Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
MANILVA PALM SUNDAY
Monday, March 17, 2008
MANILVA PALM SUNDAY
As we got up on Sunday it was a very bright and blue sky sunny day which was good for the Palm Sunday procession in the village,We had deceided to have a full English before we went down to the church at the bottom of the village,So we had ,local eggs,Ham,mushrooms,tomato.saute potatoes and Heinz Baked Beans! The picture's below give's you a little idea of the atmosphere as the procession leaves the church carried by the “ Brotherhood “ We had just gone down to take some photographs but soon got into the atmosphere as the whole village joins in and walks the route around the streets of Manilva led by the village brass band,then the village dignities and the children in white robes,the music is very moving and with the the incense from the church server's hanging in the air it is easy to get taken along with the crowd-as we did! All this is also on the camcorder as it takes over three hours to get back to the church as they stop every 100 yrds'or so to rest as they carry the very heavy “Borriquita “ Our friend Juan in the picture is also a village elder and a very good friend of Mano's as well.As we walked the locals that we know were coming up to us and greeting us,including the owner of our house and her family as we then went into a couple of the tapas bars for refreshment! There are three more processions in the evening during this week,culminating in the silent procession of the Mourners on Good Friday.We have now also got into a routine of Sunday lunch so we had a Roast Beef dinner with all the trimmings which Anna joined us for,Mano as he finished work at 10-pm had a “Plate-meal” as Sally was not arriving from Tenerife until 3-oam in the morning! We then walked up to the top of our street and made a call into a couple of the local bars for a nightcap-including a game of pool at the “Antique” bar where we bought a very nice wine rack with a local's discount! which we collected this morning and drove back to the house with the boot open! We have just had a phone call from Vidal who has found us a possible buyer for the Winnebago-cross your fingers and watch this space as we are also busy this week working for five days up to Sunday at the Aparthotel with Mano and Anna and getting paid well!!
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
MANILVA NEWSLETTER
We have been in the house for four weeks now and are starting to settle into a routine now that we have finished un-packing.We have also started to furnish the guest rooms,new nets last week and a new cane and wicker bedhead in the double room which was dropped off the same evening after we saw it in the shop in Sabrinillas! The other day we went out for a walk in the village and found our way thru the narrow streets and ended up in the local bar below Carlo's apartment for a lunchtime drink-no driving ! The process for the paper work has been updated so next week we have to go to the Civil Police and sign in for our “NIE” so we can then go to the town hall and obtain the necessary forms to become resident here and then we are able to obtain all the benefits etc.Our Spanish bank account is open and running and we set up standing orders for the services;From this weekend it is the start of “ Semana Santa “ which is a very special time in Spain,the first procession in the village is tomorrow and goes on throughout the week with the the final one on Friday which is done in strict silence This all happens in the streets around us and past the town hall to the church at the bottom of the village. The Costa del Sol is full for the whole week with holiday people and family's meeting up for the festivities,Sally ,Mano and Anna's daughter is coming over for the week with her two chidren and is staying at the Aparthotel,Mano who is now the Food and Beverage manager showed us the Spa,the Restaurant and Cafe Bar which are due to open later in the year-very impressive and the Restaurant has terrific views from the balcony,Over next week end we have been called in to help at the bar and poolside “Chirigito” as our housesitting job has cancelled due to a change in plans by the owner that we worked for a couple of weeks ago.At the same time we are receiving calls about the Winnebago from our adverts in the paper all the time,which we pass on to the garage,The other evening we even made time to sit on the roof terrace over looking the roofs of the village with our Gin and Tonic and Bacardi and Coke as the sun went down over the coast !!Also over the last two weeks we have been cooking all our old favourites,including Stews,Curry,Lamb and Pork chops and Steaks,last night it was fish night when we had Fillets of Halibut,all cooked in the best Olive Oil,The now famous “Omelette” of choice is also back on the menu as well! During the last week we have also been busy sending E-mails to all our family and friends updating them with all the news if they have not had a chance to view the blog-page.Watch out for all the pictures of the procession's during the Easter week.Vidal and Gissy are very dear friends from the site are starting to work now that it is getting busy in the bars so last weekend I went down and picked up Gissy from the marina and she did Brenda's hair at our house as well as cutting mine and also putting face masks on us!That evening I went to bed with a blond for the first time!! ( Brenda )
Friday, March 07, 2008
MANILVA NEWSLETTER
The pictures below show our new house in Manilva on a sunny day at the end of February,the villa on the golf course was rather nice with it's views down to the 13th fairway and the Beach House restaurant which we went to twice is also in a very spectacular setting on the beach past Marbella. When we last reported to you we where housesitting at the villa with a fish,hampster and a Jack Russel,we picked up the owner and his son from the airport at Malaga on Sunday evening in his top of the range-Range Rover and he has booked us again for Easter week when he is going to Portugal.Whilst we were there we went out for dinner on the Friday evening to The Beach House and used one of the vouchers from the Marriot sales day training so we went for a drink before to the Don Carlos piano bar which is set above the pools and overlooking the sea.The meal of sauteed Kidneys with Colcanna potatoes and fried Tampura Prawns,followed by Rib-Eye steak with Bearnaise sauce was washed down with a half bottle of Chablis and a half bottle of a excellent Rioja as we watched the sun set over Gibraltar.We also stayed in a couple of nights and caught up with all the British soaps and watched some films,On the Sunday before we picked them up from the airport we had planned to go to a restaurant at Cabopino but as we set off we changed our minds and called into The Beach House as it was Mothers Day,they were full but fitted us in later at 4-30,When we got back the place was bouncing and we ended up on a nice table overlooking the view,Once again we used another voucher and ended up having the finest Sunday lunch we have ever had!The Roast Rib of Beef was rare and served on a fresh yorkshire pudding with creamed leeks,honey roasted parsnips,fine green beans,glazed baby carrotts and broccoli all served with fresh crisp roast potatoes and proper gravy,accompanied with freshly grated Horseradish!! When we asked for more roast potatoes and gravy they arrived hot and steaming!!It was so special because of the setting,the weather, the standard of the food and it was our first time out for Mothers Day lunch in nearly 40 years !!! This week we have been settling into the house and have finished the unpacking and we now making it into our home,Over the weekend Mano rang us to say that he and Anna were starting work running the bar and supermarket at the Manilva Green Aparthotel on Monday so we called into to see them on Monday morning and christened the bar! Their son Carlos is working on reception so the Guerrero “Family” are taking over!Watch this space!!From now on we are going to put weekly newsletters on the blog-page to keep you up with what's happening to us in sunny Manilva.Yesterday we called into the garage and checked out the Winnebago,we have had many phone calls from our advert and passed on the best contacts to Charles the German owner.The Winnebago looks very smart and clean inside and our thanks to Vidal and Gissy and Charles has put it in his advert in the car sales paper which came out today,it looks spectacular !Again watch this space; we have also put our two unused bike's in the paper together with all the gear!!At the same time we have had quite a few enquiries from our housesitting advert including one for horse's-we said neh!!I have listed below once again our new address and phone numbers for info;On the blog page we have also had a couple of new posted comments,one from Penny our dear friend in Bridgnorth who we will e-mail in the next few days and one from”Oscar” in Conwy who we don't know but who has a very interesting blog-page;please give our kind regards to Barry Edwards our first wine merchant some 38 years ago in Bedgelert!
CALLE SAN VICENTE 1
29261 MANILVA.
MALAGA
SPAIN.
952890548- HOUSE.
628529975-SPANISH MOBILE
07717746107-BRENDA MOBILE
CALLE SAN VICENTE 1
29261 MANILVA.
MALAGA
SPAIN.
952890548- HOUSE.
628529975-SPANISH MOBILE
07717746107-BRENDA MOBILE
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
MANILVA NEWSLETTER
SETTLING IN-SPANISH STYLE
The house is fully furnished in the Spanish style and also has a very modern heating/air conditioning system,Over the next few days we moved in.it took over twenty trips in the Smart car and with the help of Mano and Anna at the house and Vidal and Gissy back on the site we have settled in and stamped our personality on our new homeOn the first night,Mano,Anna,Carlos ,Anna and Fabio came round and we cracked open our first bottle of champagne At the weekend Vidal and Gissy.came over with the last load so we opened another bottle of champagne,then Mano and Anna called in and we ended up back at theirs for eggs,chips and peppers at 1-00 clock in the morning.On the street where we live just ten yards down is a very nice tapas bar “Bodega Andaluz”-our local! And also opposite it is a small supermarket and just around the corner,a bread shop,chemists,doctors
two butchers,a fruit and vegetableshop,a fish market and over twenty tapas bars to choose from!!After the weekend we then went back to the site and started cleaning the Winnebago,Gissy joined Brenda and Vidal plumbed in the new tap,fixed all the things on the Winnebago that needed fixing and painted all the iron parts underneath,then went on the roof and opened the storage box's to finish the move,We then washed down the Winnebago in between the showers and did all the chores to finish off getting it ready.Vidal had also called into the German car show rooms next to the site,the owner knows Vidal and he agreed to put the Winnebago on the forecourt and we have done a deal with him to sell it,it is also in the papers for five weeks,we have also got a Spanish man interested in it,he had seen the for- sale sign on it and called us.The Winnebago looks very lonely as we passed it the other day but it is creating a lot of interest and it is safe and secure on the forecourt and it is floodlight at night-in the end if it does not sell here then we can arrange for Dudleys to pick it up and take it back to Oxford,but we are very confidant that we will get a sale as our German friend will also take a car in part exchange as part of our deal!Last Saturday as we where unpacking at the house the phone went,we now have a Telefonica land line and wireless internet which was installed within 24 hous with Mano's help!The call was from a very nice English man who had seen our advert in the” Sur “ for housesitting which has been in the paper for a few weeks,we shot across to see him on the far side of Marbella and we are now in his villa for five days looking after his sons fish,hampster and a puppy Jack Russell called Jack!We also dropped him off at Malaga airport in his Range Rover sports and are picking him and his son up on Sunday eveningThe villa is on a private estate on the Santa Clara golf course overlooking the 13th tee!It is our first paid job and we think that we will now pick up more work from him in the future.So our new life begins,next week we are signing the papers at the town hall to become resident as we have now received from England the necessary documents in our new letterbox, which we put up yesterday.Watch out for the pictures in the next few days!Below is our new address and telephone ;
CALLE SAN VINCENTE 1
29261 MANILVA
MALAGA
SPAIN
952890548
The house is fully furnished in the Spanish style and also has a very modern heating/air conditioning system,Over the next few days we moved in.it took over twenty trips in the Smart car and with the help of Mano and Anna at the house and Vidal and Gissy back on the site we have settled in and stamped our personality on our new homeOn the first night,Mano,Anna,Carlos ,Anna and Fabio came round and we cracked open our first bottle of champagne At the weekend Vidal and Gissy.came over with the last load so we opened another bottle of champagne,then Mano and Anna called in and we ended up back at theirs for eggs,chips and peppers at 1-00 clock in the morning.On the street where we live just ten yards down is a very nice tapas bar “Bodega Andaluz”-our local! And also opposite it is a small supermarket and just around the corner,a bread shop,chemists,doctors
two butchers,a fruit and vegetableshop,a fish market and over twenty tapas bars to choose from!!After the weekend we then went back to the site and started cleaning the Winnebago,Gissy joined Brenda and Vidal plumbed in the new tap,fixed all the things on the Winnebago that needed fixing and painted all the iron parts underneath,then went on the roof and opened the storage box's to finish the move,We then washed down the Winnebago in between the showers and did all the chores to finish off getting it ready.Vidal had also called into the German car show rooms next to the site,the owner knows Vidal and he agreed to put the Winnebago on the forecourt and we have done a deal with him to sell it,it is also in the papers for five weeks,we have also got a Spanish man interested in it,he had seen the for- sale sign on it and called us.The Winnebago looks very lonely as we passed it the other day but it is creating a lot of interest and it is safe and secure on the forecourt and it is floodlight at night-in the end if it does not sell here then we can arrange for Dudleys to pick it up and take it back to Oxford,but we are very confidant that we will get a sale as our German friend will also take a car in part exchange as part of our deal!Last Saturday as we where unpacking at the house the phone went,we now have a Telefonica land line and wireless internet which was installed within 24 hous with Mano's help!The call was from a very nice English man who had seen our advert in the” Sur “ for housesitting which has been in the paper for a few weeks,we shot across to see him on the far side of Marbella and we are now in his villa for five days looking after his sons fish,hampster and a puppy Jack Russell called Jack!We also dropped him off at Malaga airport in his Range Rover sports and are picking him and his son up on Sunday eveningThe villa is on a private estate on the Santa Clara golf course overlooking the 13th tee!It is our first paid job and we think that we will now pick up more work from him in the future.So our new life begins,next week we are signing the papers at the town hall to become resident as we have now received from England the necessary documents in our new letterbox, which we put up yesterday.Watch out for the pictures in the next few days!Below is our new address and telephone ;
CALLE SAN VINCENTE 1
29261 MANILVA
MALAGA
SPAIN
952890548
MANILVA NEWSLETTER
“ THE START OF A NEW ERA “
First of all,sorry to all our reader's / bloggers !! We have been off line for the last few weeks due to a radical change in our life style.As we left you at the end of January we were house sitting for Mano and Anna at their house in Manilva,looking after the two dogs and two cats.We went to Fabio's birthday party at Carlos apartment after attending the preview of our sales training for Marriott's new sales managers at the resort.Over the weekend we looked at more apartments/houses and made various contacts with Spanish and English agents.At the start of February we attended for three afternoons as prospective customers for the sales staff and we received for our efforts 160 e vouchers for dining out,160 e vouchers for spa treatments and a stay in one of the Marriott resort apartments !! At the end of the week Mano and Anna came home after nearly three weeks away in North Wales and Manchester, the date 8th February we will remember for ever!As they got back we went out into Manilva on a tapas trail-starting at Bodega Augustin,” The Office” as it is known locally! We then progressed through the village and ended up at Carlos's before we made our way back to the office and then onto Mano's.The weather over the last couple of weeks has changed to some cold rainy days with late afternoon sunshine,so we sat inside the bar- I noticed on the wall by the bar a poster had been put up showing a house to rent in Manilva,I rang the number and then Mano took over as the owner,a Spanish lady was in Tenerife on holiday and handed us over to her son,in Sabrinillas who is a local politician and lawyer,who arranged for us to go and view the house at 6-30pm that evening.We walked up through the village to the town hall and turned left down the street to the house where the sister of the owner,who also lives next door,showed us around.The three story property is in the heart of Manilva surrounded by all the oldest houses and is typically Spanish.You walk off the narrow street into the main lounge/dining area,with the modern kitchen and larder behind,It has marbled floors and stairs,shutters on all the windows and spread over the next two floors are three double bedrooms,a dressing room opening into the large bathroom and onto the top floor which has a drying room and a rooftop terrace over looking Manilva! We fell in love with it immediately and met the lawyer at 7-30pm and shook hands on a deal,which Mano had negotiated for us with a discount !!The contract was to be signed on Tuesday lunchtime,the 12th of February.In the meantime we had already put the Winnebago up for sale in the local paper and also put for sale signs on it at the site-more about this later!Over the weekend we went over to the site to see Vidal and Gissy and catch up with all our news-they have been real friends and stars! Vidal had found on the site sombody who wanted the Smart car trailer,Keith and Brenda who we already knew,so we did a deal and that paid for the deposit and rent for the first month!On the Saturday morning we went down to Estepona and opened a Spanish bank account and made all the arrangements for some transfer of funds.On Tuesday the 12th February at 1-00pm we signed the contract at the lawyers office and with Mano 's help checked it out,the lawyers wife,also a lawyer,speaks very good English,her name is Marjoleine and she was also nine months pregnant at the time,three days later she gave birth to a baby girl! We moved in the same night !!
First of all,sorry to all our reader's / bloggers !! We have been off line for the last few weeks due to a radical change in our life style.As we left you at the end of January we were house sitting for Mano and Anna at their house in Manilva,looking after the two dogs and two cats.We went to Fabio's birthday party at Carlos apartment after attending the preview of our sales training for Marriott's new sales managers at the resort.Over the weekend we looked at more apartments/houses and made various contacts with Spanish and English agents.At the start of February we attended for three afternoons as prospective customers for the sales staff and we received for our efforts 160 e vouchers for dining out,160 e vouchers for spa treatments and a stay in one of the Marriott resort apartments !! At the end of the week Mano and Anna came home after nearly three weeks away in North Wales and Manchester, the date 8th February we will remember for ever!As they got back we went out into Manilva on a tapas trail-starting at Bodega Augustin,” The Office” as it is known locally! We then progressed through the village and ended up at Carlos's before we made our way back to the office and then onto Mano's.The weather over the last couple of weeks has changed to some cold rainy days with late afternoon sunshine,so we sat inside the bar- I noticed on the wall by the bar a poster had been put up showing a house to rent in Manilva,I rang the number and then Mano took over as the owner,a Spanish lady was in Tenerife on holiday and handed us over to her son,in Sabrinillas who is a local politician and lawyer,who arranged for us to go and view the house at 6-30pm that evening.We walked up through the village to the town hall and turned left down the street to the house where the sister of the owner,who also lives next door,showed us around.The three story property is in the heart of Manilva surrounded by all the oldest houses and is typically Spanish.You walk off the narrow street into the main lounge/dining area,with the modern kitchen and larder behind,It has marbled floors and stairs,shutters on all the windows and spread over the next two floors are three double bedrooms,a dressing room opening into the large bathroom and onto the top floor which has a drying room and a rooftop terrace over looking Manilva! We fell in love with it immediately and met the lawyer at 7-30pm and shook hands on a deal,which Mano had negotiated for us with a discount !!The contract was to be signed on Tuesday lunchtime,the 12th of February.In the meantime we had already put the Winnebago up for sale in the local paper and also put for sale signs on it at the site-more about this later!Over the weekend we went over to the site to see Vidal and Gissy and catch up with all our news-they have been real friends and stars! Vidal had found on the site sombody who wanted the Smart car trailer,Keith and Brenda who we already knew,so we did a deal and that paid for the deposit and rent for the first month!On the Saturday morning we went down to Estepona and opened a Spanish bank account and made all the arrangements for some transfer of funds.On Tuesday the 12th February at 1-00pm we signed the contract at the lawyers office and with Mano 's help checked it out,the lawyers wife,also a lawyer,speaks very good English,her name is Marjoleine and she was also nine months pregnant at the time,three days later she gave birth to a baby girl! We moved in the same night !!
Sunday, February 24, 2008
MANILVA NEWSLETTER
Watch out in the next few days for one "Helluva" update on what's been happening to us !!
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
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.
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.
Saturday, January 26, 2008
MANILVA
Monday 21st January.
Over the weekend we made arrangments with Mano and Anna to go over to Manilva today for dinner and then spend the day with them on Tuesday to see the routine to look after the two dogs and two cats! Vidal called in to say hello and to also to check on a leaking tap on the main sink which he is going to change when we are back in the Winnebago.Whilst we have been away our neighbours have come back from England and also some new ones have arrived on the site.Dave and Jane Owens who have a American RV and have had in the past Winnebago's like ours as they travelled across America came and talked to us and we were also able to give them some details about Portugal as they moved down,we also found that we had a lot in common with them and swopped E-mails for the future!In the evening we had a dinner with Mano and Anna as we settled in to their house.
Tuesday 22nd January.
After the night befor we got up to a sunny day and then saw the routine to feed and look after the dogs and cats.Feria is a large Boxer,Derek is a very small Yorkshire Terrier.Fish is a black and white moggy and Bella is a grey Persian pussy!! They all have different ways and also go and come as they want-its like looking after four small children!We then went with Mano and Anna up to the village as it was very hot and sunny and they showed us all the place's to shop as we made our way around the bars,including some that we had not been to befor and at the same time we picked up Carlos's son Fabio from the nursery school.We had a very nice Tapas lunch in a Gypsy bar just around the corner and met the owners son who is a famous Flamenco singer in the area,all the ladies were drooling until they found out that he was married!
Wednesday 23rd January.
Mano and Anna set off to the airport to go to Anna's house in North Wales as we took over the family! We went out to do some shopping and when we came back everything was all right! We had a late supper and I found out how to use all the controls for the TV. Over the last few weeks we have started to think about the what we are going to do in the next few years and have come to a decision-Watch this space in the next few days!!
Thursday 24th January.
As we got up it was another sunny day and so it was a good time to set our plans in motion,We are going to rent an apartment in Estepona and become resident in Spain ! I made a call to Paul Dudley in Oxford and we found out that he would come and pick up the Winnebago and sell it for us back in England,at the same time we called the bank in North Wales to make some arrangments with them.We have spoken to our friends and they all think that it is a good move for the future,We could also sell the Winnebago on E-bay as a alternate if we want too.We love the life down here and have fallen in love with the Costa del Sol and especially in Estepona,which is why we put the advert in the paper two weeks ago for work! We started today to look at the rental pages in the local papers and soon found some apartments in our price range and made a appointment to see one later in the day .As I was on the phone a message came up to ring back to a number-It was our first job offer! We made contact with the person and are waiting to speak to him again over the weekend as he wants us to check out the area above Malaga where he owns three large villas and is also making plans for a holiday park with chalets that he makes- he wants us to look after the villas and also has plans for other things in the future!-Watch this space.We went over to the Winnebago as the apartment was just across the road and met Vidal,he thinks that it is a great idea and he also gave us a great lead to sell the trailer to somebody on the site who he knows is looking for one as we are keeping the Smart car as we have spent so much money on it since the xmas breakdown but we will not need the trailer anymore! We checked out the Winnebago and then went across the road to meet the person to see the apartment-they did not show up-manana as they say in Spain.Friday is local paper day so we will pick one up and start chasing up more rentals. When we got back everything was OK at the “Casa”
Friday 25th January.
We had a phone call from the garage to say that the new spare key had arrived from Germany so we went over to Marbella to pick it up and then go and look at Cartama above Malaga which is were are first job could be not knowing what was about to happen! The road out of Marbella heads up to the high sierras on the way to Coin and then Cartama,As we set off on the three lane road just after the start we hit a rock on the road in the inside lane which had fallen on to the road,I could not swerve to miss it as a car was just overtaking us! The front nearside tyre went with a bang and I had to drive on for a few Kms untill we found somewere to stop as we could not stop on the roadside due to the space and drop! It now gets worse,as a Smart car does not have a Spare tyre! The front and back tyres are different so you only have what is basically a repair kit to fill the tyre with filler to get you to help!but the tyre had a very large hole and was past this option. We rang Vidal,our Guardian Angel and he drove over to help us.The next problem was when Vidal arrived we soon found out that we did not have a jack to take off the wheel! So Vidal got his jack out only to find out that it only fitted his BMW! So we then flagged down a passing car and borrowed thiers! Vidal took the tyre off and put his spare wheel under the Smart car and gave back the jack!We then headed back down to Marbella and left Brenda in charge of the Smart car on three wheels! We went into the garage on the large shopping mall and got them to put on a new tyre and at the same time we bought a new jack,we then headed back up the mountain to Brenda! The new jack was then used to put the wheel back on and retrieve Vidals spare wheel! We then decided to change the other front tyre to match the new one and had arrangrd with the garage to look after us as we headed back down! Vidal is a star and we can't thank him enough.We eventually got back to the casa to find that our “Family” were OK! A large drink was called for after another “HELLUVA” day!! For supper we had Calf's Liver,Bacon,Sausage.fried Onions and Mash.
Over the weekend we made arrangments with Mano and Anna to go over to Manilva today for dinner and then spend the day with them on Tuesday to see the routine to look after the two dogs and two cats! Vidal called in to say hello and to also to check on a leaking tap on the main sink which he is going to change when we are back in the Winnebago.Whilst we have been away our neighbours have come back from England and also some new ones have arrived on the site.Dave and Jane Owens who have a American RV and have had in the past Winnebago's like ours as they travelled across America came and talked to us and we were also able to give them some details about Portugal as they moved down,we also found that we had a lot in common with them and swopped E-mails for the future!In the evening we had a dinner with Mano and Anna as we settled in to their house.
Tuesday 22nd January.
After the night befor we got up to a sunny day and then saw the routine to feed and look after the dogs and cats.Feria is a large Boxer,Derek is a very small Yorkshire Terrier.Fish is a black and white moggy and Bella is a grey Persian pussy!! They all have different ways and also go and come as they want-its like looking after four small children!We then went with Mano and Anna up to the village as it was very hot and sunny and they showed us all the place's to shop as we made our way around the bars,including some that we had not been to befor and at the same time we picked up Carlos's son Fabio from the nursery school.We had a very nice Tapas lunch in a Gypsy bar just around the corner and met the owners son who is a famous Flamenco singer in the area,all the ladies were drooling until they found out that he was married!
Wednesday 23rd January.
Mano and Anna set off to the airport to go to Anna's house in North Wales as we took over the family! We went out to do some shopping and when we came back everything was all right! We had a late supper and I found out how to use all the controls for the TV. Over the last few weeks we have started to think about the what we are going to do in the next few years and have come to a decision-Watch this space in the next few days!!
Thursday 24th January.
As we got up it was another sunny day and so it was a good time to set our plans in motion,We are going to rent an apartment in Estepona and become resident in Spain ! I made a call to Paul Dudley in Oxford and we found out that he would come and pick up the Winnebago and sell it for us back in England,at the same time we called the bank in North Wales to make some arrangments with them.We have spoken to our friends and they all think that it is a good move for the future,We could also sell the Winnebago on E-bay as a alternate if we want too.We love the life down here and have fallen in love with the Costa del Sol and especially in Estepona,which is why we put the advert in the paper two weeks ago for work! We started today to look at the rental pages in the local papers and soon found some apartments in our price range and made a appointment to see one later in the day .As I was on the phone a message came up to ring back to a number-It was our first job offer! We made contact with the person and are waiting to speak to him again over the weekend as he wants us to check out the area above Malaga where he owns three large villas and is also making plans for a holiday park with chalets that he makes- he wants us to look after the villas and also has plans for other things in the future!-Watch this space.We went over to the Winnebago as the apartment was just across the road and met Vidal,he thinks that it is a great idea and he also gave us a great lead to sell the trailer to somebody on the site who he knows is looking for one as we are keeping the Smart car as we have spent so much money on it since the xmas breakdown but we will not need the trailer anymore! We checked out the Winnebago and then went across the road to meet the person to see the apartment-they did not show up-manana as they say in Spain.Friday is local paper day so we will pick one up and start chasing up more rentals. When we got back everything was OK at the “Casa”
Friday 25th January.
We had a phone call from the garage to say that the new spare key had arrived from Germany so we went over to Marbella to pick it up and then go and look at Cartama above Malaga which is were are first job could be not knowing what was about to happen! The road out of Marbella heads up to the high sierras on the way to Coin and then Cartama,As we set off on the three lane road just after the start we hit a rock on the road in the inside lane which had fallen on to the road,I could not swerve to miss it as a car was just overtaking us! The front nearside tyre went with a bang and I had to drive on for a few Kms untill we found somewere to stop as we could not stop on the roadside due to the space and drop! It now gets worse,as a Smart car does not have a Spare tyre! The front and back tyres are different so you only have what is basically a repair kit to fill the tyre with filler to get you to help!but the tyre had a very large hole and was past this option. We rang Vidal,our Guardian Angel and he drove over to help us.The next problem was when Vidal arrived we soon found out that we did not have a jack to take off the wheel! So Vidal got his jack out only to find out that it only fitted his BMW! So we then flagged down a passing car and borrowed thiers! Vidal took the tyre off and put his spare wheel under the Smart car and gave back the jack!We then headed back down to Marbella and left Brenda in charge of the Smart car on three wheels! We went into the garage on the large shopping mall and got them to put on a new tyre and at the same time we bought a new jack,we then headed back up the mountain to Brenda! The new jack was then used to put the wheel back on and retrieve Vidals spare wheel! We then decided to change the other front tyre to match the new one and had arrangrd with the garage to look after us as we headed back down! Vidal is a star and we can't thank him enough.We eventually got back to the casa to find that our “Family” were OK! A large drink was called for after another “HELLUVA” day!! For supper we had Calf's Liver,Bacon,Sausage.fried Onions and Mash.
Monday, January 21, 2008
CALAHONDA/CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Friday 18th January.
It was another very warm and sunny day as we got up,during the previous evening Vidal had phoned to say that they could not make it today so we changed our plans for a day out again in Malaga.Brenda went out on the sunbed on the balcony and I caught up with the blog-page.In the newspaper I spotted a advert for a restaurant that I read about and it had a very good report so I booked a table for dinner.The “Beach House” restaurant is as the name suggest's right on the beach just befor Marbella in Elviria.We arrived at 9-00pm to find that it was a jazz night and was already very busy and very English! It has a very nice atmosphere and all the young staff are English.After we had ordered the house starter arrived- a demi-tasse cup of warm frothy lobster bisque.We had for our first course Pumpkin and prawn soup with coconut cream with home made warm bread rolls.For our main course Brenda had a Fillet of Salmon with Prawns baked in a Banana leaf and served with Aniseed Rice and a crisp Ginger scented salad,I had a Fillet Steak,chargrilled and served with Pont Neuf chips and Bearnaise sauce,The wine list which was also very good had French and Italian wines on it so for a change Brenda had a half bottle of Chablis.The house sorbets were excellent and we finished with coffee and warm Soberano Brandy,all this and the jazz duo !
Saturday 19th January.
We had packed the previous night befor we went out so we loaded up the Smart car and then Brenda got in and I loaded more on top of her and I got in and lifted in more bags ready to go home to the Winnebago!! When we got back we had to un-pack in the reverse order !!We caught up with the chores and settled back into life on the site for a couple of days as we are off to Manilva on Monday afternoon to Mano and Anna's house to babysit the dogs,cats and house for 2/3 weeks.In the evening after supper we watched a DVD-more about this later.
Sunday 20th January.
As the weather is still so nice and it is forcasted to stay,we went down to the marina at Estepona and read the papers whilst drinking Tinto de Verano-I stay on Seven-up as under the latest driving laws if you are caught over the limit it is straight to prison!! We called into Mano and Anna to catch up with all the news and make the arrangements for the hand-over,we going for dinner on Monday evening and are going so spend Tuesday getting into the routine of feeding the two dogs and two cats!! befor they leave on Wednesday for their holiday in Wales.On the way back we picked up a spit-roasted Chicken for supper and then watched a DVD,we have just found the “Bourne Trilogy” which has five disc,so we watched them over the past two nights and its very good,the action scenes are unbelievable and it then shows you how it was made!Just befor we left England I bought the Trilgy book in Liverpool and I am reading it at the moment as well.
It was another very warm and sunny day as we got up,during the previous evening Vidal had phoned to say that they could not make it today so we changed our plans for a day out again in Malaga.Brenda went out on the sunbed on the balcony and I caught up with the blog-page.In the newspaper I spotted a advert for a restaurant that I read about and it had a very good report so I booked a table for dinner.The “Beach House” restaurant is as the name suggest's right on the beach just befor Marbella in Elviria.We arrived at 9-00pm to find that it was a jazz night and was already very busy and very English! It has a very nice atmosphere and all the young staff are English.After we had ordered the house starter arrived- a demi-tasse cup of warm frothy lobster bisque.We had for our first course Pumpkin and prawn soup with coconut cream with home made warm bread rolls.For our main course Brenda had a Fillet of Salmon with Prawns baked in a Banana leaf and served with Aniseed Rice and a crisp Ginger scented salad,I had a Fillet Steak,chargrilled and served with Pont Neuf chips and Bearnaise sauce,The wine list which was also very good had French and Italian wines on it so for a change Brenda had a half bottle of Chablis.The house sorbets were excellent and we finished with coffee and warm Soberano Brandy,all this and the jazz duo !
Saturday 19th January.
We had packed the previous night befor we went out so we loaded up the Smart car and then Brenda got in and I loaded more on top of her and I got in and lifted in more bags ready to go home to the Winnebago!! When we got back we had to un-pack in the reverse order !!We caught up with the chores and settled back into life on the site for a couple of days as we are off to Manilva on Monday afternoon to Mano and Anna's house to babysit the dogs,cats and house for 2/3 weeks.In the evening after supper we watched a DVD-more about this later.
Sunday 20th January.
As the weather is still so nice and it is forcasted to stay,we went down to the marina at Estepona and read the papers whilst drinking Tinto de Verano-I stay on Seven-up as under the latest driving laws if you are caught over the limit it is straight to prison!! We called into Mano and Anna to catch up with all the news and make the arrangements for the hand-over,we going for dinner on Monday evening and are going so spend Tuesday getting into the routine of feeding the two dogs and two cats!! befor they leave on Wednesday for their holiday in Wales.On the way back we picked up a spit-roasted Chicken for supper and then watched a DVD,we have just found the “Bourne Trilogy” which has five disc,so we watched them over the past two nights and its very good,the action scenes are unbelievable and it then shows you how it was made!Just befor we left England I bought the Trilgy book in Liverpool and I am reading it at the moment as well.
Saturday, January 19, 2008
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
CALAHONDA
Monday14th January.
After our busy weekend we got up late and had a light breakfast on the balcony,We then went over to Estepona to do some shopping and then called into make sure that the Winnebago was all right and also say hello to Vidal and Gisssy.We headed back to the apartment in the late afternoon sunshine ,then we stayed in for supper and TV.
Tuesday 15th January.
We woke to a grey day so we stayed in and had a at home day to catch up with some washing and then some reading.During the day the garage rang to say that the part had arrived from Germany and that after they had fitted it they were going to do two road tests and put it on the computer for further checks.In the evening we had a Chicken curry with Rice for dinner.
Wednesday 16th January.
The forcast for the next week is very good,blue skies,warm sunshine and a temperature of 20 degs! So after breakfast we went for a walk and a paddle along the beach and as we were out the garage rang to say that the car would be ready on Thursday morning-one month after the breakdown ! In the afternoon Brenda is able to sunbathe on the balcony which catches the sun all day. In the evening we are able to watch English TV and catch up with all the popular programms as we have supper.
Thursday.17th January.
We went into Marbella and picked up the car from the garage,the only thing yet to be fixed is the radio as the code card is not working so we are back in the Smart car for the first time in a month.One good thing was that the garage did not charge for the 4/4 Smart car over the last two weeks and also gave us a break on the costs! As the weather is so good we are planning to go out tomorrow if Vidal and Gissy can make it,as we leave on Saturday morning.Next week we are house and dog/cat sitting for Mano and Anna for 1/3 weeks as they go on holiday to Wales! The pictures above show Cabopino Marina at lunchtime today and also the apartment.
After our busy weekend we got up late and had a light breakfast on the balcony,We then went over to Estepona to do some shopping and then called into make sure that the Winnebago was all right and also say hello to Vidal and Gisssy.We headed back to the apartment in the late afternoon sunshine ,then we stayed in for supper and TV.
Tuesday 15th January.
We woke to a grey day so we stayed in and had a at home day to catch up with some washing and then some reading.During the day the garage rang to say that the part had arrived from Germany and that after they had fitted it they were going to do two road tests and put it on the computer for further checks.In the evening we had a Chicken curry with Rice for dinner.
Wednesday 16th January.
The forcast for the next week is very good,blue skies,warm sunshine and a temperature of 20 degs! So after breakfast we went for a walk and a paddle along the beach and as we were out the garage rang to say that the car would be ready on Thursday morning-one month after the breakdown ! In the afternoon Brenda is able to sunbathe on the balcony which catches the sun all day. In the evening we are able to watch English TV and catch up with all the popular programms as we have supper.
Thursday.17th January.
We went into Marbella and picked up the car from the garage,the only thing yet to be fixed is the radio as the code card is not working so we are back in the Smart car for the first time in a month.One good thing was that the garage did not charge for the 4/4 Smart car over the last two weeks and also gave us a break on the costs! As the weather is so good we are planning to go out tomorrow if Vidal and Gissy can make it,as we leave on Saturday morning.Next week we are house and dog/cat sitting for Mano and Anna for 1/3 weeks as they go on holiday to Wales! The pictures above show Cabopino Marina at lunchtime today and also the apartment.
Monday, January 14, 2008
CALAHONDA
Friday 11th January.
After a light breakfast on the balcony we went out for a drive in the area and ended up at Cabopino Puerto just below Calahonda,which is a small marina with some expensive restaurants and as you can see in the pictures below we also found our dear friend,Thea's surprise birthday present,which is at the end of the month!! In the late afternoon Vidal and Gissy called in to see the apartment,we then went and got a Chinese meal and had a very lively evening which ended up with them staying for thr night.
Saturday12th January.
During the previous evening we decided to go to Marrakesh for the following week so I went and booked The Marrakesh Suite at the apartments!!! In the morning we went down to Cabopino marina with Vidal and Gissy for a drink in the very warm sunshine and had some very good Club Sandwiches and fries before they went back to Estepona,35kms away.As we went down to the marina we spotted the Cabopino Camp site in the pine trees beside the main Autovia and went in to have a look around,It is very large and busy and had some large Rvs on the site with all the facilities including Two pools,but it is very English and all the spots are close together.When we got back we moved into the suite on the first floor with the help of the reception guide,at the same price as last week! It is the top suite and has the largest balcony,TV in the two bedrooms,on suite bathroom in the master bedroom,a huge lounge,T- shaped with all the crockery and glass,top of the range,and air-conditioned throughout! The kitchen is a avery long galley style with everything as required inc.
dishwasher,the only problem being its all electric !
Sunday13th January.
While we were out yesterday we saw what looked like a very nice Italian restaurant just above the Cabopino marina and next to the camp site so after a lie in and a light breakfast we went out in the late afternoon “Spanish Style” for a late lunch/early dinner! The “Bruno at Cabopino”is set in the pine trees and staffed with 8/10 waiters in white bow ties and aprons,Brenda says some of them look like strippers-wishfull thinking on her part!! Anyway the food was very good,Marinated Salmon and a cold Prawn platter,followed by Grilled Veal Liver and Bacon with Spinach and Breaded Veal escalops with Spaghetti Milanaise,all washed down with the house recommended Tinto de Rioja.
After a light breakfast on the balcony we went out for a drive in the area and ended up at Cabopino Puerto just below Calahonda,which is a small marina with some expensive restaurants and as you can see in the pictures below we also found our dear friend,Thea's surprise birthday present,which is at the end of the month!! In the late afternoon Vidal and Gissy called in to see the apartment,we then went and got a Chinese meal and had a very lively evening which ended up with them staying for thr night.
Saturday12th January.
During the previous evening we decided to go to Marrakesh for the following week so I went and booked The Marrakesh Suite at the apartments!!! In the morning we went down to Cabopino marina with Vidal and Gissy for a drink in the very warm sunshine and had some very good Club Sandwiches and fries before they went back to Estepona,35kms away.As we went down to the marina we spotted the Cabopino Camp site in the pine trees beside the main Autovia and went in to have a look around,It is very large and busy and had some large Rvs on the site with all the facilities including Two pools,but it is very English and all the spots are close together.When we got back we moved into the suite on the first floor with the help of the reception guide,at the same price as last week! It is the top suite and has the largest balcony,TV in the two bedrooms,on suite bathroom in the master bedroom,a huge lounge,T- shaped with all the crockery and glass,top of the range,and air-conditioned throughout! The kitchen is a avery long galley style with everything as required inc.
dishwasher,the only problem being its all electric !
Sunday13th January.
While we were out yesterday we saw what looked like a very nice Italian restaurant just above the Cabopino marina and next to the camp site so after a lie in and a light breakfast we went out in the late afternoon “Spanish Style” for a late lunch/early dinner! The “Bruno at Cabopino”is set in the pine trees and staffed with 8/10 waiters in white bow ties and aprons,Brenda says some of them look like strippers-wishfull thinking on her part!! Anyway the food was very good,Marinated Salmon and a cold Prawn platter,followed by Grilled Veal Liver and Bacon with Spinach and Breaded Veal escalops with Spaghetti Milanaise,all washed down with the house recommended Tinto de Rioja.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Thursday, January 10, 2008
MALAGA
Thursday 10th January.
We woke to a beautiful red and yellow sunrise which is on the horizon right in front of our apartment as we set off to see Malaga,Vidal and Gissy could not make it as his car had to go in for a check after being caught in the floods a couple of weeks ago.We went into the centre of Malaga and after a look at the new port were the new Queen Victoria docked last week we found a underground car park and came up right outside the new market that was due to open tomorrow in the old part of Malaga and also next to the main shopping area with the sales on! As we started to look around I had a phone call from the garage to say that the new part was not available in Madrid so they have had to order it from Germany and it will not be in till the middle of next week!We then headed for the Picasso Museum which is just round thr corner from the Cathedral and is housed in a very old building with very ornate ceilings but all the walls are white and the floors are pink marbled.The museum has as well as painting,sculpture's and pottery some very good pictures showing Picasso in his house in France.We then walked into the shopping area and found the Rodin sculpture's in the main”Calle Molina Larios” as you can see in the pictures below,The hand is pointing at the Restaurant “La Dehesa” were we had the Menu Del Dia and then went and had a walk around the very grand and large Cathedral of Malaga.We stopped for a coffee and brandy before we made our way back to Calahonda after a memorable day!
We woke to a beautiful red and yellow sunrise which is on the horizon right in front of our apartment as we set off to see Malaga,Vidal and Gissy could not make it as his car had to go in for a check after being caught in the floods a couple of weeks ago.We went into the centre of Malaga and after a look at the new port were the new Queen Victoria docked last week we found a underground car park and came up right outside the new market that was due to open tomorrow in the old part of Malaga and also next to the main shopping area with the sales on! As we started to look around I had a phone call from the garage to say that the new part was not available in Madrid so they have had to order it from Germany and it will not be in till the middle of next week!We then headed for the Picasso Museum which is just round thr corner from the Cathedral and is housed in a very old building with very ornate ceilings but all the walls are white and the floors are pink marbled.The museum has as well as painting,sculpture's and pottery some very good pictures showing Picasso in his house in France.We then walked into the shopping area and found the Rodin sculpture's in the main”Calle Molina Larios” as you can see in the pictures below,The hand is pointing at the Restaurant “La Dehesa” were we had the Menu Del Dia and then went and had a walk around the very grand and large Cathedral of Malaga.We stopped for a coffee and brandy before we made our way back to Calahonda after a memorable day!
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
CLUB PLAYA VISTA
Saturday 5th January.
Saturday was a very sunny day as set off on our holiday to Calahonda to the timeshare apartment on the sea front.After checking in we were shown to our second floor apartment with a very large t-shaped lounge,two bedrooms,two bathrooms and a large kitchen all of which had just been recently refurbished to a very high standard.The site is right on the sea shore and you can hear the waves crashing in at all times,which is very soothing,the sun sets are to die for and the views across to Africa are unbelievable.During the day we can also see all the cruise liners and large container ships departing from Malaga down towards Gibraltar.The pictures below show the view from the balcony,the lounge and the pool at sunset.
Sunday 6th January.
The sign on the A-340 says “Riviera” to find the Playa de Vista apartments and we woke up to another warm and sunny day.We went out to check the local area and get our bearings foe shopping, drinking!and eating!We have settled in and had oue first bath since we came back! Whilst we were out we were approached by two people and given two scratch cards,as we rubbed off the cards we had won a bottle of champagne and on the other one,the star prize,they were timeshare sharks but as we had nothing else better to do we went along with them for a free lunch and presentation,said no and came away with a free holiday and £300 of free flights!! Watch this space!
Monday7th January.
After a lie in we put on our summer clothes as the sun was out again and went to the local bar for a lunchtime drink as it was the bank holiday ,on the way back we spotted “Max's”beach restaurant which is on the sea front next to us and as we were on foot we called in for another one! It is a very popular spot and is well known in the area but was closing later in the day for a month for refurbishment,so we will try it in the future.In the afternoon we went back to the Winnebago and picked up a bottle of champagne and called into see Vidal as it was his birthday,it was a surprise and we also took with us some Apple pie and ice cream as it is his favourite! Back at the apartment we have been eating all our meals on the balcony,the only problem being that we have to cook with Electricity-which we hate!!
Tuesday 8th January.
We called the garage on Tuesday morning after the long holiday weekend only to find out that the part had not arrived so we would have to wait a little longer for the car to be ready.Today it was grey and overcast so we stayed in and did some reading.
Wednesday 9th January.
First thing in the morning I rang the garage only to find out that after fitting the new part yet another new electrical motor is required-at this moment I lost my cool and to say that we are not happy is a understatement! We called Mano and asked him to ring and check out in Spanish what is happening to the car and us!We then went over to the garage in Marbella and told them what we thought about them-In English.We have come to an arrangement and hopefully we we will have the car before we set off back to Estepona on Saturday.Tomorrow we are going to have a day out in Malaga,so watch out for the pictures.
Saturday was a very sunny day as set off on our holiday to Calahonda to the timeshare apartment on the sea front.After checking in we were shown to our second floor apartment with a very large t-shaped lounge,two bedrooms,two bathrooms and a large kitchen all of which had just been recently refurbished to a very high standard.The site is right on the sea shore and you can hear the waves crashing in at all times,which is very soothing,the sun sets are to die for and the views across to Africa are unbelievable.During the day we can also see all the cruise liners and large container ships departing from Malaga down towards Gibraltar.The pictures below show the view from the balcony,the lounge and the pool at sunset.
Sunday 6th January.
The sign on the A-340 says “Riviera” to find the Playa de Vista apartments and we woke up to another warm and sunny day.We went out to check the local area and get our bearings foe shopping, drinking!and eating!We have settled in and had oue first bath since we came back! Whilst we were out we were approached by two people and given two scratch cards,as we rubbed off the cards we had won a bottle of champagne and on the other one,the star prize,they were timeshare sharks but as we had nothing else better to do we went along with them for a free lunch and presentation,said no and came away with a free holiday and £300 of free flights!! Watch this space!
Monday7th January.
After a lie in we put on our summer clothes as the sun was out again and went to the local bar for a lunchtime drink as it was the bank holiday ,on the way back we spotted “Max's”beach restaurant which is on the sea front next to us and as we were on foot we called in for another one! It is a very popular spot and is well known in the area but was closing later in the day for a month for refurbishment,so we will try it in the future.In the afternoon we went back to the Winnebago and picked up a bottle of champagne and called into see Vidal as it was his birthday,it was a surprise and we also took with us some Apple pie and ice cream as it is his favourite! Back at the apartment we have been eating all our meals on the balcony,the only problem being that we have to cook with Electricity-which we hate!!
Tuesday 8th January.
We called the garage on Tuesday morning after the long holiday weekend only to find out that the part had not arrived so we would have to wait a little longer for the car to be ready.Today it was grey and overcast so we stayed in and did some reading.
Wednesday 9th January.
First thing in the morning I rang the garage only to find out that after fitting the new part yet another new electrical motor is required-at this moment I lost my cool and to say that we are not happy is a understatement! We called Mano and asked him to ring and check out in Spanish what is happening to the car and us!We then went over to the garage in Marbella and told them what we thought about them-In English.We have come to an arrangement and hopefully we we will have the car before we set off back to Estepona on Saturday.Tomorrow we are going to have a day out in Malaga,so watch out for the pictures.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Friday, January 04, 2008
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Wednesday 2nd January.
The weather is on the change, it has stopped raining and the sun is out and the days are longer.In the morning I phoned the garage to check on the Smart car,the last part had just arrived and the car was then going on the test run after a computer check.We went over to Marbella in the late afternoon and dropped off the hire car and they took us to the garage.The car was ready and we gave it the once-over only to find that the radio was in the safe mode,ie the code to restart it was req.On checking the manuals and papers we found that the code card was not in its pocket! So they have to arrange a new one from the Smart people in Barcelona.As we set off the agent who had looked after us said that they had seen a slight battery surge on the test run,but it was nothing to worry about! We turned out of the garage into Marbella and the battery warning light came on!! To say that I was not a happy bunny is a understatment,we turned round and headed back to the now closing garage and as we parked in the forecourt the car conked out again and would not restart!!!The only person left at the garage then had to listen to me in bad Spanish and even worse English tell him what we thought of them.He gave us a car to come home, in-a four/four Smart car.
Thursday 3rd January.
First thing in the morning I phoned the agent and he said that they would ring me back later in the day,only for the phone call to come at 5-00pm to say that a new alternator was on order and would not arrive till next Tuesday! We are very angry and upset after spending a lot of Euros ,so next week Mano is coming to the garage with me to give me support when we pick the car up.In the meantime Brenda did the washing ready for the holiday and I made a very hot curry for supper!
Friday4th January.
Today was a shopping day to stock up with food as we set off tomorrow to the time share apartment in Calahonda at lunchtime.It is the “Three Kings “ bank holiday and everywhere is closed till Tuesday.As the sun was out and the temperature was 17deg we went for a drive in the Smart car which is very nice and we called into the Sur-English newspaper agents to place a advert for work!
British Couple.Ex-Hotelier's Available
for Housesitting.inc.Animals.
Short/Long Term.No Ties.Ref.Available.
628529975 07717746107
The agent,Jane Phillips and her husband welcomed us into their home above Estepona and we had a long chat with them as they have been down here fo 26 years and know the Costa del Sol very well! Watch this space !!
The weather is on the change, it has stopped raining and the sun is out and the days are longer.In the morning I phoned the garage to check on the Smart car,the last part had just arrived and the car was then going on the test run after a computer check.We went over to Marbella in the late afternoon and dropped off the hire car and they took us to the garage.The car was ready and we gave it the once-over only to find that the radio was in the safe mode,ie the code to restart it was req.On checking the manuals and papers we found that the code card was not in its pocket! So they have to arrange a new one from the Smart people in Barcelona.As we set off the agent who had looked after us said that they had seen a slight battery surge on the test run,but it was nothing to worry about! We turned out of the garage into Marbella and the battery warning light came on!! To say that I was not a happy bunny is a understatment,we turned round and headed back to the now closing garage and as we parked in the forecourt the car conked out again and would not restart!!!The only person left at the garage then had to listen to me in bad Spanish and even worse English tell him what we thought of them.He gave us a car to come home, in-a four/four Smart car.
Thursday 3rd January.
First thing in the morning I phoned the agent and he said that they would ring me back later in the day,only for the phone call to come at 5-00pm to say that a new alternator was on order and would not arrive till next Tuesday! We are very angry and upset after spending a lot of Euros ,so next week Mano is coming to the garage with me to give me support when we pick the car up.In the meantime Brenda did the washing ready for the holiday and I made a very hot curry for supper!
Friday4th January.
Today was a shopping day to stock up with food as we set off tomorrow to the time share apartment in Calahonda at lunchtime.It is the “Three Kings “ bank holiday and everywhere is closed till Tuesday.As the sun was out and the temperature was 17deg we went for a drive in the Smart car which is very nice and we called into the Sur-English newspaper agents to place a advert for work!
British Couple.Ex-Hotelier's Available
for Housesitting.inc.Animals.
Short/Long Term.No Ties.Ref.Available.
628529975 07717746107
The agent,Jane Phillips and her husband welcomed us into their home above Estepona and we had a long chat with them as they have been down here fo 26 years and know the Costa del Sol very well! Watch this space !!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
PUERTO DUQUESA
Tuesday 1st January.2008.
We would like to wish all our family and friends a very healthy,happy and prosperous 2008. After the night before we had a little lie in as we were going down to Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal in the afternoon.We had a good herty breakfast to start us on the way,then as it was sunny we shot over to the marina and started on Cava to toast in the new year.Vidal was in fine form as can be seen in the picture below with Brenda in the background on Tinto Blanco with Gissy and some Swiss friends for company.In the evening we came back to the Winnebago and for supper we had some very tasty Spanish Lamb Cutlets with saute potatoes as we ended a perfect New Year celebrations.We are now getting ready for our “Holiday”in Calahonda next week.
We would like to wish all our family and friends a very healthy,happy and prosperous 2008. After the night before we had a little lie in as we were going down to Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal in the afternoon.We had a good herty breakfast to start us on the way,then as it was sunny we shot over to the marina and started on Cava to toast in the new year.Vidal was in fine form as can be seen in the picture below with Brenda in the background on Tinto Blanco with Gissy and some Swiss friends for company.In the evening we came back to the Winnebago and for supper we had some very tasty Spanish Lamb Cutlets with saute potatoes as we ended a perfect New Year celebrations.We are now getting ready for our “Holiday”in Calahonda next week.
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Saturday 29th December.
As it was dry we serviced the Winnebago and did all the chores as the next few days were for playing ! In the evening we had the lobster for supper with some salad and new potatoes,which was very good after we found some crackers and picks to get at it.We then watched a DVD to finish off the day.
Sunday 30th December.
It was bright and sunny so we went off to the market on the marina at Estepona and sat in the warm sun as the world past by,it was very busy with holiday people eating in the restaurants and shopping along the front in the stalls;we then went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna,Anna was feeling a lot better so Brenda had a chat and a drink whilst I went up to Carlos's house with Mano to watch the football on Spanish TV.It was Manchester City v Liverpool ! The result was a draw, so it was honours even.On the way back we stopped at one of our favourite restaurants “Le Menorah” for dinner.For starters we had a selection of small individual tapas followed by Monkfish with langustine on brochette served with fried peppers and frits.The perfect end to a loverly day!
Monday 31st December.
We got up late and had a light breakfast to start the day as we had planned to spend the evening with Vidal and Gissy who were not working untill the afternoon on Tuesday ,we had not made any plans except to enjoy ourselves! We started the evening with a very nice bottle of pink champagne,then went down to the marina at Estepona and ended up in the very good Chinese restaurant on the front where we had a selection of starters and main course's washed down with warm Rice wine! We then popped in to see some friends and saw in the new year in Spanish style- eating 12 grapes on the 12 strokes of midnight! As the fireworks went off along the coast we toasted in 2008 with Moet.The evening then changed into a “Hot” card game of Blackjack with a ex-professional croupier running the game!! Later we went down to a friends of Vidals beach bar on the far end of the bay in Estepona which was loud and noisey-Spanish style and had more drinks including Raspberry beer!! We ended up back at the Winnebago for some of Brenda's famous G/Ts and Cubra Libre's to finish off a “Helluva” night at 5-30am!!
As it was dry we serviced the Winnebago and did all the chores as the next few days were for playing ! In the evening we had the lobster for supper with some salad and new potatoes,which was very good after we found some crackers and picks to get at it.We then watched a DVD to finish off the day.
Sunday 30th December.
It was bright and sunny so we went off to the market on the marina at Estepona and sat in the warm sun as the world past by,it was very busy with holiday people eating in the restaurants and shopping along the front in the stalls;we then went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna,Anna was feeling a lot better so Brenda had a chat and a drink whilst I went up to Carlos's house with Mano to watch the football on Spanish TV.It was Manchester City v Liverpool ! The result was a draw, so it was honours even.On the way back we stopped at one of our favourite restaurants “Le Menorah” for dinner.For starters we had a selection of small individual tapas followed by Monkfish with langustine on brochette served with fried peppers and frits.The perfect end to a loverly day!
Monday 31st December.
We got up late and had a light breakfast to start the day as we had planned to spend the evening with Vidal and Gissy who were not working untill the afternoon on Tuesday ,we had not made any plans except to enjoy ourselves! We started the evening with a very nice bottle of pink champagne,then went down to the marina at Estepona and ended up in the very good Chinese restaurant on the front where we had a selection of starters and main course's washed down with warm Rice wine! We then popped in to see some friends and saw in the new year in Spanish style- eating 12 grapes on the 12 strokes of midnight! As the fireworks went off along the coast we toasted in 2008 with Moet.The evening then changed into a “Hot” card game of Blackjack with a ex-professional croupier running the game!! Later we went down to a friends of Vidals beach bar on the far end of the bay in Estepona which was loud and noisey-Spanish style and had more drinks including Raspberry beer!! We ended up back at the Winnebago for some of Brenda's famous G/Ts and Cubra Libre's to finish off a “Helluva” night at 5-30am!!
Friday, December 28, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Wednesday 26th December.
After the day befor we had a lie in and when we finally got up the sun was out as it was on xmas day so we had some freshly squezed orange juice and Brenda's famous poached eggs on toast as we got things ready for dinner with Vidal and Gissy once again.We had all the usual vegetables as well as spinach and asparagus to go with the roast beef and yorkshire pudding,so as it was so nice we shot down to the marina for a Boxing Day drink befor we put the beef in the oven.They joined us in the evening and we had a bottle of Mumm to start the evening off.Later on the girls went onto sparkling rose and we went onto drinks as the night drew to a close at 3-00am after more fun and games!!
Thursday 27th December.
We rang over the weekend and Christmas to all the family and friends including Australia on the Skype phone only to find out that Thea in Colwyn Bay and Anna in Manilva both had very bad flu and were in bed -we hope they are now feeling a bit better,As it was so nice we went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and had a xmas drink with them.We then came back and had a turkey curry for supper !We have also made some plans for the new year,as we are going on “Holiday” on the 5th January to Calahonda we are going to have day in Malaga to see the Piasso museum and also the “Rodin” sculptures which are on show in the centre of the city,Vidal and Gissy are also coming with us.We are then going to house and dog and cat sit for Mano and Anna when they go to Wales for a couple of weeks at the end of January which will give us a idea of what it is like as we are also placing adverts in the local papers to offer are services as house sitters for short and long term jobs.In February we are going on the new fast train to Madrid from Malaga which only started running on xmas eve.The high speed train,the AVE is the fastest one in Europe and only takes two and half hours to Madrid and travels at over 300kms a hour and the cost of a return ticket is only 30euros!!We have some friends in Madrid,Rafael and Gill and also one of my oldest school friends Alan his daughter,Miranda is working and living there Vidal and Gissy want to come and Mano and Anna also so we are going to stay a night or two and do all the site's including the “Prada” Watch out Madrid.!!
Friday28th December.
Today was the nicest day so far this week so we went and sat in the sun down on the marina and had our first tinto de verano of the week!We also did all our shopping around the town for lightbulbs,
phone cards,cash,newspapers and more food and drink! Tonight we are having fresh burgers from the Spanish butchers in Estepona for supper and tomorrow we are having Lobster-its on offer at “Lidal” The picture below show's Vidal after he hit the ice cream on Xmas day! Just as I am finishing the blog the garage phoned to say that the Smart car will not be ready until next Wednesdayat least as they are now closed for five days!
After the day befor we had a lie in and when we finally got up the sun was out as it was on xmas day so we had some freshly squezed orange juice and Brenda's famous poached eggs on toast as we got things ready for dinner with Vidal and Gissy once again.We had all the usual vegetables as well as spinach and asparagus to go with the roast beef and yorkshire pudding,so as it was so nice we shot down to the marina for a Boxing Day drink befor we put the beef in the oven.They joined us in the evening and we had a bottle of Mumm to start the evening off.Later on the girls went onto sparkling rose and we went onto drinks as the night drew to a close at 3-00am after more fun and games!!
Thursday 27th December.
We rang over the weekend and Christmas to all the family and friends including Australia on the Skype phone only to find out that Thea in Colwyn Bay and Anna in Manilva both had very bad flu and were in bed -we hope they are now feeling a bit better,As it was so nice we went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and had a xmas drink with them.We then came back and had a turkey curry for supper !We have also made some plans for the new year,as we are going on “Holiday” on the 5th January to Calahonda we are going to have day in Malaga to see the Piasso museum and also the “Rodin” sculptures which are on show in the centre of the city,Vidal and Gissy are also coming with us.We are then going to house and dog and cat sit for Mano and Anna when they go to Wales for a couple of weeks at the end of January which will give us a idea of what it is like as we are also placing adverts in the local papers to offer are services as house sitters for short and long term jobs.In February we are going on the new fast train to Madrid from Malaga which only started running on xmas eve.The high speed train,the AVE is the fastest one in Europe and only takes two and half hours to Madrid and travels at over 300kms a hour and the cost of a return ticket is only 30euros!!We have some friends in Madrid,Rafael and Gill and also one of my oldest school friends Alan his daughter,Miranda is working and living there Vidal and Gissy want to come and Mano and Anna also so we are going to stay a night or two and do all the site's including the “Prada” Watch out Madrid.!!
Friday28th December.
Today was the nicest day so far this week so we went and sat in the sun down on the marina and had our first tinto de verano of the week!We also did all our shopping around the town for lightbulbs,
phone cards,cash,newspapers and more food and drink! Tonight we are having fresh burgers from the Spanish butchers in Estepona for supper and tomorrow we are having Lobster-its on offer at “Lidal” The picture below show's Vidal after he hit the ice cream on Xmas day! Just as I am finishing the blog the garage phoned to say that the Smart car will not be ready until next Wednesdayat least as they are now closed for five days!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Friday 21st December.
In between the rain showers we quickly serviced the Winnebago and topped up the water tank as it was forcast to rain for the next few days.It was a curry night and as I started to make it the heavens opened and for the next three days the rain came down with the loudest thunder and lightening we have ever heard !!In the area just either side of us there was severe flooding and damage to the Autovial, the locals said that it was the worst rain in 33 years!,
Saturday 22nd December.
We stayed in and and watched the reports on the TV.of the flooding,Vidal and Gissy on their way back fron a gig on Friday evening down the coast near Manilva had a bad time coming home.We then watched the drawing of the loteria nacional,this is the “ El Gordo “ navidad and is the largest in Europe,one ticket costs 20 euros and the winners can win 300/400 million euros! We had one ticket and had no luck! But over here they take it very much to heart and even form lottery associations in small villages and as in this year the whole village become millionaires !!For dinner we had steak and baked potatoes washed down with a local Rioja and we then watched a film on the TV as the rain still came down.
Sunday 23rd December.
As it was still raining Gissy came around and gave Brenda and I the full works,including facial masks,and cut and styled Brenda:s hair as can be seen in the xmas photo below.The weather was due to change on Monday as we prepaired for the xmas week.
Monday 24th December.
I got up early and was first in the queue at the English butchers to collect our turkey and beef for the xmas period,then I called into the Hypermarket to top up with anything that we had missed.In the evening our neighbours Brenda and Keith joined us for a xmas drink just as Vidal and Gissy called in on their way out to gig so the week started well.We have decorated the inside of the Winnebago and are putting up all the cards as they arrive,there is a post strike in Estepona at the moment so all the carda are late going out as well ! We have white lights all round the windows and also small coloured lights along the inside and with the poinsettia;s in the window the xmas spirit is well and truly started !
Tuesday 25th December.
A very merry xmas and a happy new year to all our family and friends who follow us on our blog-page!! We started the day with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon helped down with a fine rose champagne! We then started to get ready our xmas dinner as Vidal and Gissy where joining us later.The turkey which we had to measure to make sure that it fitted in the oven befor we bought it went on first in its new rosting tray which I had to shoot out and buy in Estepona the day before! Brenda had all the vegetables ready,carrots.sprouts with serrano ham snippits,parsnips inhoney,leeks and cauli in cheese sauce and our famous roast potatoes in duck fat with also a savoury chestnut and sage and onion stuffing and smoked bacon wrapped chipoltas! When Vidal and Gissy arrived we cracked our first bottle of Mumm,then we had a fine Rioja with the meal and then went onto various drinks with the strawberries and ice cream to finish.After the clean up we then played some cards and finially a very competetive game of domino's.The pictures below shows the two “Birds” in my life !!
In between the rain showers we quickly serviced the Winnebago and topped up the water tank as it was forcast to rain for the next few days.It was a curry night and as I started to make it the heavens opened and for the next three days the rain came down with the loudest thunder and lightening we have ever heard !!In the area just either side of us there was severe flooding and damage to the Autovial, the locals said that it was the worst rain in 33 years!,
Saturday 22nd December.
We stayed in and and watched the reports on the TV.of the flooding,Vidal and Gissy on their way back fron a gig on Friday evening down the coast near Manilva had a bad time coming home.We then watched the drawing of the loteria nacional,this is the “ El Gordo “ navidad and is the largest in Europe,one ticket costs 20 euros and the winners can win 300/400 million euros! We had one ticket and had no luck! But over here they take it very much to heart and even form lottery associations in small villages and as in this year the whole village become millionaires !!For dinner we had steak and baked potatoes washed down with a local Rioja and we then watched a film on the TV as the rain still came down.
Sunday 23rd December.
As it was still raining Gissy came around and gave Brenda and I the full works,including facial masks,and cut and styled Brenda:s hair as can be seen in the xmas photo below.The weather was due to change on Monday as we prepaired for the xmas week.
Monday 24th December.
I got up early and was first in the queue at the English butchers to collect our turkey and beef for the xmas period,then I called into the Hypermarket to top up with anything that we had missed.In the evening our neighbours Brenda and Keith joined us for a xmas drink just as Vidal and Gissy called in on their way out to gig so the week started well.We have decorated the inside of the Winnebago and are putting up all the cards as they arrive,there is a post strike in Estepona at the moment so all the carda are late going out as well ! We have white lights all round the windows and also small coloured lights along the inside and with the poinsettia;s in the window the xmas spirit is well and truly started !
Tuesday 25th December.
A very merry xmas and a happy new year to all our family and friends who follow us on our blog-page!! We started the day with scrambled eggs and smoked salmon helped down with a fine rose champagne! We then started to get ready our xmas dinner as Vidal and Gissy where joining us later.The turkey which we had to measure to make sure that it fitted in the oven befor we bought it went on first in its new rosting tray which I had to shoot out and buy in Estepona the day before! Brenda had all the vegetables ready,carrots.sprouts with serrano ham snippits,parsnips inhoney,leeks and cauli in cheese sauce and our famous roast potatoes in duck fat with also a savoury chestnut and sage and onion stuffing and smoked bacon wrapped chipoltas! When Vidal and Gissy arrived we cracked our first bottle of Mumm,then we had a fine Rioja with the meal and then went onto various drinks with the strawberries and ice cream to finish.After the clean up we then played some cards and finially a very competetive game of domino's.The pictures below shows the two “Birds” in my life !!
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Friday, December 21, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Saturday 15th December.
After our day out on Friday we had a lie in befor we went out to the shops for the weekend goods.The weather is due to change with rain and clouds although it is still warm-ie.17/18 deg. The locals want the rain as it has been dry now for three months! In the evening we had a light supper and watched the films on Spanish TV.
Sunday 16th December.
We went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found out that their daughter Sally Ann had been over for the day on Saturday from Tenerife where she lives and works for a Spanish holiday company.On our way up the hill to Manilva Brenda heard a funny noise from the engine of the Smart car so we checked it out with Mano's help and then set off back to Estepona on the Autopiste.just as we passed Estepona the car cut out and a malfunction sign came on! At the same time the heavens opened as well!! With Mano's help we arranged a pick up truck to come and take us to the Mercedes Smart garage in the town and left it there until Monday morning,Vidal came and picked us up as we were now like drowned rats!! We had soup for supper !!
Monday 17th December.
In the morning Vidal took me down to the garage first thing to get it checked out,only to find out that it had to go to Marbella so we had to arrange another pick up truck to take it through ! The Smart garage is right on the front over looking the beach and is very busy all the time so I had to waite a while to be seen to,The car had to be checked out but the forcast was not good and they said that they would be in touch “Manana “ By then Vidal had very kindly come to pick me up as I was not a very happy bunny!!
Tuesday 18th December.
We serviced the Winnebago and did all the jobs as it had stopped raining but was still cloudy. We then waited for the phone call but it took all day and they said that they would ring on Wednesday as they had still to check some thing's out.
Wednesday 19th December.
The news was not good- the gear box and clutch had gone with some other affected parts !! The parts had to be ordered from Madrid and would not be here till Friday! They are then closed for the xmas holiday's but only till Wednesday, so we might not get it back for the new year if it takes long to fix it. To say the least we are shocked and upset !! I then set to work on the mobiles to arrange things with the bank,as the bill is quiet large and we had to arrange how to pay it with our Debit card's.I then got in touch with Carlos and he very kindly arranged for a hire car to be dropped off within a hour as I had to go to the garage in Marbella to sign the order forms ASAP.
Thursday 20th December.
Today was a xmas shopping day as we had not been out since last Saturday,so we went down to the English butcher's and supermarket and then went to the Hypermarket in Estepona to stock up as the holiday period over here is long as they have the main celebrations on January 5./6th. And every where gets very busy all day. We have been in every day this week as the weather is still not very good and the seven day forcast is rain! Last year at this time it was hot and sunny as we arrived here for the first time,that global warming for you-but the wrong way round!!
After our day out on Friday we had a lie in befor we went out to the shops for the weekend goods.The weather is due to change with rain and clouds although it is still warm-ie.17/18 deg. The locals want the rain as it has been dry now for three months! In the evening we had a light supper and watched the films on Spanish TV.
Sunday 16th December.
We went over to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and found out that their daughter Sally Ann had been over for the day on Saturday from Tenerife where she lives and works for a Spanish holiday company.On our way up the hill to Manilva Brenda heard a funny noise from the engine of the Smart car so we checked it out with Mano's help and then set off back to Estepona on the Autopiste.just as we passed Estepona the car cut out and a malfunction sign came on! At the same time the heavens opened as well!! With Mano's help we arranged a pick up truck to come and take us to the Mercedes Smart garage in the town and left it there until Monday morning,Vidal came and picked us up as we were now like drowned rats!! We had soup for supper !!
Monday 17th December.
In the morning Vidal took me down to the garage first thing to get it checked out,only to find out that it had to go to Marbella so we had to arrange another pick up truck to take it through ! The Smart garage is right on the front over looking the beach and is very busy all the time so I had to waite a while to be seen to,The car had to be checked out but the forcast was not good and they said that they would be in touch “Manana “ By then Vidal had very kindly come to pick me up as I was not a very happy bunny!!
Tuesday 18th December.
We serviced the Winnebago and did all the jobs as it had stopped raining but was still cloudy. We then waited for the phone call but it took all day and they said that they would ring on Wednesday as they had still to check some thing's out.
Wednesday 19th December.
The news was not good- the gear box and clutch had gone with some other affected parts !! The parts had to be ordered from Madrid and would not be here till Friday! They are then closed for the xmas holiday's but only till Wednesday, so we might not get it back for the new year if it takes long to fix it. To say the least we are shocked and upset !! I then set to work on the mobiles to arrange things with the bank,as the bill is quiet large and we had to arrange how to pay it with our Debit card's.I then got in touch with Carlos and he very kindly arranged for a hire car to be dropped off within a hour as I had to go to the garage in Marbella to sign the order forms ASAP.
Thursday 20th December.
Today was a xmas shopping day as we had not been out since last Saturday,so we went down to the English butcher's and supermarket and then went to the Hypermarket in Estepona to stock up as the holiday period over here is long as they have the main celebrations on January 5./6th. And every where gets very busy all day. We have been in every day this week as the weather is still not very good and the seven day forcast is rain! Last year at this time it was hot and sunny as we arrived here for the first time,that global warming for you-but the wrong way round!!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
MARBELLA
Friday 14th December.
We got up early and headed past Marbella to the large shopping mall “ La Canada” to see if we could get any help with my phone-but with no luck so the phone to use at the moment are Brenda's number and our Spanish one.The picture below shows the xmas tree in the centre of the mall-wow!We then went further down the coast to Calahonda to arrange our holiday! We called into the office and booked the first week in January at “Club Playa Vista” where we had our Timeshare until we did a deal earlier in the year and sold it to “The Club”-we have a two bed-de-lux apartment over looking the sea,which we are looking forward to staying in for a change of scene and a bath!! We then headed back to Marbella and called into “Espana Expo-07 exhibition and were shown around by the manager Jorg Dombrowe who was very helpful.In the evening we went out to dinner at the Argentina Grill on the front at Sabrinillas and had two excelent wood -grilled steaks after which we went to the marina at Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal start his xmas gig with some new songs-as the picture above shows.We danced the night away and on the way back we went along the front at Estepona to see the xmas lights to end another “Helluva “ day!
We got up early and headed past Marbella to the large shopping mall “ La Canada” to see if we could get any help with my phone-but with no luck so the phone to use at the moment are Brenda's number and our Spanish one.The picture below shows the xmas tree in the centre of the mall-wow!We then went further down the coast to Calahonda to arrange our holiday! We called into the office and booked the first week in January at “Club Playa Vista” where we had our Timeshare until we did a deal earlier in the year and sold it to “The Club”-we have a two bed-de-lux apartment over looking the sea,which we are looking forward to staying in for a change of scene and a bath!! We then headed back to Marbella and called into “Espana Expo-07 exhibition and were shown around by the manager Jorg Dombrowe who was very helpful.In the evening we went out to dinner at the Argentina Grill on the front at Sabrinillas and had two excelent wood -grilled steaks after which we went to the marina at Puerto Duquesa to see Vidal start his xmas gig with some new songs-as the picture above shows.We danced the night away and on the way back we went along the front at Estepona to see the xmas lights to end another “Helluva “ day!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Wednesday 12th December.
Today was a service and clean day as it was cloudy and not too warm-17o only!We then went out for a tapas lunch and in the evening as it was Gissy's bithday we had them round for drinks and watched a DVD.
Thursday 13th December.
As It was warm and dry Brenda did all the washing and then was able to hang it out to dry in the afternoon sun.Xmas cards have started to arrive from family and friends including from Tim and Thea our dear friends in Colwyn Bay some new “Stickies” to put on the Smart car-as you can see in the picture above.As you can see from the pictures below we have already had a visit from Father Xmas !!!
Today was a service and clean day as it was cloudy and not too warm-17o only!We then went out for a tapas lunch and in the evening as it was Gissy's bithday we had them round for drinks and watched a DVD.
Thursday 13th December.
As It was warm and dry Brenda did all the washing and then was able to hang it out to dry in the afternoon sun.Xmas cards have started to arrive from family and friends including from Tim and Thea our dear friends in Colwyn Bay some new “Stickies” to put on the Smart car-as you can see in the picture above.As you can see from the pictures below we have already had a visit from Father Xmas !!!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Sunday 9th December.
It was warm and sunny as we got up so we got ready and went over to Manilva to see Mano and Ann,they where having a at home day as they waited for some phone calls so we watched some English TV including The X Factor for the first time this year! On the way back we picked up a spit roasted chicken for supper with some salad .
Monday10th December.
Over the weekend Brenda has been writing all the xmas cards so we went down to the marina and posted them all-watch out for yours! We hope that we have not missed anybody-if we have sorry!!
In Estepona along thr front and in the main street all the xmas lights have been put up so we will go down one evening to see them,over here they go to town with the lights and particulary on the palm trees and on the roundabouts they also use hundreds of Poinsetia's which we saw for the first time last year at the same time in Madrid,In the evening we had Pork chops from the English butchers
with caramelised Apple slices.
Tuesday 11th December.
Tuesday was a shopping day so we went to the old market in Estepone and then on to the Hypermarket on the way back where we spotted for the first time a small tapas bar just outside the entrance and we had some lovely spicy goulash and savoury fried potatoe's as the owners are German.We had for supper pan fried fillets of Halibut with green vegatables washed down with a bottle of the local vino blanco!The picture below of the xmas Dolphins is the background for the small card inside the xmas cards which is our first and not very good attempt at printing!!
It was warm and sunny as we got up so we got ready and went over to Manilva to see Mano and Ann,they where having a at home day as they waited for some phone calls so we watched some English TV including The X Factor for the first time this year! On the way back we picked up a spit roasted chicken for supper with some salad .
Monday10th December.
Over the weekend Brenda has been writing all the xmas cards so we went down to the marina and posted them all-watch out for yours! We hope that we have not missed anybody-if we have sorry!!
In Estepona along thr front and in the main street all the xmas lights have been put up so we will go down one evening to see them,over here they go to town with the lights and particulary on the palm trees and on the roundabouts they also use hundreds of Poinsetia's which we saw for the first time last year at the same time in Madrid,In the evening we had Pork chops from the English butchers
with caramelised Apple slices.
Tuesday 11th December.
Tuesday was a shopping day so we went to the old market in Estepone and then on to the Hypermarket on the way back where we spotted for the first time a small tapas bar just outside the entrance and we had some lovely spicy goulash and savoury fried potatoe's as the owners are German.We had for supper pan fried fillets of Halibut with green vegatables washed down with a bottle of the local vino blanco!The picture below of the xmas Dolphins is the background for the small card inside the xmas cards which is our first and not very good attempt at printing!!
Saturday, December 08, 2007
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL
Wednesday 5th December.
Yet another sunny day and the forcast for the next week is the same and warmer.so we are out and about all the time.After a light breakfast we caught up with some shopping then went into the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant then when we got back we saw Vidal who is going to do some more work on the Winnebago next week. We had a late supper,individual Spanish omelette's with the filling cooked separate and then added before folding them! A dvd.finished the day.
Thursday 6th December.
We woke up to find out that it was a bank holiday,no traffic on the roads and different programmes on the TV.so the shops are closed and it's a long weekend as it is also a holiday on Saturday as well.
We went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and also so that we could use there phone to call the UK. And sort out the PC problem. We then came back to the site and I cooked a pan of stew with all the vegetables that Brenda could find!( 10 different sorts )
Friday 7th December.
After servicing the Winnebago we went and topped up the shopping and Brenda called into the card shop for the xmas cards ,so she has started to write them-her favourite job.We are still not back on line yet but hope to be by the weekend.
Saturday 8th December.
We have just returned from the butchers and after another call to the UK we are now on line! On the site we are starting to see some people returning from earlier in the year,whilst others are planning to go home to England for xmas.We are having a quiet weekend here as we are going to go out and about next week including calling to see if we can use our time share just after xmas for a change of scenery .Tonight it's steak and frit night!!
Yet another sunny day and the forcast for the next week is the same and warmer.so we are out and about all the time.After a light breakfast we caught up with some shopping then went into the flower square for lunch at our favourite restaurant then when we got back we saw Vidal who is going to do some more work on the Winnebago next week. We had a late supper,individual Spanish omelette's with the filling cooked separate and then added before folding them! A dvd.finished the day.
Thursday 6th December.
We woke up to find out that it was a bank holiday,no traffic on the roads and different programmes on the TV.so the shops are closed and it's a long weekend as it is also a holiday on Saturday as well.
We went up to Manilva to see Mano and Anna and also so that we could use there phone to call the UK. And sort out the PC problem. We then came back to the site and I cooked a pan of stew with all the vegetables that Brenda could find!( 10 different sorts )
Friday 7th December.
After servicing the Winnebago we went and topped up the shopping and Brenda called into the card shop for the xmas cards ,so she has started to write them-her favourite job.We are still not back on line yet but hope to be by the weekend.
Saturday 8th December.
We have just returned from the butchers and after another call to the UK we are now on line! On the site we are starting to see some people returning from earlier in the year,whilst others are planning to go home to England for xmas.We are having a quiet weekend here as we are going to go out and about next week including calling to see if we can use our time share just after xmas for a change of scenery .Tonight it's steak and frit night!!
CAMPING PARQUE TROPICAL -ESTEPONA
Tuesday 4th December.
It is still sunny and hot every day so we go down to the marina and have a drink and read the papers at lunch time and do any shopping on the way home.After sending our address e-mail to all our contacts we have had a great response from all over the world! But we have been off line from Wednesday to Saturday as the O2 data card system went off!! due to over demand.We had about ten contacts come back as not known so we will re-check these asap.We have not heard from Al/Thomas in Rhos on Sea or Nigelnews in Llandudo if you are still following us in the blog? One of the e-mails was from the USA from the first couple we met on our travels,many thanks to Tony and Kay Turner for keeping up with us! We also heard from Brenda's family in Australia and lots of the contacts updated their addresse's-so thanks!Our debit cards had still not arrived in the morning so I had to make another call to the bank,they had been sent in the post not by courier so they cancelled them and they planned to send new ones by courier -as I put the phone down they arrived in the post!- 7 days late !! After another call to England they managed to halt the cancellation and we then went out to get some cash only to find out that one of them was not working!! So yet another call to our bank manager this time, as she had just returned from a Carribean cruise, to sort out the mess and also we had all the phone calls( £50 ) paid for by the bank! This still leaves us with another problem-The two phones are now out of credit and we can't change the top up details,ie. change the card details or top them up in Spain as they are English -Help!!
It is still sunny and hot every day so we go down to the marina and have a drink and read the papers at lunch time and do any shopping on the way home.After sending our address e-mail to all our contacts we have had a great response from all over the world! But we have been off line from Wednesday to Saturday as the O2 data card system went off!! due to over demand.We had about ten contacts come back as not known so we will re-check these asap.We have not heard from Al/Thomas in Rhos on Sea or Nigelnews in Llandudo if you are still following us in the blog? One of the e-mails was from the USA from the first couple we met on our travels,many thanks to Tony and Kay Turner for keeping up with us! We also heard from Brenda's family in Australia and lots of the contacts updated their addresse's-so thanks!Our debit cards had still not arrived in the morning so I had to make another call to the bank,they had been sent in the post not by courier so they cancelled them and they planned to send new ones by courier -as I put the phone down they arrived in the post!- 7 days late !! After another call to England they managed to halt the cancellation and we then went out to get some cash only to find out that one of them was not working!! So yet another call to our bank manager this time, as she had just returned from a Carribean cruise, to sort out the mess and also we had all the phone calls( £50 ) paid for by the bank! This still leaves us with another problem-The two phones are now out of credit and we can't change the top up details,ie. change the card details or top them up in Spain as they are English -Help!!
Monday, December 03, 2007
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!
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!
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