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.