A VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY.

SATURDAY 2^nd/ MAY 2020.   “ STATE OF ALARM – DAY 49 “ 

After freshening up, as Brenda was on the breakfast rota, as usual, on a Saturday morning, I had her perfect ‘ Campo Poached Eggs on Toast’ – Scrambled for herself, with mugs of strong/hot tea to set us up for our first day, in LOCKDOWN’ when we have been able to go for a walk together!

We have a beautiful, glorious day here in a very sunny Manilva, the sun was out first thing and the sky is bright blue and cloudless, there is no breeze, so by lunchtime it’s going to reach 28 degs+ - at the moment it’s very hot, on the sunny side of the street, with not a breath of fresh air! Last night it only dropped to 15 degs+ - so it’s nearly time for the light duvet, tomorrow we are in for more of the same, next week it’s going warmer, hovering in the high 20s, with lots of sunshine, with a few clouds at times, by next weekend, as the breeze picks up, we still could have some of the ‘ Wet-Stuff’ – the following week is now looking more settled, watch this space.

“ CORANAVIRUS UPDATE – COVID 19 PANDEMIC “

So this morning, after breakfast we went for our first walk together, under the new ‘Phase 0 ‘ - as the severe confinement restrictions were partially lifted, for us (70+ pensioners !) between 10-00 am to 12-00 noon and again this evening between 7-00 pm to 8-00 pm, but only 1 hour each day!  

See below the new times/rules, which as you can see make sense when set out in line/time-slots!  

Brenda called into the Chemists in ‘Calle Mar’for some of our regular prescription tablets and I stopped at the local Bank for some cash, we saw lots of our local friends/neighbours out taking advantage, at the same time.

See below a picture taken this morning, up in Barcelona, along the promenade, as the ‘ Locals’ took advantage of the new freedom!

The ‘ Policia Local, Policia National ( helicopter) & Guardia Civil ( helicopter) as well as the ‘Spanish Foreign Legion’ soldiers, are out in force today, down here on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ checking/enforcing the rules!! Sadly no pictures, as it’s illegal to take photos of any of them!

I have just made contact with our old friends Tim & Thea, up in magical Mojacar, and have arranged a ‘ Skype’ video link up with them this afternoon, tomorrow we will be calling ‘Jenny’ as usual and then later tomorrow evening ( 6-00 pm here) we have also arranged a ‘Skype’ video call with Sandra & Bill, over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, for a nice catch-up with all their news, as well as wishing Bill  ‘Happy Birthday’ for Monday!

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Grilled Spanish Steaks’ – cooked ‘ Med-Rare’ on a very hot griddle-plate – then left to rest- before slicing into fingers ‘ French’ style, accompanied with seared/sliced Baby Mushrooms and shallow-fried ‘ Tempura Cruzcampo Beer Battered’ Onion Rings!

Served with whole Baby ‘French’ Green Beans and triple-cooked ‘ Frits’ Tomorrow evening it’s going to be ‘Pan-Seared Medallions of Pork Fillet’ with a rich/creamy ‘ Green Peppercorn’ salsa and my classic ‘ Pommes de Terre Rissolees’

              “ STAY SAFE & WELL INSIDE AT ALL TIMES – STILL RULES “

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY BEAUTIFUL & WARM SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 5^th/ APRIL 2020.  “ STATE OF ALARM DAY 22 “ 

After freshening up we had our regular toast and tea before getting into the 4^th week of ‘LOCKDOWN’ down here on the ‘ Costa Del Sol’ in sunny Manilva.

Yesterday stayed dry & sunny with a light breeze, overnight the breeze has dropped and this morning it’s started bright & sunny with a clear blue sky, so by lunchtime it’s due to reach 18/19 degs+ - overnight down to 13 degs+ - next week is now looking more settled, with sunshine all week, until next Sunday ( Easter) – as the wind picks up again and the ‘ Wet-Stuff’ is forecast to return, the overall temperatures will be hovering in the mid/high ‘ teens’ with patchy clouds at times, with the breeze stiffing as the week goes on, watch this space.

“ CORONAVIRUS UPDATE COVID 19 PANDEMIC “ 

After breakfast we spoke to Leah on the ‘ Facebook ‘ video chat and had a nice catch-up with all her news, she & Deemy, her son, are both fine and we ‘ spoke’ to little ‘ Miss Bella’ who was having her toast with her mum! ‘Leah’ is going out shopping on Tuesday lunchtime so she is going to do ours as well, at the same time, ‘ Thanks’

I then masked/gloved up and shot along to our local Bank in a deserted ‘Calle Mar’ for some cash from the machine, when I returned I then dropped the rubbish off down at the bins at the very bottom of our street ( my regular chore!)

See below a very old picture of ‘ Calle San Vicente ‘!

We now have the Army, actually the ‘Spanish Foreign Legion’ - based in Ronda,  in the village assisting the ‘ Policia Local’ with their street patrols etc, I can’t show any pictures of them as it’s illegal in Spain to take pictures of any of the Police/Armed forces!


NB; It's actually just been reported in the local newspaper - online in the 'La Voz  Del Resident' - that there are now five soldiers based in the village, as you can see below, down on the roundabout in Sabinillas and here in the village, at the top of our street outside ' Bar Rojas '! 

And now in Estepona also!

It’s now official that we are in ‘ LOCKDOWN’ until at least the 26^th April after the ‘Prime Minister ‘ Pedro Sanchez  announced the extended ‘State of Alarm’ - live on TV.

See below;

For our supper this evening we are having ‘ Pan-Seared Medallions of Pork Fillet ‘ – cooked on a very hot griddle-plate and garnished with seared Button Mushrooms, accompanied with a rich & creamy ‘ Green Peppercorn’ salsa, served with Glazed Baby Carrot Batons, Whole Baby ‘ French’ Green Beans, Cauliflower Florets in a three-Cheese sauce and for a change, the modern ‘ Swedish- Style’ classic ‘ Hassleback’  Potatoes, I have selected the right size of potato, which I will wash & dry and then slice (thin) - not-all-the-way through, balanced on a large spoon, they are Baked/Roasted in a very hot oven, sadly not in ‘ Goose Fat’ as usual as I have run out of it! I will use a Vegetable Oil instead!  

See below;

And mine!!

And Brenda's vegetables!!

Meanwhile over in ‘ Casa Everett ‘ in Ontario, Canada, Sandra & Bill had for their supper last night “ Duck Confit’ as you can see below. 

                                                       “ STAY SAFE AND SOUND INSIDE AT ALL TIMES “

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A COOLER BUT STILL SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 20^th/ APRIL 2017.

I was up first this morning, ‘ Reina’ was dropped off by Daniela earlier than normal, she shot into her duvet as usual, we then slowly sorted ourselves out, Brenda grabbed a quick shower, I’m showering later, for our breakfast we had ‘ Crispy Smoked Bacon Butties ‘ with mugs of steaming tea. We then put together the shopping list for tomorrow morning as I’m out on my travels down in Sabinillas.

I then made this evenings supper “ Sausage Casserole’ – I grilled some ‘ English & Irish Pork Sausages ‘ on the hot griddle plate, at the same time some rashers of Smoked Bacon, I made a rich Onion, Shallot & Mushroom Gravy, I then put the sausages and gravy in the baking dish, topped it with the crispy bacon, ready to go in the oven this evening.

Meanwhile the ' Vegetable Chef' has prepared her famous Mashed Potato, Cabbage with Acelgas and Glazed Carrot Batons. See below.

Overnight, as forecast, the wind got up, this morning it’s a little cloudy & overcast and a lot cooler, the night time temperatures are staying better, it’s more of the same over the next couple of days before it picks up on Sunday, next week is now looking warm & sunny, getting hotter by the day, watch this space.

At lunchtime Brenda's sister,Lyn, came on the phone, from Melbourne, for a chat and news catch up, they are still having problems with their ' Skype ' video. Brenda calls her two other sisters, Norah & Jenny, over in the UK every Sunday.

Tomorrow evening the ‘ Council’s Foreign Residents Department’ have organised a ‘ Brexit Seminar ‘ with invited speakers & guests, we have been asked to attend, it’s taking place down in the ‘ Villa Matilda ‘ building in the park at the bottom of the hill, we might go, time permitting, the only problem is that there are no answers, at the moment, only questions, watch this space. 


See below;

Last night we channel hopped and watch nothing in particular, later we caught a ‘ Steven Seagal ‘ film, we still can’t catch what he is saying?!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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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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