A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY DESPITE THE ' SEA MIST'

SATURDAY 28^th/ OCTOBER 2017.

We all had a little lie in this morning before ‘ Charlie’ jumped on the bed to let us know that it was time to go out for the first walk of the day, they both slept all night, ‘Charlie’ downstairs, wherever he wants and ‘ Lolo ‘ on his bed by the side of us. Later we are planning to go for a long walk with them around the sports ground.

When we returned we had breakfast, a treat this morning, of ‘English Pork Sausage’ Butties smothered in ‘ HP ‘Brown sauce – as usual, open on Brown for Brenda, I cooked the sausages last night, then after a quick ‘ flash’ in the Microwave ( yes we do have one and use it !) I slice them in halve & make the toasted butty, with mugs of strong ‘ PG Tips’ tea!

This morning stared a little grey & overcast, but it’s now cleared and the sun has broken through, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 22/23 degs, the same tomorrow and Monday but now on Tuesday there is some of the wet stuff  has appeared on the forecast, still in the mid 20s, so it will be warm! By next Friday it will be back to normal for the time of the year, warm & sunny in the mid 20s, watch this space.

See below a picture taken by a neighbour down our street with our house on the left – ‘Flower Street ' 

‘

PS; Just now, as we were watering the wall plants, a sea mist has covered the village, it’s grey, overcast and cool, watch this space.

At the moment we are having some problems with our ‘ Internet ‘ connections, it keeps going off & then back on, which means that the new TV system is not loading, I’ve tried all the re-connection procedures, with no luck, so hopefully Lee is going to call in later this morning to see if he can solve the problem, watch this space.

PS; Lee called in and has fixed the problem, with lots of re-setting of passwords, upgrading the system, and finally the classic ' un-plug ' and re-connect! 

For our supper this evening we are having a large ‘ Grilled Entrecote Steak’ cooked on a very hot griddle plate ‘ Med-Rare ‘ and then left to rest, before slicing it into ‘ fingers’ French style, garnished with Asparagus spears & Button Mushrooms, finely sliced Green Beans on the side and of course twice-cooked ‘ Pont Neuf’ Chips ( door steps!) – all served with Dijon Mustard & ‘ Bearnaise’ sauce.

On Sunday it’s going to be ‘ Roast Top Side of Beef ‘ with all the trimmings. Lee & Daniela are joining us for supper, again,thanks for all Lee's help.

On the sports front this weekend, it’s the ‘ Grand Prix of Mexico ‘ when Lewis Hamilton could be crowned the Champion, depending on results, over in the ‘ Premier League ‘ Liverpool are at home to Huddersfield and Manchester City travel down the M6 to play West Brom, over here in ‘ La Liga ‘ Barcelona travel across to Athletic Bilbao and Real Madrid are due to play Girona ( in Catalonia ) depending on the Independence crisis! Watch this space.

This evening we will have to wait and see if the new system is back online, if not we are back to the all the Spanish TV Channels searching for a good film to watch.( in English!)

PS, The gas bottle delivery man has just called and exchanged the bottle, all our neighbours had theirs out also, he came along the bottom of the street and confirmed that he will be calling as usual while ‘ Calle Mar ‘ is closed!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

...

A VERY CRISP & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 31 st/ MARCH 2016.

I was up as usual to see ‘ Reina’ back with us for the day, we then had ‘ Crispy Smoked Bacon Butties’ with mugs of steaming tea to get us going, I then shot along to the Chemists in Calle Mar for Brenda’s tablets and on the way back called into our local shop at the bottom of our street for some fresh vegetables.

I then got this evenings supper on the go “ Braised Steak in a Red Wine, Mushroom & Onions Sauce” which we are having with Cabbage with Alselgas & local Carrot Batons and Brenda’s famous ‘ Mashed Potato’ – the ‘Vegetable Chef’- is back! ( for short bursts only! ) See blow!

Brenda then made her way upstairs, slowly, so as she can have a shower, thank god that we had the handle installed on the wall inside the bath, it makes it a lot easier! If she is feeling OK she is then going to catch up with a little of the ironing!!

Tomorrow morning when I’m out on my travels for the weekly shopping I’m going to call into the surgery to make an appointment to review/update Brenda’s prescriptions as well as the Doctor giving her feet the once over! Watch this space.

This morning the sun was out early and the sky is bright blue, overnight a stiff breeze came along, as forecast, so its ‘ crisp’ as you are out & about; by lunchtime its due to reach 23 degs, so we can’t complain, over the weekend and into next week its staying the same and getting a little warmer.

The picture below were taken by a very good friend & ex customer ‘Nigel Roberts’ who has just retired after many years of running the main ‘Newsagents’ in Llandudno, they show Conwy Marina and across to Deganwy, the Pier in Llandudno, Pensarn Beach just past Abergele and Llandudno at its best!

For the rest of the day we are taking things easy and relaxing then after supper we will settle down to watch the second episode of ‘ Line of Duty’ on BBC 2, last night we found a good film to watch “ The American “ from 2010 a thriller starring George Clooney, Thekla Reuten, Violante Placido, Irina Bjorklund & Paolo Boneacelle! – ‘ Gorgeous George’ at his menacing best as a contract killer/gunsmith- all the action takes place in the mountains above Rome. Watch it right up to the end!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

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

FRIDAY 4 th / MARCH 2016.

I was up early this morning as ‘Reina’ was due back with us for the day, I then took ‘ Charlie’ out for his walk, when I returned we had a quick breakfast and I sorted Brenda out for the day, she was left in charge of the dogs as I shot out for the weekly shopping down in Sabinillas, I picked up some fresh flowers from our local market down by the sports ground before shooting down through the vine fields, I called at the bank first and then popped into the ‘ English Bookshop for the local newspapers and some ‘ Easter Cards’ – watch out it could be you?!

The main shop was in ‘ Mercadona’ before I went along the coast road to the offices of ‘ Helicoipteros Sanitarios’ to get some details to re-sign up with them, I then called in to see Andrew at ‘Castle Radio FM 89.2’at the studios in ‘Castillo de la Duquesa’ – the good news is that my live programme/show is going on air in the not too distant future, the ‘Castle Media Group’ is planning to move the transmitters and the studio to a new site up in Manilva! ( All will be revealed soon!)  This will give the station better coverage and also make it easier for the presenters to produce their shows etc! Watch this space for more exciting news!!

I then carried on to the ‘English Butchers’ in Puerto Duquesa to get some more goodies, lastly it was ‘ Super Sol’ for some English essentials. The ‘ Red Ferrari- Fiesta’ just about  made it back up the hill to the house where ‘ Chispa’ was waiting to welcome me back as well. The sun was out again early this morning and the sky is bright blue, the breeze has dropped the forecast is for it to reach 23 degs by lunchtime, over the weekend its more of the same but just a little cooler and next week is starting to look settled. After unpacking and sorting out the menus for the weekend we had a nice cup of strong tea with a biscuit.

Later this afternoon Mano & Anna called in for a chat and catch up, they also shot up to the roof patio and brought in the ' Black' wash for me!

For our supper this evening we are having my famous “ Seafood Risotto “ made with the Spanish ‘Arroz Redondo’ – ‘Brillante Sabroz’ – Risotto Rice with finely diced Onion & some secret ingredients, a good slug of a fine White Wine, a strong & rich Fish Stock, Cod, Hake, Salmon, Gambas & Mussels, a handful of Garden Peas and seasoned to taste before adding the Parmesan Cheese and a drop of Cream!  See below.

Last night after supper we watched on BBC 2 the “ Track Cycling World Championships “ from the ‘Lee Vally Velo Park’ in London; the ‘Women’s Scratch Race’ over 40 laps ( 10 kms ) was won by Laura Trott, for ‘GB’s first gold of the event,  in the most exciting sprint finish, the local crowd went wild, in the ‘Men’s Pursuit’ Australia  dramatically beat Britain’s pursuit team with Sir Bradley Wiggins back on the track!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

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

FRIDAY 12^th/ FEBRUARY 2016.

We were up early this morning and after greeting ‘Reina’ back for the day we grabbed a quick breakfast and shot down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping, I called into the bank for some cash and we then stopped at the ‘English Bookshop’ for the local newspapers, we then did our main shop in ‘Mercadona’ before going along the promenade for some fresh flowers, on the way we called into the ‘Charity Shop’ and I found a very nice car jacket that had just come in, lastly we stopped at ‘Super Sol’ for some English essentials.

It was then time to come back up to the village through the vine fields which at this time of the year are very bare as all of last years branches have been cut off and burned, it just leaves the old Black Ground Vines. This morning its dry and very crisp with the sun out and the sky clearing, there is a stiff breeze but its still rather pleasant, the weekend is now also keeping dry with more of the same weather, next week is starting to look settled, for now.

Tomorrow afternoon ‘Scruffy’ is back with us and will possibly stay for a sleep over, of course ‘Chispa’ is in and out at all times to play with her friends.

For this evenings supper we are having my now famous ‘ Seafood Risotto’ with Cod, Hake, Salmon, Prawns, Gambas & Mussels  along with anything else I can find to toss in with the Vegetable Saffron Rice. See below.

Yesterday afternoon, early evening and then after supper we had an ‘Happy Valley’ catch-up after watching the first episode of the new series the other night on BBC 1. I read up on the show and then using the new ‘Watch Series’ App on my PC connected to the large screen TV we followed, with great excitement, the six 2015 episodes back to back, with breaks in between to catch our breath! We are now up to date on the story line and characters and are looking forward to next weeks episode!

PS; While I was typing and posting the Blog Tim came on line on the Skype Video from Old Colwyn with a long news update, the cremation service for his mother is next week, it sounds like he will not be able to make it over later in the month for his 'Golfing Break' due to various other commitments back on the home front, in five weeks time Thea retires early from her civilian job with the Police so they are planning to set off in their Motor Home for ten weeks in April to house hunt in the Almeria region up the coast, hopefully they are going to make it down here for a week on the site past Sabinillas - watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

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

FRIDAY 28th/ AUGUST 2015.

We were up early this morning as 'Reina' was being dropped off first thing,for the day; we then grabbed a quick breakfast before I shot down to Sabinillas for the weekly shopping,the workmen on the site are here in force today and there is a lot of knocking taking place as they start on the internal work! The 'JCB' is going at full pelt also unloading and making as much noise and fumes as possible as it carries all the window & door frames down! Watch this space.

The sun was out early and the sky is blue,it was already hot by the time I set off on my travels, I called into the bank first and then collected the newspapers, next to 'Mercadona' which was back to normal,the main holiday hoards have departed! I shot along the promenade and picked up some fresh flowers before finally stopping at 'Super Sol' for some English essentials.

As I came back up the hill through the vine fields there was a lot of' 'pickers' out as they start early before it gets too hot; after unloading back at the house Brenda is pottering about,she popped out to the local shops for some fresh vegetables and is now catching up with the chores around the house. I'm up in the office,as you can see, typing the Blog 'LIVE' on the small PC as the large PC went 'Wonky Donkey' again yesterday!

The Council is smartening up the village ready for the 'Vendimia Festival' next weekend,as I was going out this morning to collect the car from the underground car park they were trimming the tall Palm Trees in Calle Mar, the man climbs up the very tall ones 'Lumberjack' style with steel band and boots! They have put up more green sun canopies in the 'Plaza de la Vendimia' I bumped in the Mayor,Diego and asked him about the new arrangements for the Festival as the local Bar Owners are not very happy - the message was relax,take it easy and all will be revealed?!

On the menu front we are going out this evening for a late al fresco 'Tapas' supper at Bar Castillo as its the Chef's & staff night off; tomorrow evening we are having our usual 'Entrecote Steak' with all the trimmings, the on Sunday, when Josie us joining us, we are preparing a small 'State Banquet' in her honour, To start we are having 'Bacarones' in Virgin Olive Oil, the main course is 'Medalillons of Pork Fillet' with a selection of vegetables & 'Patatas Bravas  with on the side my famous 'Charcutiere ' sauce - fresh local Strawberries for the desert with Vanilla Ice Cream. All accompanied with a selection of fine wines.

Today's Stage 7 of the " Vuelta d'Espana15" is a mountain stage from Jodar to Lapilleira over 191 kms.

Our 'Happy Hour' is at the moment not taking place up on the roof/box/chimney as its just too hot as the little breeze is not reaching us! We still listen to the local 'Castle Radio FM 89.2'  and we are into our books although its not the same as being upstairs!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.


..

A CRISP AND SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 5^th/ DECEMBER 2014.

Back to normal today, the sky is blue and the sun is out, it was a little crisp as I set off on my travels, Brenda’s back was still acting up so she stayed in the house ‘Resting’! My first port of call was to the surgery to make am appointment for Brenda to update her prescriptions; next I called into our local post office and posted most of our Xmas cards until I run out of money – don’t worry the rest will go off next Tuesday!

I then carried on down to Sabinillas and stopped at the bank before calling into the English Bookshop for the papers, next it was ‘Mercadona’ for the main shop and then on the way back I called into ‘Super Sol’ for some English essentials. Everywhere I go they all ask were is Brenda/my wife?! We must be known as the local mad English couple!!

After un-packing back at the house I shot along to our local bank in Calle Mar to pay the water bill, we have no dogs this weekend in ‘Doggy World Heaven’s it will just be ‘Chispa’ calling in when she is out on her ‘Travels’! The forecast for the ‘Bank Holiday ‘is looking good with more of the same sun and Blue skies but still a little crisp at 18/19degs.

The menus for the weekend are now sorted, this evening we are having ‘Goujons of Hake Fillet’ using local breadcrumbs from the bakery, Mushy Peas and twice-cooked diced Frits ( a treat’)! And of course Homemade Tartar sauce and Lemon wedges on the side; then tomorrow night we are having a plain grilled ‘Entrecote Steak’ – ‘Med-Rare’ with sautéed Mushrooms, finely sliced Green Beans, a Baked Potato and a nice Mixed Salad on the side. On Sunday no roast this weekend so we are going to have ‘Baked Pork Chop’ with glazed ‘Fuji’ Apple slices.

Last night after supper we channel hopped and ended up watching yet another ‘Steven Seagal’ movie, they are all the same, all action, no acting!

Thoughts for the Day; See below for a change!

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 9^th/AUGUST 2014.

Our first lie in for a little while as we have no ‘Doggy’ commitments over this weekend but back to normal next weekend with ‘Reina’ and ‘Scruffy’ both here in “ Doggy World Heaven ”

The sun is out and we are in for a hot weekend and all next week more of the same, what’s new?!  Speaking of hot tomorrow it’s ‘Fiesta’ time in the village with two stages on the go and all the bars stocking up, it kicks off at 1-00pm and will no doubt carry on into the wee small hours!

So today we are taking things easy at the moment and catching up with the chores around the house and I’ am up in the office on the WWW; at the moment I’ am watching ‘BBC TV Breakfast News’ and then ‘Saturday Kitchen Live’ as I type the Blog – one problem which I’ am working on is that I have not been able to publish yesterdays pictures of the ‘Feria Queens’ parade last night as I have a memory storage problem on the small PC,I will try again later and then call in my ‘IT’  assistant(Andy) if necessary! Watch this pace.

Last night we walked up to ‘Bar Rojas’ and sat under the Sonbrajo to watch the parade came along Calle Mar as usual late! The new camera worked perfectly and the pictures look good, two of the local news ‘Paparazzi’ commented on it! Brian & Lilli came along and joined us for a drink before they went down to the Thai ‘Kinnairee’ restaurant in Duquesa Marina to celebrate their 5^th wedding anniversary.

Brenda is downstairs getting the ingredients ready for me to make my now famous ‘ Ensalidilla Rusa’ after I’ve finished up in the office; this evening we are having ‘Entrecote’ steak cooked on the griddle med-rare with finely sliced Green Beans, sautéed Mushrooms and of course twice-cooked frits, Brenda has requested fried Garlic Buds and I will top mine with a ‘Campo’ fried Egg! We are ready to welcome Brian & Lilli if they are able to make it as their commitments today pan out!

No sign of Den & Josie this week after our adventure over in Estepona on Tuesday, we can see their back balcony from out terrace, including their washing! Watch out for my zoom coming into action. They have been spotted in Malaga yesterday checking out the museums and art galleries. Dens camera has a larger zoom than mine so he can zoom in on ours as well!!

No sports update this weekend, I’ve declared it ‘Sports Free’ in honor of the ‘Queen of Skelton who is not a sports fan!

After supper we will catch up with the all the news, sport! and weather details.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 25^th/ APRIL 2014.

After breakfast this morning we shot down to Sabinillas for the weekend shopping; we did the main shop in ‘Mercadona’ and then picked up some English essentials from ‘Super Sol’ before collecting the papers from the English bookshop, lastly we called into the ‘English Bed Linen’ shop for two new cushion for our main settee in the lounge.

No fresh flowers down at the local market today, the sun is out and there is a little breeze but it still one of the best times of the year, the forecast over the weekend and into next week is looking like more of the same!

As we were sorting the shopping out back at the house we had two surprise visitors that we have not seen for well over two months,Mano & Anna – so we had a good catch up and gossip. Later Brenda as she was out for a shot walk with dog called into the chemists for some more different cough/health remedies as she is starting to get on top of the problem, at long last, fingers crossed!

We are planning to have a quiet weekend and next week at the moment we have no airport runs, hospital visits( until October!) etc; so hopefully we will get some time up on the roof terrace to catch up with our reading.

This evening’s supper is ‘Filets of Hake Meuniere’ again as we so enjoyed them last week, Brenda s getting ready also just a few ‘Saffron’ New potatoes and Garden Peas and I’ am ‘Doctoring’ the rest of the ‘Chasseur’ sauce by adding some sliced cooked Mushrooms and making it into a ‘Duglere’ sauce to go with tonight’s fish! Trust me – it works!

After supper we will find a film to watch as it’s a good night on lots of the channels, down in the ‘Wine Centre Theater and Museum’ tonight’s cultural week has Pottery making and the Ballet – the tomorrow its ‘Flamenco’ and on Sunday ‘Film Night’ ! We have at the moment had enough culture for this week,so far!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

SUNNY AND HOT MANILVA ON SATURDAY

SATURDAY 21^st/ SEPTEMBER 2013.

As we got up this morning it looks like the start to another beautiful day down here in sunny Manilva; after our tea, toast and fresh fruit I’ am upstairs in the office on both PCs, on the left hand one I have the BBC TV tuned in ready for ‘Saturday Morning Kitchen’ and on the other side I’ am typing this blog as you can see in the pictures above!

Meanwhile Brenda is downstairs putting some washing on and then getting things on the go in the kitchen, later I’ am making a fresh bowl of my now famous ‘Ensaladilla Rusa’- I’ve got my first order for a tub from Mano to take in for his meal during his night shift at the ‘Manilva Green Apart hotel’Anna called in just as I was making it so she has had a tub as well for her dinner this evening!

After our surprise e-mail from Kelvin we are looking forward to seeing him next week and meeting his wife Gaye for the first time! It means that we are now going out on Wednesday instead of Tuesday to celebrate my 68th birthday! It looks like the weather for next week is going to be hot and sunny as we will be out and about in Marbella and Puerto Banus – playing!!

This afternoon its back to a ‘Sporty’ afternoon on TV upstairs and downstairs; The qualifying from the Grand Prix in Singapore is on later( Vettel on pole again - boring!) and I will be watching the next to final stage of the ‘Tour of Britain’ on the left-hand PC, it starts from 'Epsom' racecourse and ends in Guilford after 155kms - come on the ' Manx Missile' and on the other a live football match from England; Liverpool v Southampton or West Ham v Everton ?! Tomorrow its Manchester City v Manchester UTD – Carlos is over in North Wales for the weekend with his old mates but could not get a ticket, so Mano will be on his own at home with Anna who supports the ‘Reds’! Over here in ‘La Liga’ its Real Madrid v Getafe and Rayo Valleano v Barcelona later.Barcelona won 0-4 with Valdes saving another penalty!

Well Mark Cavendish won the stage across the cobbles of Guilford in a fine up-hill finish,his second stage win in the tour and' Sir Brad' has retained the GOLD jersey going into the last stage on Sunday around London Meanwhile also in England Liverpool lost at home to Southampton 0-1 and played terrible but down at West Ham Everton had a great win 2-3 to make Big Bri over in Pori a very happy 'Chappy' !

Then this evening for supper we are having the whole ‘Rodaballo – Turbot’ baked in the oven with lots of Butter and Lemon juice, served with Baby New Potatoes and Garden Peas and on the side Hollandaise sauce. We will then watch the news and weather as well as the football highlights before finding a film to follow.

Thought for the Day; See above.

..