyed them selves in the villa over the weekend.
Thursday 9th.
In the morning we went down to the supermarkets to stock up for the weekend and gave the VW a little run.Tarifa is getting busier all the time as the weather is hot and sunny every day and with the little breeze it is very pleasant down in the old town. Joan is a little better today and has started to get her appetite back and look a lot brighter, more like her old self! In the evening we had a light supper and caught up with the news.
Friday 10th.
Today was an at home day as we settled back into life at the villa; Joan is a lot better and the dogs are keeping out of the sun;the villa stays cool during the day so they spend a lot of time on the marble floors! For supper tonight we had Pan Fried Fillets of Halibut with my version of Patatas Bravas. During the day we spoke to Brenda’s sister Jenny and to our dear friend in Colwyn Bay,Tim and in the evening Jack and Lyn called from Australia to catch up with all the news;by then I had been able to catch up with the blog so they have all been able to see and read about the wedding!
Saturday 11th.
This morning we popped across to Sotogrande to the “ K ” bar as we had arranged to meet some new clients who had phoned us whilst we were in England, Mike and Margaret Balfour have a five bed roomed villa on the Valderrama estate and want us to cover the villa and dog sitting on a regular weekly basis,for two/three days so we are waiting to here from them after a very nice get to know meeting and must thank them for their very kind time and attention,Mano and Anna have also offered to help when we can’t get to them as it is only 15mins. from Manilva. In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and Joan ate everything as well as some delicious fresh local Pineapple!
Sunday 12th.
We had a lie in and when we got up the weather was beautiful with clear blue skies and warm sunshine and the views across to Africa are spectacular! Roast Beef and Yorkshire pudding with all the trimmings in the late afternoon after watching the German Grand Prix hit all the right spots! Next week I am going to start the procedure to re-new Joan’s passport as it expires at the start of September and at the end of this week I spoke to the Embassy in Madrid to get them to send the papers to our house as Casa Olimpia does not have a post box! Watch this space.
Thursday, July 09, 2009
GIBRALTAR TO READING.
Thursday 2nd.July 2009.
Mano and Anna are looking after the villa along with the dogs and cats whilst we are away for the wedding in Reading!Mano came across early and took us to the airport at Gibraltar so as we could take Joan to the departure entrance where the wheel chair was waiting to get Joan onto the flight which needs a hoist truck and ramp; we were taken out to the plane first and took up the reserved seats at the front with lots of leg room. As we arrived at Gatwick the air bridge came over and a wheel chair was waiting to take us to the customs and baggage claim but around the first corner we were transferred to an electric buggy as Gate 110 is nearly two miles from the start of the airport proper and you have to cross a huge enclosed bridge to get to the main North Terminal !! Thank god for the buggy as you have to walk and take lifts for ever !! Gatwick is the biggest airport that we have ever seen and our troubles were not yet over. After collecting the baggage, Joan was transferred to another wheel chair and the gentleman looking after us took us across the road and up five floors to the car hire
people; all six major companies did not have any cars to rent and one of them was very rude to me as well! We then had to come all the way back and get a taxi to Reading as by now Joan was starting to get a little weary, she is 91 years old after all!!
I called the hotel and asked them to get a list of the hire car companies in Reading for me when we arrived, twelve calls later and still no luck, on the next call I found the Ford Tourneo,nine seater mini bus available and grabbed it without thinking !!The next port of call was a stiff drink in the piano bar!! After unpacking we went down to dinner and had an excellent meal in the restaurant which over the next four nights only went better and on Monday evening a new a la carte menu appeared and Brenda had Glazed Scallops with a Lobster Tagliatelle on the side which was very good! The pictures below will give you a little idea of our travels around Reading.I have typed this blog in date order for a change.
PS; As I have been putting this page together Brenda came running in to say that another large liner was passing,the P/O OCEANA was on its way from Barcelona to Southampton and looked magnificent in the late afternoon sunshine as the white glimmered!!
Mano and Anna are looking after the villa along with the dogs and cats whilst we are away for the wedding in Reading!Mano came across early and took us to the airport at Gibraltar so as we could take Joan to the departure entrance where the wheel chair was waiting to get Joan onto the flight which needs a hoist truck and ramp; we were taken out to the plane first and took up the reserved seats at the front with lots of leg room. As we arrived at Gatwick the air bridge came over and a wheel chair was waiting to take us to the customs and baggage claim but around the first corner we were transferred to an electric buggy as Gate 110 is nearly two miles from the start of the airport proper and you have to cross a huge enclosed bridge to get to the main North Terminal !! Thank god for the buggy as you have to walk and take lifts for ever !! Gatwick is the biggest airport that we have ever seen and our troubles were not yet over. After collecting the baggage, Joan was transferred to another wheel chair and the gentleman looking after us took us across the road and up five floors to the car hire
people; all six major companies did not have any cars to rent and one of them was very rude to me as well! We then had to come all the way back and get a taxi to Reading as by now Joan was starting to get a little weary, she is 91 years old after all!!
I called the hotel and asked them to get a list of the hire car companies in Reading for me when we arrived, twelve calls later and still no luck, on the next call I found the Ford Tourneo,nine seater mini bus available and grabbed it without thinking !!The next port of call was a stiff drink in the piano bar!! After unpacking we went down to dinner and had an excellent meal in the restaurant which over the next four nights only went better and on Monday evening a new a la carte menu appeared and Brenda had Glazed Scallops with a Lobster Tagliatelle on the side which was very good! The pictures below will give you a little idea of our travels around Reading.I have typed this blog in date order for a change.
PS; As I have been putting this page together Brenda came running in to say that another large liner was passing,the P/O OCEANA was on its way from Barcelona to Southampton and looked magnificent in the late afternoon sunshine as the white glimmered!!
Wednesday, July 08, 2009
READING.
Friday 3rd. July 2009.
As it was so nice a morning we decided to go up the River Thames away from Reading and Henley and ended up at The Swan at Pangbourne by the weir and had a very nice al fresco lunch as the canal boat stopped in front of us and three men in a boat went by! Later we found our way to the Bottle and Glass which Gemma acquired earlier in the year and then followed them to the church for the rehearsal. We then met more of the family and stayed for dinner as Gemma has a very good Mossiman trained chef.The pictures below show our day as we found our way around in the country side of Berkshire and Oxfordshire,England at it’s best!
As it was so nice a morning we decided to go up the River Thames away from Reading and Henley and ended up at The Swan at Pangbourne by the weir and had a very nice al fresco lunch as the canal boat stopped in front of us and three men in a boat went by! Later we found our way to the Bottle and Glass which Gemma acquired earlier in the year and then followed them to the church for the rehearsal. We then met more of the family and stayed for dinner as Gemma has a very good Mossiman trained chef.The pictures below show our day as we found our way around in the country side of Berkshire and Oxfordshire,England at it’s best!
THE WEDDING OF GEMMA AND BRIAN.
Saturday 4th July 2009.
The weather as we came down for breakfast was warm and sunny with a little breeze forecast for the afternoon; the hotel which is four star has very good staff and they are looking after our every need, our room is next to Joan’s and we have shown her where to bang with her stick if she need us! We are eating a cooked breakfast every day and we take up Joan’s toast to go with her tea as she watch’s the TV. We set off early to get to the church on time as the parking is rather differcult, The Reverend Stephen Cousins welcomed us to St. Peter & Pauls Church which dates back to the early sixteenth century and is in a very secluded setting and is famous as the church that Tennyson was married in, the path up to the front vestry is lined with Lavender and was at it’s best. Eighty guests soon followed us into the church; our two favorite Hymn’s, You Never Walk Alone and All Things Bright and Beautiful helped along by a large choir soon got us going and Gemma’s sister Nina and Brian’s sister read poems as well as the vicar preaching a sermon as the ceremony was actually a blessing. The bells rung by six bell ringers rung out as the couple left the church to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, the pictures below give you a little taste of the atmosphere. They left in a 1931 white Rolls Royce to go back to the Bottle and Glass pub for the photographs and reception; the outside caterers had set up the large marquee in the grounds and Canapés and Pink Champagne were served as a look a like Katherine Jenkins gave it her all! The menu of cold Lobster salad, Fillet steak and summer fruits jelly was excellent, accompanied with fine red and white wines and Laurent Perrier Rose champagne for the toast. During the meal another look a like singer got the guest going with all the Frank Sinatra hits as you can see in the photo’s below!
In the evening the disco took over as other guest arrived for the evening buffet; which was rather special as to go with the large salad selection a professional Rotisserie chef had been roasting over wood chips four large split Lambs for over ten hours and as they cooked he injected them with his special marinade, the Lamb was to die for and was full of the most sensational flavor and cut just like butter! By then the place was bouncing and Joan was joining in with her hand jive as you can see!! A great day and the Derham family made us most welcome to their very special day on the marriage of Gemma and Brian,thank you from both of us.
The weather as we came down for breakfast was warm and sunny with a little breeze forecast for the afternoon; the hotel which is four star has very good staff and they are looking after our every need, our room is next to Joan’s and we have shown her where to bang with her stick if she need us! We are eating a cooked breakfast every day and we take up Joan’s toast to go with her tea as she watch’s the TV. We set off early to get to the church on time as the parking is rather differcult, The Reverend Stephen Cousins welcomed us to St. Peter & Pauls Church which dates back to the early sixteenth century and is in a very secluded setting and is famous as the church that Tennyson was married in, the path up to the front vestry is lined with Lavender and was at it’s best. Eighty guests soon followed us into the church; our two favorite Hymn’s, You Never Walk Alone and All Things Bright and Beautiful helped along by a large choir soon got us going and Gemma’s sister Nina and Brian’s sister read poems as well as the vicar preaching a sermon as the ceremony was actually a blessing. The bells rung by six bell ringers rung out as the couple left the church to Mendelssohn’s Wedding March, the pictures below give you a little taste of the atmosphere. They left in a 1931 white Rolls Royce to go back to the Bottle and Glass pub for the photographs and reception; the outside caterers had set up the large marquee in the grounds and Canapés and Pink Champagne were served as a look a like Katherine Jenkins gave it her all! The menu of cold Lobster salad, Fillet steak and summer fruits jelly was excellent, accompanied with fine red and white wines and Laurent Perrier Rose champagne for the toast. During the meal another look a like singer got the guest going with all the Frank Sinatra hits as you can see in the photo’s below!
In the evening the disco took over as other guest arrived for the evening buffet; which was rather special as to go with the large salad selection a professional Rotisserie chef had been roasting over wood chips four large split Lambs for over ten hours and as they cooked he injected them with his special marinade, the Lamb was to die for and was full of the most sensational flavor and cut just like butter! By then the place was bouncing and Joan was joining in with her hand jive as you can see!! A great day and the Derham family made us most welcome to their very special day on the marriage of Gemma and Brian,thank you from both of us.
READING.
Sunday 5th July 2009.
We had a lie in after the day before and strolled down to breakfast as it does not finish until 11-30am and took a walk along the banks of the Thames, Joan had her usual Tea and toast in her room; Joan’s grandson Stephen, who is a lighting technician in the London theatre land and his partner who is an wardrobe mistress also called in to our hotel as they where staying in the Premier Lodge next door and we took them in the Mini bus back to the Bottle and Glass for the family BBQ in the afternoon, The weather was sunny with a little breeze as we sat around in the garden and all the family caught up with all their news and chatted with Joan who they had not seen for some time. Later I dropped Chris down to Henley on Thames so that he could pick up his car, at first I had an heart attack as it was Royal Regatta week and the last day of the festivities and the town would be very busy and congested; his car was on a large car park on the edge of town but I still ended up having to go right through the main street and down to the Thames past the old bridge and had some spectacular views of the Regatta but I did not have the camera with me, sorry! In the evening we had supper in the restaurant after another super day with the family.
We had a lie in after the day before and strolled down to breakfast as it does not finish until 11-30am and took a walk along the banks of the Thames, Joan had her usual Tea and toast in her room; Joan’s grandson Stephen, who is a lighting technician in the London theatre land and his partner who is an wardrobe mistress also called in to our hotel as they where staying in the Premier Lodge next door and we took them in the Mini bus back to the Bottle and Glass for the family BBQ in the afternoon, The weather was sunny with a little breeze as we sat around in the garden and all the family caught up with all their news and chatted with Joan who they had not seen for some time. Later I dropped Chris down to Henley on Thames so that he could pick up his car, at first I had an heart attack as it was Royal Regatta week and the last day of the festivities and the town would be very busy and congested; his car was on a large car park on the edge of town but I still ended up having to go right through the main street and down to the Thames past the old bridge and had some spectacular views of the Regatta but I did not have the camera with me, sorry! In the evening we had supper in the restaurant after another super day with the family.
LONDON DOCKLANDS.
Monday 6th July 2009.
On Sunday afternoon Chris asked me if I would take Joan, as a surprise, to see the new apartment he had arranged for her to see in Docklands on the Isle of Dogs next to Canary Wharf on Monday morning and he would meet us there; his office is just around the corner on the 33rd floor of the Citibank building and he has a penthouse and roof terrace on the 40th floor of and adjacent building which overlooks the tower block by the side of the Thames in which Joan’s apartment is on the 9th floor! So I set of in the mini bus, originally I was going to go through central London but changed to plan B and went around the M25 to junction 2 and then into the Docklands by the A2 and the Blackwall tunnel. The pictures below shows the view on a grey day, the 02 Arena is just around the corner on the left; Joan has fallen in with love with the views and had us measuring it to see how her furniture would fit in! The journey there and back took us under four hours and I took the Mini Bus back to the car hire in Caversham when we got back.
On Sunday afternoon Chris asked me if I would take Joan, as a surprise, to see the new apartment he had arranged for her to see in Docklands on the Isle of Dogs next to Canary Wharf on Monday morning and he would meet us there; his office is just around the corner on the 33rd floor of the Citibank building and he has a penthouse and roof terrace on the 40th floor of and adjacent building which overlooks the tower block by the side of the Thames in which Joan’s apartment is on the 9th floor! So I set of in the mini bus, originally I was going to go through central London but changed to plan B and went around the M25 to junction 2 and then into the Docklands by the A2 and the Blackwall tunnel. The pictures below shows the view on a grey day, the 02 Arena is just around the corner on the left; Joan has fallen in with love with the views and had us measuring it to see how her furniture would fit in! The journey there and back took us under four hours and I took the Mini Bus back to the car hire in Caversham when we got back.
LONDON GATWICK TO GIBRALTAR.
Tuesday 7th July 2009.
After a light breakfast we had arranged a taxi to take us back to Gatwick airport for the flight at lunchtime; when it arrived it was in fact a Maybach limousine with a chauffeur!! Who proceeded to look after us, opened the doors, packed the luggage, and told us the route and when we would arrive! On arriving at the airport I called for a wheel chair for Joan and we were taken through the express check in for the flight and then into the customs which took a little time as we were the unlucky ones and they checked everything including lifting Joan out of the wheel chair! Thankfully we missed the bad weather which started as we got on the plane; I had a problem getting an electric buggy so they had to push the wheel chair all the way to the departure lounge for our flight, which is nearly two miles, avoid gate 110 if you can! On the Easy Jet home we had another problem when we found that somebody was sitting in our reserved seats, after a little shouting we sorted the problem out! We landed back at Gibraltar on a spectacular clear day and waited for the lift and wheel chair hoist to come to the side door of the plane, by then everybody had got off the plane, been checked through customs and collected their luggage as Gibraltar is a one plane at the time airport and by the time we were taken across to the terminal the passengers on the return flight were already getting on the plane! The customs man was walking away and the duty free shop had closed,our three case’s were about to be taken away as lost luggage and the arrivals hall was closed !! Charming !!! I then lost my temper with three different duty managers over the complete breakdown in communication, all of which denied responsibility and stormed out of the airport after collecting some duty free from the arrivals hall ! Mano was outside waiting for us and took us back to Casa Olimpia which he and Anna had been looking after along with the dogs and cats .
After a light breakfast we had arranged a taxi to take us back to Gatwick airport for the flight at lunchtime; when it arrived it was in fact a Maybach limousine with a chauffeur!! Who proceeded to look after us, opened the doors, packed the luggage, and told us the route and when we would arrive! On arriving at the airport I called for a wheel chair for Joan and we were taken through the express check in for the flight and then into the customs which took a little time as we were the unlucky ones and they checked everything including lifting Joan out of the wheel chair! Thankfully we missed the bad weather which started as we got on the plane; I had a problem getting an electric buggy so they had to push the wheel chair all the way to the departure lounge for our flight, which is nearly two miles, avoid gate 110 if you can! On the Easy Jet home we had another problem when we found that somebody was sitting in our reserved seats, after a little shouting we sorted the problem out! We landed back at Gibraltar on a spectacular clear day and waited for the lift and wheel chair hoist to come to the side door of the plane, by then everybody had got off the plane, been checked through customs and collected their luggage as Gibraltar is a one plane at the time airport and by the time we were taken across to the terminal the passengers on the return flight were already getting on the plane! The customs man was walking away and the duty free shop had closed,our three case’s were about to be taken away as lost luggage and the arrivals hall was closed !! Charming !!! I then lost my temper with three different duty managers over the complete breakdown in communication, all of which denied responsibility and stormed out of the airport after collecting some duty free from the arrivals hall ! Mano was outside waiting for us and took us back to Casa Olimpia which he and Anna had been looking after along with the dogs and cats .
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
CASA OLIMPIA.
Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday.29th/30/01.
Monday 29th.
The weather this week, here as in England is forecast to get hotter so we are up to 36/39degs.After the news of our trip to the wedding I had to go across to the bank this morning to get some cash,on the way I called into the garage to check on the VW,it won’t be ready on time so I have told them to keep it until next week when we are back. I then went up to Manilva to pick up an extra suitcase for Joan from Anna and also called into the surgery to arrange to pick up new prescriptions for my tablets.On the way back I also called into the English butchers for some Chicken breasts for dinner.Brenda has started to sort all the clothes out and is also helping Joan to sort her things at the same time! Later in the evening after supper we watched the Andy Murray match,under the new roof at Wimbledon,spectacular and he won !
Tuesday 30th.
This morning Brenda came with me to Manilva so as she could find her outfit for the wedding at the house and I also picked up some more shirts, shoes and a jacket at the same time! At the house there was some mail from last week,thanks Penny and Hilda for the cards! We then stopped at the surgery and collected the prescriptions which we then got from the chemists in the main street before shooting back to the villa. On returning we made contact with the gardener and housekeeper, on their return from holiday,only to find that it looks like they are not returning to their job!TBC!!As I was speaking to Anna she very kindly offered to come over to the villa and looks after the cats,dogs and the place over the weekend!More of this news to follow!! Today is the hottest day so far,38degs and the nights are also staying very warm as well so it is very hard to sleep.
Wednesday 1st.July 2009.
I shot down to Tarifa to change some euros to pounds with no luck, five banks and one cambio later I gave up! On the way back I called into the supermarket and picked up some essentials for stock for when we return;the packing has started so I am keeping out of the way and leaving it to the girls! We have just spoken to Jack and Lyn as they have been trying to call us on Skype,but we have been out in the morning and missed them,they are very well and are settling back into life in Australia,Yvonne Lyn’s youngest daughter is back in hospital and is rather poorly so our thoughts and love go out to her and the family at this time.We have still not had a phone call from Chris to confirm all the details so we don’t know where we are staying and who is picking us up from Gatwick at the moment! Watch this space as we will be not blogging now until some time next week when we hope to give you the full report and pictures of the wedding in Reading !!
PS; We have just had all the details,we are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Caversham outide Reading and are flying back on Tuesday afternoon to Gibraltar.Chris has asked me to arrange a hire car at the airport for the five days!
Monday 29th.
The weather this week, here as in England is forecast to get hotter so we are up to 36/39degs.After the news of our trip to the wedding I had to go across to the bank this morning to get some cash,on the way I called into the garage to check on the VW,it won’t be ready on time so I have told them to keep it until next week when we are back. I then went up to Manilva to pick up an extra suitcase for Joan from Anna and also called into the surgery to arrange to pick up new prescriptions for my tablets.On the way back I also called into the English butchers for some Chicken breasts for dinner.Brenda has started to sort all the clothes out and is also helping Joan to sort her things at the same time! Later in the evening after supper we watched the Andy Murray match,under the new roof at Wimbledon,spectacular and he won !
Tuesday 30th.
This morning Brenda came with me to Manilva so as she could find her outfit for the wedding at the house and I also picked up some more shirts, shoes and a jacket at the same time! At the house there was some mail from last week,thanks Penny and Hilda for the cards! We then stopped at the surgery and collected the prescriptions which we then got from the chemists in the main street before shooting back to the villa. On returning we made contact with the gardener and housekeeper, on their return from holiday,only to find that it looks like they are not returning to their job!TBC!!As I was speaking to Anna she very kindly offered to come over to the villa and looks after the cats,dogs and the place over the weekend!More of this news to follow!! Today is the hottest day so far,38degs and the nights are also staying very warm as well so it is very hard to sleep.
Wednesday 1st.July 2009.
I shot down to Tarifa to change some euros to pounds with no luck, five banks and one cambio later I gave up! On the way back I called into the supermarket and picked up some essentials for stock for when we return;the packing has started so I am keeping out of the way and leaving it to the girls! We have just spoken to Jack and Lyn as they have been trying to call us on Skype,but we have been out in the morning and missed them,they are very well and are settling back into life in Australia,Yvonne Lyn’s youngest daughter is back in hospital and is rather poorly so our thoughts and love go out to her and the family at this time.We have still not had a phone call from Chris to confirm all the details so we don’t know where we are staying and who is picking us up from Gatwick at the moment! Watch this space as we will be not blogging now until some time next week when we hope to give you the full report and pictures of the wedding in Reading !!
PS; We have just had all the details,we are staying at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Caversham outide Reading and are flying back on Tuesday afternoon to Gibraltar.Chris has asked me to arrange a hire car at the airport for the five days!
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