MANILVA - MALAGA - MANILVA.

WEDNESDAY/THURSDAY 4th/5th JULY 2012.

We had a leisurely morning getting our selves freshened up before walking down to Gillians house in the ‘ Monte Vinas Urb. ’on the side of the valley below the village ; it was a bit of a walk as you have to go down over 60 steps at a very steep angle – it’s even more of a climb back – in fact it was a “ Helluva ”climb back op at it was also the hottest day of the year so far ! We had a very nice ‘ Light ’ lunch, Melon and Parma Ham to start, cold sliced savory Roast Chicken with Minted New Potatoes with salad and to finish ripe Pineapple – we took a bottle of chilled Cava to drink as ‘ Kir Royal ’ and ‘ Tinto de Verano ’was ideal with the meal.Thank’s Gillian for a very relaxed lunch ! When we got back I watched the 4th stage of the ‘ Tour ’ from Abbeville to Rouen over 214kms.Mark Cavendish was denied the chance of a second stage win when he fell in a crash 2.6km from the finish; The German Andre Greipel won the sprint – the overall standings were unaffected with Cancellara leading and Wiggins second.

This morning, Thursday, we were up bright an early to go over with Andy to Malaga to finalize the documents on the car ; what we thought was just a formality turned into a nightmare from hell ! We made good time going over and where on the Malaga ring road but it turned out that we missed the turning for the city center; we then commenced to get lost well and truly, Andy knew where he wanted to go but the traffic flow system and road works constructing the new underground railway didn’t help ! After nearly three hours – honest ! We found the office in the center of the city – it had been closed and moved to new premises on the far side of the city !! When we eventually got there we had sixty people in the ticket system in front of us !!! We finally made the desk only to be told by a not very helpful man that we were a document short which we had to get from another office back in the city !!!! B------- ! I made a decision – go home and try to tomorrow after we get our senses back together and are in a better frame of mind ! Oh and yes Malaga was the hottest place in Spain 37 degs. Spanish bureaucracy at its finest. Today’s stage five is from Rouen to Saint-Quentin over 196kms. It’s a sprinter’s race to the finish so watch out for some fireworks from Cavendish !

PS; Andre Greipel powered to his second stage victory in a row - Mark Cavendish tailed home in 5th as he was suffering from yesterday's injuries !


Thought for the Day;


Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths .


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