A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY " VIVA SANTA ANA "

SATURDAY 26^th/JULY 2014.

Well I was up early again this morning as the ‘Fireworks’ announced the start of the “ Santa Ana” Festival – then the traditional ‘Chi Chi Pom Band’ came past our house in fine form to start the day off in the right fashion! See the pictures above.

Last night’s “Brass Band Concert” was by far the best ever, the sound was terrific, the band played like it never has before and the village went wild! It was in two halfs, the first was conducted by ‘Fernando Antinolo’ the leader of the Band and the School of Music; then the second half’s programme was conducted by the guest conductor from Holland ‘ Cathy Kotoun’

In the band from the start there were four guest musicians from Holland, two saxophone player’s, one very young and the star the of the concert ‘Luna Pekaar’ one young trumpet player and a fine lady on the Clarinet - they helped to bring out the best in our young band as they all combined to give the concert of a lifetime!! The stand out pieces that they played were ‘Mambo 5’ and ‘Abba Gold’

Fernando was stood by me for the second half and was a very proud man as his band rose to the occasion, his young son is the drummer, we danced to the rhythm of ‘Mambo 5’and when the ‘Abba Gold’ selection started we sang along in full voice to “ Fernando!!’ – ‘Fernando’ singing ‘Fernando’ – you can’t beat that !! A memorable night in sunny Manilva.

See the picture below with the help of Den ( in his Black & White period!) Josie with her ‘IPhone’Antonia the Mayor and councilor Diego – oh and yes me!( watch out for my new Nikon next month!)

On the sports front this weekend( sorry Josie!) it’s the  “Hungarian Grand Prix” and of course it’s the penultimate stage 20 of the ‘Tour De France’ which is an ‘Individual Time Trial’ from ‘Bergerac to Perigueux’ over a rather hilly and long 54kms in the ‘Dordogne’ region! A little interesting fact, our dear friends Tim & Thea are going on holiday next week to Bergerac !! Now not a lot of people know that – they do now!!

Back here in sunny Manilva we are in for a very hot and sticky weekend , the forecast for next week is more of the same; so this evening we will walk up to Calle Mar to see the procession of the ‘Tableau of Santa Ana’ led by the village Brass Band coming up from the church of ‘Santa Ana’ after the religious ceremony – watch out for the pictures later as my roaming news photographers go about their job!

We are then coming back to the house for our ‘Saturday Night Steak’ – this evening it’s ‘Entrecote’ with sautéed Mushrooms and twice cooked Frits, on the side finely sliced Green Beans and Béarnaise sauce, Brenda’s with fried Garlic buds and mine topped with a Campo Fried Egg which have just been delivered fresh from the hens in the valley below!

Its then back out for a little dancing and drinking into the wee small hours with a live band on the stage – somebody has to do it, so it may as well be us!

‘Scruffy’ is enjoying himself and taking in all the happenings, he’s very good when he’s is out and is a joy to have around,he is eating well and sleeping in his deluxe bed! Meanwhile ' Chispa' comes calling in all the time and plays with both the other dogs !!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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