A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY.

TUESDAY 15^th/ OCTOBER 2019.

I was up early again this morning to welcome back little’ Miss Bella’ for the day, she shot upstairs and joined us our bed, on her little favourite ‘ Comfort’ blanket, we then carried on and had a little lie in, as we were freshening up we were listening to the ‘ Andrew Charles Breakfast Show’ on “ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW “ as this week’s ‘ Music Quiz’ came on, it was a seven second intro-track, I sadly got it wrong, so I will catch it again tomorrow when he gives ‘ Cryptic-Clues’!

I was on the breakfast rota so I had my favourite and now famous ‘ Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butty ‘ – smothered in ‘ HP’ Brown sauce – open on brown for Brenda, with mugs of strong/hot tea.

See below;

Today has started a little grey & overcast, as usual, at this time of the year, the sun is now breaking through and the sky is clearing, with a few patchy clouds hanging around, by lunchtime it’s due to reach 23 degs+ - warm & sunny with a little light breeze, as it’s has done over the past few days, no sign of the forecast ‘ Wet-Stuff’ for the rest of the week, it’s going to be hovering in the mid 20s, up to 25 degs+ by Friday, overnight the temperature has dropped down to 14/15 degs, time for a light sheet to come back on the bed, the weekend is also looking warm & settled, next week is staying dry, warm & sunny, with patchy clouds, a cool light breeze making it a little cooler than this week, down to 21 degs+ - all week! Watch this space.

Over on Liverpool early this morning you can see below a picture of the “ Royal Iris “ leaving Seacombe, on the River Mersey, the first ‘ Ferry Across the Mersey’!

At lunchtime we are going along to ‘ Bar Castillo’ as we have been invited to a ‘ Wake- Celebration ‘ by our friend Josie,  for her late husband Dennis, who died a year ago to the day, she has arranged a video link-up with his friends & colleagues back in the UK.

For our supper this evening we are having the rest of last week’s ‘ Chicken & Mushroom Curry ‘ with, for a change, triple-cooked ‘ Chips’ On Wednesday evening it’s going to be ‘Pan-Seared Lambs Liver ‘ with Grilled English Pork Sausages & crispy Smoked Bacon’ Thursday it still TBC.

Yesterday evening after supper we settled down to watch the first episode of “ Dublin Murders “ on ‘ BBV TV ‘ – the second episode is this evening, it’s a psychological thriller, starring  Killian Scot & Sarah Greene, as grim-faced coppers wearing overcoats, wielding warrant cards and ducking under police tapes, at the crime scenes! It’s a ‘ breathless whodunnit’ – as they investigate the murder of a young girl, in the woods, outside Dublin, where 20 years ago three children disappeared, two were not found, but one re-appeared, covered in blood, not his own, with his T-shirt deliberately slashed and not being able to tell anyone what happened, he’s now grown up and has become a ‘ ------ ?!  Watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 15^th/AUGUST 2019.  “ ASSUMPTION DAY “

After another very ‘ sticky’ night we took ‘Chico & Sunny’ out for their first walk of the day, around the bottom of the village, ‘Sunny’ was picked up later in the morning, he’s back for a long weekend later in the month, this coming weekend ‘ Pucci’ is joining us for a week’s holiday, his first time with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ – ‘Chispa’ as usual as been in & out all the time to see all her friends and us!

PS; ‘ Chico’ came out with us a lunchtime, all the dogs that are with us, joins when we are out & about!

When we returned we had a light breakfast before getting ourselves ready to go out at lunchtime, Vic, Sue & Ben were coming over, from the far-side of Marbella at 1-00 pm, their friends decided to not come ( 3 young children!)

As we set off on first walk of the day with the dogs there was thick sea-mist over the Mediterranean and heavy clouds over the mountains, the sun soon broke through and the sky cleared and was bright blue by lunchtime, when the folks arrived, it was very warm and sunny reaching 30 degs+ - with just a very slight ‘ Lavente ‘ breeze blowing up and along ‘ Calle Mar’ – tomorrow and over the weekend it’s getting hotter, up to 34 degs+ by Sunday, next week is starting hot & sunny but then in the middle of the week we could be in for a bit of unseasonal weather, on one forecast showing the ‘ Wet Stuff’?! – as the breeze gets up, keeping the overall temperatures hovering in the mid/high 20s,for the rest of the week, watch this space.

Vic, Sue & Ben, who had grown, he’s now 16, joined us at the house for a nice chilled bottle of ‘Cava’ – a bottle of Coca Cola for Ben, with some light Tapas, we then had a good catch up with all their news including a ‘ Facebook Messenger ‘ video link up with Vic,s Mum, Val, who is a dear friend, that we have known for nearly 55 years, from back in the good old days on the Wirral and of course all the happy memories of the  ‘ The Bridge Inn ‘ in Port Sunlight.

We then made our way along to ‘ Bar Castillo’ and sat in the shade with our nice cool drinks, introducing Sue to ‘Tinto de Verano’s’ – a mixture of chilled Red House wine with Lemon Fanta, lots of Ice and a slice! We ordered a selection of various light Tapas as we brought the World to rights, caught up with all the family news etc, a very pleasant reunion after two years, see the same pictures below, as there last visit, taken yesterday afternoon outside our house!

PS; Thank’s for lunch Vic!

It was then ‘ Siesta’ time and later we settled down in front of the TV and watched nothing in particular, as we had ‘Heinz Baked Beans’ on Toast!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY ' CLOSE' & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 1^st/ AUGUST 2019.

We had another nice long lie in this morning, the last for a while, as we are very busy all over August, in ‘ Doggy World Heaven ‘ - as usual ‘Scruffy’ is with us this afternoon for a few hours, then in the early evening ‘ Chico’ arrives for his nearly three weeks holiday, then tomorrow morning little princess ‘ Reina’ is back with us for sleep-over until Saturday evening.

During August we also have ‘Sunny’ now coming to stay with us for a couple of short breaks as well as ‘Pucci’ – who is now also back with us over Christmas and into the New Year, after ‘ Charlie’s’ very sad loss.

After freshening up we had our regular light breakfast of fresh fruit (Bananas) toast & tea, we then got the shopping list ready, as tomorrow morning I’m out on my travels, down to Sabinillas, for our weekly shopping. Brenda is pottering and I’m up in the office/studio on the ‘WWW’ before I type/post today’s Blog.

We had another very hot night, this morning the sun was out early and the sky was clear with a few patchy clouds, there is a light breeze, by lunchtime it will reach 28 degs+ - tomorrow a lot hotter, up to 33 degs+ as the breeze drops, then over the weekend it’s staying at 33/34 degs, then next week is going to be a ‘ SCORTCHER’ as it’s staying in the mid 30s, up to 36 degs+ by next Thursday! Over next weekend we are in for more of the same, hovering in the mid 30s, only down to 21/22 degs during the night, watch this space.

This evening, as the staff have been given the night off, we are going along, later, to ‘Bar Castillo’ for a light ‘Tapas’ supper, with ‘ Chico’ – after his first little walk, then when we return we will catch up with all the news on the TV, which for now is back to normal, yesterday we had a nice ‘ newsy’ message on ‘Facebook’ messenger for Sandra & Bill, over in Everett, Ontario, Cananda, catching up with all their news, of course all our news is on the Blog! We are arranging a ‘ Skype’ video link up soon, watch this space.

                                                                                             The ' Countdown' begins!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY ' FRESH' & SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 19^th/MAY 2019.

We had another nice long lie in this morning before the church bells started ringing, calling the faithful to Mass. After freshening up we had a quick toast & tea before getting the day on the go, Brenda is now washing/shampooing her hair and I shot up to the office/studio to check out the ‘ WWW’ – read all the news and weather reports, check the ‘E-Mails etc, before typing/posting today’s Blog.

The sun is already out, the sky is cloudless and blue, there is still a stiff breeze blowing, down from the mountains behind the village, a ‘ Poinente’ – normal for this time of the year, by lunchtime it due to reach 24degs+ - warm on the sunny side of the street, ‘Fresh’ in the shade, tomorrow is going to be the same, then from Tuesday onwards as the breeze drops, it’s going a little warmer each day, by the weekend back up to 30 degs+ with a few patchy clouds at times- overnight down to 14/15 degs, the following week is looking similar, watch this space.

See below an aerial view of Sabinillas, showing the full promenade and along to ‘Puerto de la Duquesa Marina’ – with sunny Manilva up in the hills!

NB; Don't forget to ' click-on' the picture to enlarge! 

At lunchtime we are having a ‘ Soft Brunch ‘  as we have been invited to an election party this evening, by Mario, the Mayor, for his “ Compromiso “ party,  taking place in the ‘Plaza Pozo del Rey’ in the centre of the village, with live music, ‘Flamenco’ performers and a ‘ BBQ’!

See below;

Here in the village on a Sunday we have a ‘ Churros’ shop open at lunchtime, above the ‘ Fish Market’ at the top of ‘Calle Mar’ – serving the traditional ‘ Churros’ – a fried-dough pastry, soft in the inside, crisp on the outside, sprinkled with sugar and served with ‘ Dulce de Leche’  hot chocolate or cafe.

See below;

Yesterday over in Liverpool, down at the Pier Head, the ‘Royal Navy’ was on display as “ HMS Northumberland’ – a Type 23 frigate, visited for the day.

See below;

In the early evening we watched the ‘ FA Cup Final ‘ at Wembley, as Manchester City beat Watford 6-0 to take a historic ‘Treble’ of the ‘ Charity Shield, the Premiere League and the FA Cup’ – led by the brilliance of Pep Guardiola, their inspirational Manger.

See below;

Our ‘ Soft Brunch’ consists of ‘Campo’ Fried Eggs, Crispy Smoked Bacon, local sliced Chorizo, Button Mushrooms, seared Plum Tomatoes, Sautéed Potatoes and not forgetting the ‘ Heinz Baked Beans’ and of course ‘ Fried Bread’ – served with buttered toast and Fresh Orange Juice.

Tomorrow morning I will be up early as I have my first of three appointments, next week, across at the ‘ Estepona Hospital’ for more extensive ‘Physiotherapy’ on my left-hand, the following Monday I have a review/check up with the ‘Consultant Physiotherapist ‘ back at the Hospital.

‘ Big Brian’ is due to arrive, tomorrow afternoon, he’s now hiring a car, so I don’t have to pick him up from the Bus Station in Estepona, he’s staying with us for the night in ‘ Casa Sexton’ – then moving into the ‘ Hostel Ocaña ‘ along in ‘ Calle Mar’ on Tuesday for the rest of the week.

Next Tuesday we are going across to the ‘ Costa Del Sol Hospital’ in the morning as Brenda had her six month review/check up with the ‘ Kidney Consultant’

On Wednesday lunchtime, our dear friend ‘ Joyce Baby’ from Chester, who is over for a month at her house up in ‘ Alhaurine el Grande’ behind Malaga, is coming across and we are going up to Casares to ‘Restaurante Sarmiento’

Our friends from Brighton, Kevin & Caroline, are arriving mid-week, to their apartment down in Sabinillas so we are arranging to meet up with them over next weekend.

Last night after supper we settled down to watch this next two-part, back to back, episodes of the Canadian police drama “ Cardinal “ as the Detective, with problems had more murders to investigate, with his lady partner/Detective, the baddies are all psychopaths, the story line is unfolding, next week it’s the final two parts, watch this space.

PS; While I have been typing/posting today’s Blog, I have been listening to, as usual, to the ‘Pete Black Retro Roadshow’ on ‘ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW’ – I had to research the ‘ Movie Quiz’ as it was a little difficult, I got it correct, it was “ On Golden Pond “ with Katharine Hepburn & Henry Fonda! – so ‘Lady’ Brenda is into the monthly draw for the mug, again!

PPS; The only correct answer this week !! 

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A STILL OVERCAST BUT SUNNY MANILVA LATER.

THURSDAY 16^th/ AUGUST 2018. 

We were up early this morning and after a quick freshen up we shot off down the coast road to Estepona, after parking in the promenade underground car park, we had glasses of freshly squeezed Orange Juice with a tostada, in a local Cafe, Brenda then went off shopping, for her cosmetics, as well as some window shopping, and I called into my hairdressers, Manuel, for the full-works. 

We then headed back along the coast and up to sunny Manilva through the very green vine fields, where the locals are now selling this year’s first picked ‘ Moscatel’ Grapes, by the side of the road.

The ‘ Council’ workmen are  now going at full-pace to try and finish the new coloured canopy along ‘Calle Mar’ in time for the ‘ Vendemia Festival’ at the end of the month, they have also started to relay all the flagging along the terrace, above the lower part of the street, at the moment they are digging up the old stuff! This weekend down in Castillo de la Duquesa’ there is a  “ Dance/Music Festival  “ in the local park next to the Castle, the following weekend it’s the turn of Sabinillas to have it’s annual ‘ Feria’!

This morning has started, again, a little grey & overcast, with just a  slight breeze, making it very close & clammy, with no shade, over in Estepona, as usual, the sun had broken through and it was hotter, showing already 31 degs+ - back here in the village it’s going to be 29 degs by lunchtime, overnight hovering on the 23 degs mark, keeping it still very sticky during the night, over the next couple of days and the weekend we are in for more of the same, with the welcoming breeze getting up a little, next week is still showing a mixed week, with it partly cloudy at times, as well as moderate to heavy rain showers by next weekend?!  Watch this space.

See below the sunrise over the Mediterranean’ this morning.

Yesterday evening we picked up two small cakes from ‘ Super Sol ‘ on our way down to Castillo de la Duquesa’ to surprise Mano & Anna with their ‘Birthday Cakes’ – one with a 70^th candle for Anna and the other 65^th for Mano! ( now a pensioner) We led the packed ‘ La Taberna 2 ‘ in singing ‘ Happy Birthday’!!

We were going to carry on to the ‘Puerto de la Duquesa Marina’- but after a cool drink decided to stay for supper, sat with them, as they had finished eating, we had a very nice one-course meal, Brenda had the ‘Fillets of Poached Cod’ in a Prawn sauce and had I very tasty & succulent ‘ Sirloin Steak’ – ‘ Med-Rare’ with Chips, not twice-cooked!  We had a very nice evening catching up with all their news & gossip, as well as some of our own! The drinks flowed, including the ‘House Brandy & Caramel Vodka’ – finished with ‘ Carajillo Coffees ‘ – all looked after by Carlos and his staff. A nice night catching up with old friends.

Meanwhile over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, Sandra & Bill are celebrating 13 years being in their beautiful home, see below.

This evening we are out again, as it’s the ‘Head Chefs & Staff’ night-off! – another !! We will be ‘ hitting ‘ the high spots of sunny Manilva, ‘Bar Castillo ‘ if Juan is open, watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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