Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 16, 2008
MANILVA.
Thursday 16th October.
This morning we had a lie in as it is the last chance before our travels! Today is yet another sunny day so we are going for a walk after we finish the packing. This evening Gissy is calling in to cut our hair as Vidal has a gig down in Porta Duquesa.In the morning Mano is dropping us at the border and when we get to Manchester we will pick up a hire car in the airport and go across to North Wales to stay with Tim and Thea.They are out on Saturday so we are going to Liverpool for the day,watch out for the pictures,on Sunday we will spend the day with them and Monday is the day of the funeral in Port Sunlight,later the family have booked into the Bridge Inn,next to the church in the village which will bring back a lot of very happy memories as Carol and Fred met in the cocktail bar,the same as we did over forty years ago!On Tuesday we have an appointment with our bank to finalize arrangements on our account and then we going across to the Wirral again and are going to call into Arrowe Park hospital to see Jane’s mom,Nan,who is not very well at the moment, so we are going to surprise her with some flowers! Nan’s late husband ,Bert, who was the manager at the Bridge Inn that I went to work for after leaving The Stork Hotel in Liverpool and it was him that told me to catch and marry Brenda although it did not take much persuading as I had the same idea!!We are then going to call in and see one of Brenda’s sisters who also lives on the Wirral before we go back to NorthWales to pack and spend our last night with Tim and Thea, as our flight is very early on Wednesday morning back to Gibraltar and home in Manilva for lunch.We will then catch up with the blog page and all the news about our travels as we are then moving across to Gualdalmina at the weekend to house sit for Clive and Carolyn for two weeks at their beautiful villa.
This morning we had a lie in as it is the last chance before our travels! Today is yet another sunny day so we are going for a walk after we finish the packing. This evening Gissy is calling in to cut our hair as Vidal has a gig down in Porta Duquesa.In the morning Mano is dropping us at the border and when we get to Manchester we will pick up a hire car in the airport and go across to North Wales to stay with Tim and Thea.They are out on Saturday so we are going to Liverpool for the day,watch out for the pictures,on Sunday we will spend the day with them and Monday is the day of the funeral in Port Sunlight,later the family have booked into the Bridge Inn,next to the church in the village which will bring back a lot of very happy memories as Carol and Fred met in the cocktail bar,the same as we did over forty years ago!On Tuesday we have an appointment with our bank to finalize arrangements on our account and then we going across to the Wirral again and are going to call into Arrowe Park hospital to see Jane’s mom,Nan,who is not very well at the moment, so we are going to surprise her with some flowers! Nan’s late husband ,Bert, who was the manager at the Bridge Inn that I went to work for after leaving The Stork Hotel in Liverpool and it was him that told me to catch and marry Brenda although it did not take much persuading as I had the same idea!!We are then going to call in and see one of Brenda’s sisters who also lives on the Wirral before we go back to NorthWales to pack and spend our last night with Tim and Thea, as our flight is very early on Wednesday morning back to Gibraltar and home in Manilva for lunch.We will then catch up with the blog page and all the news about our travels as we are then moving across to Gualdalmina at the weekend to house sit for Clive and Carolyn for two weeks at their beautiful villa.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
MANILVA.
Wednesday 15th October.
Today has been a very warm and sunny day which at this time of the year is even nicer as it is not too hot and there is a little breeze in the air.We called into Estepona to pick up some English money,the notes have changed and then went across to Guadalmina to see Carolyn about looking after the house again at the end of the month.They are now going away for two weeks and we are also going to look after their dog,Bruno,which we made friends with today!So when we return next week we will have a few days at home before we move across to the villa,it will be quiet as the workman that were due have let them down! On the way back we called to see Vidal and Gissy to make the arrangements for tomorrow as Gissy is coming to cut our hair in the evening; meanwhile Brenda is busy ironing and packing.
Today has been a very warm and sunny day which at this time of the year is even nicer as it is not too hot and there is a little breeze in the air.We called into Estepona to pick up some English money,the notes have changed and then went across to Guadalmina to see Carolyn about looking after the house again at the end of the month.They are now going away for two weeks and we are also going to look after their dog,Bruno,which we made friends with today!So when we return next week we will have a few days at home before we move across to the villa,it will be quiet as the workman that were due have let them down! On the way back we called to see Vidal and Gissy to make the arrangements for tomorrow as Gissy is coming to cut our hair in the evening; meanwhile Brenda is busy ironing and packing.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
MANILVA.
Tuesday 14th.October.
Later on Monday evening as the sad news sank in we started to make arrangements to fly over to England for the funeral on Monday.I went on line and managed to get seats on a Monarch flight out of Gibraltar on Friday morning.The flights have only just started again and it so much easier as Gibraltar is only 20 mins. away and Mano is going to drop us off at the border crossing,it’s only one hundred yards to the airport! Also the airport is a one plane at a time arrival and departure so there is no hassle with check in and baggage.We are staying in North Wales with Tim and Thea which is a bonus as we get to see them and the kids and it is near the Wirrall for the funeral on Monday.We are planning to go to Liverpool on Saturday to see the new city centre and to look around the city as it is the European City Of Culture for 2008 and there have been all sorts of new developments,including the new shopping complex!We will catch up with some business on Tuesday and call and see one of Brenda’s sisters at the same time.The flight back is very early on Wednesday morning and Mano will pick us up at the border.This morning we picked up some English Money from the bank and made some arrangements for the weekend.Tonight we are having a Beef Stew with Cabbage for dinner.At lunchtime Carolyn rang to ask us to extend the house sitting at the start of November to 10/12 days so we are calling in tomorrow to sort the date’s out.
Later on Monday evening as the sad news sank in we started to make arrangements to fly over to England for the funeral on Monday.I went on line and managed to get seats on a Monarch flight out of Gibraltar on Friday morning.The flights have only just started again and it so much easier as Gibraltar is only 20 mins. away and Mano is going to drop us off at the border crossing,it’s only one hundred yards to the airport! Also the airport is a one plane at a time arrival and departure so there is no hassle with check in and baggage.We are staying in North Wales with Tim and Thea which is a bonus as we get to see them and the kids and it is near the Wirrall for the funeral on Monday.We are planning to go to Liverpool on Saturday to see the new city centre and to look around the city as it is the European City Of Culture for 2008 and there have been all sorts of new developments,including the new shopping complex!We will catch up with some business on Tuesday and call and see one of Brenda’s sisters at the same time.The flight back is very early on Wednesday morning and Mano will pick us up at the border.This morning we picked up some English Money from the bank and made some arrangements for the weekend.Tonight we are having a Beef Stew with Cabbage for dinner.At lunchtime Carolyn rang to ask us to extend the house sitting at the start of November to 10/12 days so we are calling in tomorrow to sort the date’s out.
Monday, October 13, 2008
MANILVA.
Sunday 12th 0ctober.
After a lie in after our night out with the Brazilian dancer’s we went for a walk around the village to clear our heads and found parts of the village that we had not seen before in the very narrow side streets at the top of the village.The sun was out so when we got back we decided to wash the car as at this time of the year it is covered in Sahara dust when the breeze gets up from Africa.We then had our usual Sunday brunch with Chorizo fried eggs as we watched the Grand Prix,which as Alonso won the commentators went mad !
Monday 13th October.
This morning we received the phone call that we have been dreading,Yola,Carol’s oldest daughter rang to tell us that sadly Carol our very dear and old friend had passed away during the night.We have been friends with Carol and her late husband Fred for nearly forty years and first met them at the Bridge Inn in Port Sunlight when I was the resident live in Assistant Manager and Brenda came to work there in the cocktail bar.Fred was our bestman at our wedding in Port Sunlight church some thirty seven years ago this November.He was from the village and had lived and worked in his early life for Unilever.When Fred died very tragically at a young age his funeral took place in the church;later on his eldest daughter ,Yola, in more happy times was married there so it with some very deep and lasting thought that we will return to Port Sunlight next Monday to Carol’s funeral. Our thoughts also go out to all the family at this very sad time,Dave,Carol’s brother who lives in Canada,Dorothy her mum,Yola,Ben and Michelle and their familys.The last time we spoke to Carol was after the weekend when they were all at her house in Willaston with her three Grandaughter’s and she had just received the news that there was two more Grandchildren on the way,so this is how we will remember her along with all the very happy times with the Mellor Clan,as she called them.
After a lie in after our night out with the Brazilian dancer’s we went for a walk around the village to clear our heads and found parts of the village that we had not seen before in the very narrow side streets at the top of the village.The sun was out so when we got back we decided to wash the car as at this time of the year it is covered in Sahara dust when the breeze gets up from Africa.We then had our usual Sunday brunch with Chorizo fried eggs as we watched the Grand Prix,which as Alonso won the commentators went mad !
Monday 13th October.
This morning we received the phone call that we have been dreading,Yola,Carol’s oldest daughter rang to tell us that sadly Carol our very dear and old friend had passed away during the night.We have been friends with Carol and her late husband Fred for nearly forty years and first met them at the Bridge Inn in Port Sunlight when I was the resident live in Assistant Manager and Brenda came to work there in the cocktail bar.Fred was our bestman at our wedding in Port Sunlight church some thirty seven years ago this November.He was from the village and had lived and worked in his early life for Unilever.When Fred died very tragically at a young age his funeral took place in the church;later on his eldest daughter ,Yola, in more happy times was married there so it with some very deep and lasting thought that we will return to Port Sunlight next Monday to Carol’s funeral. Our thoughts also go out to all the family at this very sad time,Dave,Carol’s brother who lives in Canada,Dorothy her mum,Yola,Ben and Michelle and their familys.The last time we spoke to Carol was after the weekend when they were all at her house in Willaston with her three Grandaughter’s and she had just received the news that there was two more Grandchildren on the way,so this is how we will remember her along with all the very happy times with the Mellor Clan,as she called them.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
SAN PEDRO DE ALCANTARA.
Saturday 11th October.
BEACH LOUNGE & RESTURANT.
As promised the pictures below don’t need any explaining; We had one “ Helluva “night with Vidal and Gissy down at the Paseo Maritimo on Flamingo Beach in San Pedro de Alcantara!
BEACH LOUNGE & RESTURANT.
As promised the pictures below don’t need any explaining; We had one “ Helluva “night with Vidal and Gissy down at the Paseo Maritimo on Flamingo Beach in San Pedro de Alcantara!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
MANILVA
Friday 10th October.
We stayed local as the weather is not good at the moment but it is still warm even when it’s raining! In Sabinillas we called into the bookshop to exchange some book’s, we are reading more all the time in fact Brenda is now ahead of me. In the supermarket we spotted some Corned Beef so when we arrived home I made some Hash with the left over mashed potatoes from the night before, which we really enjoyed for a change.During the night we had a very bad thunder storm,when it rains in Spain it sure does!!
Saturday 11th October.
As we got up this morning and I checked the e-mails I found a very nice surprise; Jenny Faux,one of our very loyal and hard working staff from our time at the Seventy Degrees, had sent us a newsy e-mail,she also mentioned that Margaret our breakfast cook and Janet our pastry chef have been following us on the blog as well ! Thanks to all of you and lots of love. Anna is in North Wales at the moment arranging her Pension payments as she is now a pensioner ! Tonight we are having for dinner Rump Steak and Frits which we picked up from the English butchers the other day.Next week we should have been away again house sitting for Clive and Carolyn but they have just rung us to say that they have had to change their plans;so now we are going to look after the house at the beginning of November when they go to London for a week,this time they are leaving their dog so they want us to call in and make friends with him!After dinner we are going out to a Beach Bar in San Pedro as Vidal is playing there and he has arranged for some Brazilian lady dancers to perform! Watch out for the pictures,it’s a hard life being a photographer!
We stayed local as the weather is not good at the moment but it is still warm even when it’s raining! In Sabinillas we called into the bookshop to exchange some book’s, we are reading more all the time in fact Brenda is now ahead of me. In the supermarket we spotted some Corned Beef so when we arrived home I made some Hash with the left over mashed potatoes from the night before, which we really enjoyed for a change.During the night we had a very bad thunder storm,when it rains in Spain it sure does!!
Saturday 11th October.
As we got up this morning and I checked the e-mails I found a very nice surprise; Jenny Faux,one of our very loyal and hard working staff from our time at the Seventy Degrees, had sent us a newsy e-mail,she also mentioned that Margaret our breakfast cook and Janet our pastry chef have been following us on the blog as well ! Thanks to all of you and lots of love. Anna is in North Wales at the moment arranging her Pension payments as she is now a pensioner ! Tonight we are having for dinner Rump Steak and Frits which we picked up from the English butchers the other day.Next week we should have been away again house sitting for Clive and Carolyn but they have just rung us to say that they have had to change their plans;so now we are going to look after the house at the beginning of November when they go to London for a week,this time they are leaving their dog so they want us to call in and make friends with him!After dinner we are going out to a Beach Bar in San Pedro as Vidal is playing there and he has arranged for some Brazilian lady dancers to perform! Watch out for the pictures,it’s a hard life being a photographer!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
WINNEBAGO NEWS UPDATE-GERMANY.
Thursday 9th October.
The latest news on the Winnebago as she crosses into Germany is that she is no longer up for sale on eBay at the moment as there is so much interest in Hamburg with prospective buyers calling to say that they want to see it! It will arrive some time tomorrow and the garage in Germany will then contact the customers and they will put it on show for five days so as to give everybody a chance to view it! It will then go back on eBay at the end of next week!! Positive news for the sale and to get our price !!!
The latest news on the Winnebago as she crosses into Germany is that she is no longer up for sale on eBay at the moment as there is so much interest in Hamburg with prospective buyers calling to say that they want to see it! It will arrive some time tomorrow and the garage in Germany will then contact the customers and they will put it on show for five days so as to give everybody a chance to view it! It will then go back on eBay at the end of next week!! Positive news for the sale and to get our price !!!
MANILVA.
Monday 6th October.
In the morning we went across to Estepona to call into the bank,shop at the hypermarket and then call into the agent to arrange to keep the advert going for house sitting in the Sur newspaper.We then called into the garage to see if the missing trade plates had arrived ,they had not! So they are putting German Red plates on the Winnebago and she is leaving for Germany on Wednesday morning after the insurance and breakdown starts It has now been put on German eBay from Monday evening which I have on our PC.s and so we are watching it with great interest.On the way back we picked up some fresh Gambas for lunch which we had with some salad.In the early evening Mano and Anna called in and asked us out for a drink and some tapas,It was a very sunny day so we walked down to a bar that has just changed hands on the edge of the village and sat outside to eat a selection of tapas,including some delicious Cod fish skewers with Onion cooked over charcoal! We then went and played Pool under floodlights and I nearly beat Anna on a black ball finish! The evening ended up back at their house which is nearly finished,the new white leather suit had just arrived!
Tuesday 7th October.
We called into the garage to make sure that everything was OK for Wednesday and as we checked on the PC in the office there had already been some offers on eBay to start the bidding.When we got home we called to see how Carol was getting on,to Michelle her daughter,only to find out that the news was not good,she has now caught one of the hospital superbugs MSRA?! The family are very upset as it is making a very differcult time even worse.Her brother Dave is flying over from Canada and her other daughter ,Yola is coming over from Switzerland at the weekend.Our thoughts go out to the family at this very worrying time.
Wednesday 8th October.
As we got up we checked on eBay and saw to our great satisfaction that the price bidding had gone up with 20 bidders so far,we then went across to the garage and when we arrived there it had then gone up to 23 bids after just two days.Watch this space and fingers crossed !!On the way back we called into see Vidal and Gissy in their apartment and caught up with all the news,Vidal has been calling into the garage every day and checking with the owner Joachim in German to keep us updated.Last night was curry night so this evening we are having Pork Cutlets from the local butcher in the village
Thursday 9th October.
It is another warm and sunny day today but the forecast for the weekend is not so good with rain and winds,We went into the bank again in Estepona , we have to do this because our new card has got caught up in a local post strike in Estepona,so we are using cash all the time.We then picked up some Calves Liver from the English butchers for supper this evening as Mano is joining us as Anna is away in North Wales for a few days; she has got a flight from Gibraltar on Monarch which has started using the airport again,its only 30 mins from us! The pictures below show the Winnebago as she was leaving for Germany yesterday lunchtime.As I am typing this she is crossing France!
In the morning we went across to Estepona to call into the bank,shop at the hypermarket and then call into the agent to arrange to keep the advert going for house sitting in the Sur newspaper.We then called into the garage to see if the missing trade plates had arrived ,they had not! So they are putting German Red plates on the Winnebago and she is leaving for Germany on Wednesday morning after the insurance and breakdown starts It has now been put on German eBay from Monday evening which I have on our PC.s and so we are watching it with great interest.On the way back we picked up some fresh Gambas for lunch which we had with some salad.In the early evening Mano and Anna called in and asked us out for a drink and some tapas,It was a very sunny day so we walked down to a bar that has just changed hands on the edge of the village and sat outside to eat a selection of tapas,including some delicious Cod fish skewers with Onion cooked over charcoal! We then went and played Pool under floodlights and I nearly beat Anna on a black ball finish! The evening ended up back at their house which is nearly finished,the new white leather suit had just arrived!
Tuesday 7th October.
We called into the garage to make sure that everything was OK for Wednesday and as we checked on the PC in the office there had already been some offers on eBay to start the bidding.When we got home we called to see how Carol was getting on,to Michelle her daughter,only to find out that the news was not good,she has now caught one of the hospital superbugs MSRA?! The family are very upset as it is making a very differcult time even worse.Her brother Dave is flying over from Canada and her other daughter ,Yola is coming over from Switzerland at the weekend.Our thoughts go out to the family at this very worrying time.
Wednesday 8th October.
As we got up we checked on eBay and saw to our great satisfaction that the price bidding had gone up with 20 bidders so far,we then went across to the garage and when we arrived there it had then gone up to 23 bids after just two days.Watch this space and fingers crossed !!On the way back we called into see Vidal and Gissy in their apartment and caught up with all the news,Vidal has been calling into the garage every day and checking with the owner Joachim in German to keep us updated.Last night was curry night so this evening we are having Pork Cutlets from the local butcher in the village
Thursday 9th October.
It is another warm and sunny day today but the forecast for the weekend is not so good with rain and winds,We went into the bank again in Estepona , we have to do this because our new card has got caught up in a local post strike in Estepona,so we are using cash all the time.We then picked up some Calves Liver from the English butchers for supper this evening as Mano is joining us as Anna is away in North Wales for a few days; she has got a flight from Gibraltar on Monarch which has started using the airport again,its only 30 mins from us! The pictures below show the Winnebago as she was leaving for Germany yesterday lunchtime.As I am typing this she is crossing France!
Sunday, October 05, 2008
GUADALMINA,UPDATE.
Monday/Friday 29th/3rd October.
Sorry but we have been off line for week as the floor people had to remove the IT station so as they could work along the top corridor and get the job finished; they cleaned up on Saturday morning and have left the floors as if new! Every day this week they arrived at 9-30am and worked all day,the cleaner Merly was in for two days and was able to put a sparkle on the house on Friday morning,the builder, Rafael, called in on Tuesday and I was able to show him all the problems after the rain storm and floods at the weekend.The gardner ,Miguel,was in on Wednesday and cleaned up the patio ‘s and garden.In the morning’s after everybody had arrived we would pop out down to the shops in Guadalmina in the Astra to stock up and also call into the English butchers which is just around the corner;we had supper in the kitchen each evening and sat outside on the patio for a snack at lunchtime as the weather has been warm and sunny all week.In the late afternoon we have been for a swim in the pool every day as the sun is over the pool all day and it is just a nice temperature! On Wednesday Vidal and Gissy called in as they live just around the corner so we sat outside on the large patio and caught up with all the news,we had an warm Caeser salad and a bottle of chilled Rose. The Winnebago has still not left for Germany as the trade plates have still not arrived but they are expected this Monday,manana!! During the week we have been watching the large screen TV and so on Friday evening I was able to watch the Jools Holland show late on and also follow and see the football,but no soaps!
Saturday 4th October.
Today is our last day at the house as we are picking up Clive and Carolyn from the airport later,at 11-30pm and are going home on Sunday morning.The floors look very good and they were very happy when the got home.The two house cats were also very happy to see them !!
Sunday 5th October.
We have arrived home and are unpacking,we are going to have our regular Sunday brunch a little later and at the moment Brenda is watering all the plants.We have been re-booked by Clive and Carolyn for another week,the week after next,as they are going to Italy to put a new boat in the water which has just been finished and a new crew arranged by them have to be checked ! They also have a date in mind in early November as well.so very many thanks to them!
Sorry but we have been off line for week as the floor people had to remove the IT station so as they could work along the top corridor and get the job finished; they cleaned up on Saturday morning and have left the floors as if new! Every day this week they arrived at 9-30am and worked all day,the cleaner Merly was in for two days and was able to put a sparkle on the house on Friday morning,the builder, Rafael, called in on Tuesday and I was able to show him all the problems after the rain storm and floods at the weekend.The gardner ,Miguel,was in on Wednesday and cleaned up the patio ‘s and garden.In the morning’s after everybody had arrived we would pop out down to the shops in Guadalmina in the Astra to stock up and also call into the English butchers which is just around the corner;we had supper in the kitchen each evening and sat outside on the patio for a snack at lunchtime as the weather has been warm and sunny all week.In the late afternoon we have been for a swim in the pool every day as the sun is over the pool all day and it is just a nice temperature! On Wednesday Vidal and Gissy called in as they live just around the corner so we sat outside on the large patio and caught up with all the news,we had an warm Caeser salad and a bottle of chilled Rose. The Winnebago has still not left for Germany as the trade plates have still not arrived but they are expected this Monday,manana!! During the week we have been watching the large screen TV and so on Friday evening I was able to watch the Jools Holland show late on and also follow and see the football,but no soaps!
Saturday 4th October.
Today is our last day at the house as we are picking up Clive and Carolyn from the airport later,at 11-30pm and are going home on Sunday morning.The floors look very good and they were very happy when the got home.The two house cats were also very happy to see them !!
Sunday 5th October.
We have arrived home and are unpacking,we are going to have our regular Sunday brunch a little later and at the moment Brenda is watering all the plants.We have been re-booked by Clive and Carolyn for another week,the week after next,as they are going to Italy to put a new boat in the water which has just been finished and a new crew arranged by them have to be checked ! They also have a date in mind in early November as well.so very many thanks to them!
Sunday, September 28, 2008
CASA DEL ABUELO.
Friday 26th September.
After the floor repair man and the cleaner had arrived first thing in the morning we shot out to the bank in Estepona and on the way passed the garage only to see that the Winnebago was still on the forecourt;it turned out that DHL had not delivered the trade plates due to technical problems,so it will now leave on Monday! We then called into the house as we needed some chargers that we had left behind and on the way back we called into the local supermarket and the English butchers to stock up for the weekend.When we got back we made arrangements to see the James,the floor man and the cleaner on Monday morning;as it was still warm and sunny we went for a swim in the early evening and then had supper and watched BBC/ITV for the first time in a long while including Jools Holland ! During the night another heavy rain storm hit us as forecast,as I went to bed late everything was all right in the house.
Saturday 27th.September.
As we got up and opened the door into our lounge in the old part of the house we found that we had a problem,It was under two inches of water !! It was coming from under a door which leads to some steps down to the main patio between the old house and the new,from a broken roof gully and faulty down pipes which are just above the door! We started to make sure that all the electrics in the lounge and the stored IT equipment where safe and then started to brush away the water through the now open door,it’s a tiled floor so it was not so bad to get rid of the water,we also found at the same time that another drain on yet another patio outside the laundry was blocked so we called Miguel the gardener and he came and unblocked it with a long trenching tool as the patio was under a foot of water! As the rain stopped we then were able to get rid of all the water and then covered the floor in newspaper’s to dry it out.We then closed the door and filled in the space at the bottom with newspaper,old curtains and pillows to form a barrier on both sides to stop the water getting in again-for now! I then went all around the house and checked and unblocked all the drains and gullies.After the excitement of the morning we then watched some TV in the late afternoon and saw the most superb and exhilarating women’s cycle race from the world championship in Italy,Nicola Cook,the English Olympic champion won in a thrilling finish!she comes from SouthWales !! In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then watched Strictly Come Dancing for the first time since we left Wales last year!
Sunday 28th September.
The flood defenses have worked ! During the night and first thing in the morning the rains came again but we have not had any flooding and all the drains are working; the Sextons Flood Defense and Risk Assessment Plan has worked !! We have just had our usual Sunday Brunch, a little later then normal, and are now settled down to some reading in the late afternoon,We have spoken to Carolyn and she is arranging for the builder to call in at the start of the week to see what repair he can do to the roof and gullies. As I’ve said before ,watch this space!
After the floor repair man and the cleaner had arrived first thing in the morning we shot out to the bank in Estepona and on the way passed the garage only to see that the Winnebago was still on the forecourt;it turned out that DHL had not delivered the trade plates due to technical problems,so it will now leave on Monday! We then called into the house as we needed some chargers that we had left behind and on the way back we called into the local supermarket and the English butchers to stock up for the weekend.When we got back we made arrangements to see the James,the floor man and the cleaner on Monday morning;as it was still warm and sunny we went for a swim in the early evening and then had supper and watched BBC/ITV for the first time in a long while including Jools Holland ! During the night another heavy rain storm hit us as forecast,as I went to bed late everything was all right in the house.
Saturday 27th.September.
As we got up and opened the door into our lounge in the old part of the house we found that we had a problem,It was under two inches of water !! It was coming from under a door which leads to some steps down to the main patio between the old house and the new,from a broken roof gully and faulty down pipes which are just above the door! We started to make sure that all the electrics in the lounge and the stored IT equipment where safe and then started to brush away the water through the now open door,it’s a tiled floor so it was not so bad to get rid of the water,we also found at the same time that another drain on yet another patio outside the laundry was blocked so we called Miguel the gardener and he came and unblocked it with a long trenching tool as the patio was under a foot of water! As the rain stopped we then were able to get rid of all the water and then covered the floor in newspaper’s to dry it out.We then closed the door and filled in the space at the bottom with newspaper,old curtains and pillows to form a barrier on both sides to stop the water getting in again-for now! I then went all around the house and checked and unblocked all the drains and gullies.After the excitement of the morning we then watched some TV in the late afternoon and saw the most superb and exhilarating women’s cycle race from the world championship in Italy,Nicola Cook,the English Olympic champion won in a thrilling finish!she comes from SouthWales !! In the evening we had steak and frits for dinner and then watched Strictly Come Dancing for the first time since we left Wales last year!
Sunday 28th September.
The flood defenses have worked ! During the night and first thing in the morning the rains came again but we have not had any flooding and all the drains are working; the Sextons Flood Defense and Risk Assessment Plan has worked !! We have just had our usual Sunday Brunch, a little later then normal, and are now settled down to some reading in the late afternoon,We have spoken to Carolyn and she is arranging for the builder to call in at the start of the week to see what repair he can do to the roof and gullies. As I’ve said before ,watch this space!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
NEWSFLASH WINNEBAGO.
Thursday 25th.September.
This morning after our night out for my birthday we had to be up early as the people working on the marbel floors had arranged to come first thing in the morning,James and his wife arrived on time and set to work on bringing the floors back to their best.Many thanks to all our family and friends for their cards and also to Jane ,Jo and Kelvin for their e-mails.We had arranged to meet Vidal at the garage to go over the Winnebago for the last time as it is being taken to Germany on Friday morning,to Hamburg to be put on German eBay to be sold! The garage has a sister garage in Hamburg and the owner,Charles,sells and buys car’s all the time in this way.The market in Germany is very large and good for motorhomes and we are hoping for a quick sale,the other option was for Dudleys in Oxford to come and collect it and sell it on their site,but with no time guarantee and the market value is not as good.We spent the morning going over the Winnebago with the delivery driver to show him all controls etc.It will have trade plates on it and when it gets to Germany and it will be put on German plates and go through German checks so as to make it right for sale in the German market,it has been fully insured and covered for brakedown and when it arrives they will take the pictures to post on eBay.So it’s nearly the end of the Winnebago in our life which when we set off we thought it would be for four years in the first instance; that’s life! How things change !! The pictures above show the Winnebago on the garage forecourt getting ready to go.Watch this space and please keep your fingers crossed for us as it goes on eBay at the end of next week!
This morning after our night out for my birthday we had to be up early as the people working on the marbel floors had arranged to come first thing in the morning,James and his wife arrived on time and set to work on bringing the floors back to their best.Many thanks to all our family and friends for their cards and also to Jane ,Jo and Kelvin for their e-mails.We had arranged to meet Vidal at the garage to go over the Winnebago for the last time as it is being taken to Germany on Friday morning,to Hamburg to be put on German eBay to be sold! The garage has a sister garage in Hamburg and the owner,Charles,sells and buys car’s all the time in this way.The market in Germany is very large and good for motorhomes and we are hoping for a quick sale,the other option was for Dudleys in Oxford to come and collect it and sell it on their site,but with no time guarantee and the market value is not as good.We spent the morning going over the Winnebago with the delivery driver to show him all controls etc.It will have trade plates on it and when it gets to Germany and it will be put on German plates and go through German checks so as to make it right for sale in the German market,it has been fully insured and covered for brakedown and when it arrives they will take the pictures to post on eBay.So it’s nearly the end of the Winnebago in our life which when we set off we thought it would be for four years in the first instance; that’s life! How things change !! The pictures above show the Winnebago on the garage forecourt getting ready to go.Watch this space and please keep your fingers crossed for us as it goes on eBay at the end of next week!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
CASA DEL ABUELO.
Wednesday 24th September .
This morning we got up late and sat on the terrace with our tea and toast watching an eagle gliding above the tall trees at the bottom of the garden.Today it is hot and sunny but the forecast for the weekend is not good so we have arranged with Carolyn for Miguel,the gardener,to come and check the drains by the pond as when it rained on Monday evening the water on the patio has not drained away,also this afternoon the pond man is coming to fit a new pump and the tree surgeon is spraying the large palm tree.After breakfast we went for a swim in the pool for the first time in a long while,which was a lovely temperature.Last night we had supper after we had popped down to the local supermarket in the afternoon to stock up,pan fried Chicken breast in a lime butter sauce with sauté potatoes and vegetables.This evening we are going out to the Beach House for dinner as it’s my birthday today! Brenda brought the cards from our house,the local post in Manilva is very good,I also had birthday greetings from City Talk in Liverpool.The pictures above I added later in the evening after another excellent dinner at the Beach House,we started with Confit of Duck Rissoto with baby peas and then Brenda had a warm Lobster salad with Asparagus and I had a Sirloin steak Bearnaise with thick cut chips!Before dinner we called into the Don Carlos Hotel for Kir Royales to start the evening off on the right note!
This morning we got up late and sat on the terrace with our tea and toast watching an eagle gliding above the tall trees at the bottom of the garden.Today it is hot and sunny but the forecast for the weekend is not good so we have arranged with Carolyn for Miguel,the gardener,to come and check the drains by the pond as when it rained on Monday evening the water on the patio has not drained away,also this afternoon the pond man is coming to fit a new pump and the tree surgeon is spraying the large palm tree.After breakfast we went for a swim in the pool for the first time in a long while,which was a lovely temperature.Last night we had supper after we had popped down to the local supermarket in the afternoon to stock up,pan fried Chicken breast in a lime butter sauce with sauté potatoes and vegetables.This evening we are going out to the Beach House for dinner as it’s my birthday today! Brenda brought the cards from our house,the local post in Manilva is very good,I also had birthday greetings from City Talk in Liverpool.The pictures above I added later in the evening after another excellent dinner at the Beach House,we started with Confit of Duck Rissoto with baby peas and then Brenda had a warm Lobster salad with Asparagus and I had a Sirloin steak Bearnaise with thick cut chips!Before dinner we called into the Don Carlos Hotel for Kir Royales to start the evening off on the right note!
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
GUADALMINA ALTA," LA CASA DEL ABUELO"
Tuesday 23rd.September.
We came over last night to Guadalmina Alto and settled into “La Casa del Abuelo” as we had to be up at 5-30am to take Clive and Carolyn to the Airport,we then came back in the Toyoto Landcrusier and will pick them up in two weeks time.During the night we had a very bad rain storm and it was still raining heavy as we came back.The pictures below were taken just as the rain stopped and show the garden at it’s finest and Greenest!The west wing is the old house and the new east wing is joined by the lounge and gallery overlooking the top patio and garden.We are living in the old part of the house which has its own patio overlooking the swimming pool and garden.There are two house cats to look after as well as seven wild cats in the garden and also the fish in the pond to feed! At the same time we have a list of workman who are renovating the property,at the moment they are re-setting and polishing the marble floors in the main house and the terracotta tiles in the patios are being repaired,the pond is just about to be refreshed as you can see in the picture,it needs it! Clive and Carolyn are staying in Nice, as Clive has a stand at the Monaco Yacht Show this week and they are going over to their house in Northern Italy to supervise the furniture removal the week after.They have also told us to use the Astra to run about in as the road up to the house is very bumpy and the Smart car take’s off! I am typing this blog at Clive’s PC station as he has arranged a Wi-Fi connection for our laptop so as we can continue to show you are life down here on the Costa del Sol !
The latest pictures above have just been taken as we have been exploring the garden and found even more views of the house as we played with the idea of going for a swim!!
We came over last night to Guadalmina Alto and settled into “La Casa del Abuelo” as we had to be up at 5-30am to take Clive and Carolyn to the Airport,we then came back in the Toyoto Landcrusier and will pick them up in two weeks time.During the night we had a very bad rain storm and it was still raining heavy as we came back.The pictures below were taken just as the rain stopped and show the garden at it’s finest and Greenest!The west wing is the old house and the new east wing is joined by the lounge and gallery overlooking the top patio and garden.We are living in the old part of the house which has its own patio overlooking the swimming pool and garden.There are two house cats to look after as well as seven wild cats in the garden and also the fish in the pond to feed! At the same time we have a list of workman who are renovating the property,at the moment they are re-setting and polishing the marble floors in the main house and the terracotta tiles in the patios are being repaired,the pond is just about to be refreshed as you can see in the picture,it needs it! Clive and Carolyn are staying in Nice, as Clive has a stand at the Monaco Yacht Show this week and they are going over to their house in Northern Italy to supervise the furniture removal the week after.They have also told us to use the Astra to run about in as the road up to the house is very bumpy and the Smart car take’s off! I am typing this blog at Clive’s PC station as he has arranged a Wi-Fi connection for our laptop so as we can continue to show you are life down here on the Costa del Sol !
The latest pictures above have just been taken as we have been exploring the garden and found even more views of the house as we played with the idea of going for a swim!!
Sunday, September 21, 2008
MANILVA.
Saturday 20th.September.
We stayed at home and pottered about in the house getting ready to move over to Guadalmina Alta on Monday evening.In the afternoon Brenda replied to an e-mail from her sister in Australia,Lyn who had just been on the blog page and seen the news about our dear friend Carol; we have just be on the Skype phone to Ben for an update and Andrea told us the latest news which is still not good,she has been moved to another unit but there is no change in her condition and the forecast for the future is still the same.We are thinking about Carol all the time and our love and thoughts are with all the family at this very difficult time.In the evening we had a light supper and then went for a walk around the village and called into Bar Castillo for a Brandy and Coffee to finish off the day.
Sunday 21st.September.
After a late start to the day Brenda is washing and ironing ( A House Wives Work is Never Done ! ) and I have just reset the PCs after the storm, when very bad thunder and lightening cut the electricity off during the night.We are just about to have Brunch as usual on Sunday and then go out on the roof terrace as the sun is out and it’s getting hot after the storm! Tomorrow we have to go across to the garage to move the Winnebago to another spot and in the evening we are going to Guadalmina Alta as we have an early start on Tuesday morning when we have to drop off Chris and Carolyn at the airport.Our next blog will be from “ Casa del Abuelo ” some time on Tuesday after we have settled in!
We stayed at home and pottered about in the house getting ready to move over to Guadalmina Alta on Monday evening.In the afternoon Brenda replied to an e-mail from her sister in Australia,Lyn who had just been on the blog page and seen the news about our dear friend Carol; we have just be on the Skype phone to Ben for an update and Andrea told us the latest news which is still not good,she has been moved to another unit but there is no change in her condition and the forecast for the future is still the same.We are thinking about Carol all the time and our love and thoughts are with all the family at this very difficult time.In the evening we had a light supper and then went for a walk around the village and called into Bar Castillo for a Brandy and Coffee to finish off the day.
Sunday 21st.September.
After a late start to the day Brenda is washing and ironing ( A House Wives Work is Never Done ! ) and I have just reset the PCs after the storm, when very bad thunder and lightening cut the electricity off during the night.We are just about to have Brunch as usual on Sunday and then go out on the roof terrace as the sun is out and it’s getting hot after the storm! Tomorrow we have to go across to the garage to move the Winnebago to another spot and in the evening we are going to Guadalmina Alta as we have an early start on Tuesday morning when we have to drop off Chris and Carolyn at the airport.Our next blog will be from “ Casa del Abuelo ” some time on Tuesday after we have settled in!
Saturday, September 20, 2008
MANILVA.
Wednesday 17th.September.
After our morning tea,toast and fresh fruit we called into our bank in Estepona on our way to “ La Canadia” in Marbella for some essential shopping,a new “ Eau de Toilette ” for me along with a new set of speakers for the PC as next week it’s my birthday! Brenda also picked up some makeup.On the way back we stopped at the English butchers to buy steak and kidney for a pie on Friday,he had just got in Calves Liver so we had some thin slices for supper with crispy bacon,onion gravy and Brenda’s famous mash!
Thursday 18th.September.
First thing in the morning it starts off grey but as the day goes on it becomes hot and sunny so we caught up with the chores around the house and in the afternoon Brenda went on the roof terrace to catch the sun and read as I caught up with the e-mails;one was from our friend Zoe in Manchester so later on we made a Skype conference call to her and Graham who was home for a few days and caught up with all the news,Graham’s Russian owners are having a new boat built in Denmark so he is back and forward there all the time to supervise the build from his base in the South of France,next month they are taking the current boat to Palma to be shipped to Mustinque for the winter,so they are flying out to join it later and will spend six months in the Caribbean this winter!Next year it will make the reverse journey and be sold as the new boat which is over forty meters in length becomes ready,they are in Monaco next week for an International Boat Show at the same time as the owners of the villa that we house sitting for over the next two weeks in Guadalmina Alta have a stand at the show,it’s a small world! Supper was Chicken curry as we settled down to a night in front of the TV.
Friday 19th.September.
We went across to Guadalmina to finalize the details for next week with Clive and Carolyn as we are taking them to the airport very early on Tuesday morning,we are moving in on Monday night and will be there until at least the 4th.October so watch out for the blog from Guadalmina Alta as Clive has set up things so as I can use my PC in the house. In the afternoon we came back to the house and got the steak and kidney pie on the go along with Brenda’s now famous selection of vegetables,Cauliflower in cheese sauce,mashed potatoes,glazed Carrots ,garden peas and mushy peas for Anna! We prepared some light Tapas to nibble and put the beer on ice for Mano.The short crust pastry on the pie was crisp,the mash was finished in the oven at the same time as the Cauilflower and we waited for Mano and Anna to join us for dinner at 8 o’clock,at 8-30 we received a phone call from Anna to say that they could not come due to unforeseen circumstances;so we had dinner on our own and now have enough steak and kidney pie to feed the village! As I was cooking in our kitchen our next door neighbour was in her kitchen so we passed her a plate across with everything on it for her to taste our traditional English dish,we are awaiting for her comments!
After our morning tea,toast and fresh fruit we called into our bank in Estepona on our way to “ La Canadia” in Marbella for some essential shopping,a new “ Eau de Toilette ” for me along with a new set of speakers for the PC as next week it’s my birthday! Brenda also picked up some makeup.On the way back we stopped at the English butchers to buy steak and kidney for a pie on Friday,he had just got in Calves Liver so we had some thin slices for supper with crispy bacon,onion gravy and Brenda’s famous mash!
Thursday 18th.September.
First thing in the morning it starts off grey but as the day goes on it becomes hot and sunny so we caught up with the chores around the house and in the afternoon Brenda went on the roof terrace to catch the sun and read as I caught up with the e-mails;one was from our friend Zoe in Manchester so later on we made a Skype conference call to her and Graham who was home for a few days and caught up with all the news,Graham’s Russian owners are having a new boat built in Denmark so he is back and forward there all the time to supervise the build from his base in the South of France,next month they are taking the current boat to Palma to be shipped to Mustinque for the winter,so they are flying out to join it later and will spend six months in the Caribbean this winter!Next year it will make the reverse journey and be sold as the new boat which is over forty meters in length becomes ready,they are in Monaco next week for an International Boat Show at the same time as the owners of the villa that we house sitting for over the next two weeks in Guadalmina Alta have a stand at the show,it’s a small world! Supper was Chicken curry as we settled down to a night in front of the TV.
Friday 19th.September.
We went across to Guadalmina to finalize the details for next week with Clive and Carolyn as we are taking them to the airport very early on Tuesday morning,we are moving in on Monday night and will be there until at least the 4th.October so watch out for the blog from Guadalmina Alta as Clive has set up things so as I can use my PC in the house. In the afternoon we came back to the house and got the steak and kidney pie on the go along with Brenda’s now famous selection of vegetables,Cauliflower in cheese sauce,mashed potatoes,glazed Carrots ,garden peas and mushy peas for Anna! We prepared some light Tapas to nibble and put the beer on ice for Mano.The short crust pastry on the pie was crisp,the mash was finished in the oven at the same time as the Cauilflower and we waited for Mano and Anna to join us for dinner at 8 o’clock,at 8-30 we received a phone call from Anna to say that they could not come due to unforeseen circumstances;so we had dinner on our own and now have enough steak and kidney pie to feed the village! As I was cooking in our kitchen our next door neighbour was in her kitchen so we passed her a plate across with everything on it for her to taste our traditional English dish,we are awaiting for her comments!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
MANILVA.
Sunday 14th. September.
After the night before we had a long lie in and then a late brunch as usual on a Sunday;We had got our information wrong about the “ Cierro Verano Cultural” the Karoake was it! on Saturday. In the afternoon I watched the Grand Prix and the Motorcycling GP as Brenda caught up with her book on the roof terrace in the afternoon sunshine,next week on the ten day forecast there is some rain due-the first in five months!Later in the evening we walked to Bar Castillo for some Tapas including their excellent Croquettes.
Monday 15th September.
We went for a walk in the morning around the village and called into the butchers for some Pork Cutlets for dinner;we also bumped into Mano at the office,Bar Augustine, and had a coffee with him before he went to a meeting about the Aparthotel with two of the owners.In the evening Brenda called her two sisters in England on the Skype phone to catch up with all the news,Jenny in Claughton village and Norah in Runcorn.Norah is the oldest of the four sisters with Lyn in Australia the next,Norah has just been on an IT course and has her first computer and had just been on our blog-page for the first time ! Well done Norah!! In the evening we had a late supper with the Pork Cutlets in our favourite Lemon butter sauce with Lyonnaise potatoes and Brenda’s selection of fresh vegetables!
Tuesday 16th September.
Today it is sunny and warm as we went down to Sabinillas for some shopping and on the way back we called into Mano and Anna’s to see how the house is coming on,it’s typical Anna style and is looking very different all ready,the new floor and the computer area especially;at lunchtime Anna called in with Carlos and Fabio as they walked through the village to say hello.In the post this morning Brenda’s medical card arrived and mine is in the system to finish off our Spanish documents to become resident in Spain,also there was a letter with some wedding pictures from one of Brenda’s old work mates from before we were married,Irene,who made contact with us fairly recently and told us all about her family growing up and the wedding of her daughter.Thanks for the pictures Irene and Pete! As I was typing this Ben called with the latest news about our very dear friend Carol,Im’afraid it’s not good news,
Carol has not improved and the doctors have prepared the family for the worst,so our thoughts go out to Ben,Yola and Michelle and Carol’s brother Dave in Canada as well as her mother Dorothy in England at this very worrying time.
After the night before we had a long lie in and then a late brunch as usual on a Sunday;We had got our information wrong about the “ Cierro Verano Cultural” the Karoake was it! on Saturday. In the afternoon I watched the Grand Prix and the Motorcycling GP as Brenda caught up with her book on the roof terrace in the afternoon sunshine,next week on the ten day forecast there is some rain due-the first in five months!Later in the evening we walked to Bar Castillo for some Tapas including their excellent Croquettes.
Monday 15th September.
We went for a walk in the morning around the village and called into the butchers for some Pork Cutlets for dinner;we also bumped into Mano at the office,Bar Augustine, and had a coffee with him before he went to a meeting about the Aparthotel with two of the owners.In the evening Brenda called her two sisters in England on the Skype phone to catch up with all the news,Jenny in Claughton village and Norah in Runcorn.Norah is the oldest of the four sisters with Lyn in Australia the next,Norah has just been on an IT course and has her first computer and had just been on our blog-page for the first time ! Well done Norah!! In the evening we had a late supper with the Pork Cutlets in our favourite Lemon butter sauce with Lyonnaise potatoes and Brenda’s selection of fresh vegetables!
Tuesday 16th September.
Today it is sunny and warm as we went down to Sabinillas for some shopping and on the way back we called into Mano and Anna’s to see how the house is coming on,it’s typical Anna style and is looking very different all ready,the new floor and the computer area especially;at lunchtime Anna called in with Carlos and Fabio as they walked through the village to say hello.In the post this morning Brenda’s medical card arrived and mine is in the system to finish off our Spanish documents to become resident in Spain,also there was a letter with some wedding pictures from one of Brenda’s old work mates from before we were married,Irene,who made contact with us fairly recently and told us all about her family growing up and the wedding of her daughter.Thanks for the pictures Irene and Pete! As I was typing this Ben called with the latest news about our very dear friend Carol,Im’afraid it’s not good news,
Carol has not improved and the doctors have prepared the family for the worst,so our thoughts go out to Ben,Yola and Michelle and Carol’s brother Dave in Canada as well as her mother Dorothy in England at this very worrying time.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
MANILVA.
Saturday 13th September.
After the night before we had a quiet day at home- we thought! On Sunday evening there is a “ Cierre Verano Cultural ” at the top of our street in front of the Town Hall on a new stage; what we did not know was that it started with a very loud Karaoke for the villager’s on Saturday evening from ten pm till three am! The main street was closed off and they had put up five bouncy castles together with face painters for the children with music to sing along too! During the day we happened to be watching Manilva TV when first the news came on and then the highlights of the Grape Festival, so it showed my interview with them and then me crushing the grapes-as you can see in the picture below of our TV!! It was repeated three times during the day! In the evening we had Black Irish Sirloin steaks from the English butchers with frits and then went up to Bar Castillo for a nightcap in the cool air ,sat outside listening to the Karaoke for a while.As I am typing this Ben has just phoned to update us on Carol;she is still on the life support and they are gradually bringing her off and are starting to treat her infections but she is still very critically ill,our thoughts go out to all her family at this very worrying time.
After the night before we had a quiet day at home- we thought! On Sunday evening there is a “ Cierre Verano Cultural ” at the top of our street in front of the Town Hall on a new stage; what we did not know was that it started with a very loud Karaoke for the villager’s on Saturday evening from ten pm till three am! The main street was closed off and they had put up five bouncy castles together with face painters for the children with music to sing along too! During the day we happened to be watching Manilva TV when first the news came on and then the highlights of the Grape Festival, so it showed my interview with them and then me crushing the grapes-as you can see in the picture below of our TV!! It was repeated three times during the day! In the evening we had Black Irish Sirloin steaks from the English butchers with frits and then went up to Bar Castillo for a nightcap in the cool air ,sat outside listening to the Karaoke for a while.As I am typing this Ben has just phoned to update us on Carol;she is still on the life support and they are gradually bringing her off and are starting to treat her infections but she is still very critically ill,our thoughts go out to all her family at this very worrying time.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
MANILVA.
Monday 8th.September.
After the weekends celebrations we got up late and had a day at home catching up with the chores. In the evening we had pan fried minute steak with onions,mushrooms and Green peppers and of course frits! for supper.
Tuesday 9th September.
We went across to the garage and met Vidal as we had arranged a meeting with the German owner to plan the next stage in the sale of the Winnebago if possible in Germany on E-Bay,at the same time we gave the Winnebago a good check over with Vidals help so as it will be ready to move.On the way back we called into see Mano at the Aparhotel,he has some work problems and staff issues as the season finishes and has to make decisions about the future;Mano’s friend Juan was in the bar and made an offer once again for the Winnebago,watch this space for the result as we go to press! In the evening we had a light supper of Omeletts,cheese for Brenda and a savoury one for me with the leftover onions,mushrooms and Green peppers as the filling.
Wednesday 10th.September.
In the morning we called into our bank in Estepona as we needed to update our resident account card’s and make some arrangements for the future with our bank manager;Wednesday is now curry night so when we arrived back home I made the sauce and added the Chicken later which we have with Basmati rice and Banana,Anna could not join us as she is in the middle of an extreme makeover of her house from new walls,floors,pipe work,kitchen,decoration and furniture! We can’t waite to see it when it is finished;we are not housesitting for them next week as they have had to cancel their holiday due to Mano’s work commitments.
Thursday 11th.September.
The phone went early in the morning and it was not good news;our very dear and old friend Carol had been taken into hospital and is very seriously ill and on a life support machine,Andrea,her son Bens partner rang us to give us an update,later we spoke to Ben and passed on our thoughts to all the family,Yola her eldest daughter is flying in from Switzerland later this evening.We had only spoken to Carol a couple of weeks ago when the whole family were together at Carol’s house in Willaston so it has come as a very great shock to us all.Later in the evening Gissy called in and cut and styled Brenda’s hair and took two inches’s off mine at the same time as it was below my shoulders!
Friday 12th.September.
We called Michelle,Carols younger daughter first thing in the morning for a update,Carol had a quiet night and was stable;she is in a hospital in Birkenhead with a dedicated nurse looking after her and with all her family around her for support. Earlier in the week we received a phone call from a lady,Carolyn, that we had spoken to a few days before about house-sitting towards the end of this month and we made an appointment to go and see her later on Friday morning;The villa is in the country behind San Pedro de Alcantara and sits in a spectacular setting in the largest garden you will ever see,with Advacado trees in abundance along with all sorts of other fruit trees,it is a old Spanish finca with a very grand new addition on the side,together with a swimming pool in the grounds and the property once belonged to Audrey Hepburn ! We are going to move in on Monday 22nd for two weeks and look after the two house cats and the six/seven wild cats in the garden as well as the fish in the pond,the owner’s are going to Nice for a trade show as Clive,her husband,has an international boat building company based in Puerto Banus,At the same time they are going to Italy to arrange the move of their furniture from their house there.They also have workmen finishing off the floors so it means that they can carry on working. I have also offered to drive them to and from the Airport in their car as part of the service,if required! In the evening we had a phone call from Anna to say that Mano had a surprise couple of days off over the weekend,so they ended up coming for dinner after we found some more Lamb chops in the deep freeze to go with the ones that we had picked up earlier from the English butchers on our way home.I roasted the chops on top of Boulangere potatoes and Brenda sorted out some Broccoli,garden peas with Ham and Ratatouille;later we walked up to Bar Castillo and finished the night in lively style with the locals!
After the weekends celebrations we got up late and had a day at home catching up with the chores. In the evening we had pan fried minute steak with onions,mushrooms and Green peppers and of course frits! for supper.
Tuesday 9th September.
We went across to the garage and met Vidal as we had arranged a meeting with the German owner to plan the next stage in the sale of the Winnebago if possible in Germany on E-Bay,at the same time we gave the Winnebago a good check over with Vidals help so as it will be ready to move.On the way back we called into see Mano at the Aparhotel,he has some work problems and staff issues as the season finishes and has to make decisions about the future;Mano’s friend Juan was in the bar and made an offer once again for the Winnebago,watch this space for the result as we go to press! In the evening we had a light supper of Omeletts,cheese for Brenda and a savoury one for me with the leftover onions,mushrooms and Green peppers as the filling.
Wednesday 10th.September.
In the morning we called into our bank in Estepona as we needed to update our resident account card’s and make some arrangements for the future with our bank manager;Wednesday is now curry night so when we arrived back home I made the sauce and added the Chicken later which we have with Basmati rice and Banana,Anna could not join us as she is in the middle of an extreme makeover of her house from new walls,floors,pipe work,kitchen,decoration and furniture! We can’t waite to see it when it is finished;we are not housesitting for them next week as they have had to cancel their holiday due to Mano’s work commitments.
Thursday 11th.September.
The phone went early in the morning and it was not good news;our very dear and old friend Carol had been taken into hospital and is very seriously ill and on a life support machine,Andrea,her son Bens partner rang us to give us an update,later we spoke to Ben and passed on our thoughts to all the family,Yola her eldest daughter is flying in from Switzerland later this evening.We had only spoken to Carol a couple of weeks ago when the whole family were together at Carol’s house in Willaston so it has come as a very great shock to us all.Later in the evening Gissy called in and cut and styled Brenda’s hair and took two inches’s off mine at the same time as it was below my shoulders!
Friday 12th.September.
We called Michelle,Carols younger daughter first thing in the morning for a update,Carol had a quiet night and was stable;she is in a hospital in Birkenhead with a dedicated nurse looking after her and with all her family around her for support. Earlier in the week we received a phone call from a lady,Carolyn, that we had spoken to a few days before about house-sitting towards the end of this month and we made an appointment to go and see her later on Friday morning;The villa is in the country behind San Pedro de Alcantara and sits in a spectacular setting in the largest garden you will ever see,with Advacado trees in abundance along with all sorts of other fruit trees,it is a old Spanish finca with a very grand new addition on the side,together with a swimming pool in the grounds and the property once belonged to Audrey Hepburn ! We are going to move in on Monday 22nd for two weeks and look after the two house cats and the six/seven wild cats in the garden as well as the fish in the pond,the owner’s are going to Nice for a trade show as Clive,her husband,has an international boat building company based in Puerto Banus,At the same time they are going to Italy to arrange the move of their furniture from their house there.They also have workmen finishing off the floors so it means that they can carry on working. I have also offered to drive them to and from the Airport in their car as part of the service,if required! In the evening we had a phone call from Anna to say that Mano had a surprise couple of days off over the weekend,so they ended up coming for dinner after we found some more Lamb chops in the deep freeze to go with the ones that we had picked up earlier from the English butchers on our way home.I roasted the chops on top of Boulangere potatoes and Brenda sorted out some Broccoli,garden peas with Ham and Ratatouille;later we walked up to Bar Castillo and finished the night in lively style with the locals!
Monday, September 08, 2008
MANILVA FIESTA DE LA VANDIMIA 2008.
A TASTE OF THE FIESTA.
Sunday 7th. September.
As we got up after a lie in from the previous night’s party we had the Full English Breakfast ( with Choriza ) to keep us going for the day ahead! The live music started at noon and went on till midnight with the two band’s playing at the same time or alternatively with recorded music blasting out in between their sets. The cool spray from under the canopy was welcomed by the crowds as it was still very hot in the shade and the senoras had their fans to cool themselves as the day went on.Bar Rojas at the top of our street brought out the largest Paella which went in seconds ! During one dance outside the Town Hall they throw the Manilva Vandimia Hat’s for 2008 into the crowd which causes one helluva scramble as you can see in the pictures below.So this is Manilva during the Vandimia Festival,with many thanks to the Mayor,Antonia Munoz,Paqui Lopez and Ana Ma Ruiz from Manilva TV for making it a day to remember in more ways than one as you will see!!
Sunday 7th. September.
As we got up after a lie in from the previous night’s party we had the Full English Breakfast ( with Choriza ) to keep us going for the day ahead! The live music started at noon and went on till midnight with the two band’s playing at the same time or alternatively with recorded music blasting out in between their sets. The cool spray from under the canopy was welcomed by the crowds as it was still very hot in the shade and the senoras had their fans to cool themselves as the day went on.Bar Rojas at the top of our street brought out the largest Paella which went in seconds ! During one dance outside the Town Hall they throw the Manilva Vandimia Hat’s for 2008 into the crowd which causes one helluva scramble as you can see in the pictures below.So this is Manilva during the Vandimia Festival,with many thanks to the Mayor,Antonia Munoz,Paqui Lopez and Ana Ma Ruiz from Manilva TV for making it a day to remember in more ways than one as you will see!!
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