SUNNY AND HOT MANILVA ON BANK HOLIDAY SATURDAY

SATURDAY 12 th/ OCTOBER 2013. “ DIA DE LA FIESTA NACIONAL ”

No lie in this morning as the sun was breaking through the shutters in what promises to be one ‘Helluva’ day weather wise and with the celebrations this evening; the weekend weather and into next week is looking very good with the temperatures reaching 29degs! With just a little hint of breeze this is the best time of the year here in sunny Manilva and the ‘Costa del Sol’

Today is a special bank holiday here in Spain “ Dia de la Hispanidad – Columbas Day” commemorates the discovery of America in 1492 by Christopher Columbas; the military parade in Madrid is spectacular as all the regiments of Spain in their exotic uniforms, some with flowing White capes, quick and slow marches whilst singing patriotic songs as they pass the dais with the this year Prince of Asturias, Philippe with the Princess Letizia taking the salute as you can see in the picture above, the King is recuperating after another hip operation.

First thing this morning after breakfast I made with Brenda’s help a fresh batch of ‘Ensaladilla Rusa’ before watching ‘Saturday Morning Kitchen’ which this week I was able to follow as I went in-line at my first attempt! We then freshened ourselves up and went for a walk with dog; as we passed the ‘Plaza del la Vendimia’ they tested the fountain and waterfall ready for tonight’s celebrations so I was able to get some special pictures of the new park as you can see above!

We are having a nice easy day at home before we go out tonight to the official opening of the Museum and Park; later we are having supper at Bar Rojas as its’ Chefs’ day off! ‘Our Saturday night steak will have to wait until the start of next week.We have just had a lovely supper which Lumy at Bar Rojas cooked for us; Brenda had Chicken Breast a la 'Plancha' with a Tomato salad and I had 'Carne Mechada' with Patatas Fritas and a fried Campo Egg which was so fresh,,it was bright Orange! The Pork dish is a Rump marinated  and cooked then served sliced either cold or warm with its own salsa or plain with salt,mine was cold and was so tasty - we really enjoyed our simple meal!

Watch out for all the pictures and news later.See above with more to come!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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ESTEPONA/SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA

Friday 26th October.
After our trip to Portugal we caught up with our chores on the Winnebago and Brenda hung the washing out to dry! We then had a quiet day at “home” after our travels over the last two weeks.
Saturday 27th October.
We phoned our dear friends Tim and Thea in Colwyn Bay on the Skype phone to check out when they where arriving on Monday only to find out that they where already on the way! So we made plans to contact them on Sunday after they had settled in to their apartment in San Pedro which is only three miles away! At lunchtime Vidal called in to connect the gas bottle to our system which with the help and advice of Frank in Albuferia he was able to do.He then set about another problem we have with the outlet hose and we then found out that the mas/pump had blown a fuse but on checking he found out that it had burnt out-this was some four hours later -a TRUE FRIEND! So on Monday i will have to get onto Dudleys in Oxford and order one to be sent ASAP. We had in the evening asked Vidal and Gissy around for the famous chicken curry but Gissy had picked up a very nasty cold that has been going around,Brenda has a very bad chest and I have been down with it as well so she had to stay in bed and be looked after by Vidal,Gissy not Brenda!!
Sunday28th October.
We had remembered to put the clocks back so we had a little lie in then after some text messages from Tim we arranged to meet them in the square in San Pedro,after a coffee and a quick catch up with the news we shot off to Victors beach bar for lunch on a hot and sunny day but had no joy in trying to get a table for eight with a very nasty host!It was a pity as Vidals brother,Felix plays there every Sunday.We then shot along the coast towards Estepona to go to “Heaven” another beach bar but it was closed but not according to the large sign on the road!! So we gave up a bad job and picked up some stores and went back to their beautiful apartment and had a late afternoon salad on the lawn overlooking the pool.In the evening we all ended up in an Irish bar watching the Liverpool match in the centre of San Pedro and then found a tapas bar around the corner and finished off the day with the local white and a very fine red wine before making our way home.The forcast for the week is hot and sunny everyday so we looking forward to seeing more of the folks during the week.The picture above shows Tim and Thea at the tapas bar in the middle of the evening!!