A VERY,VERY HOT SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 16^th/JULY 2014.

Today the forecast is for the hottest day of the year so far as the front coming in from Africa takes full effect; in parts of Andalusia yesterday it was already reaching 42degs! It then goes a little cooler towards the weekend and into the start of next week.

Meanwhile it’s all happening down here in sunny Manilva this week, again as today it’s the ‘Festival of the Virgin Del Carmen’ – the patron saint of fishermen and sailors when they carry the Tableau from Castillo Duquesa down to the marina and then take it out to sea and come back in on the beach in Sabinillas later, lots of singing, dancing and eating follows! As this all takes place during the day and on the beach so it will get rather hot and frantic in true ‘Spanish’ style to say the least, Den & Josie are braving it but we will take a ‘Rain check!’

Last night in the village an ‘Art Exhibition’ was opened that is taking place in all the bars ( 14!) for the next 15 days so later I’ am going out to start to view the pictures, the title of the exhibition is “ Naked ” which has just been clarified by out local ‘Professor of Art –rtd’- Josie as to the difference in the words naked/nude – it helps to have this sort of friend that knows what she s talking about! Watch his space for the pictures later.See above - 'Cafe Ocana' closed today!

Tomorrow down in Duquesa Marina later in the evening (11-30pm!) the teachers from the Music School are performing a concert that gets rather loud and lively with our friend Isobel singing, at the same time there is a ‘Vintage Market’ in the streets.

Then on Friday evening back here in the village there is a ‘Flamenco Fashion Show’ in front of the Town Hall at the top of our street, Den & Josie are joining us for an early ‘Fish, Chip & Mushy Pea Supper’ ( Cruz Campo batter!)  as the local ‘Head Fish Fryer’ has put the sign out “ Frying Tonight! ”

Yesterday lunchtime Mano called in for a chat and a gossip, Anna was out with a girlfriend Pam who is over staying with them. Also our dear friends Claus & Doreen will by now have settled in at their villa along the coast after their long journey down from Bremen over the weekend so no doubt we will be making contact shortly, we are looking forward to seeing them again.

Today the ‘Tour De France’ starts again after the rest day yesterday when stage 11 goes from Besancon to Oyonnax – it look like it could be an break away win today as the mountains steady get bigger at the end.

And not forgetting that 'Scruffy' is back later for the day.

For supper tonight the plan is to have ‘Albondigas – Meatballs’ in my famous Tomato Salsa with Spaghetti – that’s if the butcher has some made?!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY;

SUNDAY 15^th/ JUNE 2014.

A nice lie in this morning after last nights late night watching the England v Italy game into the wee small hour’s as we are of course one hour behind! Just like England in fact!!

Today it’s already very hot and sunny and the forecast for next week is more of the same and getting hotter, at night now it stays warm as there is no cooling breeze and as the month goes on it will be into our high summer temperatures for the next three months at least!

After a surprise breakfast of fresh local Orange juice and Brenda’s famous ‘Poached(Campo) Eggs on Toast’ there is nothing very much to get ready today as we are going down to ‘Bar Las Vinas’ for a Tapas lunch later; tonight for our late supper we are having another Tapas of ‘Chicken Wings’ that I have just cooked off as we are picking Gillian up from the Bus Station over in Marbella in the early evening.

Mano and Anna called in,again so we had a nice cool drink and the walked down very slowly to 'Bar Las Vinas' - they looked after us very well,Brenda and Anna has a Tapas of 'Higado- Liver' Mano had some Baby Caracoles - Snails' and I had the Paella which was very good and some of my very favourite " Tortillitas Camarones" which you can see in the picture above; we were introduced to it in 'Sanlucar De Barrameda' by Mano and then we took David and Jane there for some" It's made with Chick Pea Flour,very,very small Shrimps and beaten Egg - then fried! - DELICIOUS !!

Last night down in Duquesa Marina it was packed with English supporters, so busy that there were lots of complaints on Facebook this morning as they could not even get into the port to park! Earlier in the day on the beach down in Sabinillas it was time for a ‘Horse Feria – Fair’with lots of Andalusian Horses on show.

Today here in the village down at the Football Stadium there is an ‘International 7xSide Football Tournament’ and down in Sabinillas in the square there is a ‘Street Party’ later with all sorts of fun, games and music, meanwhile here in the village yesterday there was a ‘Flamenco Show’ in the ‘Plaza De La Vendimia’ – sadly we are not participating in any of the fun as we are of course still taking things very easy with Brenda and not walking far for now until she is checked out with the ‘Cardiology Consultant in two weeks time!

No news from Jack and Lyn over in Australia on their travels/adventure around the country, the last we heard they where on their way across the top to Darwin – we will try and make contact on the Skype video later, if they are reading this let us know where you are !! Safe journey and keep to the left all the time?!

So this evening after we get back and have our late supper we will then catch up with all the news, sport and weather up-dates; so watch out later for some results on the sports front in Football, Motor GP,Tennis,Cycling,Rugby etc.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

SUNNY MANILVA AND SABINILLAS THIS MORNING

THURSDAY 13^th/ JUNE 2013.

We had just a little lie in this morning, the sun is coming through the shutters and it’s going to be another hot one! Brenda is coming to the end of her cleaning régime, nearly – she is vacuuming all the rugs around the house including the office, as I’ am on the WWW and typing this blog!

This morning down in Sabinillas they have just had the official opening of ‘Calle Isaac Peral’ – ‘Bank Street’as you can see in the pictures above of the Mayor, Antonia and our local councilor Mario Jimenez Rodriguez who is responsible for all the works.

We are having a nice lazy day at home as I think Brenda is now at the end of getting ready for the folks arriving next week; yesterday up on the roof terrace we finished out current ‘Patterson’s’ and then swapped them, on Friday we will pick up some more books when we exchange some others in the bookshop.

The dog has just crashed in so we will go for a walk, later around the village; it is the start of the time of the year when the village goes quiet, all the shutters are down and everybody keeps out of the sun, the children come out to play later in the evening when the sun has gone down.

We bumped into Mano and Anna in Bodega Augustin  and so stopped for a coffee,Sally Ann then came along and joined us,then Barbara was passing and joined us as well - so the chat soon got out of hand as the three of them sorted out the world,Mano went outside for a smoke and we escaped back up to our house!.

I have just come back from the butchers after picking up some very nice Calves Liver for another meal at the start of next week, I couldn’t resist also buying some of his Piquant marinated diced Chicken, which we have been wanting to try, so tonight we are having again  ‘Brochettes a al Tuli’ – the butcher!

The Marina and beach pictures above show our coast at it's best,all the main beaches in our area and further up and down the coast are at this moment having fresh sand delivered ready for the arrival of the 'Masse's' at the end of next week as the Spanish schools break up.

Not much luck with the films this week, so far, so tonight I will channel hop.

Thought for the Day; See above.

..

.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

MANILVA AT THE START OF THE WEEK

 MONDAY 13^th/TUESDAY 14^th/ MAY 2013.

On Monday we had a very easy day and did nothing! It’s great when you can!! The late classic film was one from the past; “ The X-Files ”from 1998 with David Duchovny as ‘Mulder’ and the very watch able Gillian Anderson as ‘Scully’- ‘The Cigarette Smoking Man’-remember – was played by William B. Davies!

This morning, Tuesday we had lazy morning after our tea and toast as we showered and freshened ourselves up; we then went for along walk around the village and took the pictures of the on-going progress on the two new Plaza’s, the pictures of Calle Utopia, where Big Brian used to live are from the council blog, they have started this morning on another project in Calle Cruces which has needed some attention for a long time; the road has never had a railing and was very dangerous – so new railings are going up(50M) and as a bonus they are making below a Mirador with a Gazebo which will have spectacular view across the valley to the mountains and Casares! Meanwhile down in Sabinillas this morning they have re-started the work on the new Sports Centre with the facilities going in, the picture was taken by Gary from ‘the Resident’ newspaper – thanks!

This afternoon I’ am in the office and are going to watch the ‘Giro d’Italai stage 10 from Cordenons to Altopiano Del Montasio over 167kms; this is the first time in the mountains in North East Italy and features two category one climbs – including a massive 20% incline to the finish! Huge climbs and a brutal finale !! The sun is out so sweet relief to Wiggins! A Sky Team rider won the stage,but it was not Wiggins ! Roberto Uran Uran broke away with 7kms to go and won! Spectacular helicopter pictures of the high Italian Alps bordering on Austria on a beautiful sunny day.

This evening for supper we are having ‘Minute Steak’ cooked ‘Pink’ on the griddle with sautéed Mushrooms and Onions, sliced Green Beans and Chips before we settle down to watch ‘Master Chef Spain’ This morning I picked up some Braising Steak for tomorrow night.

Thoughts for the Day;

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.  Do a little more each day than you think you possible can. Everyone has Talent. Do not let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.

….

.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

MANILVA ON FRIDAY

MANILVA NEWSFLASH.

Tuesday 10th July 2012.

Just a quick line to say that we have been off-line since Monday morning due to a fire close to the entrance to the village - no water - no electricity - and most importantly no IT or phones ! All the news and pictures on Wednesday after the visit to the hospital in the morning for my results ! Watch this space !!!




..

GUADALMINA/MANILVA.

WEDNESDAY 30TH MAY 2012.

Well we have just got back this afternoon from a surprise trip to Guadalmina to look after the villa and the three dogs; Carolyn rang late on Monday night and asked us if it was possible to do the Tuesday night for them as they had urgent business over in Fuengirola – we said yes but told them that we were going over to La Linea first thing on Tuesday morning to sort out the final documents on the car and would then come over to them ASAP ! Andy came with us to the ‘Trafico ’office in La Inea ; we were the first in the queue as it opened and got the document paid and checked then had to go to another counter to receive the new document – all the details came up on the PC and it looked like we had cracked it – No ! Bureaucracy beat us yet again – we where in the Province of ‘ Cadiz ’ and we have to register it in the Province of ‘Malaga ’ So it’s back to Malaga on Thursday morning – fingers and toes crossed ! !

Last evening Brenda went for a swim in the pool at the villa as we took things easy overlooking the garden and taking in the little breeze; the pictures above show the villa and gardens in all their glory, the three dogs and the car outside the front door as we went down this morning for breakfast at “ Tricky Ricky’s ” as our treat for the week ! This evening we are having ‘ Pork Cutlets ’ with Boulangere Potatoes for dinner and are then going to catch up with the Spanish news and weather for the weekend as we are back at the villa very early on Saturday morning and will not get back home until very late on Monday/Tuesday morning ! Clive and Carolyn are going over to London to see some of celebrations for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee which we will be able to watch on the large screen TV in their lounge !

Thought for the Day;

The biggest reward for a thing well done is to have done it.


..


.

MANILVA UPDATE.

SATURDAY/TUESDAY 18th/ 21st FEBRUARY 2012.

The forecast for over the weekend is sunny and clear and next week it is more of the same and getting warmer by the weekend; Saturday morning after breakfast we went for our usual walk around the village and when we got back Brenda shot up to the roof terrace to take in the sun, meanwhile I watched the sport on the new sports channel, Liverpool beat Brighton in the FA Cup 6-1 and played a lot better. After our steak and chip dinner we watched the late film on TVE1 – “ A Time to Kill ” is taken from the book by John Grisham of the same name and is directed by Joel Schumacher; it has an ensemble cast that these day they would not be able to afford, Matthew McConaughy,Sandra Bullock, Samuel L.Jackso,Donald and Kiefer Southerland,Asley Judd, Brenda Flicker and Patrick McGoohan ! Set in Mississippi it revolves around the rape of a ten year old black girl, the subsequent shooting of the rapists and then it focuses on the trial of her father – don’t miss it.

On Sunday morning we went for a walk and I took the pictures below; the Basketball was very exciting and there was a very noisy crowd in the sports hall, the work is starting in earnest now that they have cleared the ground for the new plaza and car park and the new Social Services office is nearing completion. We then sat outside Bar Rojas in the warm sunshine and had a Paella lunch that Lumy had just made. The Spanish football was very good with Real Madrid winning and Barcelona beating Valencia 5-1 with Messi scoring four of the goals ! In the evening we had Lamb Cutlets roasted on Boulangere Potatoes for dinner and then caught another good film, “ The Public Eye ” starring Joe Pesci as a New York newspaper photographer back when the mob ruled, it is based on an actual person and Barbara Hershey is the gangster’s moll with a heart !

Monday was an at home day as we took things easy;

Today,Tuesday,Brenda had her appointment at the hospital in Marbella to get the results of the bi-opsy; Anna called in just before we left so we had good chat and gossip then Andy and Maria took us over at lunchtime, the result was good, no problem and the treatment is sunshine – so no problem there ! This coming weekend on Saturday it is the Carnival in the village, Rio de Janeiro has just finshed,Cadiz was last week and Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Caniara were in the first two weeks of February; so now it’s our turn ! Watch out for the pictures of the Grand Parade along Calle Mar !! Then next Tuesday it is a bank holiday for ‘ Andalusia Day ’when there is all sorts of things going on in front of the Town Hall on the stage after the formal part of the day when they raise the flag – more pictures to follow.

PS; I have just made the Pancake mix for our Crepes tonight !



Thought for the Day;


Nostalgia is like a grammar lesson, the present’s tense, and the past’s perfect.


..





.

MANILVA THIS WEEK.

MONDAY/THURSDAY 23rd/ 26th JANUARY 2012.

The forecast for the week is good but at the weekend there is bit of the wet stuff on the way, the first in the last four months; after our tea and toast, Brenda has Manilva Honey and I have Diet Strawberry Jam on mine, we went for a walk around the village with Cheta who has now fully recovered and is back to her normal boisterous self on Monday morning. Anna called in to catch up with all the news and gossip and later we spoke to Tim over in Old Colwyn to find out how he was after the run; he and his friends have raised over £ 2000 pounds for a hospice in North Wales but he has now hung up his running shoes, if fact he is going to loose them! So no marathons in London or New York!! Tim’s eldest daughter, Stacey, came up from London with her partner and their daughter Ollie for the race.
In the evening we had cold Chicken for dinner and then watched “ Die Hard 11 with Bruce Willis – he won as usual !

After our usual walk on Tuesday morning, we go different ways around and through the village, we called into the butchers and picked up some diced Beef for a pie but neither butchers had any Kidneys so it is going to be a Beef and Mushroom Pie. Brenda then had a cleaning and washing day so I retired to the office and watched on the BBCIPlayer ‘ Saturday Morning Kitchen and Something for the Weekend ’For dinner we had Pork Cutlets with our favourite Lyonnaise Potatoes and then watched some Spanish topical news on the TV.

Wednesday was another beautiful day as we walked around to the surgery; Brenda has now got two appointments at the Costa del Sol Hospital over in Marbella in February to get the results of her scans on her legs and check on her ointments and I updated our doctor on my checkup on the Prostrate and arranged for the tests and X-Rays in six months time, at the same time the nurse dressed a nasty cut on my leg which I got a few weeks ago on the car door – so we are both fine and will live to fight another day ! When we went for our walk later is was hot as we sat down on the Mirador on our ‘ Derby and Joan ’ seat. I had made the Beef and Mushroom Pie filling before we went to the surgery and finished cooking it when we came back to the house, I put the Puff Pastry top on just before it goes in the oven and brush it with egg wash,twice,before it goes in the oven – the baking smell of the pastry is divine ! We sat down to it with Cabbage and Carrots and Chips, even if I do say so – it was scrummy ! I had tweaked the recipe and added more herbs so it tasted divine !!

After dinner it was time for football; over in England Liverpool v Manchester City was the main match in the second leg of the ‘ Carling Cup Semi Final ’The score was 2-2 on the night but Liverpool won 3-2 on aggregate, Belamany hit a cracking goal for Liverpool and Jo Hart the City goalkeeper kept them in the game with some spectacular saves, Liverpool will play Cardiff in the final at Wembley.Here in Spain it was another ‘ Classico ’ between Barcelona and Real Madrid in the second leg of the quarter finals of the ‘ Cope del Rey ’Barcelona scored two quick goals at the start of the second half but Real Madrid came back late and scored two in reply !As usual the match was full of incidents but it meant that Barcelona won 4-3 on aggregate to go through to the next round. I ended up at Bar Rojas leading the ‘ Barca ’supporters and giving Manolo the Red Card !
The late film on the classic channel was ‘ Where Eagles Dare ’ from 1968 with Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood in the main parts – still good after all the years.

Today, Thursday, we were up early as we were taking Andy and Maria to the airport in Gibraltar; they dropped Charlie off in his cage on his stand and he has soon settled in, he is whistling and starting to talk already as you can see in the picture below; as we have Andy’s car for a week we called into Castillo de la Duquesa to pick up tickets for a council bash tomorrow lunchtime ( Free drink and a Tapas ) and so took some pictures of the castle and the village of the same name. The council has been doing some finishing work on the plaza and around the village with the colorful mosaics and the Roman Museum and the Fencing Exhibition is also looking good in the pictures below. The Fortress dates back to 8th century BC and the Roman site next to it go back to the 1st/5th centuries AD. The castle was built in 1767 under the reign of Charles 111 of Spain. The court yard of the castle is now used for amongst other thing wedding receptions, in fact Mano and Anna’s daughter Sally was the first bride to get married there a few years ago when Mano had the idea that it would make a rather special setting ! We stopped at the port of Duquesa and called into the English butchers were we found some Kidneys for the next time and also Calves Liver for another day. When we got back to the village we found television crews from the main TV channels in Calle Mar, they had been interviewing locals and had been in the Town Hall – we don’t know what it is about so watch this space – that’s what happens when we go out !

PS; Charlie is a bit of a character,he likes Monkey Nuts and Fruit ( Diced Apple ) Sunflower Seeds and Diced Carrots - so he is a fruit and nutcase !!


Thought for the Day;


Happiness is a gentle steering of the soul.


..




.