A VERY ' FRESH ' & SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

FRIDAY 10^th/ JANUARY 2020.

I was up a little early this morning and after a quick freshen up I went up to the Town Hall, where Leah picked me up and took me down on my travels to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping, I first did the main shop in ‘ Mercadona’ – then picked the local newspapers up from the ‘ English Bookshop’ before finally calling into ‘ Super Sol’ for our English essentials, we then came back up to the house to unload, ‘ Thanks’ – Leah!

Brenda was on the breakfast rota so she had prepared a nice surprise of a ‘ Toasted Sausage Butty’ – smothered in ‘HP’ Brown sauce, open on brown toast for herself, she had just pan-fried the ‘ Frozen English Pork Sausages’ – so they were still hot & juicy! Mugs of hot/strong tea helped to wash then down.

Meanwhile back at the house Brenda had taken ‘ Scruffy’ out for his first walk of the day, a little earlier, he slept all night in his ‘ Furry Doughnut’ Bed, he’s due to collected later this afternoon, on Monday little ‘ Miss Bella’ is back with us for the day, as well as on Tuesday, no doubt ‘ Chispa’ will be coming in & out to see her friends and us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’

This morning has started clear & ‘ crisp’ – the clouds had cleared and the sky was bright blue as we set off, there was a ‘ cool’ breeze so it was fresh, breezy & sunny, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 17 degs+ - overnight down to 9/10 degs, over the weekend it’s now looking on three of the forecasts, dry & sunny, only one is showing some of the ‘ Wet-Stuff’- hovering in the mid ‘teens’ – so we will ‘ wrap-up’ on Sunday when we are out with our dear friend ‘Joyce Baby’ for a ‘ Sunday Roast Lunch’ – down in ‘ Castillo de la Duquesa’ at the “ La Taberna 2 “  

Next week it’s going to be dry & sunny all week, with a few patchy clouds at times, the sky will be blue and clear, the overall temperatures up to 18 degs+ by the end of the week, overnight back down to 11/12 degs, there will still be a cooling/light breeze, picking up at times, nearly normal for the time of the year, watch this space.

Yesterday I chased up ‘Olivenet ‘ – the new ‘IT’ system provider that we are changing too, as we have not heard from them since we signed the ‘Online Contract’ back at the start of December, it stated that it would be two weeks+ - that took us up to just before Xmas, so I didn’t chase them over the ‘ Xmas/New Year/Bank Holiday’ festivities, it turns out that there is a technical problem with the ‘Fiber Optical’ cable/line along ‘Calle Mar’ – we saw ‘Phone Engineers’ the other day working in the street, so it’s going to happen very soon, watch this space.

This morning we had a ‘Facetime’ call from Lyn over in Melbourne, Australia, which we missed, while I was out on my travels, so I called her back on the ‘ Skype’ audio line ‘ ASAP’ and had a nice news catch up with her, Jack is staying another two weeks in the ‘ Respite Home’ as Lyn can’t manage to look after him at home,  while at the ‘Respite Home’ he is looked after by staff/nurses etc, all the time, which Lyn just can’t do, Annette & Deb also think it’s for best, as it was making Lyn not well, she was feeling a little lonely and unhappy, so we had a nice ‘ Cheerful’ chat and have arranged to call her again soon, she is trying to ‘ master’ the ‘ Skype’ video call and ‘ Facetime’ links up, watch this space.

This evening for our supper we are having ‘ Goujons of Hake Fillet’ – shallow-fried in a “ ‘Cruzcampo’ Beer Tempura Batter “ – until crisp & golden, accompanied with a Homemade ( Brenda) ‘Tartar’ sauce and of course lots of Lemon Wedges, served with ‘ Mushy Peas ( our last tin!) and triple-cooked ‘ Chips’       

On Saturday evening it’s going to be ‘ Grilled Fillet Steaks’ with all the trimmings!

We will take things easy for the rest of the day, relaxing and basically doing nothing, because we can, this afternoon we will catch up with all the programmes that we follow and then later after supper channel hopping to find something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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

FRIDAY 23^rd/ AUGUST 2019.

I was up early this morning and after a very quick freshen up I shot off on my travels down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping, I called into ‘ItZabar’ for my usual toast & tea before ‘ Mercadona ‘ opened, it was not quite as busy today, I then collected the local newspapers from the ‘ English Bookshop’ – no flowers or wall plants, from the market at the far end of the promenade today, as it’s where the fairground is set up for the ‘Feria de Sabinillas’ over the weekend, which started last night.  

I then called into ‘ Super Sol’ for all our English essentials, before shooting back up the hill, through the vine fields, to unload back at the house, Brenda had taken ‘ Pucci’ out for his first walk of the day, he slept downstairs on the settees last night, he’s due to be collected tomorrow morning, then this afternoon ‘ Sunny’ is due back with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ for her weekend break.

Yesterday evening when we were out for the supper, along at ‘ Bar Castillo’ the ‘Lavente’ breeze was blowing, up from the Mediterranean, overnight it made the overnight temperature a little cooler, this morning the sun was out early and the sky had cleared and was bright blue, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 27 degs+ - over the weekend staying the same, next week is starting on Monday with the threat of thundery outbreaks, then the rest of the week it will be hovering on the 26/27 mark, overnight down to 21 degs, making the ‘Vendemia Wine Festival’ starting on Friday and over the weekend, not as hot as usual, with patchy clouds and sunshine,  watch this space.

On the sports front; we have been watching the Horse Racing from the ‘ ‘Ebor’ meeting at York, yesterday ‘ Frankie Dettori’ won the ‘ Yorkshire Oaks’ on “ Enable “ – as she triumphed with her 12^th consecutive win.

Meanwhile down the road at the Third ‘Ashes Test’ match, at Headlingley in Leeds, the new England fast bowler Jofra Archer took 6 wickets for 45 runs!

Tomorrow the “ Vuelta d’España “ starts in Torrevieja, with as usual, a ‘Team Trail ‘

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Grilled Tail-End of Salmon’ accompanied with a classic ‘Hollandaise’ sauce, served with whole Baby ‘ French’ Green Beans and Parsley New Potatoes, the weekend menu’s are still TBC, watch this space.

Last night we had a nice ‘ Tapas’ supper along at ‘ Bar Castillo’ Brenda her favourite ‘Boquerones Frito – shallow fried Anchovies ‘ – dusted in seasoned flour, we shared a new ‘ Chicken Saffron & Vegetable Stew’- I had the classic ‘Ensaladilla Rusa – Russian Salad’ and then the just cooked ‘ House Paella ‘ all served in small ‘Tapas’ dishes,  followed by Platters of ‘Pork (Brenda) & Chicken( Malcolm)  Fillets a la Plancha’- with small ‘ Frits’ – Brenda’s with Juan’s own home grown Tomatoes and mine topped with a ‘ Campo’ Fried Egg! With nice cool drinks, sat outside in the cooler evening fresh air, as the ‘ World’ passed us by!

Today we are taking things easy, relaxing, later we will be taking ‘ Sunny ‘out for her first walk, then later catching up with all the ‘Quiz Shows’ that we follow, after supper channel hopping to find something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A CLOUDY SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND.

FRIDAY 14^th/ JUNE 2019.    “ MANILVA PRIDE 19 “

I was up early this morning, for the last time this week, and after a quick freshen up I shot off on my travels, down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping, I had my usual toast & tea in ‘ ItZabar’ before ‘ Mercadona’ opened, after doing the main shop I walked along to the ‘ English Bookshop’ for the local newspapers.

I then carried on to a local ‘Fashion Shop’ by the main roundabout and picked up a couple of dress scarf’s for Brenda, that she has spotted the other day, no fresh flowers or wall plants this week, so on the way back up the back hilly road, past the ‘High School’ I stopped at our local garage and they checked the Water/Oil etc, in the car, I had topped up the petrol yesterday.

Brenda took ‘Lolo’ out for his first walk of the day around the bottom of the village, this afternoon little princess ‘Reina’ is due to be dropped off by Daniela, for a sleep-over and late pick up tomorrow evening, as she’s performing as ‘Madonna’ at the ‘ Manilva Pride 19 ‘ celebrations, on stage, in the ‘Puerto de la Duquesa Marina’- in front of the ‘Mirror Mirror Lounge Bar’ this evening!

See below,

This morning has started grey & overcast again, with lots of black clouds, the sun was not out as I went down through the very green vine fields, the Mediterranean was also looking rather grey, there was a slight  ‘Levante’ breeze blowing, hopefully by lunchtime it will clear, as it has over the past few days, later this afternoon it’s due to reach 25 degs+ - tomorrow is going to be hotter and on Sunday it will be up to 30 degs+ - next week is going to be a ‘Hot One’ – hovering in the low 30s, all week, during the night only down to 19/20 degs, the breeze is also dropping, leaving just a few clouds at times, watch this space.  

Over in Liverpool another cruise liner arrived yesterday, the third this week, and berthed at the Pier Head, as you can see below, the “ Crystal Serenity “

The ‘Hot News’ in from Everett, Ontario, Canada, is that Sandra & Bill, despite it not being their sport ( they follow Ice Hockey!)  are celebrating the ‘Toronto Raptors’ win in the Finals of the “ NBA Championships “ as they beat the defending champions the ‘Golden State Warriors’ 114-110, 4-2 in the best-of-seven series! Their ‘Superfan’ – ‘Nav Bhatia’ went mad!! 

They are the only Basketball team in Canada and it’s their first win! Their main player, Kawhi Leonard was named the ‘ NBA  Finals Most Valuable Player ‘ – for the second time in his career, averaging 28.5 points!

Meanwhile this weekend in North Wales the “ Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railways’ are back in action, based at the Harbour Station in Porthmadog, the ‘ Ffestiniog’ going up to Blaenau Ffestiniog and the ‘ Welsh Highland’ coming down to Caernarfon, via Beddgelert.

See below all the trains working this weekend.

And the 'Talyllyn Railway ' along the coast in Tywyn!

This evening for our supper we are having  “ Posh Fish N‘ Chips “ – ‘ Goujon’s of Hake Fillet’ – coated in breadcrumbs from the local Bakery – shallow fried in Vegetable Oil, until crisp & golden, served with a Homemade ‘Tartar’ sauce, accompanied with lots of Lemon Wedges, with ‘ Mushy Green Peas’ and of course ‘triple’ cooked ‘ Chips’

We are open ! 

On Saturday it’s going to be ‘Grilled Entrecote Steaks ‘ and then on Sunday ‘Pan-Seared Medallions of Pork Fillet ‘

Last night we had a nice, late, supper, sat outside in the shade, along at ‘Bar Castillo’ – Brenda had cubes of Cod, in a light ‘Tampura Batter’- ‘Bacalao Frito’  with ‘Frits’ and I had my favourite ‘ Flattened Chicken Breast- ‘ Pollo a la Plancha’ with a ‘ Campo’  Fried Eggs & ‘Frits’ – with Mayonnaise and local ‘Tapas’ bread, just right for supper, as the World passed us by!

This afternoon/ evening we will be channel hopping and watching our regular programmes, some sport & later finding a good film to watch.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY ' CRISP' AND NOW SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 3^rd/ JANUARY 2019.

Just a little lie in this morning for all of us, ‘Chico’ who is still with us, slept all night on his rug at the foot of the bed, while ‘ Charlie’ was downstairs on the settees, they then wait, very patiently for us to freshen up, Brenda took them out for their first walk of the day, meanwhile I was on the breakfast rota so we had my famous ‘ Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butties’ - open on brown for Brenda, with mugs of hot tea, for when Brenda and the dogs returned,’ Chico’ will no doubt be picked up later, we then put together the shopping list ( a short one!) for tomorrow morning when I’m out on my travels down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping.

This morning has started a little grey & overcast, with a light/cold breeze, making it very ‘ Crisp’ to say the least, by lunchtime the sun is due to break through and it’s going to only reach 16 degs+ - down to single figures over-night 9 degs, tomorrow and over the “ Three Kings “ weekend we are in for more of the same, but hopefully the sun will be out earlier in the days, by the time the parade reaches us up here in sunny Manilva it will all ready be dark! Next week is now looking settled, cooler at times, with patchy clouds and on one of the forecasts ‘ RAIN ‘! – Watch this space.

On Saturday evening we will be out to watch the traditional “ Three Kings “ parade and celebrations as it comes along the new ‘ Calle Mar’ for the first time, the actual ‘Dia De Los Reyes’ is actually on Sunday 6^th!  Here in Spain it’s there ‘ Christmas ‘ as all the children give the ‘Three Kings’ – Melchor, Gasper & Baltasar’ – the ‘ Three Wise Men ‘ there letters of request for presents, at the ‘ Iglesia Santa Ana ’ Church tomorrow evening ( see below ) - then on Saturday night they leave out water ( for the Camels!) – ‘Turron’ ( a typical Xmas Nougat) & milk for the ‘Reyes’!

I’m collecting our traditional “ Rosca de Reyes “ – ‘ Holiday Cake ‘ from the local Bakery/Supermarket in ‘Calle Mar’ – opposite ‘Bar Castillo’  on Saturday morning, it’s a ‘ Brioche’ dough in the shape of a hollow ring, filled with whipped Double Cream, coated in Sugar Icing & Candied Fruits, with a paper crown topping, baked inside, by tradition, is a small figurine ‘ Feve’ of the Baby Jesus, a Bean & Candy, to be found for luck!

See below;

At lunchtime on our walk along ' Call Mar' we ended up back at ' Bar Rojas' sat outside in the warm sunshine for a nice cool drink, our friend Andy came along and joined us, he's is due to fly off to Thailand next Wednesday for 4 weeks, I was taking him to the airport in Malaga in his car, but now things have all changed, he's not coming back, his brother over in Australia has put him in touch with friends in the Philippines, who have a Bar, so he's going to move on and work for them! He's going to rent his house and sell his car, another friend is taking him to the airport and his two Parrots have found a new home with his neighbour! All the very best to him for 2019, watch this space.

For our supper this evening we are having  ‘ Omelette’s of Choice’ – Cheese  ( grated Cheddar & Parmesan) for Brenda and a ‘Paysanne’ filling for me ( diced/cooked Vegetables & Potatoes) served with finally sliced Green Beans and Baked Potato, the three ‘ Campo’ Eggs are beaten and seasoned, then cooked in a hot Omelette Pan, vigorously stirring with a large fork, the fillings placed in and then shaped and turned out onto a warm plate!  

Last night after supper we settled down to watch episode two of the excellent ‘Luther’ – as his ‘ Lady Friend’ from his past ‘ Alice’ a psychopath killer ( using Hat Pins!) slumped at his door after being shot by the gangster, who’s son she had kidnapped, in the last series she was presumed drowned, after a diamond heist went wrong with the same gangster! ( 4 killings) She then hides in her parent’s house, where she had committed a double ‘ parricide’ in the past, not forgetting the ‘Luther’ is a serving Detective! ( with a hidden gun!)

Meanwhile the masked killer who slit his own throat(?) was not the killer, the ‘Nutjob’ husband, a ‘Heart Surgeon’  with impulse control issues (1 killing & 1 kidnapping in this episode) -  of the psychoanalyst ice maiden played by ‘Hermione Norris’ is still being controlled by her! Finally ‘ Alice ‘ is out again with her ‘ Hat Pin’ and kills the gangster’s son, who has been given back by ‘ Luther’ – in the gangsters home, where he has kidnapped a Detective friend of Luther’s and is beating and electrocuting him for information about ‘ Alice’!! Two more episodes to go, watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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