CLOUDY AND OVERCAST IN SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY

THURSDAY 19^th/ DECEMBER 2013.

This morning as forecast its cloudy and overcast but at the moment still no rain; after breakfast I made a fresh batch of my famous Tomato salsa for over the Xmas period with local Plumb Tomatoes, diced Onion, Red Peppers and lots of Garlic, Herbs, Red wine and vegetable stock, Sweet Pimento powder, vinegar and sugar to taste, Tomato Frito and a little Heinz Tomato Ketchup! Then blend!! You can smell the aroma at the top of our street!

We have brought our late supper forward to a late lunch as we don’t think we will be back till late from the Xmas Carol Concert down in the function hall by the sports ground; we are having Baked Potatoes with the rest of the ‘Casserole of Liver and Sausage’ from the other evening which I have touched up!

We then went for a walk with the dog down the village past the Plaza de la Vendimia to the entrance to the village, outside the Police station and Council Meeting chamber they have finally put out three new flags, Spain, Andalucia and Manilva that I have been asking for ages to be renewed! Also along Calle Mar they have put up more Xmas light around the tall Palm trees which look very effective – watch out for the pictures later when we are out! See above but not very good as my camera is not up to nigh time pictures!

Last night on the TV we ended up watching three programmes’ at once as they were all on at the same time; on ‘Antenna 3’ it was the final of the new “ Top Chef ” with professional chef’s completing, with have watched it a little but the final was rather special, live from Madrid with two chef’s cooking a three-course meal in front of ten judges who are the top Michelin starred chefs in Spain, a lady from Valencia,Begona Rodrigo won the deserved accolade!

Then on Channel 4 it was the film “ The Rock” from 1996 with Sean Connery, Nicolas Cage and Ed Harris as all the action takes place on the island of Alcatraz; at the same time over on Channel 5 it was the Grand Final of “ La Voz  - The Voice ” with a Spanish flamenco singer winning, David Barrull and a live studio performance from “ One Direction” who we had not seen or heard before – sorry!!

Pictures later from the Xmas Carol Concert; See above - all taken from the council page with their photographer as it was very dark in the Congress Center,the Manilva Brass Band performed at their best with Fernando conducting and the two young Clarinet players gave a virtuoso performance; the village choir was in fine voice as were the younger lady's as they sang a version of " Abba's Chiquitita " Finally the school children sang " Supercalifragilisticoespialidoso !! The three boy's giving their all are Sally Anns son Dylan withe the red hair and glasses and his two cousins Chris and Elio ! Mario,Diego and Paqui our local councillors watched over the concert.

At lunchtime Mano and Anna( finally) called in for a long chat,news update and gossip,it sounds looks like Sally Ann is trying to organize Xmas Day Lunch for all the 'Guerrero Clan' - she's calling in later to see us - watch this space.

Thought for the Day; See above.

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MANILVA START OF A " HELLUVA " WEEK..

TUESDAY/WEDNESDAY 28th/29th AUGUST 2012.


BRIAN AND LILLI HERE IN SUNNY MANILVA DAY 2/3;


On Tuesday morning we had the full on Spanish continental breakfast; Fresh Orange Juice, Ogen Melon slices, local Nectarines, local baby Figs, cold sliced Chorizo, mixed cured Hams, local Breads with Honey, Coffee and Tea! Brian and Lilli then caught the bus down to Sabinillas and went for their first swim in the sea and a cold beer or two on the promenade; they then did a little shopping and stocked us up with some more essentials. In the evening they had been invited to a friend’s house for dinner as it was his birthday so we went up to Bar Rojas for a late supper and they came along later to join us for a nightcap.

We went up to Bar Rojas for breakfast on Wednesday morning as you can see in the picture below; we had the traditional local bread toasted and severed with Virgin Olive Oil and a freshly made Tomato Concasse along with coffee con leche and glasses of Gazpacho to set us up for the day ahead – we had a little lie in to prepare us also; by the then sun was past the yard arm so we had our first cool drinks of the day, the girls were on the Gin and Tonic’s, Brian on the bottles of ‘ Cruz Campo ’and I had my first of many ‘ Cuba Libra’s ’Meanwhile the council workmen had nearly finished the wine press and are now putting in the fine spray water system under the canopy ! Andy came along and joined us before he went into work and then Carlos popped up as it was his day off so off we went; three hours later after having Lumy’s famous Homemade Burgers with Bacon,Lettuce,Tomato,Cheese,fried Onions and topped with a fried egg and her Batatas Fritos we were already feeling no pain ! Lille went off for a swim in the Hotel pool and Brian went down to Bodegas Augustin to meet some of his mates – the ‘Meeting ’lasted another four hours!! We went for a siesta and Lilli came back later after stopping at Bodega Augustin where she met Mano and Anna.

We had planned to go down to Puerto Duquesa to the restaurant where Andy works for dinner “The Pergala” and we did eventually get there as you can see in the pictures below; we had a very nice evening enjoying one another’s company and the food was OK, my Medium Rare Fillet Steak with Fresh Chips was the star of the show, the girls Sea Bass was all right but Brian’s Wild Boar was slightly lacking! You get a free glass of Cava as you walk in and the House Nibble was a very nice Cheese Puff, I chose the ‘Torres Vina Sol ’- two bottles on ice and later you get a free shot of ‘Lemoncellio ’ All ok but we would not go there again and would not recommend it ! We then caught a taxi back up to the village and watched the end of the second half of the second leg of the ‘ Super Cup ’ in Madrid, Real Madrid v Barcelona – it ended up 2-1 to Madrid so it was 4-4 on the night so Madrid won on the away goal rule ! Manolo from Bar Rojas was happy and let me know it !! Later after finishing work Andy joined us and then him and Brian went back to his house for a ‘ Bonding Session ’ on the beer’s and homemade cigs ! We retired after one “ Helluva ” day.

PS; In the Vuelta it was a time trial over a hilly course; Froome closed the gap on the leader Rodriguez but lost second place in the overall standings after only finishing third in behind Contador on the 11th stage, so Alberto Contador is now second and only one second behind the leader and Froome is 16 second back !



Thought for the Day;



I’ve got a theory that if you give 100 percent all of the time, somehow things will work out in the end.




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MANILVA START OR THE WEEK.

MONDAY/TUESDAY 30th/ 31st/ JULY 2012.


Monday was an at home day to catch up with the chores around the house; later we went for a short walk around the village and I took the picture below of the on-going work on the underground car park of the new ‘ Plaza Pozo del Rey ’ – the latest forecast is that it will all be finished by December ! We are now into the ‘Sticky’ time of the year and very little change in the temperature at night, Brenda is getting on with her book very well and enjoying it as she is out on the roof terrace under the shade until the sun moves around when I join her in the early evening for our cocktails ! I have for the first time a little colour on my body as I’ am never out of my swimming shorts! Sadly no pool!! In the evening we had Roast Shoulder of Lamb again thanks to, even if I do say so my self, some rather clever carving with help of my special old ‘Sabatier ’Chef’s carving knife! Later we watched a very good film on TVE1 called “ Breach ” made in 2007 – it is a true story of an senior FBI agent turned Russian spy who is finally uncovered ; Chris Cooper plays the main part and the young FBI agent who helps to catch him is played by Ryan Phillippe – very compelling and one not to be missed.

Today, Tuesday it is very hot 38 degs and rising and the forecast for over the weekend and into next week is more of the same and hotter ; we have started to get ready for Brian and Lilli’s visit on the 27TH August for about ten days over the ‘ Vendimia ’ weekend on the 1ST September, Brenda has started on the main guest room, we have the best sheets and pillow cases out and the dressing room is getting the once over, the deep freeze is filling up as we have started planning the menu’s and last week we got a new front door key cut with a Blue key tag especially for Brian ( Everton ! ) – there will be an official handing over ceremony when they arrive which will take place on the Red Carpet ! The car ( Ferrari Red ) will not be getting re-sprayed as requested !! As you can guess we are looking forward to seeing them. Tonight after our supper of pan-fried Pork Cutlets with Boulangere Potatoes we are going to watch the programme about Spanish people working and living abroad, tonight it is Finland !

PS; We have also started to stock up the beer cellar with ' Cruz Campo '




Thought for the Day ;


A true friend is one who thinks you are a good egg even if you are half-cracked.



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