A CRISP AND SUNNY MANILVA & SOTOGRANDE ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK;

MONDAY 12^th/ JANUARY 2015.

No lie in this morning as ‘Charlie’ woke us with his dog barking impression! We then had our usual breakfast before a quick shower and freshen up as we were going out on a small shopping expedition.

We headed out down past Sotogrande and round the corner to the ‘Las Palomas’ industrial estate/shopping mall’s behind Algerciras; we called into two place’s and bought some new light shades and two bedroom lamps for our bedroom.

Next on the way back we dropped down in Sotogrande marina to go to our favourite ‘KE’ bar for some drinks and yet another ‘al fresco’ Tapas lunch, it was a little overcast to start but by lunchtime the sun broke through as we took in the sights and sounds of the marina. See the pictures of the marina below.

Brenda had the diced Liver in a rich salsa and I had the diced Beef in a rich Tomato sauce, we shared the ‘Chicken Brochette’ marinated in piquant salsa; see the pictures below.

 On the way back we stopped at the ‘La Bella Vista’ camping site just before Sabinillas on the coast/beach side and picked up a brochure to send to Tim & Thea.

So this evening for a change I making a ‘Stir Fried Seafood & Rice – Singapore Style! On Tuesday we are having just plain dry-grilled flattened Chicken Breast with some fresh Green vegetables, then for Wednesday ‘Dish of the week’ it’s going to be, at Brenda’s request the old classic ‘Beef Bourguignon’made with Red Wine marinated diced Beef,Shallots,Baby Mushrooms and Smoked Bacon sippits; cooked in a rich Beef & Vegetable stock to my own recipe!

Last night on the sports report we caught the high lights of the Barcelona v Atletico Madrid game as Barcelona beat them 3-1 with Neymar,Suarez and then Messi scoring! Afterwards we watched a good film “ Broken City’ from 2013 with Mark Wahlberg,Russel Crow and Catherine Zeta Jones along with Acona Tai in a political thriller based in New York.

Thoughts for the Day; See above,

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A WARM AND SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 21^st/ OCTOBER 2014.

We had a little lie in this morning before the gas-bottle delivery man came down our street blowing his horn! We are having an easy morning after our breakfast just getting ourselves ready to go out after lunch to the hospital past Marbella; Brenda has first an appointment for some tests and checkups before she then sees the Consultant later.

We had a lovely drive along the coast road( 100kms return!) with the 'Med' sparkling in the late afternoon sunshine; we arrived early and Brenda went in for her tests and then to see the Consultant earlier than her appointment! All her tests were OK,pressure and retina's fine, she has in both eye's very small Cataracts but they don't need treatment or an operation for many years to come ! Result " Return check-up in six months!! 

'Chispa' has just come crashing in for her morning visit,she will come back this evening also at supper time!

The sun is out and it’s looking like its going to be another rather pleasant day here in sunny Manilva, over the next few days we are due for more of the same but just a little cooler, today its reaching 29/31degs! The Hurricane ‘Gonzalo’ will be hitting the UK just about now, if not already, we wish all our family and friends a  safe and not too traumatic time, no golf for Tim over in North Wales, no state visits for the ‘Queen’ up north in Skelton and not too wet when they all have to go out!

This evening’s supper has developed a little into a late Brunch/Mixed Grill! We are now having Lamb Chop, English Pork Sausage, Smoked Bacon, Tomato,Chorizo and Campo Fried Egg & Sautéed Potatoes. All the ingredients are out and ready for tomorrows ‘Chicken & Mushroom Tarragon Pie’See the picture below,

Our reading is going along slowly as the nights draw in; we will exchange some books this week and find something else to read.

Tonight after supper we will watch the Barcelona v Ajax qualifying game in the ‘Champions League’ on TVE 1 and upstairs in the office I will catch the early kick-off in the CSKA v Manchester City match in a very cold Moscow!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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SUNNY MANILVA ESTEPONA AND MARBELLA

WEDNESDAY 29^th/ MAY 2013.

We were up with the birds this morning and shot across to Estepona first; we called into our bank to see our new Manager, then we had coffee and tostado at a very busy and efficient café/bar frequented by lots of regulars and served by a very pleasant and busy waitress in the center of the main shopping area. Brenda then went off, with her card, to get the cosmetics that she can only get in Estepona, she returned with no other purchases she tried on some things but resisted! Meanwhile I went to my barber, Manuel for the full works; trim and cut, beard trim, shave with a cut throat razor, wash and shampoo. blow-dry and style and finally a face massage! You come out feeling like a new man!! We then stopped back at the café/bar for some fresh Orange juice before heading over to the hospital on the far side of Marbella.

The Dermatology consultant gave me practically the all clear, my readings and test were fine, and I had some ‘Cortisone’ injections in my right leg to help clear up the end of the blood infection, also he prescribed some more creams if needed – my next appointment for a check up is in October!

It was a glorious drive back along the N340 coast road as the sun was out, clear blue skies and just a little breeze, one of the best times of the year down here on the Costa del Sol! We shot back to Sabinillas to call at the charity shop and pick up the two bedside cabinets before anybody else spotted them, we had marked sold on them and the owner had marked the price on them, 25euros for the pair! They are now in Norah’s room looking rather smart and matching the bed furniture. The picture above shows ‘Playa Paraiso’ just below us this lunchtime – thanks to the Manilva web-page!

Brenda is retiring to the roof terrace this afternoon to read and top up her colour ready for the folks coming in June – 24 days and counting to the big day! They arrive at Gibraltar on the 19^th!

This evening we are having for supper Minute Steak and chips, and then I will follow the ‘International Friendlies Football’ on the PC as England take on the R.of Ireland at Wembley – I don’t agree with Coles being the captain!

Thought for the Day; See the picture above.

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CASA OLIMPIA AND MANILVA.

Sunday/Monday 13th/14th December 2009.

Over the weekend the weather has gone a little cooler but the sun is still out during the day and with only a little breeze it can be described as “Crisp” After a lie in we got our Sunday lunch on the way, at the hypermarket the other day we picked up a two for one offer on Chickens! In the evening we watched TV, the X Factor final, the BBC sports personality of 2009 and then the UK snooker final; Joe,Giggs and Ding being the winners!
We got up early on Monday morning and set off across to San Pedro for cards then I dropped Brenda at our house in Manilva as I had an appointment with the doctor at the surgery for a check up and more results of some tests, all is well, the tests were clear and I am as sound as a bell, fingers crossed, that’s me not the doctor! The picture shows how the new Wine Centre has shot up, it is starting to look very impressive and will be a great asset to the village when it opens in 2010.On the way back we called into see Mano and Anna and catch up with all the news, we are trying to meet up at some time over Xmas,as we left the village Brenda posted the last of our cards in the post office; we had collected a lot of stuff from the house including pots and pans, food from the larder and deep freeze,xmas decorations including our three climbing Father Christmas’s and more clothes for Brenda! We stopped at our local supermarket to stock up for the week so by the time we were due to head back the Smart car was full and we only just managed to get a bag of logs in the front on top of Brenda! Cold Chicken for supper ended the day down here on the sunny Costa del Sol and round the corner in Tarifa.

CASA DEL ABUELO.

Monday 27th.October.

In the morning we went down to the supermarket in Guadalmina to stock up for this week.The sun was out and it was hot during the day as we potted about in the villa.Vidal rang to catch up with all the news,his car is still off the road so he will keep the hire car until the weekend.We have started to read in the afternoon as the sun goes down and with the clocks going back over the weekend taking effect it gets a little cooler.Dinner was Chicken and Frits with stir fried mixed vegetables and then we settled down to a little TV

Tuesday 28th October.

Today it is a little cooler but the sun came out at lunchtime as we shot over to the house to pick up some documents that we needed as we had a phone call from Tim, who lets us use his address in Colwyn Bay for post to say that we needed to get in touch with the DLVA about the Winnebago and Smart Car;on the way over we called into the garage to check on the sale,at the moment there have been 26 bids,it’s creeping up slowly! So fingers crossed for Sunday evening!! I have the German eBay site on line and we are watching it all the time as the clock ticks down.Tonight we are having omelettes for supper with salad!Tomorrow we are going out for lunch at the Beach House as they have a two course offer on and we still have some vouchers to use up from our Marriot sales training earlier in the year.

MANILVA ,CALLE SAN VICENTE 1

Monday 7th April.
Today was the first day for some more sales training at the Marriott resort just before Marbella of the new sales managers; we were asked back at the end of last week.We go over in the afternoon and it takes about three hours,they pay us in vouchers to dine out and also for the Spa in the resort.The list of restaurants that we can go too has been updated since last time and has some of the best on the coast! During the show round the heavens opened and we were caught in a rain storm,when it rains in Spain ,it rains! This week has been an umbrella carrying one as the forecast has been rain but with sunny periods,the difference is that the rain is warm!
Tuesday 8th April.
First thing in the morning we went out for the shopping and then called in to see Vidal and Gissy after we had been to the garage to check on the Winnebago,the owner had a very good possible sales enquiry over the weekend.For dinner I made a Steak and Kidney Pie with Brenda's now famous Mashed potatoes the only difference being that I used Red Wine not Guinness!
Wednesday 9th April.
In the afternoon we went over for another session at the Marriott and then had a quiet night in and watched the football on TV,it was the Liverpool match-we won!
Thursday10th April.
The weather was warm and sunny as we went to our last training day at the Marriott and collected all our vouchers,they are going to use us again in the future! In the evening we had a phone call from our dear friend Tim who was in Madrid,he had been in Toledo during the week and had moved onto Madrid as he was on a visit to do with his work as an international schools co-ordinator,he was in a bar in the centre of Madrid watching with the locals the Getafe match,he was in good company as the King was at the match also ! I was also watching it on Spanish TV at the same time-it was a “Helluva” match- but they lost!!
Friday 11th April.
We had a lie in before we went out to the supermarket to shop for the weekend,we use the local one when we need to and also we are using the local Spanish butcher more as he gets to know our needs.We have not seen a lot of Mano in the last few weeks but as he has got his daughter in law working for him now we hope to catch up with him next week as Anna is over in North Wales this week.We have also had a few e-mails from friends which always makes our day,it's so nice to hear from them! In the evening Vidal dropped off Gissy to do our hair.Brenda's is very short and mine had two inches cut off! For supper we had a roast chicken which we had picked up from the supermarket,they where on offer-two for five euros!! I roasted it with lemon and made some fresh frits.
Saturday 12th April.
During the week on our travels we also picked up some pictures for the house,a very nice chair for my office and also a large dressing mirror for the dressing room which Vidal picked up for us as we could not fit it into the Smart car,only one problem,when we opened the box the mirror was broken !! So we had to go back over to Marbella and they changed it right away.This morning we had a phone call about our housesitting advert from an agent acting for a Dutch Millionaire who wanted us to live in full time and also chauffeur for him at his new villa outside Marbella,she offered a very good contract and salary! But we said no as we do not want to work full-time now!! As our adverts come out on Friday we also get a lot of calls about the Winnebago,in fact I have just come off a 30mins.phone call from a very interested English chap living in Estepona-watch this space. The picture above shows my office in which I am typing this now and were I am going to start to write the book!!

MANILVA

Saturday 26th January.
We woke to a grey day with a little wind so we stayed in and caught up with the house chores and Brenda did some washing as I made some appointments to see various apartments on Monday and Tuesday next week.We went out down to the English butchers in Dequesa marina and bought two very nice steaks for supper,
Sunday 27th January.
After a light breakfast we had a phone call from the person who is interested in us for house sitting and he suggested that we go and have a look at the area,which was what we were going to do on Friday before the puncture,so we set off past Marbella and up into the high Sierras on the road to Coin and Cartama.The weather became very warm and sunny and the views of the mountainsquite spectacular,When we arrived in Estascion Cartama the local market was on so Brenda soon hit the friut and vegetables stalls and also we did some shopping from the clothes stalls as well! The whole area is covered in Blossom trees in full bloom,with large “Finca's” and vegetable farms growing all sorts of fruit and vegetables,all very Spanish and a million miles away from the coast! We then went up the side of a valley towards Pizarra and found the very pretty railway station at Aljaima which is close to the “Finca's”that we could end up house sitting! On the way back down past Cartama we stopped at “Venta Los Cabales” for a drink which is a typical road side venta but we soon discovered that it had more to offer! We had a rather special late Sunday lunch of homemade Potato Croquettes, a leg of Roast Baby Lamb and the largest Brochette of local Chicken we have ever seen all washed down with the local Tinto Rioja,and it cost half of what it costs down on the coast!
Monday 28th January.
Over the weekend we had spotted in the local paper an advert for couples to help in a “Customer Experience” staff training program for Marriott Hotels and in return they reward you with a choice of complimentary stays,Beauty treatments or dining in selected retaurants,so I shot off a E-mail and we are waiting for the reply!We then went out to view various apartments in the area on this side of Estepona including 2.3 bedrooms,3 bedroom town houses and a 2 bedroomed Penthouse suite all fully furnished and equipped to a very high standard and all with balconies or terraces with sea/mountain views-the Penthouse turned out to be the least expensive!! We have more to see over the next two dayson the other side of Estepona and down in the marina.On the way back we called into the site to check the Winnebago and say hello to Vidal and Gissy and bring them up to date with all our news
Tuesday 29th January.
Today we viewed more apartments in Estepona marina and then in the Manilva area we saw a very nice 2 bedroomed duplex overlooking the sea and an apartment up in the hills.We had a drink in the marina as it is very warm and sunny,We have made lots of contacts with Spanish and English agents and we will take things forward in the next couple of weeks as we also plan to try and sell the Winnebago locally or on the internet before we have it taken to Oxford to sell.Watch this space yet again!Another thing we have found out about the apartments is that they all have underground parking and some have storage rooms as well as 24hr security.Marriott hotels have just replied and have asked us to go to a presention on Thursday afternoon! We are also going to meet during the next two days the man about house sitting in Cartama and on Thursday evening we are going to a birthday party for Carlos's son Fabio who is two.

CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA

Saturday 1st December.
Today was an at home day as Brenda caught up with the washing and then hung it out to dry in the hot sun.After a snack lunch we then did all the chores around the Winnebago which is now OK. On the repair front everythink is working as required so when Vidal returns on Sunday there are only a couple of small jobs to do!In the evening after supper of Sirloin steak and chips we settled down to a DVD-Tom Cruise in “Collateral-”very good!
Sunday2nd December.
The weather at the moment is warm and sunny for the next week so we are planning to go out and about in the Smart car to all the local places to catch the spots at their best.We got the Roast leg of Lamb in the oven and Brenda prepared the vegatable's,Broccoli,Carrots,Honey roast Parsnips and Leeks in cheese sauce whilst I did the now famous Roast potatoes in Goose fat! Vidal had come back in the early morning from Germany so he joined us for dinner with Gissy and we caught up with all the news both fron here and in Gerrmany-the lamb was from the English butchers and was beautiful and a great evening was had by all!
Monday 3rd December.
In the morning we serviced the Winnebago then as it was so nice with blue skies and warm sunshine we popped down to the marina in Estepona then as it was going warmer we drove along the coast and stopped at Victors beach bar just past Puerto de Banus and then went into Marbella and dropped down to the marina,the pictures above show the Costa del Sol at its best on a December day!

MANILVA PUERTO DEL BANUS and RHONDA

Wednesday17th October.
The morning was a “Free” so we went for a swim on our site and Carol and Chris did the same in theirs..We called in to see Mano and Anna with Carol and Chris who they know and then went up to Manilva for a tapas lunch.After lunch we went across to Puerto Banus to watch the parade of posers in their cars along the quay and then had a cool drink infront of the boat in the picture! The highlight of the day was dinner-we went to the restaurant”La Menorah” outside Estepona as recommended to us by Mano.It's run by a eccentric Spanish “Gentleman” with his Jewish partner!! We had a memorable meal-Braised Ox-Tail,Baby Lamb cutlets and Brochette of Monfish and Prawns accommpanied with a fine Rioja from a very good and large wine list.The style and service was top class and the restaurant was full of atmosphere-We shall return!
Thursday 18th October
We met Carol and Chris for toast and coffee in Sabinillas before we set off to Ronda.We had booked a trip that took us by bus to Algeciras,then mountain train to Ronda on single-track line built over 100 years ago by the British.We had a hour to spare in Algeciras as the bus took a shortcut thru the Container docks,the largest in Europe, so we found the large market in the square which was full of the best fresh fruit,vegetables,fish and meat we have so far seen in Spain.The spectacular mountain scenery can only be seen by train,with many Victorian stations on route and we have it all on the camcorder! On reaching Rhonda we went to the oldest bull ring in the world,then we explored the old Moorish town and had lunch by the side of the 18th century(new)bridge over the famous El Tajo Gorge.The pictures show the bridge,the restaurante”Don Miguel”Carol and Chris ordering the special whole Roast Leg of Baby Lamb and the view of the valley below.Whilst in the old town we went into the “Hotel San Gabriel” dating back to1736 which is famous around the world for the stars and bull-fighters that have stayed their and still do! It also has the smallest cinema in the world-five seats!! that the stars can watch their films in.We then came back on the bus down the classic Ronda road that took ten years to blast out of the mountains and past the most exclusive properties and golf clubs on the Costa del Sol.We ended the day with some tapas in the marina at Estepona .