Monday, August 31, 2015

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;






A VERY CLOSE & SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE " VENDIMIA" FESTIVAL;

MONDAY 31st/ AUGUST 2015.








Well its definitively Monday as the workmen arrived early and started knocking inside the building,meanwhile on the outside they have stared to errect the scaffolding on our neighbour's patio and our roof box/chimney so as they can plaster the outside walls! See below,they have started on the main back wall!




                                              And later this afternoon - needs a second coat?!



Then our neighbour opposite our front door has started to intstall a new kitchen, so this morning they have knocked down the old one and dumped all the tiles and rubbish into a trailer outside our front door! Finally, for now, the Council workmen are up in Calle Mar putting up the decorations under the canopies ready for the "Vendemia Festival" at the weekend!! Let the week begin!!

After breakfast I shot around to the butchers for some diced Pork to add into the 'Pork Casserole' that I started yesterday from the rest of the Pork Fillet, for our supper this evening, along with the leftover vegetables & potatoes - I'm also adding some Baby Mushrooms and Diced Red Peppers at the same time.

We had a very enjoyable evening with Josie last night as we put the world to rights; she arrived bearing gifts and presents, Red Wine & Chocolate for the evening and a very nice surprise present for my birthday, my first Birthday card, a always welcome bottle of Bacardi ( with the new label) and a 'Gadjet' for the Chef who has everything - its a  multi-purpose vegetable & fruit cutter as well as a mini- Mandoline slicer with also a juice poorer( no pips) and a Potato Spiral cutter - a bit like a 'Swiss Army Penknife' for the Chef! A very thoughtful present - thanks Josie!! See the picture below;




As I've been typing the Blog,live, on the small PC I tried the large PC and to my surprise its come back online and at the moment everything seems to be working! I will check it later before using it again.Fingers crossed - watch this space.

Yesterday's stage of the " Vuelta d'Espana15" was very exciting as the final climb, which was a very steep & short, it gave Chris Froome the chance to ride a sensational finish and leave all his rivals in his wake,he made up time on them and had now put himself back in contention to win! The Dutch ride,Tom Dumoulin, won the stage and took over the Red Jersey of the race leader,for now!

Three of Froome's nearest rivals are out of the Tour after the crash the day before and when Peter Sagan was knocked off his bike by a 'Tour' Motor Cyclist!!  Today's Stage 10 is from Valencia to Castellon over 146 kms and is described as 'Hilly'!

The weather forecast for the start of the week is showing it a little cooler than normal, for this time of the year, its very close at the moment and the sun is trying to break through, we will find out what the rest of the week is going to be like and especially over the weekend on this evenings news?!

So our 'Happy Hour' will not be up on the roof box/chimney this afternoon as we can't get out because of the scaffolding! Yesterday I found an excellent 'Spanish FM Radio station, by chance, playing English rock/blues music, with a session of Female singers, some that we had not heard before!

After supper this evening its the Final of the 'Spanish' Got Talent show on TVE1.

PS; I'm listening to " CVFM Radio 104.5" from Middlesborough,at the moment, online, as Josie;s son Alex has a mid week evening alternative music show - watch this space!






Thoughts for the Day; See above.


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Sunday, August 30, 2015

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;






A SLIGHTLY COOLER SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY;

SUNDAY 30th/ AUGUST 2015.







This morning we overslept for the first time in a long while, we were going to get up as normal as we had a lot of preparation work in the kitchen ready for tonight's 'State Banquet'! Overnight the heat wave has moved on and the forecast for the next few days is going a little cooler,each day, even cool for this time of the year, just 30 degs! - fingers crossed for next weekends 'Vendimia Festival'!


So after breakfast it was all hands to the deck; Brenda got all her vegetables ready, Broccoli & Cauliflower Flortes in a three Cheese sauce, Crushed Carrots,whole Green Beans & Garden Peas and Boiled Potatoes; I got the Salsa ready for the 'Patatas Bravas' - diced Onions & Red Peppers,Garlic,Pimenton Dulce etc.

Next I made the 'Charcutiere' Sauce using sliced Onions & Gherkins,Vinegar,Red Wine, two sorts of Mustard Paste,Beef stock and the seasoning to taste! I then prepared the ' Fillet of Pork Medalillons' This evening we will plate the starters of' 'Boquerones' in Virgin Olive Oil' & Asparagus Spears and the dessert of local Strawberries. Cocktails are being served at 7-30 pm  when the 'Queen of Skelton' is due to arrive,the wine selection is ready.

At lunchtime we are going up to Bar Castillo' for a well deserved cool drink and then the Paella.

On the sports front yesterday Barcelona won 1-0, Real Madrid won 5-0 , Manchester City won 2-0, Everton drew 0-0 but sadly Liverpool played terribly and lost at home for the first time in 52 years to West Ham 0-3 !!!

Today's Stage 9 of the " Vuelta d'Espana15" is from Torrevieja to Cunbre De Sol over 168 kms with a steep climb to the finish; yesterday there was a serious crash and five riders are out of the race , the winner of the stage had a broken wrist and had to retire and in the crash one rider is in an induced coma with facial injuries and two of the main contenders are also out!



Thoughts for the Day; See above.


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Saturday, August 29, 2015

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;






A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 29th/ AUGUST 2015.








A nice little lie in this morning was called for, the village was quiet and there was no workmen to disturb us,the only sound was the street cleaning machine,which you can't complain about any way! Its going to be another fabulous day with the sun out,the sky blue and just a little breeze to make it rather pleasant,

Last night we had a very nice,relaxing, al fresco Tapas supper up at 'Bar Castillo' as we sat and took in the sights & sounds of sunny Manilva; later Josie came along and joined us with her neighbour, Hugo, who we had not met before,then another neighbour of Josie's, Joe, joined us for a cool drink - nice to meet them both!

This morning Brenda was in charge of the breakfast as we had her famous 'Campo' Poached Eggs on Toast  - the Eggs were dropped off this morning by our next door neighbour, Anna - freshly laid,still warm! Then 'Scruffy' arrived for the day,only, not for a sleep over sadly,as Adrian's shift had changed Brenda is at the moment shampooing her hair as I'm typing the Blog.

So no plans for today, we are just taking things easy and will go for a walk later with 'Scruffy' & 'Chispa'' if she comes calling! 'Scruffy' is as usual under my feet in the office,he's such an adorable character and such good company.

We have just had a call from Jan asking us if we could have 'Charlie' for a 2/3 day sleep over next Friday/Saturday - no problem - this means that in 'Doggy World Heaven' over the 'Vendimia Festival' we will be rather busy as 'Freddie & Bentley' are here on the Saturday & Sunday!

Over in the UK its the 'Bank Holiday'' weekend so in the 'Premiere League' today Liverpool welcome West Ham, Manchester City welcome Watford and Everton travel down the M1 to play Tottenham; over here in 'La Liga' today Barcelona welcome Malaga & Real Madrid are at home to Real Betis. Also in England at Silverstone its the 'British Motor GP' - lets hope the rain keeps away!

Today's Stage 8 of the " Vuelta d' Espana15" goes from Pueblo De Don Fabrique to Murcia is over 188 kms with a downhill finish,yesterday's stage was the last in Andalucia as they climbed across the spectacular high 'Sierra Navada' range of mountains.




See below a spectacular picture taken on Thursday evening of the 'Bay of Colwyn' over in North Wales - it looks more like 'Blackpool Ilumination's'!




This evening after our usual 'Happy Hour' we are having for supper one of my classics from the past 'Steak Diane' but made with our 'Entrecote Steak' - I smear the steaks in Dijon Mustard and then sear them in foaming butter, they are then left to rest, the finely sliced Onions & Mushrooms are added to the pan along with a large spoon of Dijon Mustard,a dash of Worcestershire sauce & Tabasco, a slug of Brenda's Red Wine, then left to reduce, its then time to add a large glass of Brandy and stand back!!

The steaks are then put back in the pan with a large measure of Double Cream and simmered until the sauce thickens, chopped Parsley is the final touch! With it we are having some whole Baby Green Beans and as a treat some of my famous hand-cut ( by Brenda) twice cooked 'Frits' See below;




We will then catch up with all the sports round ups before finding a good film to watch.



Thoughts for the Day; See above.


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Friday, August 28, 2015

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;







A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 28th/ AUGUST 2015.







We were up early this morning as 'Reina' was being dropped off first thing,for the day; we then grabbed a quick breakfast before I shot down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping,the workmen on the site are here in force today and there is a lot of knocking taking place as they start on the internal work! The 'JCB' is going at full pelt also unloading and making as much noise and fumes as possible as it carries all the window & door frames down! Watch this space.

The sun was out early and the sky is blue,it was already hot by the time I set off on my travels, I called into the bank first and then collected the newspapers, next to 'Mercadona' which was back to normal,the main holiday hoards have departed! I shot along the promenade and picked up some fresh flowers before finally stopping at 'Super Sol' for some English essentials.

As I came back up the hill through the vine fields there was a lot of' 'pickers' out as they start early before it gets too hot; after unloading back at the house Brenda is pottering about,she popped out to the local shops for some fresh vegetables and is now catching up with the chores around the house. I'm up in the office,as you can see, typing the Blog 'LIVE' on the small PC as the large PC went 'Wonky Donkey' again yesterday!

The Council is smartening up the village ready for the 'Vendimia Festival' next weekend,as I was going out this morning to collect the car from the underground car park they were trimming the tall Palm Trees in Calle Mar, the man climbs up the very tall ones 'Lumberjack' style with steel band and boots! They have put up more green sun canopies in the 'Plaza de la Vendimia' I bumped in the Mayor,Diego and asked him about the new arrangements for the Festival as the local Bar Owners are not very happy - the message was relax,take it easy and all will be revealed?!

On the menu front we are going out this evening for a late al fresco 'Tapas' supper at Bar Castillo as its the Chef's & staff night off; tomorrow evening we are having our usual 'Entrecote Steak' with all the trimmings, the on Sunday, when Josie us joining us, we are preparing a small 'State Banquet' in her honour, To start we are having 'Bacarones' in Virgin Olive Oil, the main course is 'Medalillons of Pork Fillet' with a selection of vegetables & 'Patatas Bravas  with on the side my famous 'Charcutiere ' sauce - fresh local Strawberries for the desert with Vanilla Ice Cream. All accompanied with a selection of fine wines.




Today's Stage 7 of the " Vuelta d'Espana15" is a mountain stage from Jodar to Lapilleira over 191 kms.

Our 'Happy Hour' is at the moment not taking place up on the roof/box/chimney as its just too hot as the little breeze is not reaching us! We still listen to the local 'Castle Radio FM 89.2'  and we are into our books although its not the same as being upstairs!








Thoughts for the Day; See above.


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Thursday, August 27, 2015

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;






A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 27th/ AUGUST 2015.







We just got up on our own time this morning, the workmen arrived early as usual and then the gas bottle delivery man followed by the site lorry unloading the scaffolding/boards to do the outside plastering of the walls followed by the painting in White?! Fingers crossed"

The sun is out and by lunchtime it will be officially hot, we have more of the same over the weekend as the latest heat wave from across Africa takes effect; after our breakfast we planned our weekend and also next weeks agenda.




Josie is joining us for her 'last supper' on Sunday evening as she flies to Ireland early on Wednesday morning to see her daughter and grandchildren, I'm dropping here at the bus station in Marbella,before she finally heads back 'up north' to Skelton into the arms of Den a week later! ( hope he has enough Fish paste to keep him going!)


                                 NEWSFLASH; BACK ONLINE ON THE SKYPE VIDEO!


Josie has just called in and has helped me get the 'Skype' video back online; my new username is -malcolm.sexton70 - so please make contact with your Skype usernames ASAP to help me get back in touch with all our family & friends around the world!! Watch out for a call from us !!

Ar the same time just a little reminder to everybody to keep the postcards coming as you are out and about on holiday, visiting interesting places etc. I'm just about to to start the third pin board in the office; you also receive back a postcard from sunny Manilva down on the Costa Del Sol!




'Reina' is with us tomorrow morning and then next week on Tuesday & Thursday as well as possibly over the 'Vendimia Festival' weekend of the 5/6th September when Freddie & Bentley are here for a two day sleep over, 'Scruffy' is coming this Saturday for a sleep over,not forgetting 'Chispa' who of course is in and out all dat,everyday!

There is still no sign of my will documents arriving in the post,Brenda's arrived two weeks ago, so I rang this morning to get them to send another set ASAP to get all the paperwork sorted for both of us to finalize the change od power of executor to the new company, Watch this space

Today's Stage 6 of the " Vuelta d'Espana15".starts in Cordoba and goes over 200 kms to Sierra de Cazorla.

This evening we are having for our supper grilled ' Chicken Wings' with a Mixed salad and a Baked Potato before settling down to watch the news, sport, and weather updates.



Thoughts for the Day; See above.


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