A BEAUTIFUL DAY HERE IN SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 17^th/ DECEMBER 2014.

A little lie in was called for this morning as it’s our last chance for a while with all our commitments in ‘Doggy World Heaven’ over the next couple of weeks, the gas bottle delivery man got us up! The sky is blue and it’s a lot milder today and as the week goes on it’s getting a little warmer with all the sunshine - 19dgs+!

So after our usual breakfast of Weetibix, fresh fruit, toast and tea I got my ‘Miss-en-Place’ on the go with Brenda’s help, for tonight’s “Beef & Vegetable Stew with Dumplings” I’ve made a large pan and have just taken some into another pan and added some diced cooked potatoes to make it into a proper ‘Scouse; for another day; I will make the Dumplings this evening and add then to the stew to cook, Brenda is getting ready some Cabbage with fresh Alselgas from our neighbors ‘Campo’ to go with the stew along with some sliced cooked Beetroot.

I’ve used my mother’s recipe of using anything you’ve got – diced Onions,Carrots,Turnips, Celery, Leek, Green Beans,Lentills,Mushrooms and Garlic, all sweated off and then I add a dash of Lea & Perrins,Tabasco sauce, Curry powder and Tomato Ketchup! A good strong Beef & Vegetable stock is called for as I add the cubed Beef that has been tossed in seasoned flour and browned – a touch of Gravy Browning with lots of salt & pepper and mixed herbs helps to finish off the stew s it cooks under the supervision of the Vegetable chef (Brenda!) See the picture below;

At lunchtime ‘Scruffy’ is due to arrive for a sleep over and is going home tomorrow evening, ‘Reina’ is with us on Thursday also; no doubt ‘Chispa’ will be calling in to see them and play around my feet as I’m typing the Blog!

The Christmas cards have started to arrive everyday from all the family and friends including one from our dear friends and old customers in France Terry & Alma, thanks for the Post card included of ‘Le Mont Saint Michel’ It brought back the memories of nine years ago when we set off on our travels in the ‘Winnebago’ and visited the ‘Mont’ – we went across the causeway on our scooter and parked the ‘Winnebago’ in a motor home park in the village at the entrance, on the Sunday we had the local ‘Salt March Lamb’ in one of the local restaurants! Happy Days!! See the pin-board of the post cards below.

Last night we had a phone call from our very dear friend Joyce who has just arrived, from Chester, at her house in ‘Alhaurin el Grande’ for Xmas – she’s here until the start of January so we will no doubt be visiting one another to partake in some festive food & drink as well as the Christmas spirit!

So this evening after our supper, which the aromas are coming up the stairs to the office as I’m typing the Blog, we will find something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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