A WARM & SUNNY MANILVA ON "ROMERIA" SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 13^th/ JUNE 2015.      “WORLD GIN DAY”!

Well no rest for the wicked this morning as six workmen arrived on the site at 7-45am and commenced to knock the hell out of anything they could find, oh and yes at 8-00am the fireworks went off to announce the start of the ‘Romeria Festival Weekend’!!

We treated ourselves to ‘Campo’ Scrambled Eggs with Smoked Salmon for breakfast, the last thing that I will cook on the very old electric hob plate as our handyman arrived as promised and has commenced the work on installing the back kitchen – fingers crossed that this evening I will be cooking on gas!

Joaquin was here for six hours non-stop as he first installed the new hot water boiler,he then set the new 4 x ring gas burner and lastly the large extraction hood was fitted,he needs to comeback with the extraction tube after modify the hood top.at the same time he's going to fit a new light fitting,he then caught up with all the repairs except for the shutter in our bedroom,we need a new one! Juan the tiler called in to measure for the Marble top on the vegetable shelf - watch this space. See the pictures above of the new small kitchen;

So at the moment we are twirling our thumbs, well Brenda is, as there is nothing for her do in the kitchen or house with out water and later electricity; I’ve shot up to the office and I’m typing and posing the Blog ASAP – as you can see.

I managed to go up to Calle Mar and get some picture of the ‘Romeria’ Procession as you can see above; the weather today is back to normal with a clear blue sky and the sun was out from early so its going to be a hot one today, tomorrow and into next week its more of the same before it gets warmer as the week goes on.

At lunchtime ‘Scruffy’ is due for a sleep over until tomorrow afternoon, so we will look after him with loving care – ‘Nurse Sexton’ is all prepared for the patient to arrive! ‘Chispa’ is already here and went up with Brenda to see the parade, at the moment she is sat under my feet up in the office.

'Scruffy' arrived with out his collar,he did not like it and got very upset,he is a little quiet and no eating much but is still full of life,he slept very well in his bed and jumped up this morning onto ours,as usual, see the picture below of the ' Patient'

The pictures are starting to appear on Facebook of the Inauguration of the new Mayor so I will select some later and then post them above. See below the first official one of the new local government!

For the moment that’s it, I will update the Blog later as the day goes on – watch this space!

Well we had a'Helluva' day in the end as we decided to go up to Bar Rojas for supper to give the 'Chef' and his 'Assistant' the night off' read all about in on today's Blog!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY HOT AND SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY " VIVA SANTA ANA "

SATURDAY 26^th/JULY 2014.

Well I was up early again this morning as the ‘Fireworks’ announced the start of the “ Santa Ana” Festival – then the traditional ‘Chi Chi Pom Band’ came past our house in fine form to start the day off in the right fashion! See the pictures above.

Last night’s “Brass Band Concert” was by far the best ever, the sound was terrific, the band played like it never has before and the village went wild! It was in two halfs, the first was conducted by ‘Fernando Antinolo’ the leader of the Band and the School of Music; then the second half’s programme was conducted by the guest conductor from Holland ‘ Cathy Kotoun’

In the band from the start there were four guest musicians from Holland, two saxophone player’s, one very young and the star the of the concert ‘Luna Pekaar’ one young trumpet player and a fine lady on the Clarinet - they helped to bring out the best in our young band as they all combined to give the concert of a lifetime!! The stand out pieces that they played were ‘Mambo 5’ and ‘Abba Gold’

Fernando was stood by me for the second half and was a very proud man as his band rose to the occasion, his young son is the drummer, we danced to the rhythm of ‘Mambo 5’and when the ‘Abba Gold’ selection started we sang along in full voice to “ Fernando!!’ – ‘Fernando’ singing ‘Fernando’ – you can’t beat that !! A memorable night in sunny Manilva.

See the picture below with the help of Den ( in his Black & White period!) Josie with her ‘IPhone’Antonia the Mayor and councilor Diego – oh and yes me!( watch out for my new Nikon next month!)

On the sports front this weekend( sorry Josie!) it’s the  “Hungarian Grand Prix” and of course it’s the penultimate stage 20 of the ‘Tour De France’ which is an ‘Individual Time Trial’ from ‘Bergerac to Perigueux’ over a rather hilly and long 54kms in the ‘Dordogne’ region! A little interesting fact, our dear friends Tim & Thea are going on holiday next week to Bergerac !! Now not a lot of people know that – they do now!!

Back here in sunny Manilva we are in for a very hot and sticky weekend , the forecast for next week is more of the same; so this evening we will walk up to Calle Mar to see the procession of the ‘Tableau of Santa Ana’ led by the village Brass Band coming up from the church of ‘Santa Ana’ after the religious ceremony – watch out for the pictures later as my roaming news photographers go about their job!

We are then coming back to the house for our ‘Saturday Night Steak’ – this evening it’s ‘Entrecote’ with sautéed Mushrooms and twice cooked Frits, on the side finely sliced Green Beans and Béarnaise sauce, Brenda’s with fried Garlic buds and mine topped with a Campo Fried Egg which have just been delivered fresh from the hens in the valley below!

Its then back out for a little dancing and drinking into the wee small hours with a live band on the stage – somebody has to do it, so it may as well be us!

‘Scruffy’ is enjoying himself and taking in all the happenings, he’s very good when he’s is out and is a joy to have around,he is eating well and sleeping in his deluxe bed! Meanwhile ' Chispa' comes calling in all the time and plays with both the other dogs !!

Thought for the Day; See above.

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