A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 25^th / JUNE 2020.   “ NEW NORMALITY – DAY 4 “

Just a little lie in this morning, after freshening up I was on the breakfast rota so I had my favourite ‘ Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butty’ – smothered in ‘ HP’ Brown sauce – open on brown for Brenda, with our usual mugs of hot/strong ‘ PG Tips’ Tea.

As usual we were listening to the ‘ Lockdown Party’ show on ‘ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW’ as the ‘ Mystery Voice’ quiz came on, we guessed Whoopi Goldberg, which was correct, yesterday I also got the correct answer, it was Andrew Neil, the political presenter!

I was then time for us to go down ‘ masked/gloved’ up to the ‘ Suma’ supermarket, to stock up with essentials and the spirit cupboard & wine rack!

Brenda after unpacking back at the house, popped along to the ‘ Chemists in’ Calle Mar ‘ for our prescription tablets, on the way back dropping down to our local shop for the fresh fruit & vegetables.

Yesterday evening our friend Andy called in to help fix/reset the ‘IPTV’ system, again, this time we started by resetting everything, checking all the codes/passwords etc, it’s now back online, on another day he’s coming back to sort out the ‘ BBC I Player & ITV Hub ‘ – ‘ Thanks’

We were then able to watch the live football over in the ‘ Premiere League’ as Liverpool thrashed Crystal Palace 4-0 – as they close in on the title, for the first time in 30 years!

Meanwhile over here in ‘La Liga’ Real Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0 to go joint top, with Barcelona.

We then asked Andy to stay for supper, so we quickly put together another two ‘ Chicken Brochettes’ – using up the Green Peppers, Button Mushrooms ( none left for breakfast) & Onions, with some defrosted sliced Chicken! We as usual had enough Basmati Rice & sliced Green Beans, after supper we went up to ‘ Bar Rojas Sol Vida’ for a well earned nightcap!

This morning  the sun was out early after a ‘Red Sunset’ – the sky is cloudless and blue and there is just a very slight breeze, so by lunchtime it’s due to reach 30 degs+ - overnight down to 19 degs+ - tomorrow will be the same, then over the weekend it’s getting hotter, up into the low 30s, next week, at the start of July, is going to be a ‘ Hot-One’ to say the least,  with very hot sunshine, hovering in the low/mid 30s+! Watch this space.

See below last night’s very ‘ Starry Night’ over sunny Manilva!

See below ' Bar Rojas Sol y Vida'  with the two Fabio's,, waiting to open this lunchtime!

Yesterday the ‘ Junta de Andalucia’ announced that here in sunny  Manilva, we now have no declared cases of ‘ Covid 19’ as the last two of the 7 confirmed cases have now been passed clear and discharged!

“ RESULT “

At lunchtime we went along to ' Bar Castillo' for nice cool drinks, sat in the shade of the very hot sunshine, having a few of Juan's excellent ' Tapas' including  ' Bocuerones Fritos - Fried Anchovies ' 

This evening for our supper we are having ‘ Omelettes of Choice’ – as usual ‘ Cheese’ ( grated Mature Cheddar/Parmesan) for Brenda and, youv’e guessed, ‘Paysanne’ for me ( small diced/fried Potatoes, Shallots, Smoked Bacon, Green Beans etc) made with ‘ Campo’ Beaten Eggs!

This afternoon we will be catching up with the ‘Quiz’ shows that we follow and then after supper we will channel hop to find something to watch.   

“ STAY SAFE & WELL INSIDE AT ALL TIMES – IN SELF-LOCKDOWN HERE “

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY.

TUESDAY 23^rd/ JUNE 2020.    “ NEW NORMALITY - DAY 2 “

We had a well deserved lie in this morning as we were rather late getting to bed last night ( more later) – after freshening up we had our regular light breakfast of fresh fruit ( peeled/sliced Nectarines) toast & tea, to sort us out and get the day on the go, the ‘ Birthday Girl ‘ is feeling a little under the weather, after four days/nights of celebrating!

As usual we were listening to the ‘ Lockdown Party ‘ on “ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW” – as the ‘ Mystery Voice’ quiz came on, yesterday it was David Bellamy, today Helen Skelton, - both the right answer, the one last week that I didn’t guess was the actress Gillian Anderson, see below!

After a ‘ sticky night ‘ – the sun was out first thing this morning, there is very light breeze, the sky is blue and cloudless, so by lunchtime it’s due to reach 27/28 degs+ - overnight only down to 21 degs+! We now have all the fans on, as we move around the house, in the lounge during the day, the office/studio when in use, the kitchen when preparing/cooking and the bedroom during the night! The rest of the week is staying the same, by the coming weekend when it’s going a lot hotter, up into the low 30s, next week staying the same and by the following Thursday/Friday reaching 34/35 degs! – with lots of very hot sunshine, as July starts, watch this space.

We have just had a nice surprise call on the ‘ Skype’ video from our dear friends, up in magical Mojacar, Tim & Thea, for a catch-up etc, as well as wishing/singing her ‘ Happy Birthday’ – ‘ Thanks’ xxxx

Brenda has had a ‘ Helluva’ weekend ( 4 days/nights) of celebrating, with all the cards from family & friends, in the UK, Canada & Australia, a singing ‘ Card’ from Gillian, two ‘ Happy Birthday ‘ songs from Leah & Deemy, with little ‘ Miss Bella’ on ‘ Facebook’ video,  mobile messages from Norah & Jenny,  a ‘ Facebook link up with Lyn over in Australia and of course a ‘ Skype’ video chat with Sandra & Bill over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, as well as all the lovely comments & ‘ Likes’ on our ‘Facebook’ page, from our family all over the World, dear friends, old staff, locals here in sunny Manilva and new friends, this time breaking the record for the ‘Numbers’ of likes & comments!  “ THANKS “

Yesterday we went along to ‘Bar Castillo’  at lunchtime, for a nice cool drink, our friends James & Michala and their two sons, joined us as we had Juan’s excellent ‘ Tapas’

In the evening our friend Andy came along to the house and helped sort out the ‘TV & IPTV’ system as Lee was stuck in work in Gibraltar, first  the TV would not switch-on, after new batteries in the remote etc, still no luck, so it was ‘ Plan B’ – unplug it and the turn it back on – it worked! Next after consulting my ‘ Crib-Notes’ from the last time Lee was here, Andy, with my help, after several attempts, managed to re-set the ‘ IPTV’ system – “ RESULT “ – ‘ THANKS AGAIN ‘

We then went up to ‘ Bar Rojas Sol Vida’ where Big Brian was waiting with Brenda, as we settled down for a ‘ Helluva’ evening celebrating Brenda’s (**) birthday, the large/cool drinks flowed, including a round on the ‘ House’ – we then ordered our supper, Brenda had the ‘ Sea Food Tagliatelle’ Brian had his favourite ‘Penne Pasta’ in a Piquant Salsa, Andy and I had the ‘ House Extra Burgers ‘ – topped with ‘ Campo’ Fried Eggs and Crispy Smoked Bacon, with Cheese for Andy, served with excellent crisp ‘ Frits’ Brenda really enjoyed her ‘Tagliatelle’ – a nice change, our two Burgers were ‘ Homemade’ and very succulent, juicy and tasty, later on the house we had a sparking Rose Lambruco/Prosecco & Cava, as the joint birthday cake came out, as we sang ‘ Happy Birthday to Brenda & Fabio (50)!! We were in bed by just 2-00 am honest!

See the pictures below ( all of them can not be shown!)

The ‘Council’ have just announced that all the children’s parks are now open, after being washed and sanitized, with rules to be followed, also all the beaches are now open and starting to fill up, with strict rules posted and controlled by the Beach Guards!

See below this morning, the beach down in Sabinillas and what it’s going to be like when the ‘ Hordes of Holiday Makers’ arrive ie, 20 planes from Germany, to start, this morning into Malaga Airport!

!!

For our supper this evening we are having ‘ Shallow Fried Chicken Empanadas’ – coated in savoury Garlic Breadcrumbs, garnished with seared Button Mushrooms, served with Whole Baby ‘French’ Green Beans and triple-cooked ‘ Chips’ – tomorrow it’s going to be, for a change, ‘ Brochettes of Turkey’ served with Rice and a Tomato salsa, Thursday is a ‘ Choice of Omelettes’ – Friday is our usual ‘ Fish Supper . Saturday is ‘ Steak Night’ and Sunday is still TBC – watch this space.

This afternoon/evening we will settle down to catch up with all the ‘ Quiz Shows’ that we follow, later finding a good film to watch.

“ STAY SAFE & WELL INSIDE AT ALL TIMES – IN SELF-LOCKDOWN HERE “

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A ' FRESH' WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY 3^rd/ JUNE 2020.   “ STATE OF ALARM – DAY 81 “

Last night I put the gas bottle out to be exchanged this morning, so this morning we were up just in time, as the gas bottle delivery man came down our street, the cost of them is controlled by the ‘ National Government’  ( 17-50 Euros) – we use it for cooking and the hot water, on average it lasts for nearly over two weeks.  

As were freshening up the ‘ Mystery Voice’ quiz came on the daily ‘ Lockdown Party’ show on ‘ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW’ – it was the comedian Sue Perkins ( Mel & Sue) So I’m 3/3 so far this week!

For our breakfast this morning we had a little treat, a ‘Toasted Sausage (hot) Butty ‘ – smothered in HP’ Brown sauce – open (cold) on brown for Brenda, with mugs of hot/strong ‘PG Tips’ Tea, as we grilled more sausages last night, to finish the bag!

This evening we are ‘ masking/gloving ‘ up and going down to the local surgery, by the sports complex, as we have made appointments with a new ‘Council’ Chiropodist’ – the other day we had a call from Carmen’s husband, she is our normal Chiropodist, who we thought had retired, making an appointment with her in July, so we will see what is happening this evening?! Watch this space.

This morning has started ‘ fresh’ & sunny, the clouds have cleared and the sky is now blue, with now hot sunshine, there is a light breeze, so by lunchtime it’s now forecast to reach 28 degs+ - overnight down to 17 degs+ - the rest of the week and over the weekend it’s now staying the same, warm & sunny, with a few patchy clouds, hovering in the mid ‘ Teens’ – on one forecast it’s still showing the ‘ Wet-Stuff’ will be in the air at times, next week is looking dry and settled, with lots of warm/hot sunshine, hovering still in the mid ‘ Teens’ – a little cool for the time of the year- as there are light breezes, watch this space.

“ CORANAVIRUS UPDATE – COVID 19 PANDEMIC “

For the second day running the ‘Health Minister’ reported no more recorded deaths in Spain, down here on the ‘ Costa De Sol’ in the Malaga province, the figures also looked better, with more recovering cases, as ‘Phase 2’ starts, so it will help to bring ‘ Phase 3’ into law a little earlier in June, with the travel restrictions lifted!

This evening it’s the final vote in the ‘ Congress/Parliament’ up in Madrid, as the Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, with the support of various small parties, attempts to extend the ‘ State of Alarm’ for the final time, up to the 21^st June, watch this space.

This evening for our supper we are having ‘ Baked Pork Steaks ‘ – seasoned and glazed on a very hot griddle-plate for colour, garnished with seared Baby Mushrooms and served with a selection of fresh local Vegetables & Potatoes, with a ‘Fuji’ Apple salad on the side!

Tomorrow evening it’s ‘ Omelettes of Choice ‘

                                          “ STAY SAFE AND WELL INSIDE AT ALL TIMES “ 

                                                                                                                         

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A STILL RATHER WET & WINDY SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY.

THURSDAY 14^th/ MAY 2020.    “ STATE OF ALARM – DAY 61 “

We had a nice lie in this morning after, by our standards, a rather surprise and happy day, yesterday, with good news from Leah ( more later ) and a long ‘ Facebook’ video link up with a very old family friend from my past, then this morning we have had a ‘ Great News’ message  ( to be revealed at a later date)  from Sandra & Bill over in a very cold ( frosty) Everett, Ontario, Canada!

After freshening up as I was on the breakfast rota, yes you have guessed, I had my favourite ‘ Dockers Butty ‘ ( thick White Bread ) a ‘Toasted Crispy Smoked Bacon Butty ‘ – smothered in ‘HP’ Brown sauce – open on Brown Bread for Brenda – with her favourite, sliced/seared Button Mushrooms – tossed in the Bacon juices with a knob of Butter, with mugs of steaming ‘ PG Tips’ Tea to get us going on a very damp, wet and overcast day here in a not very sunny Manilva!

As usual we have been listening to the ‘ Lockdown Party’ show on ‘ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW’  - as the ‘ Mystery Voice ‘ Quiz came on, this morning I got it straight away, it was ‘Emily Maltlis’ off BBC 2s ‘ Newsnight’ – yesterday it was ‘William Hague’ – the Conservative politician and now ‘ Baron Hague of Richmond’ ( Yorkshire)

Yesterday the ‘ Wet-Stuff’ as forecast hit us later in the afternoon, with a heavy cloud burst , with thunder and lightening, followed by showers, all night, this morning has started grey & overcast, with more rain and a stiff breeze, so by lunchtime it’s only going to reach 19 degs+ - overnight down to 13 degs+ - staying wet & windy up to and including Sunday, but going a little warmer as the breeze drops, hovering in the low 20s+ – next week, starting on Monday, when it’s forecast to go up to 25/26 degs+  when we are in for a warm & sunny week, with lots of sunshine and blue skies, with just a few patchy clouds at times, with a lighter breeze also, watch this space.

Yesterday evening we caught up with Leah, after she came home from work in Gibraltar, she was very excited as she has found a two-bedroom apartment in the prestigious “ Majestic Ocean Plaza “ overlooking the Bay of Gibraltar, for herself and her son Deemy, with views of the ‘ Ocean Village’ complex, it also has a swimming pool complex, she had negotiated a good deal and could be moving over this coming weekend/next week! We are very happy for her, it’s well deserved, for a very nice person! Of course we are going to miss her help with our main shopping and especially little’ Miss Bella’ not being with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’

See below;

PS; At lunchtime we shot down ' masked/gloved' up to the new supermarket 'Suma' - in between the rain showers, to stock the Wine Racks and Spirit Cupboard!

“ CORANAVIRUS UPDATE – COVID 19 PANDEMIC “       

Still all very quiet today, with at the moment no more news to report, as the ‘ National Government’ up in Madrid is due to discuss all the ‘LOCKDOWN’ rules etc, as it continues up to May 28^th –  when they will need another vote in the ‘Congress – Parliament ‘ to extend it further, most importantly reviewing the ‘ Phase O & Phase 1 ‘ arrangements, especially for us, here in the Malaga province of Andalucia! - as we are still under the most severe ‘Lockdown’ in Europe, which we don’t mind!  Watch this space.

For our supper this evening we are having a ‘ Choice of Omelettes’ – Brenda is having her favourite ‘two cheeses’ and I will be having a ‘ Paysanne ‘ style ( small diced Shallots, Smoked Bacon, Potatoes & Vegetables) – accompanied with finely sliced ‘French’ Green Beans and a Baked Potato.

                                              “ STAY SAFE AND WELL INSIDE AT ALL TIMES “

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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