THOUGHT FOR THE DAY;

SUNNY AND WARM MANILVA ON THE LAST DAY OF OCTOBER

THURSDAY 31^st/ OCTOBER 2013.

We were up bright and early again as I had an appointment at the surgery for my blood/urine tests, ready for my next hospital check up with the Prostrate consultant; then after our tea and toast we went down to Sabinillas for the shopping, a day early as it’s a National Bank Holiday on Friday “ Fiesta De La Todos Santos”  - ‘All Saints Day’ I called into the bank and Brenda did her shopping in the fruit & vegetable market, the ‘Mercadona’ supermarket has changed its policy and has gone to fresh ,unwrapped fruit & vegetables this week which is a lot better for us, I complemented the Manager who I always talk to as we are going around!

The weather forecast over the weekend and into next week is looking good, sunshine and blue skies and getting a little warmer, we certainly can’t complain for the time of the year – ‘November’ -  its our favorite time down here on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ Malaga is usually bit warmer so we are looking forward to our next visit again this Saturday to go to the ‘Gastronomic Food Festival’ in the Bullring!

After coming back and un-packing I went to the butchers today as he is closed tomorrow and we are away on Saturday, Steak a la Plancha and Chicken Wings for Tapas should  keep us going! I then made the Chicken Curry for tonight’s supper. Brenda went and got the flowers from the local Fish Market in the village as the regular man and the market are not here tomorrow also, they do this each year and take advantage of people and charge more as this Bank Holiday is when everybody takes lots of flowers to the cemetery next to the church!

Last night in a ‘La Liga’ mid-week game Real Madrid beat Seville 7-3 with Gareth Bale scoring the first two goals and then Ronaldo hitting a hat-trick! The high lights on the TDP later were rather good! The late film on Tuesday evening was a classic - ‘True Confessions” from 1981 with Robert De Niro and Robert Duvall playing brothers, one a cop and one a catholic priest ?! With Charles Durrning and Cyril Cusack it is a murder mystery loosely based on the famous ‘ Black Dahlia’ murders of 1907 ! Rather good and very watch able.

Thought for the Day’ See above.

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SUNNY MANILVA THIS EVENING;

SUNNY BANALMADENA THIS MORNING;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY;

SUNNY AND HOT MALAGA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 30^th/ OCTOBER 2013.

We were up bright and early this morning and had our tea/coffee/toast in Bodega Augustin as its opposite the roundabout where we were catching the bus at 9-00am! We set off to Malaga on time and found out that the trip which was arranged by the Cultural Dpt. was visiting a cultural centre, art gallery and after lunch the castle! The weather today as forecast was sunny and warm with clear blue skies and as we got to Malaga it was even hotter than expected -28degs!

Our first stop was at a very impressive building ‘la termica’ where we had a presentation for today’s visit; the history of the building is that it was an orphanage, then an hospital in the Civil War before becoming the cultural, education and social centre. Check out the first picture to find us( look left!) We then had coffee in the old bar next to the cathedral which happens to be just round the corner for our first port of call.

“ The Revello de Toro Museum and Art Gallery ” – the building was the home of the very famous(in Spain!) maker of religious images in the 17^th century ‘ Pedro de Mena’ – we had an interesting video presentation of his life and works with English sub-titles! The building contains the picture’s, oil paintings, sketches and drawings of ‘ Felix Revello de Toro’ He is still alive and still painting in Barcelona at the age of 87 and is know for his portrait and figurative pictures mainly of ladies in his trademark ‘Symphony of Whites’ You are not allowed to take any photographs so I only managed two! The second one shows in the distance his best and favorite work of his latest wife – honest – if you enlarge and look closely !!

It was then time for lunch which it turned out was at the same restaurant as our last visit to Malaga with the same menu! Two Spanish Soups, one with Lentils and Potatoes and the other with a mixture of White  Beans,Blackpudding,Chorizo and Chicken, then Fried fish in batter with salad and to finish fresh fruit or Crème Caramel, Coffee and a cool drink ! All free !!

We then headed back across the city past the port and went to the entrance to the castle which is behind the three buildings in the pictures below; The Town Hall, The Bank of Spain and the old Central Post Office which is now part of the University of Malaga; the “ Alcazaba De Malaga ” is reached by walking along the long tunnel and going up in a lift to the top! The impressive group of buildings dates back to the 11^th century and formed the palace-fortress of the Moslem rulers of the city; the dungeons are below the round grating !! From the Mirador you have spectacular views across the city and down to the port, as you can see. You then wind your way down through the various gates and gardens to come out by the Roman Amphitheater outside the walls of the castle.

PS; The cruise liner is the ‘MSC Poesia’ which was built in France at St. Nazaire  four year ago, has over 3,000 passengers and was just leaving for Lisbon; the picture of our guides show’s Patricia ( Malaga) Maria Jose & Belen( Manilva) – all from the Cultural departments!

We came back along the ‘Infamous’ N340 coast road past the bends at Mijas ( another nasty car crash) as we passed towards Marbella and home with a spectacular Red Sunset going down into the Mediterranean past Gibraltar and Africa!

Egg,Sausages and Chips set us up for the nights TV Channel hopping.

PPS; We came back to no power cuts at the house !

Thought for the Day; See above.

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SUNNY AND HOT MALAGA ON WEDNESDAY;

SUNNY AND HOT MANILVA TODAY'

WEDNESDAY 30th/ OCTOBER 2013;


I've posted above the pictures from today's trip to Malaga; Later I will post today's Blog with all the details !


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SUNNY AND WARM MANILVA THIS LUNCHTIME;

THE ARCTIC CIRCLE FINLAND TODAY;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY;

SUNNY BREEZY AND WARM MANILVA TODAY;

TUESDAY 29^th/ OCTOBER 2013.

Yet another glorious day here in sunny Manilva as this weeks weather takes shape, it’s a little cooler today but still on the 23/24 degs mark! – the sun is out and the sky is blue!! The picture above from Brian over in Pori, Finland was taken earlier in the day in the Arctic Circle and shows the “ Aurora Borealis ”at its finest! It also means that the heavy snow is on its way and of course they are into the permanent day light hours!! Keep warm Big Bri and Lilli and think of us down here in sunny Manilva!

We have sorted the menus out for this week, today we are having Baked Pork Chops (Cut English style) by our butcher with Cabbage with ‘Acelgas’(Spanish) and mixed vegetables along with Baby New Potatoes in their skins and on the side a rich braised steak gravy, tomorrow its Chicken Curry, that’s if the electricity is not off for the day as we are not on the list, fingers crossed, they are working on a major job in the village and everywhere around us is off from 9 -5 !? Then on Thursday its Sausage, Egg and chips, Fish on Friday and back to our Saturday night ‘Steak Night’ This Sunday we are having Roast Crown of Turkey with all the trimmings to finish the week on a ‘High’!

This morning we have sorted our outfits for our day out on Saturday at the ‘Gastronomic Food Festival’ taking place in the Bullring in Malaga; the forecast is good with sun and clear skies, so far! We are just about to go for our walk around the village with the dog and will check out about tomorrow’s power cut?! Watch this space.

Well we have just had an interesting good long walk around the village; we have confirmed with the council and the workmen that the electricity is off tomorrow,at the same time we have been asked by three people to go on another free trip to Malaga tomorrow as well as on Saturday,which fits in nicely as we will possible have no power for the day,this means that will we have our Sausage,Egg and chips tomorrow night and I will make the Chicken Curry on Thursday!

As you can see in the pictures above its a beautiful day here,we went up to the top part of the village where they are working on Calle Lobato just as Antonia,the Mayor and Marcus were checking on the progress; this part of the village is like a village within a village as its cut off from the hustle of the main part and has four 'Ronnie Barker' mini-markets to look after the locals. The work on the church is on-going and they are painting the cemetery ready for Fridays bank holiday for 'All Saints Day' We then came back around across the park as you can see ! 

Last night’s film was a classic from the past – “ Jackie Brown ” from 1997,produed and directed by Quentin Tarantino and starring the gorgeous Pam Grier’s in the title role with Robert Foster, Samuel L.Jackson,Robert De Niro,Bridget Fonda and Michael Keaton in the always watch able story with all the memorable sound tracks of great music, especially the “ Delfonics” singing ‘Didn’t I ( Blow Your Mind This Time) !!

Tonight after supper we will watch the news and weather forest before we find something to watch.

Thought for the Day; See above.

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SUNNY AND WARM MANILVA ON MONDAY LUNCHTIME;