A NOW CLEARING & SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY.

TUESDAY 26^th/ MARCH 2019.

I was up early this morning and after a quick freshen up I shot off down through the vine fields, where the old vines are just showing the first green leaves, to the ‘ Estepona Hospital’ for my appointment at the ‘Physiotherapy Department’ with ‘Encarni’- the Head Physio, for more treatment on my left-hand. I was lucky again and found a spot to park at the top of the hill just past the Hospital, so I was able to have a tostado & tea in ‘ Tikitapi’ before going across to the Hospital.

When I returned to the house we made contact with Jack & Lyn over in Melbourne, on the ‘ Skype’ video, at the moment it’s a ten-hour difference, so it was the evening over there! They are both looking very well, Lyn had just been out for lunch with Annette & Deb, she had also had her hair done yesterday, they are looking forward to their 10^th ‘Wedding Anniversary’ on Thursday, their card has arrived, we used the local sub-post office this time, Jenny & Norah’s ‘Easter Cards’ have also arrived, after just two days, a ‘RECORD’!  

This morning as I set off it was a little grey & overcast with a stiff-breeze, as forecast, hopefully by lunchtime the sun will break through and the sky will clear, by this afternoon it’s due to reach 18 degs+ - tomorrow is the same but a little cooler as the breeze picks up, from Thursday onwards, it looks like we are in for some of the ‘ wet-stuff’- with patchy clouds, carrying on over the weekend, hovering in the mid ‘teens’ – 15/17 degs, overnight down to 12 degs, next week is still looking rather unsettled and not much warmer, watch this space.

See below the spectacular sunset last night over the coast.

This afternoon we are going down to the main ‘Medical Centre’ in Sabinillas for Brenda’s appointment with our Doctor, Natalia, for her review/check-up, in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ little princess ‘Reina’ is back with us tomorrow, for the day, which is lucky as the ‘IPTV’ system has gone off again, Lee is going to hopefully going to reset/fix it when he collect her in the early evening, we have promised him a ‘Take-Out Chicken Curry & Rice’ – for his troubles!

Tomorrow morning we have a new dog coming to see us ‘ Sunny’ who could be with us over August, the two dogs that were due to see us, ‘ Minnie & Summer’ have had to cancel as one of them is not very well, they were also possibly joining us in August!  Meanwhile ‘ Chispa’ is in and out all the time to see us and any of her friends.

The ‘Council’ have just put up two new murals down in Sabinillas, on a wall by the promenade, as you can see below.

This evening for our supper we are having ‘Pan-Seared Lambs Liver’ – dusted in seasoned flour and ‘ flashed’ on the hot griddle-plate ‘ Pink’-no blood! Accompanied with Grilled English Pork Sausages & crisp Spanish Smoked Bacon, with a sauceboat on the side of a rich ‘Red Wine’ Onion, Shallot & Mushroom salsa, with glazed young Carrot Batons & Baby Turnips, stir-fried Baby Spinach Leaves and our favourite ‘Pommes Rissolees’ – Baby New Potatoes boiled in their skins and then tossed in foaming ‘Parsley’ butter until crisp & golden all over!

As the ‘IPTV’ system is off again we are back on Spanish terrestrial TV –channel hopping to find anything to watch, a very interesting ‘ French’ food programme with a lady presenter, with a beautiful accent! Old films from the 50/60s, a little Spanish football and the main weather forecast on ‘TVE 1’  Watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

...

A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA, AT THE MOMENT, AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 26^th/ FEBRUARY 2018.

We had a surprise lie in this morning as little princess ‘ Reina’ ended up staying the night, she’s with us for the day and then back tomorrow & Thursday, she slept all night in her duvet, ‘ Chispa’ has already called in, first thing this morning, to see her friend and us! ‘Scooby’ returns on Wednesday for a short break for five days.

After freshening up we had our breakfast, to start the week in the right direction “ Toasted ‘Crispy’ Smoked Bacon Butties “ – smothered in ‘ HP ‘Brown sauce – as usual, open on Brown for Brenda, with mugs of strong, sweet tea.

Brenda then popped along to the Chemists in ‘Calle Mar’ for our prescription tablets and when she returned I went along to the local Bank to pay the Water Bill and then carried on down to the Butchers to stock up!

While I was out I bumped into a local/friend and the conversation turned to the “ EuroMillions “ lottery winners, last Friday, a local consortium of 80 people from Manilva, Sabinillas, El Castillio & La Linea, reportable, won 88 MILLION EUROS !! We already know a couple of them, a local Councillor and local Bar Owner, who’s ‘Bar’ was closed this morning as I passed!

This morning it was forecast to be cold & wet, but at the moment it’s clear & sunny, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 16 degs+ - the rest of the week and over the weekend into next week we are in for rain and wind, with grey and overcast skies, the only bonus is that it’s going to be hovering on the 16/17 degs mark, overnight up to 12/14 degs, meaning that the rain will be warm! Watch this space.

See below;

For our supper this evening we are having the rest of the ‘Lancashire Hotpot’ which I will top later with some more ‘Spanish Lamb Steaks & Cutlets’ – then lay a fresh ‘lid’ of sliced Potatoes, ready to go back in the oven this evening.

Tomorrow evening we have Lee and his father-in-law, Antonio, joining us for supper, ‘Tapas’ to start, ‘ Medallions of Pork Fillet ‘ for the main course and then ‘ Crepes’ to finish!

On Wednesday it’s “ Global Scouse Day “ so youv’e guessed, we are having my Mother’s recipe, with a couple of additions, of proper ‘ Lobscouse – Scouse ‘ – a stew commonly eaten by sailors from Northern Europe, ie; ‘Lapskaus’ from Norway, when visiting the Port of Liverpool, back in time!

Yesterday afternoon we watched the second half of the ‘ Carabao Cup’ final at Wembley, as Manchester City overpowered and swept aside and then thrashed Arsenal 0-3 in convincing fashion!

After supper we then made contact on the ‘ Skype’ video with Sandra & Bill, over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, for a nice, long catch up with all their news, we then caught the first episode of the two-part “ Strike; Career of Evil “ as the one-legged ‘Soho Detective’ – ‘ Cameroran Strike’ played by Tom Burke returned, with his assistant Robin, played by the very watchable Holliday Grainger, as a dismembered leg is sent in the post to her, at the office, watch this space.

Just a little reminder to all our family & friends all over the World, as you are out & about later this year, to pop a 'Postcard' to us here in sunny Manilva!  We will sent you one back.Thanks!!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

...

A CHANGEABLE BUT STILL SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK.

MONDAY 19^th/ FEBRUARY 2018.

We had a surprise lie in this morning as little princess ‘ Reina’ was not being dropped off, Daniela rang last night to say that she would be working from home today, so she’s back with us on Wednesday to Friday, for the three days, ‘ Chico’ slept most of the night on the bed and then earlier this morning went into his own bed, after freshening up Brenda took him out for his first walk of the day, meanwhile I got ready our breakfast of ‘ Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butties’ smothered  in ‘HP’ Sauce, as usual, open on brown for Brenda, with mugs of steaming ‘PG’ Tips tea.

No doubt ‘ Chispa’ will come crashing in later, she’s been around all weekend, ’Chico’ is due to be collected sometime tomorrow, we will miss him, he’s such good company, a very friendly little lad, eats well and is very easy to look after, next week as well as ‘Reina’ as usual, we have ‘ Scooby’ coming back with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven ‘ on Wednesday for a short 5/6 day break

This morning has started dry, mild & sunny but the forecast is now changeable, as it could be a little damp later, now hovering on the 15/16 degs mark, then over the next two days it’s warm & sunny, 18/19 degs+ - the wet stuff then returns, on Thursday, before the weekend when it’s back to one day dry, the next wet, next week is looking similar, as I said before, sadly, ‘ rather changeable’ to say the least, watch this space.

For our supper this evening we are having the rest of the local ‘  Roast Corn-Fed Chicken’ – cold, with a selection of the left over vegetables and the ‘ Fondant’ potatoes, on Tuesday it’s going to be ‘Pan-Seared Lambs Liver’ with English Pork Sausages, with a Red-Wine Mushroom & Onion/Shallot Gravy, then on Wednesday we are having a ‘Braised Steak Casserole’ – Thursday is find something in the fridge day, Friday will be our regular ‘Fish’ supper and Saturday is ‘ Steak’ night – Sunday is still TBC, watch this space.

Just a quick update on the football results; Barcelona won 0-2 & Real Madrid won 3-5 in a thrilling match at Real Betis, this evening Manchester City play at Wigan in the 5^th Round of the ‘FA Cup’ On Tuesday in the ‘ Champions League’ Chelsea travel to Barcelona and Manchester Utd are in here in Spain to play Sevilla.

This evening after supper we are going to watch over on ‘ ITV’ the first episode of the returning “ Marcella’ – it’s a ‘ Scandi-Noir Crime Drama, starring in the title role Anna Friel, as a detective in the Metropolitan Police Murder Squad, we will then catch up with the second episode on ‘BBC 2’ via the ‘ BBC I-Player’ of the excellent “ Collateral “ with Carey Mulligan.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

...

  

A CRISP & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 3rd/ DECEMBER 2015.

Before breakfast Brenda shot down to the local Post Office and sent all the Xmas cards off around the World!

No lie in this morning as Reina’ was due at 9-00am, she’s being picked up later this evening by Lee or Daniela on her way home from the airport; next week she is with us on Tuesday and then Friday as the folks have their Xmas Staff Party in Gibraltar! ‘Barny’ is due on Saturday morning for a 4 day break and ‘Scruffy’ is with us for a sleep over on Saturday night as well.

Next week I have my yearly ‘Prostrate’ check with the Consultant over at the hospital in Marbella on Wednesday morning and on Thursday we are going on a trip to Malaga to go to the ‘Pompidou’ Museum and later see the Xmas lights in the city. Then on the Sunday we are going out for our ‘Xmas Lunch’ at our favourite restaurant “ Cocomo “ I have just rung and booked a table and spoken to the owner and she informed me that they have moved into a larger premises on the other side of the road, we can't wait to see the new restaurant! Watch this space.

On the menu front we are having this evening for our supper ‘Albondigas – Meatballs’ in my rich Tomato Salsa in which I’ve added some Baby Mushrooms & diced Ham served with Spaghetti and Garden Peas; tomorrow is fish night after we see what’s in the fish market ( Rodaballo –Turbot ?!) as we are going down to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping – then on Saturday I’m going to cook one of our ‘Steak’ specials ( ‘Diane, Au Poivre or Rossini’ !) Finally on Sunday evening we are having my version of “ Lancashire Hotpot “ with pickled Red Cabbage!

I’ve just phoned Tim over in Old Colwyn, North Wales and we are going to have a good catch up with him & Thea this evening on the Skype video.

So today its a little overcast but the sun is trying to break through, there is no breeze and by this afternoon it will reach 20/21 degs, the forecast over the weekend is for more of the same, keeping dry & crisp which for the time of the year we can’t complain. We are having one of our at home days just doing nothing, Brenda  is showering and washing her hair and I’m up in the office on the WWW catching up with all the news, E-Mails, Facebook messages etc.

This evening after supper we will channel hop and find something to watch either here or over in England or perhaps we will try and watch the first ‘Hunger Games ‘ film on ‘Film 0n’

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

A WARM AND BALMY DAY IN SUNNY MANILVA AT THE START OF THE WEEK;

MONDAY 20th/ OCTOBER 2014.

I was up bright and early this morning as little princess ‘Reina’ was arriving; so after settling her in I took ‘Scruffy’ for his early morning walk, he’s being picked up this morning and is back with us on Thursday afternoon ‘Reina’ is also with us for the day on Thursday as well!

After our breakfast we went for a long slow walk with ‘Reina’ & ‘Chispa’ around to the surgery to make n appointment for me to have a checkup, so I’ve now got two appointments next Monday morning as my Blood Tests are then at the same time; this was Brenda’s longest walk so far, we sat on the pensioners bench on the way back to recharge the batteries!

Its another beautiful day here in sunny Manilva,a little breeze is making it very pleasant, in fact its ‘Balmy’ with more of the same to come over the next few days. The tail end of Hurricane ‘Gonzalo’ hit Tenerife yesterday as it makes it way up to the UK with severe floods and high winds, watch out over there its on its way!!

When we came back from our walk we had our weekly ‘Menu’ planning meeting; so tonight we are having a light supper of griddled Chicken Wings with Baked Potato & Mixed salad, tomorrow as we are out at the hospital over in Marbella, in the late afternoon, for Brenda’s eye tests and an appointment with the Consultant so I’m going to find a ‘Soft Mixed Grill’ (Bacon. Egg, Sausage, etc) for supper when we return, on Wednesday I’m going to make a ‘Chicken & Mushroom Tarragon Pie’ Thursday will be a leftover/find day and then of course Fish on Friday before our regular ‘Saturday Steak Night’ Then next Sunday we will be roasting TBC!

Last night we choose the wrong film to watch “Duplicity” from 2009 with Clive Owen & Julia Roberts as two corporate spies, too many ‘flash backs’ and ‘plot twists’ – it’s boring, don’t watch it!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..