A VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY.

TUESDAY 4^th/ FEBRUARY 2020.

I was up early again this morning to see little’ Miss Bella’ back with us for the day, she shot upstairs and joined us for a little lie in before getting another day on the go, down here on the ‘ Costa Del Sol’!

PS; ‘ Scruffy’ is joining us for a few hours at lunchtime!

After freshening up we called Lyn over in Melbourne on the ‘ Facebook’ voice link up, she sounds fine and we had a nice long catch up with all her news, yesterday she has a big family meeting, to finalise all the details for Jacks funeral on Friday morning, taking place at a Chapel with cremation after, Jeff, her son, is flying down form Brisbane, it’s going to be a ‘Helluva’ occasion, as Jack was very well loved by everybody that came into contact with him, over the years, both families as well as his ‘ Masonic’ family and the ‘Probus’ family, along with his extended ‘Farming Cummunity’ friends  - will make sure that he goes out in style, as a true ‘ Aussie Gentleman’  “ R.I.P. JACK “

We then had our breakfast, a treat of my favourite ' Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butty' - smothered in 'HP' Brown sauce - open on brown for Brenda with sliced Baby Mushrooms, seared in the bacon juices with a knob of butter, some of which ended up in my butty- with mugs of strong tea.

Today we are waiting for a call from the ‘Insurance Garage’ in Estepona, later this afternoon, after the new wind screen arrives for the car, for the appointment to replace it.


PS; Tomorrow afternoon at 4-00 pm !

Tomorrow morning, Wednesday, I’m shooting down to the main ‘ Medical Centre’ in Sabinillas, very early, to make our appointments, for later in the morning, with our Doctor, for our review/check up’s, under the new booking system,.

On Thursday morning we are going to Estepona, first thing, as I need my hair cutting etc, with my Barber, Manuel, Brenda also needs to call into ‘Primark’ for her cosmetic essentials and then we will go along to ‘ La Casa’ for night light/candles.

As usual on Friday morning I will be out on my travels, back down to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping, in the evening we are meeting up with our friends Kevin & Caroline, on his ‘ Birthday’- as we are going along to ‘La Finca Thai Fusion ‘ for supper, it’s also their ‘ Music Night’

So far we have no plans for the weekend, watch this space.

Today has started as usual, over the past few days, very calm with a light breeze, the sky has cleared and is bright blue, so by lunchtime it’s due to reach 23 degs+ again, overnight only dropping to 13/14 degs, tomorrow a little cooler as the breeze pick up, on Thursday we could have a little bit of the ‘Wet-Stuff’ when we are our & about, over the weekend it’s staying dry and sunny, with a few patchy clouds, hovering in the mid/high ‘ teens’ – next week is now looking dry & settled, going warmer, back up to 20 degs+ at times, watch this space.

At lunchtime on our walk with both of the dogs we ended up back at ' Bar Castillo' - sat outside in the very hot sunshine, for a nice cool drink, as the World passed us by.

On the menu front we have now agreed this week’s ‘ Specials’; this evening we are having ‘ Chicken Schnitzels ‘ – flattened Chicken Breast, coated in breadcrumbs from the local Bakery, shallow fried in Vegetable Oil, until crisp & golden, served with lots of Lemon Wedges and topped with ‘ Campo’ Fried Eggs! Accompanied with finely sliced ‘ French’ Green Beans and triple-cooked ‘ Chips’

On Wednesday it’s going to be a’ Beef & Vegetable Casserole’ with ‘Rissole’ Potatoes, Thursday is ‘Omelettes of Choice’  - on Friday we are out for supper, then on Saturday it will be our ‘ Steak Night’ –Sunday is still TBC, with the possibility  of a ‘Risotto’ Watch this space.

This evening it’s now a replay ‘  FA Cup Football’ match,  so we will have to wait for the second part of ‘ Silent Witness’ until tomorrow evening.

Thought s for the Day; See above.

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A VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 2^nd/ SEPTEMBER 2019.

We had a nice surprise lie in this morning, as little ‘ Miss Bella’ was not being dropped off until 10-30am, she’s back tomorrow, as usual, earlier in the morning, ‘ Scruffy’ has just be dropped off, for few hours, as Adrian has another appointment at the ‘ Costa Del Sol Hospital’- then on Wednesday ‘ Scoobie’ is back with us in ‘Doggy World Heaven’ for a short 5 day break, ‘Chispa’ will no doubt be in & out to see all her friend!

Today here in sunny Manilva it’s a well-needed local ‘Bank Holiday’ after the ‘ Vendemia Wine Festival’ weekend, the good news is that the ‘ Council Cleansing’ workmen are not off and are busy cleaning all the rubbish away along ‘Calle Mar’-  with our friend & neighbour, Antonio, in charge, before washing down all the streets! From tomorrow all the decorations will be taken down as well as all the temporary scaffolding/stages and covers, we will then see if the ‘Canopy’ along ‘Calle Mar’ is also being cut down, watch this space!

See below ‘ Calle Mar’- later this morning, after they had finished the cleaning!

Yesterday we went out later, in the afternoon, to watch and take some pictures of the  ‘Andalusian’ horse display, that usually and as advertised takes place around 5-00 pm, we bumped into ‘ Big’ Brian & Andrea, with two of Brian’s Swedish friends, his first wife was Swedish, he has a 21 years old daughter, his second wife , Lilly, was Finnish, who we met when we first arrived down here in sunny Manilva, back in 2006!

See below ‘ Big’ Brian & Andrea in ‘Fine Spirits’!

While all this was happening I spotted another friend, Valentina, who works for the Council, she is from Romania and had a Spanish degree,  and I asked her to confirm the translation of a document that appeared on the door of the underground car park last week, where we pay annually, to park our car, she confirmed that it’s due to close on the 31^st  October and will be only for ‘ Council’ workers and their cars??!!

See the document below;

I was furious and so took the opportunity to ask Alba (see below) at the same time ‘ What’s going on with the car park?! – she confirmed that it’s for cleaning/repairs etc and then I will be able to re-apply for my spot!!  I’m still not convinced, so I will be speaking to our neighbour, Mario, the Mayor, to confirm ‘What is going on’?!- as well as ‘ What is happening to the Canopy’?!  Watch this space.

See below Mario, the Mayor, waiting to be interrogated by me!!

We waited & waited and no horse’s arrived by 6-00 pm! I then spotted one of the new ‘Councillors, Alba, and asked her ‘ Where are they ’?! – only to be told that the parade took place earlier in the afternoon at 1-00pm?! Brenda heard the sirens and thought it was an Ambulance, it was the Police, leading the parade!! So no pictures, so far! Watch this space.


PS; I found one!

This morning the sun was out early and as there is a light breeze the sky is cloudless & blue, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 29 degs+ - the rest of the week is going a little cooler, each day, as the breeze stiffens, with a few patchy clouds hanging around, hovering on the 25/26 degs mark, overnight still only down to 20/21 degs+!  next week is starting the same then going back up to 31 degs+ by next Wednesday, watch this space.

Over the ‘Vendemia Wine Festival’ weekend we had for our supper, on Saturday evening the ‘ Beef & Vegetable Stew ‘ and then last night it was ‘Lob Scouse’ – after adding more diced boiled potatoes, both with pickled Beetroot, the Beef, from our local Butcher, was very tasty and succulent, and if I do say so myself, both were a ‘ Gourmet’ delight! This evening it’s going to be ‘ Escalope’s of Chicken Breast’ pan-seared on the hot griddle plate, garnished with seared Button Mushrooms and finished with a ‘Lime & Balsamic Butter’- served with finely sliced ‘ French’ Green Beans and for the first time in a while, Baked Potato thick-cut slices sautéed in foaming Butter! The rest of the week we are still taking things one day at the time, on the ‘Menu’ planning, watch this space.

Yesterday evening we settled down to watch the next exciting & gripping episode of “ Peaky Blinders “ despite the latest ‘ Rock Band’ on the stage at the top of our street, ‘Banging Out’ – at ‘Full Volume’ all the old ‘Spanish’ rock classics, until surprisingly the local Police stopped all the music, early?! We don’t know why as it usually goes on until midnight on a ‘ Vendimia’ Sunday!

As usual in “ Peaky Blinders “  there were shooting, beatings, fights and ‘hot tar’ being poured over one chap! The ‘ Billy Boy’s ’from Glasgow, are seeking revenge on the ‘Peaky Blinders’ – watch this space.

" Countdown 28 Days "

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY 'CLOSE' AND SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY.

TUESDAY 23^rd/ JULY 2019.

Brenda was up early this morning to welcome back little ‘Miss Bella’ for the day, with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ – this afternoon ‘ Scruffy’ is being dropped off for a few hours, we then freshened up and had a quick toast & tea, as Brenda was going off to catch the bus down to Sabinillas, as she had her appointment at her Hairdressers, with Annie, for the ‘ Full-Works’ – she will catch the bus back up later!

The sun was out, as usual, early this morning and the sky was clearing, by lunchtime it’s forecast to reach 28 degs+ - but still with the threat of ‘Rain’ on all the forecasts?! Over the next couple of days it’s going a little hotter, then on Friday it’s up to 33 degs+ just in time for the main start of the ‘ Feria Santa Ana’! Over the weekend it’s staying the same, next week is going to be another ‘ Hot-One’ Watch this space.

Over at the “ Tour de France “ after their ‘rest-day’ – it’s ‘Stage 16 ‘ taking place around Nimes over 177 kms, starting and finishing in the centre of the spectacular city, a easy ‘flattish’ stage before three days in and over the Alps!

See the route map below;

For supper this evening it’s a ‘ Steak Sandwich’ – made with slices of ‘ Beef Entrecote’ – seasoned and smeared with Dijon Mustard before  ‘flash-cooking’ them on a very hot griddle-plate, then placed on the toasted bread and cut into triangles, a little salad garnish on the side and just few twice-cooked ‘ Frits’ on the side, cooked to order!

Tomorrow I’m making a large bowl of my now famous “ Ensalada Rusa – Russian Salad “ with the help of the ‘ Second Chef’ who prepares all the ingredients, which we will have over the next couple of days with sliced Smoked Ham and more Mixed Salads!

This evening after supper we will be back channel hopping to find a good film to watch.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 8^th/ JULY 2019.

Brenda was up, first, early this morning to welcome back little ‘ Miss Bella’ with a rather nice surprise, Leah with her young son ‘Deemy’ ( 11 years old ) – she had sent us a ‘ Facebook’ message, asking us if we could look after him, with his broken arm, as his dad, Ryan was flying back from the UK at lunchtime, Leah works in Gibraltar, two days a week, it’s not a problem, he’s a lovely young man, the only technical hitch was that his ‘IPad’ would not connect to our system! We are working on the problem, watch this space.

It’s a small World, Ryan is from Abergele, North Wales, which we know very well, as our house was just up the valley, behind the town, in Rhyd-y Foel - ‘Deemy’ ( a ‘Welch’ name)  went to primary school in the town, where they lived.

‘Scruffy’ spent the night under the bed on the marble floor, he & ‘Bella’ are getting on, ‘Bella’ is very excited and charging around playing, Scruffy is just sitting watching! He will be picked up later this afternoon, he’s back with us everyday up to Friday, ‘Bella’ is back in the morning.

Just a very basic freshen up this morning as we have no water, the whole village is off as the main pump into the village has burst! We had our usual fresh fruit, toast & tea for breakfast.


PS; It came back on at 3-00 pm !

Yesterday afternoon the breeze picked up and during the night all the shutters on the house’s were rattling, it’s dropped a little this morning, the sun is out and the sky is blue & cloudless, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 28 degs+ - going hotter tomorrow, then, now dropping back a little, as the breeze picks up, hovering in the high 20s, but by Sunday back up to 33 degs+! – next week is now going to be a ‘ Scorcher’ – watch this space.

See below pictures showing ‘ Church Alley’ –of ‘ Church Street ‘ in Liverpool city centre, with the ‘ Athenaeum Club’ on the right, founded in 1797, as a ‘Gentleman’s Club’ – the members, now both men & women are known as’ Proprietors’ – at the top end of the ‘Alley’ is the “ The Bluecoat Chambers “ – built in 1716, as a charity school, the oldest surviving building in central Liverpool.

PS; The last time I was in the ' Bluecoat Chambers ' was with my dad, ' Tommy' Sexton - as a young 7 year old, he took me to see a ' Model Railway ' exhibition, as I had a large Model Railway ' Hornby OO Gauge ' system/track in my bedroom, in fact the bed was in the middle of it! " Happy Memories " 

See below ' Hobbies Toy Shop ' in Liverpool, back in the late 50s, where he bought all the trains & tracks, until in the mid 60s, when we went around Europe on our travels with my mum, Muriel, Eileen Sexton! He bought different trains/track/systems and added them into the large layout!!

On the sports front today; over at Wimbledon it’s the start of the second week, last night USA beat Holland 2-0 to win the ‘ Fifa Women s World Cup’ – for the second time in succession!

This afternoon the 3^rd Stage of the ‘ Tour de France ‘ over 211 kms,  goes from Binche to Epernay, in the heart of the ‘ Champagne’ region!

See below;

This evening for our supper we are having the rest of the sliced, cold ‘Poached Chicken’ with some ‘ triple-cooked ‘ Chips’ & Mayonnaise! The menu’s for the rest of the week are still one day at the time, watch this space.

Yesterday evening after supper we watched the final episode of “ Gentleman Jack “ as the two Anne’s, were finally reunited!  There is going to be another series later in the year.

We are still taking things very easy, basically doing nothing, because we can, relaxing, keeping as cool as possible, drinking lots of cold water, with all the fans on, taking little ‘ Siestas’ all the time, my right leg is clearing but my left arm, which looks a lot better, is still giving me lots of ‘Jip’ – I can’t put it down or bare to have it touched! I’m making an appointment to see our Doctor, Natalia, later in the week, Brenda is feeling a little better as her ‘ waterworks’ problem has eased off, watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 6^th/ MAY 2019.  “ BANK HOLIDAY MONDAY “ UK.

                                                                     Over in the UK !

I was up early this morning and after quick freshen up I shot off across to the ‘ Estepona Hospital’ – along the coast road, past a calm and sparkling Mediterranean, for my first appointment this week, at the ‘Physiotherapy Department’ for more extensive treatment on my left-hand, I’m back on Wednesday/Thursday, as Tuesday is a ‘ Training Day’ I found one of my regular spots to park, at the top of the hill, and had a quick tostado & tea in Tikitapi’ before making my way across to the Hospital.

Back at the house Brenda took ‘ Chico’ out for his first walk of the day, he spent most of the night on the marble floor, under our bed, he’s due to be collected tomorrow morning, we will miss him as he’s such good company to have around, ‘Chispa’ has been in & out all over the weekend.

We have a glorious start to the week, down here on the ‘ Costa Del Sol’ – the sun was out first thing and the sky was bright blue as I set off, with not a cloud in sight, there is a slight breeze keeping it very pleasant, by lunchtime it due to reach 26 degs+ - overnight down to 15 degs, the rest of the week is the same and over the coming weekend it’s going hotter, up to 29degs+ by Friday, overnight reaching 18 degs!  The following week is now forecast to be dry, warm & sunny, hovering in the mid 20s, as the breeze picks up a little, watch this space.

Over in Liverpool, over the weekend, down at the ‘Pier Head’ the cruise liner “ Celebrity Reflection “ berthed for the first time, see the pictures below, and her leaving yesterday!

Two weeks today we have a guest joining us for the night, here at ‘ Casa Sexton ‘ – “ Big Brian “ is coming over from Liverpool/Cheshire for a week, he’s booked a room at ‘Hostal Ocaña ‘ along in ‘Calle Mar’ from the Tuesday, I’m picking him up from the Bus Station over in Estepona, he will be on the ‘ Full Dinner, Bed & Breakfast ‘ rate, as he’s bringing some ‘ Everton Mints’ – my favourites – he happens to be the ‘Blues- The Toffees ‘ Everton biggest fan!

See the pictures below, with Andrea & David & Jane!

The ‘ Menu’s for the week have been agreed, this evening we are having ‘ Grilled Pork Loin Steaks ‘ – garnished with seared Button Mushrooms and accompanied with a sauceboat of the ‘ Pizzaiola’ sauce, served with finely sliced ‘French’ Green Beans and  ‘ Pommes de Tere Rissolees ‘ – Par-Boiled Baby New Potatoes, tossed in foaming Parsley Butter until crisp & golden all over, on Tuesday evening it’s going to be ‘Escalope’s of Chicken Breast’ - ' Schnitzel' style, Wednesday is going to be a ‘Lamb Cutlet’ dish, then on Thursday ‘ Omelettes of Choice ‘ – Friday is ‘ Fish Night ‘ and Saturday ‘ Steak Night’ – finally on Sunday we will be ‘ Roasting’ – TBC!

On the football front this week; this evening Manchester City welcome Leicester City, in their pen-ultimate game, of the season, in the ‘Premiere League’ – tomorrow evening at Anfield, Liverpool welcome Barcelona, in the second-leg semi-final of the “ UEFA Champions League’ – Barcelona leading 3-0 after the first leg, watch this space.

Last night after supper we settled down to watch, with the other 10 million viewers, the final extended episode of the very gripping & exciting “ Line of Duty “ ( series 5 ) – I won’t give the story line away, just to say that nearly all the questions were answered, leaving enough un-answered for ‘Series 6’!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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