THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY

SATURDAY 30^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

We were up bright if not breezy this morning after last nights festivities; the weather today in sunny Manilva is spectacular, the sky is blue, no breeze and the sun is out as the temperature reaches 19 degs! Over the weekend it’s even getting hotter for the first day of December and into next week it’s also looking fine at the moment.

Both dogs are in good spirits and we went for a nice walk around the side of the village with the views across the valley to the mountains, in the distance they are snowcapped on the ‘Sierra Nevada’! The Mediterranean is sparking and there are yachts out on the calm sea.

I watched most of ‘Saturday Morning Kitchen’ before Mano called in to pick up the papers; we had a good chat and gossip before he went home to go to bed; this weekend its mainly the football here and over in England that I will following, Everton at home to Stoke and then on Sunday Hull v Liverpool and Manchester City v Swansea while over here its Real Madrid v Real Valladolid and Athletic Club v Barcelona,

Everton won 4-0 so Big Bri will be a happy chappy and Real Madrid also won 4-0 with Gareth Bale scoring his first hat-trick for Real!

This afternoon on the large PC I will attempt to watch the horse racing from Newbury – it’s the “Hennessy Gold Cup” At the moment sadly no joy with finding coverage of the horse racing.

For supper this evening we are having my now classic ‘Steak au Poivre’ with finely sliced Green Beans and twice-cooked crisp chips! I smashed the whole Black pepper corns this morning with the rolling pin – a good way to get rid of any tension!

Brenda has just called me down as we have been watching the latest ‘La Voz’ with Anna’s friend from Lanzarote taking part, sadly Lydia did not make it past the semi-final stages, no matter she still has a ‘Helluva’ voice and has lots of work already booked!

After supper this evening we settle down to find a film to watch after catching all the high lights of the football both here and over in England; during the last few days we have been watching the John Wayne Cowboy season with the classic “ Hondo ”from 1953! With Geraldine Page and Ward Bond – also “ The Horse Soldiers ” from 1959! With William Holden and Constance Towers – they don’t make film like these any more!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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" BODEGA LA ESPANOLA " MANILVA FRIDAY EVENING

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA

CLEAR AND CRISP SUNNY MANILVA ON OUR 42ND WEDDING ANNIVERSARY;

FRIDAY 29^th NOVEMBER 2013.

MONDAY 29^th/ NOVEMBER 1971 – FRIDAY 29^th/ NOVEMBER 2013 - 42^nd WEDDING ANNIVERSARY;

Well we awoke today to our 42^nd wedding anniversary – my ‘Child bride’ still looks the same today as she did all those years ago –  “ Happy Anniversary ” Brenda – All my love, forever xx

It was then time to go out early on our usual Friday morning shopping expedition; first we went down to the local market for some fresh flowers then onto Sabinillas, I went to our bank and Brenda called into the fruit & vegetable market, next it was ‘Mercadona’ before we picked up the papers from the English bookshop, we then went to ‘Lidl’ as they have some good offers on at the moment, Cooked whole Lobster & dressed Crab! Their new bakery opened on Thursday with a large selection of all sorts of breads, sweets and savories – they have a very cleaver help-yourself –self- serving without touching display – we are trying their ‘ Empanadilla de Atun’ – a Tuna pie/slice !

As we picked up the car from the underground car park Brenda called into the dentist, Victor to make sure that he is open this evening, he is so we are going to ‘Bodega La Espanola’ this evening for a small and quiet celebration supper, it means that the chef can have the night off and at the same time not have to drive!

We are having an easy day at home doing nothing and the ‘Child Bride’ has also be given the day off !

The 'Bodega' and Victor,Elizabeth and Josefina looked after us very well ,we had a lovely time and the food was again memorable,we had the 'Gambas Pil-Pil' to start with lots of bread to soak up the juices,Brenda had the Pan-Fried Salmon with Herb crust and baby new potatoes,a huge portion,she is having cold Salmon Mayonnaise for lunch today! I had the Roast/BBQ Shoulder of Lamb,even larger than Tim' last week; it falls off the bones,the skin is crisp and the meat s very tasty and succulent, Mint sauce of course!

The Bodega had some business both English and Spanish locals,so the word is getting around,our quiet evening then went into the 'Helluva' night mode; Brenda had glasses of the very reasonable priced house White & Red while I found a special bottle of vintage Cuban Rum " Mausalem Anejo' an Amber coloured/flavoured Rum to die for! The drinks on the house were more of the Rum and for Brenda a Vintage Conde De Osborn' Brandy served in a warm Brandy balloon - dark and very strong aromatic flavour's !See the picture above. Both were full bottles before we started !!

Sat on the next table to us was a English couple who live in the same complex as Big Bri used to live in;Ian & Helen who had called in for a drink and to book a table for Saturday night - we have seen them around in the village but have never had the chance to talk to them before. Victor and his wife presented us with some wedding anniversary presents,a beaded bracelet and a key ring for me as we were leaving,on our way back along Calle Mar we saw Ian and Helen in their local 'Bar Castillo' so we ended up having a drink with them,when the bar closed we came back to our house for some more drinks were they listened to the small version of the 'Sextonstravels & Life' into the wee-small hours! Nice meeting and talking to them and we are looking forward to seeing them again in the not too distant future!!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM MANILVA

GREY AND OVERCAST SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY

THURSDAY 28^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

Well as you can see below we had a ‘Terremoto – Earthquake’ yesterday evening at about 11-00 pm down here in sunny Manilva! It measured 3;1 on the ‘Richter Scale’ and the epicenter was just of the coast – see map. No damage and the earth did not shake in our house as we were sat on the settee in the lounge! Lots of reports from down on the coast and on the outskirts on the village of tables and lights rattling and house’s shaking!! We will survive !

This morning as forecast it is colder( 15degs) and a little windy, grey and overcast but no sign of rain at the moment in sunny Manilva; the front has come in from the Mediterranean and is affecting only us down here on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ – the rest of Spain is sunny and dry!

Both the dogs are here in the house, Derrick is no bother and Chispa is her usual self, following Brenda around and full of the joys of ‘Autumn’ with the wind in tail; Brenda is pottering about catching up with the washing and ironing and as you can see I’ am up in the office on the WWW. Our maintenance man Joachim has just called in to fix the hot water in the kitchen sink, the usual problem with Manilva water ‘Cal’ in the pipes!

Last night we watched an American TV crime drama series called “ Person of Interest’ from 2011 about  a former CIA officer, Jim Caviezel recruited by a mysterious billionaire,Michael Emerson to prevent violent crime in New York with the help of ‘The Machine’ a mass surveillance computer system – watch it to find out what its all about!

Tonight for supper we are having ‘English cut Pork Chops’ baked in the oven with glazed Apple slices and my ‘Breton’ style potatoes – diced boiled potatoes tossed in hot butter with diced assorted Peppers,Onions,Celery & Leeks – Brenda is just getting ready the Cabbage with Acelgas( Swiss Chard) and Chopped Carrots & Baby Turnips.

It will then be time to fins something to watch on the TV, we do find other programmes to follow besides films, only yesterday we had a very interesting animal documentary on Black & White Rhinoceros !!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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MANILVA WEDNESDAY EVENING " TERREMOTO - EARTHQUAKE " !!

MANILVA PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST 2013.

WEDNESDAY 27th/ NOVEMBER 2013;

The winning pictures in the local photography contest are in the winning order below; no entry from me this year as our camera can't complete with the semi-professional photographer's and equipment! 

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MANILVA PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST 2013.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM A CLEAR AND CRISP MANILVA;

CLEAR AND CRISP IN SUNNY MANILVA TODAY;

WEDNESDAY 27^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

It’s a little cooler this morning but still we are the warmest spot in Spain at 17degs; after breakfast we had a quick shower and freshen up before we went with the two dogs for a short walk around to the butchers for tomorrow nights supper –‘English cut Pork Chops’ We bumped into Mano in Calle Mar as he was out walking ‘Feria’- He was meeting Carlos for a coffee.

Today is definitely an at home day, Brenda is catching up with the ironing and I’ am up in the office catching up on the WWW! Tonight we are having for our supper the classic “Wiener Schnitzel” – flattened Breast of Chicken in White Breadcrumbs from our Bakers, Japanese ‘Panko’ are the best, pan-fried in foaming Butter and served with lots of Lemon Wedges! Diamond cut Green Beans and my Tomato salsa on the side, I’ am going to top mine with a campo Fried Egg and Anchovy fillets!!( nearly ‘Holstein’)

At the moment we are not been reading much so we will have to get back into the routine as we still have our ‘Happy Hour’ We tend to watch more TV at this time of the year as the nights have drawn in. This evening after the news we will find a film or programme to watch as I channel hop.

Last night film was a ‘Sword & Sorcery Medieval Romp’ from 1997 “ The Adventures of Prince Valiant ” with Stephen Moyer & Katherine Meigl?! Along with Edward Fox,Ron,the ‘Chin’ Perlman and Joanna Lumley over acting!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA

SUNNY AND STILL CRISP MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 26^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

The sun breaking through the shutters woke us this morning, yet again; it’s another nice sunny, crisp day in sunny Manilva. After our tea, toast & Baby Banana I made a batch of Tomato salsa, some to go away in the deep freeze and the rest to use this week.

It was then time to call Jack and Lyn over in Melbourne on the Skype video, they are both very well and looking great, next week its Lyn’s birthday, we caught up with all their news and arrangements for over Xmas as once year they go to Jack’s family and the next year they are with Lyn’s – this year it Jacks turn!

Then I was back in the kitchen to make up Mano’s snack-box for tonight, we are having Pan-seared Calves Liver with English Pork Sausage, crispy Smoked Bacon, griddled Mushrooms & Tomato, sautéed onions and Potatoes, so he has the mini-version! I also pan-fried some Chicken wings to have as a Tapas lunch later in the week.

We then went for a good long walk with both the dogs around the village coming back up through the new park back to the house; Mano called just as we got back as he was out walking his dog ‘Feria’ who is a ‘Boxer’- she is very powerful but at the same time a real softy!

This evening after our supper we will watch the Ajax v Barcelona game from Amsterdam as this evening there are various ‘UEFA Champions League’ matches taking place,it will then be time to catch the late film.

Ajax 2 - Barcelona 1 but Barcelona have already qualified! 

Thought for the Day; See above.

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SUNNY AND CRISP MANILVA GETTING READY FOR XMAS;

SUNNY AND CRISP MANILVA AT LUNCHTIME;

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

SUNNY AND CRISP MANILVA ON MONDAY;

MONDAY 25^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

This morning we had a nice lie in as I had no ‘Chauffeur’ duties to get the ‘King’ to his early ‘Tee-off’ times!

We are missing you already Tim and can’t wait for your next visit sometime next year – thanks! The weather today happens to be perfect for golfing – clear blue skies, sunshine and crisp with just a little breeze! We also rang Lyn over in Melbourne to arrange a Skype video call on Tuesday morning to catch up with all their news.

After our tea & toast I made a batch of ‘Ensaldilla Rusa’ with Brenda’s help, Chispa came knocking at the front door and was a little put out to find Derrick here, all is now carm and they both have been fed, separately, we have just got back from our walk around the village as you can see in the pictures above of the church and Calle Loboto; at the butchers I picked up some lovely fresh Calf’s Liver for tomorrows night supper, we will make up Mano’s take-away box also as he is back in work on Tuesday evening.

This week we have no plans or arrangements, so far, but it’s our 42^nd wedding anniversary on Friday so I will have to get my thinking cap on!

So this evening we are having for supper Cold Chicken with a fry-up of the left-over vegetables and potatoes from last night; we will then catch up with the news reports and weather for this week, it sound like we could be in for some of the wet stuff by Thursday – we can’t complain as we have had no rain in over five months! Last nights film was a re-make of the classic John Wayne movie “True Grit” It is written, produced.edited and directed by the ‘Coen Brothers’and stars Jeff Bridges,Mailee Syenfeld,Matt Damon and Josh Brolin – it keeps to the original story but has a different ending – watch it to find out!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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" SNOWDONIA " NORTH WALES OVER THE WEEKEND;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY IN SUNNY MANILVA;

SUNNY AND WARM MANILVA AGAIN ON SUNDAY;

SUNDAY 24^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

This morning we were all up bright & early as we were taking Tim back to the airport in Gibraltar – see the picture above; after tea and toast we shot down the coast road in the warm sunshine with clear blue skies and views to die for across the Mediterranean to Gibraltar and Africa; we have really enjoyed having Tim back here in sunny Manilva and are looking forward to seeing him again next year. Anna was going back to England on the same flight but made her own arrangements to get to the airport; Brenda walked across the border with Tim so as she could get some duty-free Gin and large tin of Chocolates for Xmas!

We then came back along our favorite drive on the coast road back to sunny Manilva; we called into see Mano just as he was finishening work to drop off some packets of cigarettes that Anna had bought in the duty-free when she bumped into Brenda! Mano is joining us for supper later after his sleep before he goes into work later, we are having ‘Roast Chicken’ with savory Herb stuffing and finger licking gravy, Brenda has prepared Broccoli & Cauliflower florets in a three-cheese sauce, sliced Carrot & Baby Turnips, Cabbage with Alselgas.Garden Peas, Baby New Potatoes and Goose Fat Roast Potatoes ! He is bringing Derrick with him as he sating with us while Anna is away on her two week ‘Jolly’!!

At the moment the Grand Prix from Brazil is on and earlier Manchester City beat Tottenham 6-0 so both Mano and Carlos will be ‘Happy Bunnies’ this evening!

Later this evening we will get back into our routine of watching a film.

Thought for the Day; See above.

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" BODEGA LA ESPANOLA " MANILVA LAST EVENING;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM MANILVA;

OVERCAST BUT DRY MANILVA & SABINILLAS ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 23^rd/NOVEMBER 2013.

This morning there are no golfing arrangements so Tim is having a relaxing time about the house here in Manilva; we took in the news and weather and after our tea & toast we had a good chat before I set too in the kitchen to cook our Saturday Morning ‘Brunch’ – Campo Fried Eggs, crispy Smoked Bacon, pan-fried Tomatoes, Mushrooms & Chorizo, griddled English Pork sausages, Sautéed Potatoes and of course Heinz Baked Beans! Mano and Anna at the last moment could not join us due to some unforeseen family commitments so we tucked in any way and soon cleared our plates!

After showering I decided to take Tim down to Sabinillas to watch the Everton v Liverpool ‘Derby’ match, Tim is a very ardent Liverpool supporter, Sorry Big Bri there are still some! Brenda stayed at home and took the dog for a walk and then got herself up to date around the house; We went to Puerto Duquesa Marina and found two good seats in the ‘Heaven’ cocktail bar in front off three large screen TVs! Waiter service !! It was an excellent game with end to end scoring and the final score of 3-3 was a fair result but I know that Big Bri will not agree!

Meanwhile over here later in the ‘La Liga’ Barcelona won 4-0 at home to Granada, Real Madrid won 5-0 at Almeria but the late game of the day was a ‘Helluva’ match as Athetico Madrid won 7-0 at home to local rivals Getafe and went second in ‘La Liga’!

After our early evening ‘Happy Hour’ cocktails with the ‘King’ we walked around to the ‘Bodega La Espanola’ for our ‘Last supper’ with Tim, Gillian our friend joined us as she is due to return to England in just over a week to go to her new house in Torquay; the Bodega is run by Brenda’s dentist Victor, his wife Elizabeth and Josefina the waitress – all from Argentina – it is open on Friday, Saturday and Sunday when he is not working as the Dentist of the village! We had a very memorable evening helped along with good company and fine wine, the meal was excellent and the Bodega is a great asset to the village, our first proper restaurant!

To start we had a bowl of Prawns ‘Piri- Piri’ to share between us, it came in an attractive heated pot and the sauce was rather special as we dipped in with lots of bread - and Prawns! Gillian chose the ‘Herb Crusted Baked Salmon’ with Tartar sauce, a huge portion and very tasty and moist, Brenda had one of her favorites ‘Confit of Duck Leg’ which came with Parisienne and creamed potatoes – it fell of the bone, I had an Argentian Rib of Beef cooked rare on the open BBQ with excellent frits and a pot of hot Pepper sauce! The host appeared with the biggest Pepper Grinder in Manilva and the ‘Costa Del Sol’ ! Tim’s Roasted ‘Shoulder of Local Lamb’ finished over the BBQ was the ‘Star’ of the evening – it was every thing that it should be, crisp skin, very succulent and tasty meat falling off the bone – served with Mint sauce and frits! See the pictures above, more to follow at a later date from Gillian and Josefina!

We chose the House White and Red, both were excellent and very drinkable from a fine selection of local and national wines on offer; no dessert was called for as our host had us drinking some of the Local Dulce Wine Spanish style from a glass ‘Botas’ as you can see! To finish we had some very good and strong ‘Carajillo’s’ on the house with Chocolate Nuts & Mints. Thanks to Victor, Elizabeth and Josefina for a lovely and not expensive evening and the jars of local grapes marinated in Olive Oil and Chilli flakes! – we shall return and are going to recommend the Bodega on ‘Trip-Advisor,Foursquare and Travel Zoo’

PS; The back ground music was also to our taste - 'Creadance Clearwater Rival' !! 

We walked Gillian home and then ended the day with a night-cap back at the house – “ Long Live the King ”

Thought for the Day; See above.

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"CASARES GOLF CLUB " FRIDAY EVENING;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM COOL BUT STILL DRY MANILVA;

STILL NO RAIN IN SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY;

FRIDAY 22^nd/ NOVEMBER 2013.

After an continental breakfast this morning we dropped Tim off at the ‘Casares Golf Club’ as you can see in the picture below; we then came back into Sabinillas for our usual shopping and when we got back to the house we got things on the go for tonight’s supper and tomorrows ‘Brunch’

Mano has just called to pick up the newspapers and a chat; Brenda is pottering about the house doing a spot of cleaning and as you can see I’ am upstairs in the office bringing the Blog up to date and answering some e-mails.

Over the weekend on the sports front it’s the ‘Brazillan Grand Prix’ from Sau Paulo and over in the ‘Premier League’ on Saturday lunchtime it’s the big Derby match Everton v Liverpool at lunchtime so I will get it on the large PC so as the ‘King’ can watch his team ! Manchester City play Tottenham on Sunday; over here in La Liga’ Barcelona with injury problems welcome Granada and Real Madrid are at Almeria.

Last night after supper we watched a very good film with Tim that we all had not seen before “ The Cider House Rules” from 1999 with Michael Caine in a supporting role that he won an ‘Oscar’ for,Tobey Maguire, Charlene Theron and Kate Milligan are also very good in a moving story that you must catch!

This evening after our ‘Fish & Chip’ supper we going up to Casares Golf Club to support John on his ‘Karaoke’ show! More pictures to follow of the ‘Kings’ visit when I receive them from his official photographers i.e. John and Tim himself !!

Over the last couple of evening's we have been watching some excellent documentary's about the assassination of President John F Kennedy in Dallas Texas fifty years ago today on the 22nd November 1963 - where were you when it happened ? I was a Commis-waiter at the 'Thorton Hall Hotel & Country Club' in Thorton Hough on the Wirral ! We also watched other programme's on Jackie Kennedy and John F Kennedy - all very informative.

Thought for the Day; See above.

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MANILVA EARLIER THIS MORNING;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM A CRISP MANILVA;

SUNNY AND CRISP MANILVA ON DAY FOUR OF THE KINGS VISIT;

THURSDAY 21^st/ NOVEMBER 2013.

This morning for breakfast we had Brenda’s famous Poached Campo Eggs on toast to set the ‘King’ up for the rest of his day ahead! I then dropped Tim down at John’s villa were he was meeting up with another of his golf-buddies and coming back to the ‘Duquesa Golf & Country Club’ to shoot some balls on the golf range. Later they are helping John move some of his stuff into his new apartment just past the golf club as he has rented his villa out with a view to buy!

Meanwhile back in the ‘Palace’ we are preparing tonight’s ‘Banquet’- Roast Tarragon Marinated Lamb Cutlets’ resting on a bed of Boulangere Potatoes with Cauliflower & Broccoli florets in a ‘Five’ Cheeses sauce, diamond-cut Green Beans and mixed Baby Carrots & Garden Peas; to start we are having shallow fried bread crumbed Prawns with a savory Marie-Rose dipping sauce and for dessert its either local Fresh Fruit or a choice of light sweet dishes i.e.; Crème Caramel or Jelly with Vanilla Ice Cream! A fine Rioja will be chosen later by his ‘Majesty’ to accompany tonight’s feast!

Earlier this morning I checked the ‘Royal Limousine’ for Oil and Coolant as its getting a bit of the run-around down here on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ Golf’ Mano and Anna have just called in so we have arranged for them to join the ‘Royal Party’ for Saturdays mornings ‘Brunch Extravaganza’ Tomorrow’s arrangements include a round of golf at the ‘Casares Golf Club’ – then later we are having ‘Cruz Campo Beer Battered’ Panga Goujons with Mushy Peas and Square crisp chips before we go back up to the Brasserie later at the Casares Golf Club for an evening of ‘Karaoke?!’ under the direction of John Jones !!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

SUNNY MANILVA & ESTEPONA TODAY;

WEDNESDAY 20^th/ NOVEMBER 2013.

I had to be up bright and breezy this morning to take Tim down to his mate’s villa on the coast as they had an early tee-off time at ‘Estepona Golf Club’ as you can see in the picture below! They are at the moment in Puerto Duquesa having a Tapas lunch – only God knows when the ‘King’ will return!!

Well he called for his 'Chauffeur'later in the afternoon so we went down to the marina and joined him for a drink sat overlooking the harbour as you can see in the picture below; after returning to his 'Residence' we then had a lively evening session!

It gave us a chance to get things sorted and see what we have got to do about the house; we then had our showers and freshened ourselves up, Brenda went for a short walk with dog and as you can see I’ve caught up with the blog!

This evening for our supper we planning to have our famous stacked “ Sexton/Manilva Burgers ”with crisp lettuce,sliced Beef Tomato and Gherkins,sauteed Onions & crispy Smoked Bacon,Cheese covered Mixed meat burgers and then topped with a fried Campo Egg - as when I went to the butchers this morning he was just making them! For supper we had with the Burgers twice-cooked chips and a fine 'Veldepenas' to end the day in style! His 'Majesty' approved!!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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SUNNY MANILVA EARLIER THIS MORNING;

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;