THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

A OVERCAST & MILD SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 31/st OCTOBER 2015.

We managed another short lie in this morning as the village is quiet for the holiday weekend; we first had breakfast “ Sausage Butties” made with English Pork Sausage’s,HP Brown Sauce & warm buttered toast along with a mug of steaming tea!

It’s over cast and grey this morning at the start of what looks like a wet weekend into the start of next week as the Atlantic front hits us! It’s still mild with the temperature still in the mid 20s even though its a little cooler during the night.

I then started on the preparation of tonight’s supper “ Beef Wellington” I first made the ‘Mushroom Duxelles’ with chopped Baby Mushrooms, Onions & Shallots along with Tarragon & Parsley which I blended in my new small hand blender, then I dry the puree slowly until it forms a proper paste; next I seared the Fillet Steaks in foaming Butter to seal in the juices, left them to go cold and then smeared English Mustard over them! This evening I will wrap them in the paste with Smoked Bacon before creating a Puff Pastry blanket around them.Its then time for them to go in the oven! We are having whole Baby Green Beans & twice-cooked ‘Frits’ – they are served on a pool of Red Wine Demi-Glaze. See below;

This afternoon/ early evening we will be watching the final of the ‘Rugby Union World Cup’ from Twickenham when New Zealand clash with Australia, meanwhile over in England in the ‘Premiere League’ Liverpool travel down the M1 to Chelsea,if they win it could be the end for ‘Mourinho! Manchester City are at home to Norwich and tomorrow Everton welcome Sunderland, over here in ‘La Liga’ Real Madrid are at home to Las Palmas and Barcelona travel to Getafe outside Madrid. 

The ‘Grand Prix of Mexico’ is taking place for the first time in 23 years at the “ Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez” which has been improved with a new circuit including a large spectacular grandstand arena which the track goes in and out of!!

Last night after supper we had our now usual Friday night English TV extravaganza as we watched ‘Great Continental Train Journeys’ in Italy from Pisa via Florence to Lake Garda, then ‘QI’ before coming back to BBC TV 1 for the ‘Graham Norton Show’ with amongst others the excellent Dame Maggie Smith who was in fine form for her first appearance on a chat show for over 40 years!?  We finished by watching ‘Later with Jools Holland’

PS; Andy has just called and set up on the new system the site for booking the 'ITV - MOT ' - so its Wednesday 18/th November at 11-18 am!  Fingers crossed and watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

ANOTHER GLORIOUS DAY HERE IN SUNNY MANILVA AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 30/ th OCTOBER 2015.

No real lie in this morning as the workmen on the site made lot of noise unloading a large delivery from their lorry; then the usual Friday morning  deliveries arrived dragged down the street on pallets! ‘Scruffy’ arrived for the day just as we finished breakfast.

The sun is out and the sky is blue so we have another fine day here in sunny Manilva, sadly it will not last as the Atlantic front is coming in tomorrow and the weekend is looking colder and damp, to say the least! It still reaches 24/25 degs today but the overnight temperature’s have dropped to just 11/12 degs,time to get the next level of duvet out on the bed, especially as this year we have no ‘Winter Fuel Allowance’ thanks to Mr Ian Duncan Smith!!

Brenda has just been down to the local market by the sports ground only to find no flower stall there? This weekend is a special Bank Holiday when all the family’s go to the cemetery’s and grave yards and decorate  them with huge fresh flower displays, at great expense as the flowers all cost 2/3 times as much! She picked up some flowers outside the fish market in the village at a stall which shows up at this time of the year, but did not pay for anything expensive!

I stayed in with ‘Scruffy’ as Andy was due to come around and help me arrange a appointment for this years ‘ITV –MOT’ on line but something cropped up so he’s coming tomorrow morning. Fingers crossed that the very old ‘Ford Fiesta’ makes in through! Watch this space.

Before typing and posting the Blog I sorted out this evenings supper “ Goujons of Hake Fillet’ using local breadcrumbs from the bakery; we are having Mushy Peas and diced ‘Frits I made the Tartar Sauce at the same time. See below;

At lunchtime we went for a walk with 'Scruffy' and bumped into a couple that we met last year at a wine tasting in the Manilva Wine Centre; 'Art & Jackie now live down here after retiring and are into their wines, we had a good chat and exchanged local details - its their wedding anniversary this weekend and they are off to Portugal  - enjoy and thanks for the drinks! 

The council have on show at the top of our street their new 'Dust Cart' - ie ' En-Vironiment Cleasning Lorry'!  Very impressive and posh!! See below;

Tomorrow night on the menu is an old classic “ Beef Wellington’ for the first time here in sunny Manilva! I’m using Spanish Fillet steaks not a whole fillet so its going to be more like parcels! They will be wrapped in a ‘Mushroom Duxelles’ with Smoked Bacon after searing the steaks, then individually wrapped in Puff Pastry; we are having finely sliced Green Beans and twice-cooked ‘Frits’ I will serve the Beef Wellington on a pool of Red Wine Glaze.

This evening after our fish supper we will settle down to watch what is now our regular Friday evening English TV extravaganza on BBC 1 & BBC 2!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.



Just around the corner;

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 29/th OCTOBER 2015.

We were up early this morning as ‘Reina’ was due and then we were shooting off to the surgery to make an appointment for our ‘Gripe’( Flu ) jabs – next Thursday at 2-00 pm. 

We then carried on down to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping, I called into the bank first and we stopped at the ‘Feriaterias’ for some light bulbs,then the English Bookshop for the newspapers; our main shop was in ‘ Mercadona’ before calling into the English Butchers in Duquesa Marina,on the way back up the hill we called into ‘Super Sol’ for some English essentials.

It’s a beautiful day here in sunny Manilva with clear blue skies,the sun was out early and its crisp and fresh with no breeze,perfect, our favourite time of the year; at lunchtime we are going along to ‘Bar Castillo’ for a ‘Al Fresco’ Tapas lunch sat in the shade. We bumped into Mano outside Bar Castillo and had a good catch up,then later Anna & Debbie came along so we had another good gossip,on the way back we stopped at Bar Rojas for a late one sat in the very hot sunshine!

There is now an Atlantic cold front heading our way which could reach here by Sunday and effect our current fine weather! Watch this space.

Last night after our ‘Scouse’ supper we settled down and watched for the first time in many years ‘Channel 4’ The first programme was “ Restoring Britain’s Landmarks’ about the ‘Landmark Trust’ – this episode was about the island of Lundy in the Bristol Channel and a place called Fox Hall – both fascinating and interesting. Then it was time for one of our old favourites “ Grand Designs” with Kevin McCloud,this weeks episode was about Britain’ s first amphibious house situated on the Thames!

Finally it was “ Multi-Pound Properties” about the very rich buying/selling house/ apartments; one couple were the founders of ‘Poundland’ from Burton on Trent who liked gadget’s and glitz! Then a retired Scottish car salesman and his family with two daughters called ‘Porche & Mercedes’!! Honest !!

This evening for our supper I’m having the rest of the ‘Scouse’ and I’m making a Cheese Omelet for Brenda; we will then find something to watch after channel hopping here and in England!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 28/th OCTOBER 2015.

We had a nice long lie in this morning as it was quiet to start in the village, no deliveries and the workmen on the site were working at the far end inside; we then had our usual breakfast before sorting out the day ahead, Brenda has put the washing on as its a good drying day and I made a large pan of my famous ‘ Lob Scouse’ for tonight’s supper.

The sun is out and the blue sky is back, there is no breeze and by lunchtime it will be warm, back to normal, the rest of the week is even getting better and over the weekend we have more of the same.It should reach 23/24 degs during the day and at nights its still 16/17 degs!

My ‘Scouse’ is made to my dear mother’s old recipe: Diced Onions, Carrots, Celery,Turnips, Leek, all sweated off with a good dash of ‘Lea & Perrins and Heinz Tomato Ketchup’! The diced stewing Beef is dusted in seasoned flour and browned off before adding it to the pan, then a strong Beef & Vegetable stock is added along with the cubed Potatoes, lots of seasoning and left on a low light under the Second Chef’s ( Brenda ) supervision! Then this evening I will check the consistency and if necessary add some more cooked cubed Potatoes; with it we are having the traditional Red Beetroot and Cabbage! See below; Not mine just a 'Taster'!!

As ‘Scruffy’ is with us on Friday we are going down to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping tomorrow morning, on the way we are calling at the surgery to arrange an appointment for our yearly ‘Gripe’ ( Flu )  jabs/injections.

Here in Spain the government has just called a General Election for the middle of December; we don’t have a vote but are still interested in the outcome as this time the usual two party system is now, with the launch of two more anti-austerity/ anti-monarchy parties, at the last local and regional election made it more interesting! Watch this space.

Next week its the start of our monthly Pension’s cycle, at the moment the ‘Euro’ is creeping back up slowly but we will still be down over 100 ‘Euros’ on the month! I’m blaming the ‘Chinese’ still!!

This evening after our supper we will settle down to find something to watch on our new multi system.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM A WET SUNNY MANILVA;

A STILL WET SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY:

TUESDAY 27/th OCTOBER 2015.

Just a little lie in this morning as ‘Reina’ was being dropped off for the day, she’s back on Thursday and possible Friday, ‘Scruffy’ is back with us on Friday for the day also.

After breakfast I shot out in between the heavy showers, I called into the Chemists in Calla Mar for my prescriptions tablets first, then I topped up my Mobile at the ‘Tabacs’ before picking up some cash from the machine at the local bank; it was then time to go down to the butchers for some diced Braising Steak for tomorrow’s ‘Scouse’

So the rain is in for the day but then tomorrow its all change as a warm front comes in from Africa,the rest of the week and over the weekend is looking a lot better with clear skies and the sun out, the temperature’s  are also rising to 23/24 degs! See the picture below of the village;

Just a little reminder about ‘Postcards’ – the third in board is starting to fill up,we have had new postcards from Terry & Alma on holiday in France from their home outside Caen, one from Jack & Lyn on one of their caravan trips in Australia and one from Brenda’s sisters,Norah & Jenny on holiday in Cyprus! Keep them coming when you are out and about,on holiday or just because!  PS; You then get one back from sunny Manilva!!

Today is an at home day catching up with the chores, I’m up in the office on the WWW catching up with the E-Mails,Facebook messages,reading the newspapers and watching the news; I’m also listening to ‘Castle Radio FM 89.2’ on the second screen as I’m typing and posting the Blog. Yesterday I sent my suggestions/format  in for my radio show on a Sunday lunchtime – watch this space.

Tonight we are having for our supper ‘Entrecote Minute Steak’ I trim the steaks ‘French style’ then Brenda flattens then with a rolling pin and I cook then on a very hot griddle plate for 30 seconds on each side ‘ a la minute’! We are having twice-cooked ‘Frits’ and a little salad on the side. 

We will then settle down and channel hop to find something to watch later.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM A OVERCAST SUNNY MANILVA;

A OVERCAST & DAMP SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 26/th OCTOBER 2015.

We were up early this morning as I had a appointment with our Doctor at the surgery for the results of the X-Ray,the good news is that I’m all clear, the bad news is that we are loosing our Doctor again, she is very nice and speaks some English,so hopefully we will have some continuity with the next one and not be shopped around with relief doctors?!

Meanwhile Brenda walked both the dogs, one at a time, so when I got back from the surgery we had our usual breakfast and sorted out the week ahead; ‘Reina’ is with us as usual on Tuesday & Thursday and possible Saturday,’Chispa’ has been in and out all weekend and no doubt will be calling in all this week.

‘Barny & Maisie’ have been collected this morning and are coming back with us for ten days from the 20^th December,over Xmas, ‘Charlie’ is also here for two weeks over the Xmas & New Year; finally ‘Reina’ is with us for six days over the New Year!! ‘Doggy World Heaven’ is open for business at any time – somebody said the other day that we are like ‘Foster Parents’ which sound just about right!!

No other appointments this week so we will be going down to Sabinillas on Friday morning for our weekly shopping; on the menu front we are having flattened ‘Chicken Fillets’ that Brenda takes off the breast’s. I will dry grill them and then sprinkle a dash of Balsalmic Vineager on them, we are having some Baby New Potatoes in their skins & Green Beans; tomorrow night its ‘Entrecote Minute Steak’ with Frits and then on Wednesday I’m making a large pan of my special and famous “ Scouse”!!

At the moment its wet and overcast with the threat of more rain to come later today and tomorrow, then on Wednesday it starting to get back to normal for the time of year, clear and sunny!

Yesterday we went out to Bar Castillo for our ‘Paella’ lunch,which I had, we had two large Gambas to start, Brenda had a small 'Pincho de Gambas - a skewer of baby Prawns - then our favourite ‘Spanish’ style mini deep fried Prawn parcels made with Filo Pastry!

When we got back we then watched the second semi final of the ‘Rugby Union World Cup’ from Twickenham as the Australians just beat Argentina! Next it was the ‘Grand Prix’ from Austin in Texas; for a change it was very exciting with lots of overtaking on the wide multi cornered circuit, with pit stops for tyre changes and the leadership changing, in the end Lewis Hamilton over took his team mate Nico Rosberg with ten laps to go and won his third World Championship with three races to go!The German driver was not a good looser and acted like a naughty child!!  In the football Liverpool could only manage at 1-1 draw at home and the ‘Derby’ game in Manchester ended goal less, over here Barcelona won 3-1.

So this week we will be able to get back to our reading and settle down for our ‘Happy Hour’ Yesterday lunchtime before we went out we were listening to ‘Castle Radio FM 89.2’ – it’s been off line for few days with more computer problems so the owner/presenter, Andrew Charles,  launched a new two hour lunchtime session programme. 

The idea if for guest/ permanent presenters to take it over, so I E-Mailed in a request and at the same time put my self forward,he played our request and gave me a long introduction – fingers crossed and watch this space!!Later I’m starting to put together my Radio playlist for the show!!

Finally we watched “ Downton Abbey” on ITV before coming back to Spanish TV and caught a good film late on.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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