A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEK;

MONDAY 1^st / FEBRUARY 2016.

I got up this morning and welcomed ‘Reina’ back with us for the day, she’s with us everyday this week, we then went back up to bed and had a nice lie in listening to the Castle Radio FM 89.2 Breakfast Show, the sun was already out and the sky is blue, there is no breeze so we have another perfect day here in sunny Manilva on the first day of February! The rest of the week is starting to look settled with more of the same, the overall temperature today is set to reach 21/22 degs, its still cold at night dropping by 11/12 degs – but we can’t complain!!

We had our usual breakfast of fresh fruit, Weetabix, toast and tea to set us up for the day ahead; we then rang our ‘Personal HSBC Banker’ to arrange for one of our ‘Pensions’ to be transferred from our English Bank Account, as usual on the first of the month, we now have a new online system to do this but I need to study and practise it first, the other ‘Pension’ today is transferred automatically into our Spanish Bank Account. Of course they are both down, considerably, due to the present low exchange rate of the Euro! Its the Chinese economy again as well as the price of a barrel of Oil, the UK Government trying to renegotiate with Europe and the forthcoming elections in the USA ( Trump for President ?!)  Watch this space.

At lunchtime we went for a short walk and ended up at 'Bar Castillo' sat outside in the warm sunshine with a clear blue sky above taking the sights and sounds of sunny Manilva, we had a nice drink and some fine 'Tapas' suggested by Juan.

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Cold Roast Leg of Lamb’ with a fry-up of the leftover vegetables and the rest of the ‘ Boulangere’ Potatoes, the New Zealand Lamb is very succulent and tasty especially with the Garlic Cloves flavour& Rosemay! PS; It was also cooked perfectly ie ‘Pink’ – by the Executive Head Chef! – even if I do say so myself!!

As I was typing the Blog Tim came online on the ‘Skype’ video so we had a good catch up with all his news, they have been away for Thea’s birthday over the weekend, the flew to Barcelona from Liverpool and then caught a bus to Lleida in Western Catalonia to see Jo who is working and living there, Ben went with them as well so it was a nice family get together, they caught the fast train back to Barcelona and landed at Liverpool last night ‘sideways’ and going ‘up & down’ as the latest Atlantic Storm ‘Henry’ was hitting the North West!! At the end of February Tim and his mate Dave are coming over to stay with us for a long ‘Golf’ weekend, flying into Gibraltar, watch this space!

Last night after supper we watched “ Invictus “ from 2009, a movie produced & directed by Clint Eastwood, its the story of Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, as nobody else could, and the South African Rugby Captain, Francois Pienaar, played by Matt Damon, a little ‘small’ for the part, who won the World Cup in South Africa in 1995.The title comes from a British Poem that Mandela had been inspired by during his 27 years in jail.

See below some pictures taken over the weekend by our Dentist, Victor, with his new camera on a spectacular 'colour' setting, is shows the Duquesa Port and some of the Murals around the village!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A WARM AND SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY UNTIL THE HEAVENS JUST OPENED!

SUNDAY 12^th/ OCTOBER 2014.

At the moment the rain has stopped and the sun is out, it’s warm and sunny, hopefully that’s how it’s going to stay; no lie in this morning as we have a Sunday Roast to get ready; “ Roast Leg of Local Lamb ” studded with Garlic & Rosemary with Boulangere Potatoes and garnished with Turned Potatoes roasted in Goose Fat! A rich finger covering Pan Gravy and Fresh Mint sauce with the help of Josie’s Herb Garden from up on the roof terrace!See the picture below of the Roast Leg of Spanish Lamb!

The vegetable department under the excellent supervision of Brenda (actually the only one!)  has produced Cauliflower & Broccoli Florets in a Three Cheese sauce, Mashed carrots & Turnips, Braised Leeks in a Cream sauce, Garden Peas and Alselgas for color.See the picture below,the potatoes later after they are cooked !

The ‘Tapas’ starters are mini- assorted Empandas,Boquerones in vinegar, Semicurado Cheese and the ‘house special’ – English Pork Sausages sliced and marinated in Lea & Perrins! For the dessert we are having another ‘ house special’ – Crepes cooked to order!!

We are offering ‘Kir Royal’ made with Cava to start, with the main course its ‘Faustino V11’ Rioja or ‘Barbadillo’ Blanco and cocktails to finish! Lee & Daniela are joining us for their first visit to “ Casa Sexton Boutique Hotel & Restaurant”!!

Yesterday afternoon and in the early evening before supper we first watched one of my all time favorite ‘Cowboy’ movies “ Open Range ”from 2003 which was produced, directed and stars Kevin Costner with Robert Duvall, the very watch able Annette Bening and Michael Gambon. One not to miss!

Then on ‘TVE2’ it was a very interesting documentary made by Rick Stein about him planning, researching, in Japan and then serving to the Japanese Ambassador, in London a multi-course banquet to him and his guests. This was after the Ambassador had criticized his ‘Sushi’ making capabilities on one of his programmes! The food he served was mouthwatering and spectacular at the same time as he had the help of the Ambassador’s two Chefs!!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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