THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA;

A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 7th/ JULY 2015.

I was up early this morning to welcome back 'Reina' for the day so before she arrived I watched on TVE1 the first Bull Run in Pamploma at the start of the famous 'St.Fermin Festival' It was already hot and by lunchtime it will be in the high 30s - in Central Spain in some parts they are up to 50 degs! The forecast for the next few days as we are out playing with Den & Josie is for it getting hotter.

Sadly I have to report that the large 'Dell PC' is on its last legs,after Andy left I managed to post the Blogs but later it gave up the ghost! So I'm now typing the Blog live on the small PC - my fingers are crossed that it will keep going until I have the new system up and running. This means that I will need to buy the new Stack,etc ASAP - next week is the first chance that we will get - watch this space.

After breakfast Brenda put some washing out and then caught up with her ironing,I showered and then shot along to the Chemists for my tablets and also some cash from the local Bank in Calle Mar.The workmen are back and are starting on the top floor/roof - we hope - yesterday I sent a protest E-Mail to the solicitors and received back a reply this morning saying everything has been passed by the Council and is correct!

This afternoon I will be watching the " Tour de France" - Stage 4 as they go from Seraing in Belgium to Cambrai in France on the longest stage of the Tour over 224kms! They have 7 'Cobble Stone' sections to ride over!! Chris Froome is already in the 'Yellow Jersey' as the leader after yesterdays stage when there was the worst crash in the history of the 'Tour' It was at high speed and over 20 riders were injured with 3 taken to hospital with bad injuries.

The Hire Car is being dropped off this evening, which gives us a little extra time with the car, they are collecting it on Saturday morning.

I picked Brenda up in the car, a brand new 'Champagne' colored 'Nissan Note ' We set off down the coast road to Sotogrande and on the way back called into the English Butchers in Duquesa Marina for some Pork Sausages and Gammon Steaks for another day; as we are on 'Holiday' for three days we treated ourselves to a 'Fish Supper' in Marlow's - 'Haddock' in crisp Batter with proper Chips & Mushy Peas! We then had a nice cool drink at Bar Castillo when we came back up to the village.


 So tomorrow we are off with Den & Josie to Tarifa and then onto Bolonia for lunch,on Thursday we are hitting Cadiz for the day and finally on Friday evening we are going along to Estepona to see the " Orchid House" at night before supper in San Pedro on the 'Boulevard'!

We are still going up on the roof terrace for our 'Happy Hour' cocktails at the moment as its in the 'shade' and gives us a little fresh air.After supper this evening, we are having Grilled Chicken Wings' with salad, we will catch up with all the news,sport & weather details before finding something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY SUNNY & HOT MANILVA ON MONDAY AT THE START OF A 'HELLUVA' WEEK;

MONDAY 6^th/ JULY 2015.

Just a quick one today to let my mind get back into gear; ‘Reina’ is here for the day and back tomorrow, the workmen arrived early and made a lot of noise so I sent an E-Mail to the solicitors! Andy came along and sorted the PCs for the moment. The week ahead is going to be very warm as the ‘Heat Wave’ within a ‘Heat Wave’ is making it even hotter for this time of the year. We are out & about on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday with Den & Josie! Tonight we are having Calves Liver for supper. From tomorrow the Blog will be back to normal but will be published later as we are out playing! Watch this space.

Thoughts for the Day; See below!

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

"NEWSFLASH " BLOG BACK ON LINE - SEE BELOW;

Andy has managed to get me back on line for now but the new computer system is now going to happen a lot sooner as both of the PCs are on their last legs! The last three days Blogs are below and I will catch up later with today's!!



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A STILL VERY HOT & SUNNY MANLVA ON SUNDAY;

SUNDAY 5^th/ JULY 2015.

We all had a little lie in this morning after another very hot night –‘Reina’ struggles with the heat and had been off her food but she managed a little ‘Steak & Potato’ last night and some raw Carrot this morning with ‘Chispa’ I was treated to ’Campo Poached Eggs on Toast’ for my breakfast, its an at home day today taking things easy as we have a rather exciting week ahead.

I popped along to the ‘Rotisserie’ to order a Chicken for later, it’s already very hot as the forecast ‘Heat Wave’ takes effect, how you can have one in July when its already very hot we will soon find out! Next week as we go up the coast we are going into the hottest area in Spain – watch this space.

Later I will watch the ‘Grand Prix of Great Britain’ from Silverstone with Lewis Hamilton on pole then later this afternoon it’s the second stage of the ‘Tour de France’ as they travel along the coast from Utrecht to Zeeland over 165kms.

Lewis Hamilton won a thrilling ‘British GP’ after a bad start and then rain at the end! Meanwhile over in Holland Mark Cavendish was only 4^th in the sprint finish but Chris Froome gained significant time on his main rivals  as high winds and rain split the peloton!

At lunchtime we popped along to collect the ‘Chicken’ and on the way back stopped at ‘Bar Castillo’ for a cool drink’ including a very refreshing glass of ‘Gazapcho’ -  just as were about to leave Juan’s wife, Pacqui, arrived with a large Paella, that she had just made, and some more of her special ‘Empanadas’ also, we stayed and had another drink and two slices of it along with a ‘Ration’ of the Paella – which was as good, if not better than Lumy’s!

We were just about to set off back to the house when Juan gave us a ‘drink on the house’ with his complements as Mano & Ann joined us for a good chat and gossip to finish off a ‘Helluva’ lunch! While were sat outside  local came along selling large containers of his fresh strawberries that he had just picked this morning, we bought one for 2 euros – as you can see on Today’s Blog, they are small but very sweet!

This evening for our supper we are having the cold Roast Chicken with a nice Mixed salad and just a few Saffron Potatoes, we will then find a film to watch.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 4^th JULY 2015.     “USA INDEPENDENCE DAY”

Our first good lie in this week as the workmen are off for the weekend, there were no deliveries until later (gas bottles) & the children don’t play out in the mornings, so peace and tranquility in sunny Manilva to start the day!

We had a little treat of ‘Crispy Smoked Bacon Butties’ for our breakfast with a mug of tea, we then sorted out the weekend menus. This evening we are having ‘Minute Steaks’ with finely sliced Green Beans, a small Baked Potato and a Mixed salad, then tomorrow evening we are picking up a fresh ‘Baby Chicken’ from  our local ‘Rotisserie’ to have with more salad!

Its’ very hot & clammy again this morning as we have another hot front coming across from Africa which is going to bring with it more hot sunshine and make the temperatures even higher for this time of the year i.e. in the 40s!

‘Chispa’ is here at the moment playing around the house.

Brenda is on one of her ‘ing’ modes so is attacking anything that moves, I’m up in the office typing the Blog, as you can see, but sadly it will not be published today as I have a major problem with my ‘Goggle Chrome’ connection on the large PC, it will not load, so I can’t finish the cut & paste before publishing on ‘Word! Help is arriving on Monday morning when Andy is calling in to sort the problem out hopefully! So until then I’m typing and saving the Blogs over the weekend and will post them ASAP. Fingers crossed – watch this space.

It’s a big sports weekend, over in the UK it’s the ‘British Grand Prix’ at Silverstone and of course Wimbledon is starting to hot up;  today sees the start of this years ‘Tour de France’ with a short, flat, individual ‘Time Trial’

in Utrect,Holland,then tomorrow stage is along the Belgian coast with very dangerous cross winds, later in the week there is along ‘Cobble Stone’ stage – all this before the mountain stages. The four joint favorites are Chris Froome, Vincenjzo Nibali, Alberto Contador & Nairo Quintana. Watch this space for my dally reports!

‘Reina’ is being dropped off this evening for a sleep over.

After supper this evening we will catch up with all the news, sport & weather details before settling down to find a film to watch

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON FRIDAY AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 3^rd/ JULY 2015.

We were up early this morning to welcome back ‘Reina’ before we went out on our regular travels down to Sabinillas for our weekly shopping, it’s a little grey & overcast but still very hot and we are now promised another ‘Heat Wave’?! - from Saturday onwards!! So it’s going to be rather hot in sunny Manilva to say the least!

We picked up the papers from the ‘English Bookshop and some more books, I’m starting to read “Stephen Leather” as recommended by Steve in the bookshop, we are also enjoying the thrillers written by “Simon Kernick” at the same time.

We then did our main shop in ‘Mercadona’ before shooting along the promenade to the local market for some fresh flowers & plants; Den & Josie were saying last night the they had noticed when they were walking down through the vine fields that the Grapes are growing slowly this year, it must be due to the lack of the wet stuff over the last six months!

The folks are joining us for supper this evening when we are having my famous “Seafood Risotto” made with Cod, Crab, Octapus, Squid, Gambas, Prawns, Mussels, Cockles, assorted vegetables, two sorts of rice, Saffron and a good Fish Stock – garnished with Langoustines & Asparagus Spears!

To start we are having ‘Tapas’ of Cured Ham, Chorizo & Semi- Curado Cheese. For the Dessert Brenda is presenting a ‘Fresh Fruit Platter’ including the largest Black Cherries you have ever seen! A nice chilled ‘Cava’ to start, Barradillo with the Risotto and chilled glass of ‘Manzanilla’ with the ‘Pud’! Both from ‘Sanlucar de Barrameda.

We will also be discussing/arranging next weeks travels as I have arranged a hire car for three days, (as the little ‘Red Limousine’ is having a well deserved rest) - which is being dropped off on Tuesday evening; on Wednesday we are going across to Tarifa & Bolonia, then on Thursday we are planning to up through the mountains to Cadiz for the day. And finally next Friday evening we going to Estepona to see the ‘Orchid House’ with all the lights on before having supper on the promenade. Watch this space.

Den & Josie have also arranged their ‘Cultural Trip to Malaga & Cordoba before some of their extended family joins them over here in August.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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" CALLE SAN VICENTE " THIS AFTERNOON.

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA;

" CALLE SAN VICENTE" FRIDAY EVENING;

                                                     
                                                                  " SEAFOOD RISOTTO"

                                                           
                                                                     
                                                        " FRESH FRUIT PLATTER"






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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

" NEWSFLASH" - BLOG OFF LINE!

SATURDAY 4th JULY 2015.



Just a quick report to say the sadly there will be no Blog over the weekend as I have a major problem with the large PC as it will not load 'Goggle Chrome' ?! Help is on the way ( Andy!) & so until then  I'm still typing the Blogs and saving them to publish later. Watch this space.

See below 'Josie' in her 'Cosie' & Brenda in her 'Bikini' preparing for next weeks travels!!

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

A VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 2nd/ JULY 2015.

I was up early again this morning as ‘Reina’ is back with us for the day, she’s also coming again tomorrow for the day and on Saturday evening for a possible sleep over; the sun was out early and there is a little breeze which makes it rather pleasant, over the weekend its getting hotter, yesterday in the center of the country outside Madrid, in some parts, it reached 50.5 degs!

The workmen are back to start to knock down the shuttering on the top floor; so more noise & disruption for the rest of the day, yesterday evening for 3 hours from 4-30 pm as the Concrete was being pumped up to the top floor it was utter madness. They should have covered our roof terrace and our neighbor, Anna’s patio, at the same time, they did not and so the mess of fresh concrete and water rained down on us!

There were leaks in the shuttering and the concrete splashed over the top of the boards. By the time we realized what was happening it was too late; Anna was out shouting at them as all her precious plants were covered in the muck!! We had a few ‘words’ for them and rang the family solicitors to put in another complaint! Later I sent them the pictures to show them what we are enduring; it will not make any difference as the architect and the solicitor are ‘Family’!!

After all this they then attempted to wash down the mess in the side street in front of the site and our street with a 1 inch water hose with no nozzle or pressure! Both streets this morning are covered in dry concrete which treads into all the houses! This is just not acceptable!! Watch this space.

We went for a short walk at lunchtime with 'Reina' after dropping 'Chispa' back home; we saw the door to 'Bar Rojas' open and met the new owner 'Kieno' who was painting inside, we made ourselfs known & wished him all the best! We then called into the bank and ended up at 'Bar Castillo' for a cool drink as its now very,very hot in sunny Manilva - we told Juan that we would be back this evening for some Tapas!

I’ve decided to give the staff as well as the ‘Chef ‘this evening off so we are going along to ‘Bar Castillo’ for a ‘Tapas’ supper for a change. We had a very enjoyable evening made even more so as Den & Josie came along and joined us! We had some small Brochettes of Garlic Gambas and I also had two slices of Paqui's Juan's wife, 'Empanadas' made with Ham & Cheese, as it was so good - see the picture below - she makes everything fresh on the day!

Brenda is attempting to clean the house as we have guests for supper tomorrow evening, Den & Josie, but she is fighting a loosing battle as just as soon as she has finished it starts all over again!This evening more Concrete arrived as they are starting to lay the stairs.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

A VERY,VERY HOT & SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY.

WEDNESDAY 1^st/JULY 2015.

Another early start as we had our appointments at the surgery for our check ups; we grabbed a quick mouthful of tea and set off down to the surgery on another fine & hot morning in sunny Manilva, the forecast for the next couple of days is a little cooler but its then getting hotter over the weekend and into next week.

The workmen are busy on the top floor (?) so it could be the concrete by Friday afternoon! I was wrong, it arrived this afternoon at 4-30 pm!  Den & Josie are joining us for supper on Friday evening when we are going to have my special “Seafood Risotto” Watch this space.

On the way back I called into the local bank in Calle Mar for some cash from the machine, next door in ‘Cafe Plaza’ they have knocked through to the new terrace and the views are spectacular, I will take a picture later; See below.Its going to be one 'Helluva' view!

Brenda collected some prescriptions from the chemists and we then went down to our local butchers where we topped up the ‘meat locker’ – Chicken Wings, Pork Burgers, Calves Liver & for tonight’s supper Escalope’s of Chicken Breast which we are having with finely sliced Green Beans and a Baked Potato.

Just a memory from the past that I was reading about in the paper this morning “ SPAM” i.e. ‘Spiced Ham’ that is still made in parts of the World to this day, the UK factory was in Gateacre in Liverpool next to the old ‘Speke Airport’ – now not a lot of people know that – they do now! Happy childhood memories of ‘Spam Hash & Spam Fritters!!

As we got back to the house the gas bottle delivery man was just leaving up our street so he stopped and exchanged the gas bottle, we are going to make a note of the date and watch/check the consumption as the gas is now used in the kitchen and the hot water boiler, we also bumped into Juan (Marble) who lives opposite us and reminded him about out new small top in the back kitchen, yesterday I chased up our handyman to finish the canopy extraction tube and the new light fitting also. ‘Hasta Manana Pronto’ – watch this space.

We also arranged one of our regular pension transfers from our old bank in North Wales as we have some monthly/yearly annuities that still arrive in Colwyn Bay! The rate of exchange is sill good today despite those damm Greeks not paying their debts!

No dogs today accept ‘Chispa’ who will no doubt call in later when she’s out; she’s just arrived and is playing around the house, later we will go for a short walk  and perhaps a cool drink as we take in the sights & sounds of a very hot & sunny Manilva. 

We ended up sat outside Cafe Plaza,our dear friend Brian came along with a mate for a late 'Spanish 'breakfast of toastado olive oil,tomate,fresh orange juice & coffee before they went for a swim in the pool up at the 'Manilva Green Aparthotel' See below;

At the moment the roof terrace is sadly out of bounds as quiet frankly its dangerous to be out on! We will still have our ‘Happy Hour’ cocktails, whilst listening to the radio and reading, probably down stairs in the lounge as the chill-out room at that time catches the sun!

After supper we will catch up with all the news, sport and weather details before channel hopping to find something to watch.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

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