CRISP AND SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 29^th/ JANUARY 2014.

This morning we were up bright and early and after our tea and toast we set off to the hospital past Marbella for my appointment with my Prostrate Consultant; as we walked in right on time his first words were ‘it’s not good news I’ am afraid!’ – it turns out that my “PSA” reading is just over the line again so this means that I will have to go in for a Biopsy !! It’s not a very nice procedure as they use something like a conductor’s baton, a Lazar gun to take pictures and at the same time take the Biopsy samples!! Let’s just say that the sun does not shine there!!

On the way back we called into ‘Habitat’ in Marbella for some night lights and then stopped at ‘Super Sol’ down in Sabinillas for our English shopping, HP Sauce, Heinz Tomato Ketchup, Sarsons Malt Vinegar,etc. I then got tonight’s supper on the go; my version of the old classic “ Beef Bourguigonne ” I first brown off the seasoned Beef cubes, then I sweat off the diced Onions.Garlic,Celery,Leeks,Parsnips and Carrots, add my secret ingredients and a large slug of Red wine( Thanks Brenda!)

I then browned off the Smoked Bacon Lardon’s and whole Shallots before adding them to the pan with the Baby Button Mushrooms, some Mixed Herbs, seasoning and a good dash of Tomato Frito goes in next before adding a rich Beef & Vegetable stock. Later after its nearly finished cooking I will adjust the consistency and colour and it will go into a casserole dish to finish cooking in the oven this evening with a large dish of Brenda’s famous ‘Mashed Potato’ at the same time! Baby Brussels Sprouts and Garden Peas ‘A la Flamande’ will go very nicely with casserole.

Last night just after supper I went upstairs to the office to go online and watch the Derby Match between Liverpool and Everton when the Skype alarm went off, it was Tim calling from Old Colwyn with a news update about what has been happening to him and all the family and what’s also going to happen! Next month on the 18^th February Tim & Thea with their two friends Wes & Judith are off on their trip of a lifetime to Australia – its going to be one ‘Helluva’ adventure!

PS; Liverpool beat Everton 4-0 and one of the commentators said “ The Everton defense was ‘Melting away like Snowmen!” – Sorry Big Bri over in Pori in Finland (-17degs!)  who was watching the match with his mates – oh dear !!    

Over the last week I have been E-Mailing an old friend from back in the good old days of North Wales and the Hotel 70* Just after Xmas we had a long newsy E-Mail from our dear friend Joyce who had not been over to her house behind Malaga last year, in it she told us that he ex-husband John was now following the Blog and would love to hear from us – so last week I made contact and we re-newed our friendship, his E-mail’s are typically John as we knew him and we are now up to date with all his news over in the Wirral where he lives with his wife and son; John was always a lot of fun to be with and a great lover of Wine ,Food and the good things in life! Still is !!

Joyce, who lived in the same street as me as a child of five! -  and John when they were married spent a lot of year’s over here in Spain and lived in Gibraltar and all places North up to Andorra! John is now also into cooking food in his later years – just like somebody I know so he is enjoying reading the Blog! Great talking to you John and we are looking forward to our future chats and news !!

Finally in the last couple of days the best film that we watched was “ Das Boot” – The Submarine from 1981- the story of the fictional U-96 in an epic war time thriller showing the life under the sea, the Captain is played by Jurgen Prochnow – you need to watch it right up to end ! As it happens this takes place in La Rochelle on Xmas Eve and shows the submarine as it reaches its home port and the safety of the U- boat ‘Pens’ Five year’s ago we visited La Rochelle with two friends when we where broken down in the Winnebago above the town and happed to go down to the docks to go to local café and actually saw the U-boat pens which are still standing to this day! See the picture above, I can’t find my pictures at this moment so I’ve taken this from Google !

Thought for the Day; See above.

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