A STILL VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA, AT THE MOMENT, ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 16^th / MARCH 2020.   “ STATE OF ALARM – DAY 1 “

We had a nice long lie in this morning as the village is even quieter than normal due to the start of the ‘ Lock Down ‘ here in sunny Manilva and all over Spain! After freshening up we had a quick toast & tea before getting this evenings supper ready.

In ‘ Doggy World Heaven ‘ yesterday afternoon ‘ Lolo’ was picked up two days earlier as Mata & Juan had returned early from their holiday, tomorrow little ‘ Miss Bella ‘ is now not with us, so for now until the restrictions are lifted we have no guests with us!  

Today has started dry & settled, as the breeze has dropped, the sun has managed to break through but we still have some clouds hanging around, by lunchtime it’s still forecast to reach 18/19 degs+ - overnight down to 11/12 degs, at the moment warm & sunny,  later today we could have some of the ‘ Wet-Stuff’ as the new very wet, windy & cold ‘ Atlantic’ front hits us, from Monday and all of next week we are in for rain storms, thunder & lightening and ‘ gale-force’ winds by mid week, putting the ‘ Costa Del Sol’ on ‘ Yellow Alert’ – the overall temperatures hovering in the mid ‘ Teens’ – and over next weekend, watch this space.

After breakfast we got this evening supper on the go, I first marinated the ‘ Spanish Lamb Steaks & Cutlets ‘ in Sea Salt, Black Pepper, Rosemary & Olive Oil, ready to be ‘ flash-grilled ‘ on a very hot griddle-plate this evening, I then prepared a large dish of my famous ‘ Boulangere’ Potatoes, to go in a very hot oven this evening, which as they ‘ crisp-off’ I will place the ‘Lamb’ on top to finish cooking.

Meanwhile the ‘ Second Chef’ was preparing a selection of Vegetables, Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets in a three ‘ Cheese’ sauce,  glazed Baby Carrot Batons with Ginger, Creamed Baby Leeks & Garden Peas as well as a dish of her famous ‘ Mashed Potato’!

“ CORONAVIRUS UPDATE “

So from today the ‘ Spanish Government’ has declared a ‘ State of Alarm’ across the whole of the country, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, who’s wife has the Coronavirus, in a very moving declaration, after the closure of  all the schools, bars & restaurants  etc, announced that we are now in 15 day+ ‘ Lock Down’ – we are only allowed on the streets and to travel, for the purchase of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals & essential items, to attend health centers etc, by car if necessary, the ‘Supermarkets’ will remain open as well as ‘Chemists’ and essential businesses, the ‘Police & Guardia Civil’ are out on the streets in force, soon to be joined by the Army, to enforce the new by-laws,  at the moment our ‘ Council’ are disinfecting all the pavements & roads! Watch this space.

We had overnight a very supportive message form Sandra & Bill, over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, updating us on their situation, as well as Sandra’s advice ( 35 years in nursing!) to boost our immune systems ( Vitamin C ) – over in Canada, the wife of the Prime Minister,  Justin Trudeau, has also contacted the Coronavirus! They are stocked up and staying close to home –  “Take Care “ !! 

We have also been ‘ Adopted ‘ by Leah, we feel like her ‘ Grand Parents’ -  as she sent us a very nice message offering her services & help, if we need anything, she will pick things up and leave the bags outside our front door, telling us to stay inside and safe! It’s so very kind and thoughtful of her, as she has to still work in Gibraltar, look after her son, Deemy & little ‘ Miss Bella’- as well as her keeping her own life on track, at this very difficult time!  “ THANKS “

We are also concerned and thinking about Lyn & all the family over in Australia as well as Norah & Jenny back in the UK. “ STAY SAFE & WELL “

So we are now going to settle down to our life in sunny Manilva under the new laws, for how long we don’t know ?! Watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.  

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