A OVERCAST & COLDER SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY 17^th/ APRIL 2019.

I was up early, as usual, and after a quick freshen up I shot off across to the ‘Estepona Hospital ‘ for my final appointment at the ‘ Physiotherapy Department’ – unless I’m sent back for more treatment on my left-hand, after I see the ‘ Consultant Physiotherapist’ next Monday lunchtime, back at the Hospital. After finding a spot to park I had my usual tostado & tea in Tikitape’ before going across to the Hospital.

This morning was a little different to yesterday, as I set off along the coast road, past a very dark & cloudy Mediterranean, which was a little rough & grey! – down to 19 degs, by lunchtime, with the threat of the ‘ wet-stuff’ in the air, later today and tomorrow we are in for moderate to heavy ‘RAIN’ – staying with us over the ‘ Easter Weekend’ – with just a small chance of the sun back with us on Sunday, hopefully in time for the two main ‘Tronos’ processions along ‘Calle Mar’ – next week is looking ‘ mixed’ with the ‘ wet-stuff’ still possible, hovering in the low 20s, next Tuesday, when we are over in Malaga, watch this space.

See below a ‘ NASA’ satellite picture showing the ‘ Iberian Peninsula’ yesterday !

I brought the local Spanish couple back to the village, again, this morning and stopped at the local Bank in ‘Calle Mar’ for some cash from the machine, that was out of action yesterday. After putting the car away in the underground car park I came back up to the house to get this evenings supper on the go, tomorrow morning I’m back out on my travels, down to Sabinillas, for the weekly shopping, Brenda is coming with me as she has her appointment at her hairdressers, for a cut/style etc,  we are not sure that the local Bus is running tomorrow, as the ‘ Bank Holidays’ are celebrated on different days here, she will catch a taxi back up to the village later.

Before typing/posting today’s Blog I made the ‘Cottage Pie’s ‘ – Mince – I bring to boil the seasoned ‘Pork Mince’ in a rich Meat & Vegetable stock, before skimming, at the same time a prepared the ‘Mirepoix’ – of vegetables, by sweating off the small diced ‘Onions, Shallots, Carrots, Leeks, Celery & Mushrooms, with a little garlic, a large spoon of Tomato Frito together with a large dash of ‘ Lea & Perrins’ Worcestershire sauce & Tabasco, along with a glug of Brenda’s White Wine and seasoning, the ‘Mince’ is then added to ‘Mirepoix’ – the colour and consistency adjusted, before going into the buttered casserole dish to cool down before the ‘ Second/Vegetable Chef’ tops it with her famous ‘ Mashed Potato’ – ready to go in hot over this evening, served with Glazed Carrot Batons & Garden Peas.

Last night we watched the second legs of the ‘Quarter-Finals’ of the “ UEFA Champions League “ as Juventus ( Ronaldo!) lost to Ajax 1-2, 2-3 agg, and Barcelona ( a Messi master-class!)  beat Manchester Utd, 3-0, 4-0 agg, this evening it’s FC Porto v Liverpool ( agg 0-2) and Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur ( 0-1 agg)

We then caught the second-part episode of ‘The Widow’ with more flashbacks, as she tries, in the jungles of the Congo, to find her missing/killed husband, with no help from the locals, but a mysterious blind Icelandic man , who survived the plane crash, is being chased up by a friendly Intelligence officer, watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 3^rd/ MARCH 2019.  

              

Just a little lie in this morning, we then had a quick freshen up before our fresh fruit, toast & tea. It was then time to get today’s ‘ Roast ‘ on the go; “ Roast Leg of Spanish Lamb “ –  studded with Garlic & Rosemary and seasoned, it’s then placed on a bed of assorted Trivets ( ends of Carrots, Leeks, Celery, Swiss Chard, Turnips, Onions, Shallots etc) before roasting in a very hot oven, basting once, then leaving to rest, to be carved later. I then make the finger-licking ‘ Deep Pan Gravy’ in the roasting tray after removing all the Trivets,  adding a large spoon of flour, cooked off & de-glazed with a rich ‘ Chicken, Meat & Vegetable Stock’ – the seasoning adjusted and the colour with ‘Crosse & Blackwell’s Gravy Browning’!

Meanwhile the ‘ Vegetable Chef ‘ was preparing ‘ Glazed Baby Carrots, Braised Baby Leeks in a cream sauce, Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets in a Cheese sauce, Stir-Fried Swiss Chard & Garden Peas, I was also getting the ‘ Boulangere’ Potatoes ready, to go in the oven this evening, my now famous ‘ hand-cut’ sliced, layers, of Potatoes & Onions, topped with a rich ‘ Chicken, Meat & Vegetable Stock ‘ - seasoning each layer ( three different thickness’s!) Served with lots of Savoury Mint Sauce ( Malt Vinegar & Sugar)

This morning the sun broke through early and the sky is clear & blue, the wind has dropped, so by lunchtime it’s due to reach 21 degs+ - warm and sunny,  the start of next week is looking similar, hovering in the 20s, then by Wednesday, as the breeze picks up and brings in the next ‘ Atlantic ‘ front, we could have some of the ‘ wet-stuff’ as it goes colder, down to 15/16 degs, overnight dropping back down to 7/8 degs, by the weekend it will settle down again with patchy clouds, going a little warmer also, and the following week is at the moment looking warmer & sunny, watch this space.

Just a very quick update on the football results from yesterday; Manchester City won 0-1 & Barcelona also won 0-1 and are now 10 points clear at the top of the ‘ La Liga’ after beating Real Madrid for the 2^nd time in four days!

Next week I have five mornings at the ‘Physiotherapy Department’ in the ‘Estepona Hospital’ – on Friday I will catch up with the weekly shopping later, then on Saturday morning ‘ Chico’ is back with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ for a long week.

Yesterday afternoon we caught all the sport, then in the evening we watched the Final of “ Child Genius “ – with some of Britain’s brightest children, and their ‘ Parents’! Later after supper we settled down to watch the next two back to back episodes of the Icelandic thriller “ Trapped “ – it’s all very ‘ Dark’ with lots of family secrets coming out as they hunt the killer!   

Sadly we didn't get the " Movie Quiz " show answer this lunchtime!

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY ' FRESH & SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 10^th/ FEBRUARY 2019.

Just a little lie in this morning, after freshening up we had a quick fresh fruit, toast & tea before getting this evenings supper on the go, we have decided not to ‘ Roast’  - instead we are having ‘ Marinated Spanish Lamb Chops/Cutlets ‘ – in Virgin Olive Oil, Tarragon & Lemon Juice, ‘Pan- Seared ‘ on a very hot griddle-plate, then placed on top of the ‘ Boulangere’ Potatoes to finish cooking.

I make the ‘ Boulangere’ – slices of Onions & Potatoes, layered in a buttered casserole dish, each layer going thinner, seasoned with salt & pepper, then a rich ‘Chicken, Meat & Vegetable’ stock is added, left to mature, ready to go in a very hot oven this evening. Near the end I take off the tin-foil and scatter knobs of butter on the top layer, to crisp-up back in the oven, finally placing the seared ‘Lamb’ on them to finish cooking! The aromas are to die for!!

Meanwhile the ‘ Vegetable Chef’ was preparing Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets in a Cheese sauce and Sliced Baby Carrots mixed with Garden Peas – A la Flamande ‘ style.

This morning we have yet another glorious day down here on the ‘ Costa Del Sol’ – the sun is out and the sky is cloudless & blue, there is a light breeze, by lunchtime it will be around 18/19 degs+ - next week is now looking a little cooler as the wind gets up, bringing with it a new ‘Atlantic’ front by next weekend, it will be hovering in the mid ‘ teens’ – with patchy clouds, sunny most of the time, but with the ‘ wet-stuff’ still in the air, watch this space.

See below a ‘ NASA’ picture of Spain this morning!

Just a quick update on the sports results; Everton lost, again 1-0, Liverpool won, again, 3-0 and went back to the top of the ‘Premiere League’ –  Real Madrid won 1-3 in the ‘ Derby’ game. Ireland won 13-22 in a hard-hitting game and Wales won 15-26.

As usual on a Sunday, as I'm typing/ posting the Blog I'm listening to the ' Pete Black Retro Roadshow' on 'Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW' as he played the ' Film Quiz' clip; it was " Brief Encounter ' with Trevor Howard & Celia Johnson ! - I've sent the entry in ' Lady' Brenda 's name, we are after a ' MUG' for her also!  Watch this space.


PS; It was correct !!

This evening we have arranged a ‘ Skype’ video call with Sandra & Bill over in Everett, Ontario, Canada, for a good catch-up with all their news,  later after supper we are going to watch the ‘BAFTA’ awards  show from the Royal Albert Hall, hosted by Joanna Lumley.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A ' CRISP' & SUNNY MANILVA ON SUNDAY.

SUNDAY 27^th/ JANUARY 2019. 

Just a little lie in this morning as we are ‘ Roasting’ today, after a quick freshen up we had our fresh fruit, toast & tea before getting things on the go.

Overnight the breeze got up and this morning it’s a little cooler than the past couple of days, the sky is still blue & cloudless, the sun broke though earlier, by lunchtime it will only reach 17 degs+ - down to 7 degs during the night, at the start of next week we are in for more of the same, then from Wednesday onwards the ‘ wet-stuff’ is due to return, for 2/3 days, hovering in the mid ‘teens’ – over next weekend it will be dry with patchy clouds, the sun breaking thought also, with a light to medium breeze bringing in the new ‘Atlantic’ front, the following week is at the moment looking dry & settled, watch this space.

See below a different view of the old Docks in Liverpool, looking up & over the River Mersey.

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Roast Lemon Chicken ‘ with a savoury ‘Mixed Herb’ Stuffing, I ‘joint’ the Chicken before it goes in the oven, Legs & Thighs and the ‘ Crown’ separate, seasoned with lots of Lemon Wedges & Juices with Sea Salt, resting on a bed of assorted ‘Trivets’ - before going in the oven to roast.

The ‘ Vegetable Chef’ was meanwhile preparing Broccoli & Cauliflower Florets in a three Cheese sauce, Diced Carrots & Turnips, finely sliced ‘ French’ Green Beans,  Creamed Leeks,Braised Onions & Garden Peas, the par-boiled local Potatoes ( sliced in half) were tossed in the ‘ Beef Dripping’ – ready to go in the oven this evening, I then finally made my famous ‘ Finger-Licking’ Pan Gravy’ – the aromas are wafting around the house!

While I have been typing posting today’s Blog I have as usual been listening to the ‘ Pete Black Retro Roadshow ’ on “ Castle Radio FM 89.2 & Online on the WWW “ – the monthly ‘Film Quiz’ came on and I got it straight away, it was the movie “ Marathon Man “ from 1976 with ‘ Laurence Olivier’ – Pete announced on ‘ air’ that I was the first correct entry and that ‘ I know my stuff’! He also told all his listeners that I was ‘ Roasting a Chicken ‘ at the same time!!  Watch this space to see if I have won this month’s Mug !

PS; I have just been announced as the winner of this month's 'Mug'' - we will now have to try, over the next couple of months, to win another !




It's in the post !!

Just a very quick update on yesterdays football results; Manchester City won 5-0 and played out of this World, sadly Everton lost, in the very last minute 3-2 in the 4^th Rounds of the ‘ FA Cup’

See below pictures of the smallest house in ‘ Great Britain’  on the Quay in Conwy, North Wales, it’s only 72 inches wide & 122 inches high!

It’s another at home day today, taking it easy and relaxing, keeping warm in front of the TV, this afternoon we will catch up with all the sports news and then this evening watch the next episode of ‘ Vera’ over on ITV.

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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A VERY ' FRESH' & SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY 16^th/ JANUARY 2019.

We managed another little lie in this morning, as usual, the village is very quiet, even more so first thing in the morning, we then freshened up and grabbed a quick fresh fruit, toast & tea to get us on the way.’ Chispa’ has been in & out all ready to see us, sadly with none of her friends here with us in ‘ Doggy World Heaven’ – for now! Watch this space.

I then set too and got the evenings supper on the go, with the help of the ‘ Second/Vegetables Chef’ – she peels & prepares all the vegetables – as we are having my famous “ Beef & Vegetables Stew with Savoury Herb Dumplings “ – the diced Beef, from our local Butchers, is dusted in seasoned flour and browned off in a hot frying pan, I diced the Onions, Garlic, Carrots, Turnips, Leeks, Celery & Green Beans, & Mushrooms, all then sweated off, adding a good dash of ‘ Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce & Tabasco’ along  with a glug of Brenda’s Red Wine, then adding the browned off Beef along with a rich Beef & Vegetables Stock, seasoned to taste and left to  simmer/cook-off under the eagle eye of the ‘ Second Chef ’- who ‘skims’ as required.

This evening the ‘ Savoury Herb Dumplings’ will be placed on the top of the warming ‘Stew’ to cook, served with local Cabbage with Acelgas, glazed Carrots and Parsley New Potatoes, the aromas are wafting around the house, at the moment, as I’m typing/posting today’s Blog!  “ Comfort Food to Die For “!!


See below;

The sun was out first thing this morning and the sky is already blue & cloudless, as there is a light breeze, by lunchtime it will only reach 16 degs+ - overnight down to 7/8 degs – the next couple of the days are staying the same, then on Saturday we could have some of the ‘ wet-stuff’ – from Sunday and into next week it’s now looking dry & sunny, with patchy clouds, but going a little cooler at times, down to 13 degs during the day and down to 6 degs at night, the ‘coldest’ spell we have ever had here in sunny Manilva, watch this space.

See below a different ‘ Drone’ view of sunny Manilva taken from the far-side of the village.

At lunchtime we will go for a short walk along ‘Calle Mar’ to take in some fresh air and sit on the sunny side of the street, this afternoon we will settled down, like ‘ Darby & Joan ‘ on the settee in front of the TV, with a wool blanket around our legs, as when the sun goes down, on the far side of the bottom of the village, it goes very cold, very quickly, later the Oil Heater in the lounge warms us up!

Last night we watched the second part of ‘ Silent Witness ‘ on ‘BBC TV One’ – with four more killings/stabbings before it was solved! The main channels were taken over by the ‘ Brexit’ vote in Parliament, as Mrs May lost the vote, today she faces a vote of ‘ No Confidence’ – which is forecast that she will win, watch this space. All this happing as the ‘ Euro’ was not affected and even gained against the ‘Pound’ – just in time for our monthly ‘Pension’ transfers start next Monday – ‘Fingers Crossed ‘ !

Thoughts for the Day;  See above.

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