A DRY & SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 4^th/ NOVEMBER 2015.

We were up early this morning as the gas bottle delivery man was due, he drops off the new one and collect the old one, the price has dropped again, its controlled by the government! At the moment the ‘Euro’ is rising steadily so this week’s two Pension transfers were up on last month, here’s hoping that it keeps going up as we have another one due next week!

After our regular breakfast we planned our day ahead; Brenda has put the washing on as the forecast is starting to look better, by tomorrow its getting warmer and there will be none of the wet stuff or wind, over the weekend is also looking a lot better.

At lunchtime we went for a nice walk with 'Chispa' in the very warm sunshine and ended up sat in the 'Plaza de la Vendimia' like Derby & Joan!

This evening Andy is joining us for supper, we are having ‘Baked Pork Chops’ that are cut especially for me by our butcher ‘English’ style, Brenda is getting ready Cabbage with Alselgas, Carrot Batons, Cauliflower Florets in a three Cheese sauce & Garden Peas, this evening I’m making my special ‘Breton Style Potatoes’ – diced boiled local potatoes tossed with Red & Green Peppers; to start with we are having ‘Ham Croquettes’ and for dessert ‘Apple Flan’ with Strawberries.

We have also invited our Swedish friend Lillemor to join us for supper on Sunday as she is due to go back to Gothenburg the following week.

See below a old picture of the 'Collegiate Grammar School' in Shaw Street at the top of London Road in Liverpool city center, I was there back in 1958 and my classroom was on the second floor on the right hand side -large window!!

Last night before our supper we watched the new series of ‘Rick Stein Venice to Istanbul’ now this was serious cooking at its best, the night before Nigella’s programme was slated in the press, rightly so, as ‘Word Porn’ with the worst non-recipe ever of ‘Avocado on Toast’?!

 It was based in Venice and he made all the classic ‘Venetian’ dishes; ‘ Gnocchi con Granseola’ – Potato Gnocchi with Crab, a classic ‘Venetian Seafood Risotto’ with the addition of seven ground spices! A delicious looking diced Liver & Onions, ‘ Spaghetti Alle Vongole' using baby Clams. He then went to the most famous bar in the world “Harry’s Bar” were he met Giuseppe Cipriani who’s father invented the ‘Bellini’ back in 1948 – the classic White Peach puree with Prosecco cocktail,at the same time he also brought to the world “ Carpaccio of Beef” with a Mustard Dressing!!

Tomorrow morning ‘Reina’ is due back with us and at lunchtime we have our appointments at the surgery for our ‘Gripe –Flu’ jabs, at the same time I’m arranging for my Blood tests ready for my appointment with my ‘Prostrate’ consultant at the hospital over in Marbella at the start of December. Fingers crossed and watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A DAMP AND OVERCAST WEDNESDAY IN SUNNY MANILVA;

WEDNESDAY 3^rd /DECEMBER 2014.

We all had a little lie in this morning including ‘Scruffy’ who sleeps very well and is no bother, he jumps on the bed when he’s ready to go out! The only problem was that it’s raining, the forecast changed last night as a surprise front came in from the Mediterranean for a change, so we both took him out for is first walk of the day and I carried on down to the butchers and Brenda shot back to the house. We are then back to normal on Thursday and over the weekend with sunshine and clear skies but a little cooler – 18/19degs.

At the butchers I bought two English-cut ‘Pork Chops’ ( gone in the deep freeze) for our Sunday night supper and some of his own Herb & Wine marinated ‘Chicken Wings’ for tomorrow night’s supper; so tonight we are having for a change ‘Brochettes of Marinated Pork’- I also bought his ready diced Pork this morning; I’m going to prepare them later with sliced Onion, Smoked Bacon, Mushrooms and Red & Green Peppers, we will have them served on a bed of Basmati Rice with diamond cut Green Broad Beans and a sauce boat of my famous Tomato Salsa on the side! See below - ready for tonight!

And the finished meal!

So it looks like an at home today so Brenda is starting to find things that need seeing too around the house; she is also starting to write the Xmas cards later.I’m up in the office on the WWW  minding my own business and keeping myself from under her feet! ‘Scruffy’ is keeping me company as well.'Chspa' has also come and joined us in between the showers.

We are still reading a little in the afternoons until the light goes and then end up watching the ‘Animal Documentaries’ on TVE 2 and the ‘Dog Whisperer’ later! Last night after supper we found a good two good films to watch, one after another on TVE 1(so no adverts!) Just like you wait all day for the bus to come along and then two turn up!!

Early this evening our dear friend 'Big Bri' called in so we had a good catch-up with all his news,he signed the full contract this morning with the company after the three month training period! Great news!! 

First it was an all action spy drama “Haywire” from 2011 with Gina Carano? Michael Fassbender, Ewan McGregor, Bill Paxton, Antonio Banderas and Michael Douglas – ‘Gina’ is all action, no words and kills everything/anybody that moves!

Next it was “Twisted” from 2004 about a series of murders in San Francisco with the cops played by the very watch able Ashley Judd, Samuel L Jackson and Andy Garcia – there’s a twist in the tale!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 26^th/ AUGUST 2014.

I was up early this morning as ‘Reina’is dropped off by Daniela on her way into work over in Gibraltar; she is no problem, she is just like ‘Scruffy’ as she follows me everywhere, this morning her new girlfriend ‘Chispa’ came and played with her for a while also!

It’s another very hot day and the forecast is for more of the same and getting a little hotter over the weekend; the following weekend of the 5^th/6^th/7^th September is the “ Vendimia Festival ” I’ve decided this year not to crush the grapes but will come back for one final time the following year when I will be 70!!

So this morning after breakfast we had our weekly planning/menus meeting; I’ve just got tonight’s supper on the go – “Toad in the Hole ” but in the ‘Sexton Style’ – ‘English Pork Sausages’ cooked on the griddle this evening and served on Brenda’s famous Mashed Potato, Yorkshire Puddings on the side and lashings of Onion Gravy that I made this morning with sliced Shallots & Onions, my secret ingredients, a large slug of Red Wine and a very rich Beef & Vegetable stock. Brenda is getting ready also some Cabbage with Alselgas.See the picture above with some of the Chicken Livers in the pud!!

On Wednesday we are having ‘Baked Pork Chops’ with ‘Breton style’ Potatoes then on Thursday the ‘Chicken Wings’ with Baked Potato and Mixed salad; Friday is ‘Fish Night’ and on Saturday, you’ve gussed,’Steak Night’ Then on Sunday Josie is joining us for her ‘Last Supper’ this year when we are going to have “ Medallions of Pork Fillet ” with ‘Charcutiere’ sauce!

This morning I also cooked the ‘Chicken Livers’ a la ‘Espanola’ Tapas style with finely diced Onions & Red Peppers and ‘Smoked Bacon Sippits’ – lots of chopped Parsley and a little stock to taste.

Yesterday the ‘Vuelta a Esapana’ started  from the quayside of Cadiz harbour when the ‘Tour’ came down a ramp from inside the hanger of the Spanish Navy’s largest Aircraft carrier the “ Juan Carlos 1 ” See the picture below. Today the tour arrives in Cordoba from Mairena Del Alor.

Last night we found a delightful film to watch about three aging mobsters getting together for one last time after one of then come out of prison after 28 years “ Stand Up Guys” from 2012 with Al Pacino as the one out of prison and Christopher Walken & Alan Arkin – all acting in their own inevitable style with a lovely under stated performance from Addison Timlin – one to catch so I won’t give the story away!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 10^th/ JUNE 2014.

The delivery trucks woke us up this morning, gas bottles, waste paper and shop good’s so far! It’s already warm and sunny and it’s going to be a hot one today later with temperatures reaching 34degs.After breakfast which now features as our fresh fruit ‘Nectarines’ for the first time this year our first job of the day is to water the wall pot plants.

I then shoot up to the office for my first check of the WWW – on-line newspapers,BBC news, weather forecasts, sports up-dates, various news agency reports, local North Wales newspapers and Blog,Facebook & Twitter, local Manilva and Council news and finally E-Mails.

One from Gillian was asking us if we are able to pick her up this coming Sunday evening at Marbella Bus Station as she if flying into Malaga to come and finalize the handing over of her rented property and collect the rest of her goods – she is going to be here for just over a week and we will then possible drop her at the border to catch a flight home from Gibraltar – no problem!

Next week also the “Queen of Skelton”- Josie is also due to fly in for her summer vacation followed by her “Consort”- Den a week later – the ‘Red Limousine’ is being prepared later this week, washed and polished,oil,water and tires checked and the ‘Chauffeurs ‘ uniform cleaned and pressed!

Also today in the financial news the ‘Euro’ has reached a new 52 week high, so here’s hoping that it stays there as over the next two weeks all the pensions are due to be transferred over on their 4 week cycle!

Brenda’s up on the roof terrace at the moment doing her least favorite job – the ironing, six of my shirts she has just told me, later after ‘Chispa’ comes calling, she has just arrived, we will go for a little walk around the village, a bit further each day as she is still taking things easy before our visit to the ‘Cardiology’ Consultant in two weeks time over at the hospital past Marbella.

As we just going out Mano & Anna called in for a chat and gossip, we have not seen them for a while,Mano is in the middle of his very serious dental work with Victor;so we have now found out where to go for the shutters for the front door and not get ripped off - " Leroy Merlin" over in Marbella! Then after talking with them we have decided to cancel our contract with 'Jazztel' for our two super Mobile phones,instead we are going to have two simple 'Pay As Go' ones - we don't use the technology and the savings are very good,we are keeping our land-line and internet with them for now! 

This means that our house number is the same 952890548 but our two mobile numbers will change within in the next week - watch this space !! 

We are both back into our reading again’ Lee Childs ’at the moment, in fact I’ve got a hardback ‘Patterson’ in the pipe line as well; it’s nearly time for us to go up on the roof terrace in the late afternoon’s to read, take in a little sun, have our ‘Earl Doors’ cocktail’s and listen to the local music radio stations – it’s a hard life but somebody has to do it!

Tonight’s supper is all cooked at the last moment – “A La Carte” style as we are having ‘Pork Schnitzels’ with ‘Spaghetti Milanese’ –one of our favorite meals – in fact they all are !! See the picture above.

Last night we caught the Monday evening ‘British Classic’ on TVE2 – “ Venus ” from 2006 – a romantic comedy/drama with Peter O’Toole,Leslie Phillips,one of the first celebrities that I served back in Liverpool at the ‘Stork Hotel’ in Queens Square, Jodie Whittaker,Vennesa Redgrave and Richard Griffiths – a very good story very well acted and with no violence!

After supper we will channel hop to find something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day ; See above.

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WARM AND SUNNY MANILVA AT THE START OF THE WEEK;

MONDAY 24th/ MARCH 2014.

 I took Scruffy out for his first walk of the day after the sun came in through the shutters, it’s another glorious day here in sunny Manilva; after breakfast we watched for a short while on TVE1 the pre-funeral ceremonies for the Ex- President Adolfo Suarez who died yesterday, the King & Queen paid the respects to his family as well as all the government in the parliament building, he was the founding father of the democracy here in Spain when Franco handed over the reigns to the King and even managed to stop the attempted civil war – he was very popular in the country.

Scruffy was picked up later in the morning but he’s back with us tomorrow for another two days! We are missing him already, we then shot out in the car after Chispa came crashing in, she loves the car and stands on Brenda’s knees and puts her head out of the open window; we went down to the bank in Sabinillas then went along to ‘ El Castillo Duquesa’ to pay for our trip out on Saturday; we then came back to Sabinillas and went for a walk along the promenade and had a nice coffee and pastry in’Miel’( the best coffee!) See the pictures above. We then doubled back to ‘Puerto de la Duquesa’ and picked up some Lamb Chump Chops from the English butchers.

As we were coming out of the car park in the village we bumped into our friend Barbara who asked us to her 40^th birthday celebration on Saturday evening at her house, so we are going to call in later after we get back from our day out!

The menus for our week are starting to take shape; tonight we are having Cold Chicken with a fry-up of the leftover vegetables and potatoes, then tomorrow I will pick up something from our butchers in the village ( Calves Liver?) For our mid-week production I’ am going to make ‘Lancashire Hot Pot’- hence the Lamb Chump Chops this morning which I will use with some Spanish Lamb Cutlets! Thursday is find something in the fridge day and on Friday we will pick up some fresh fish from the market.

Last night, well early this morning actually Marc Marquez won the opening ‘MotoGP’ in Qatar under the floodlights after a thrilling battle with Valentino Rossi despite riding with a broken leg! He twice regained the lead on the final lap!! This week on Tuesday evening over in England in the ‘Premiere League’ it’s the derby game between Manchester Utd and Manchester City!!

After supper this evening we will catch up with all the news, sport and weather forecast’s before channel hopping.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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CLOUDY BUT WARM AND HOT MANILVA ON THURSDAY

THURSDAY 3^rd/ OCTOBER 2013.

This morning we were awoken by the sound of the crickets, it must be the time of the year and the weather conditions; I think I’ am right in saying that it’s the male crickets rubbing their back legs together to attract the attentions of the females in the mating season – I must try it some time!!

After our tea, toast and fresh fruit I have just made a fresh bowl of my now famous ‘Ensaladilla Rusa’ with Brenda’s help from the ‘Vegetable Department’! We are starting to think about the weekend’s menu’s, Fish in Batter on Friday, Steak a la Plancha on Saturday and on Sunday Lancashire Hot Pot! Brenda has asked   for some of her favorite ‘Minestrone Soup’ which I make with my famous Tomato salsa! She has just shouted that she would also like some ‘Leek and Potato ‘soup on another day – so plenty to keep the ‘Chef’ busy!!

The weather at the moment is overcast and cloudy but no rain as forecast, it’s still warm and the sun is due back later and tomorrow; yesterday evening before we went out to pick Gillian up from Marbella bus station we went up on the roof terrace for our usual ‘Happy Hour’ as it was very hot and sunny!

We have just come back from our lunchtime walk withe dog,it's now officially hot and sunny so we called into Bodega Augustin for a cool drink.

It’s a quiet day at home catching up with chores, Brenda is at the moment washing her hair, next week she is planning to have the ‘Full Works’ down in Sabinillas at the hairdresser’s on Tuesday as we out at the hospital on Monday and Wednesday.

Tonight after supper we will try and find a film to watch after catching the news and weather on TVE1.

Thought for the Day; See above.

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