SUNNY CADIZ & EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA ON SATURDAY;

SATURDAY 29^th/ MARCH 2014.

VISIT TO CADIZ AND “ EL PUERTO DE SANTA MARIA ”

We were up just before dawn to get ready for our day out to Cadiz & ‘ El Puerto De Santa Maria ‘ to give it its full title ! We caught the bus from by the ‘Plaza de la Vendimia’ – there were two buses in fact, one from here and one down in Sabinillas & Duquesa,so over 120 persons in all.On our bus as usual we were the only English speaking but on the other one there were quite a few English people. Our neighbors from above us Pilar and Bartholomew joined us.

It was cold and damp as we set off but the latest forecast for the Cadiz area was warm and sunny, and so it turned out, it was a glorious sunny day with just a little breeze blowing off the Atlantic in Cadiz with clear Blue skies as you will see in the picture above; on the way we stopped at the large coach park for coffee and tostadas on the house!

As we arrived in Cadiz down by the cruise liner harbour a ship had just arrived, we walked across to the main square past the town hall to the cathedral and spent some time inside listening to the Grand Organ being played, it always adds something to a cathedral when you hear the music, it brings the place ‘Alive!’ See the pictures above. We then went and had a coffee and glass of fresh orange juice sat outside opposite the cathedral in the new ‘La Cathedral Hotel’ before jumping into a taxi and going off along the long ‘Playa’ beach front to go to our favorite Talas Bar ‘Arte Serrano’ next to the best seafood restaurant in Cadiz – sadly they did not both open until the afternoon so we decided because it such a nice day to walk back along the front past the surfers as you can see.

We ended up back in the main square and had a well deserved glass of wine and a friendly Bacardi & Coke with a small Tapas to set us up for the rest of the day ahead; it was then time to rejoin the bus and go across the bay about 12.15kms to ‘El Puerto de Santa Maria’ for lunch. As we were crossing the old bridge we could see the new bridge that’s is being constructed “ La Pepa ” as it is called has two main pylons, one in the Bay of Cadiz and the other in the Cabezuelas Harbour standing 180 meters high – it will be when finished the longest bridge in Spain and the longest span cable-stayed in the country! The pictures were taken from the coach as we crossed on the old one !

Lunch was in a large restaurant on the new part of the sea front by the long sandy beach in the town by all the tall-rise holiday buildings; it was a ‘Grand Buffet’ with a large selection on the cold starter section, then two hot sections, meat and fish and finally a large cold selection section – eat as much as you can !! Wine, Beer and soft drinks on the tables. A rather nice surprise. We then went into the old part of the town where the tourist guide met the coaches and took us off into the centre of the town to see the castle, cathedral and the famous bullring as it’s the third largest in Spain with seats for over 15,000 spectators and dates back to the 1880s!At one time the heavens opened so we took shelter in a old café car bar in the main square. See the pictures above.

On returning to Manilva late on Saturday evening we treated ourselves to two long cold drinks, well deserved of Gin& Tonic and Bacardi & Coke !! We canceled our Steak and chips and settled for some comfort food ‘ Heinz Baked Beans’ on Toast topped with Brenda’s famous Poached eggs !!

On the sports front during the day and evening Manchester City could only draw with Arsenal 1-1; over here Barcelona won 1-0,Atl,Madrid won 1-0 And Real Madrid won 5-0 !

Thoughts for one ‘Helluva’ Day in sunny Cadiz, Puerto de Santa Maria and Manilva;

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

" BEEF & PUDDING URBAN PUB & KITCHEN " CENTRAL MANCHESTER THIS LUNCHTIME;

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM A DAMP BUT SUNNY MANILVA;

WET BUT STILL SUNNY MANILVA AT THE START OF THE WEEKEND;

FRIDAY 28^th/ MARCH 2014.

We were up bright and early this morning, overnight the rains came but I just managed to take Scruffy out for his first walk of the day in a break, he was picked up by Adrian and Rose after he had his breakfast, we are really going to miss him till he’s back with us in a couple of weeks; early this morning Jack & Lyn called on the Skype video, it’s their 5^th wedding anniversary today and we had left a message late last night on Facebook;they had just been out with the family for a seafood lunch, this weekend they are going away in their caravan for a short trip for a week “ Happy Anniversary ” – Have a “ Gooday! ”

After our breakfast we wrapped up and braved the wet and stormy weather, it’s not cold but when it rains in Spain it rains! We shot down to Sabinillas for the weekend shopping, picked up the papers and some birthday cards (Local) – in between the showers when we came back I went down to the butchers for our ‘Saturday Night Steaks’ ( Late ) after we return from out trip to Cadiz cathedral and Puerto Santa Maria which is an early start.

Chispa has just come calling, she’s like a drowned rat, she had missed us yesterday, she is now playing around the house and has been for a quick walk; we won’t see her tomorrow but on Sunday the weather is picking up again and into the start of next week there is some more sun and warmer weather on the way!

For our supper this evening we are having ‘Goujons of Hake’ using local breadcrumbs from the bakery with Mushy Peas, diced twice-cooked Frits and Homemade Tartar sauce.

Tomorrow’s Blog will only be a short one with all the pictures later so I’ am posting the sports news for the weekend now; over here in ‘La Liga’Real Madrid play Rayo Vallecano, it’s the Derby game as Espanyol welcome Barcelona and Atletico Madrid travel to Atheletic Bilbao; in England on Saturday its Arsenal v Manchester City, then on Sunday Fulham v Everton and Liverpool v Spurs. Meanwhile over in Kuala Lumpur it’s the ‘Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday.

Last night after supper we watched a very good and compelling film that was written and directed by ‘Francis Ford Coppola’ “ The Rainmaker ” from 1997 starring Matt Damon as a young crusading lawyer on his first case, Jon Voight as a ‘Smoothie’ corporate lawyer from Memphis, Mickey Rourke as a ‘Shark’ lawyer, Danny DeVito being himself, Roy Scheider as a ‘Sickly’ company boss,Dean Stockwell as a ‘Corrupt’ nasty judge and Danny Glover as a ‘Saintly’ judge! The love interest is played by Clair Danes !!  Catch it !!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

SABINILLAS & SUNNY MANILVA AT LUNCHTIME TODAY;

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

WINDY AND SUNNY MANILVA ON THURSDAY;

THURSDAY 27^th/ MARCH 2014.

I took scruffy out for his first walk of the day before breakfast, just around the block as its rather windy and cold, so we both shot back to the house quickly after he done his ‘Message’s’ – and yes we do of course ‘Pick & Bag’ He’s settled in very well and is into the routine, he has a lovely temperament and is very friendly and cuddley,he does as he’s told and is sleeping very well, in fact last night he was asleep on his back, legs ‘Akimbo’ dreaming of ‘Bones, Food & Girls!’ We will miss him when he goes home on Friday morning; he’s not with us again for a couple of weeks as his dad is on holiday!

Later this morning I’ am taking Brenda down to the hairdressers in Sabinillas and picking her up later, she’s having the ‘Full works’ – her hair is rather long and is blowing into her eyes in the stiff breeze – so she is rather overdue for a shampoo,blow,cut,highlights and touch up! See the picture above of the new woman in my life - a special 'Bob Cut ' - Thanks Annie !

The weather forecast is still the same for Friday and Saturday – wet and windy – we will have to get the wet proofs out! It’s not cold; in fact the temperatures have not dropped below 20 degs, not like the rest of Spain which is on alert for storms, snow and high winds!  

Today we are having an at home day getting ready for a busy few days from tomorrow and over the weekend into next week; Friday is shopping day and then sorting out the wardrobe for Saturdays trip to Cadiz cathedral and then Puerto Santa Maria, which we are really looking forward too, we might be picking our friend Josie and her husband Den up from the train station over in Algeciras on Sunday after their classic train adventure from London, via Paris, Barcelona and Madrid, we are waiting to hear from them.

Then next Tuesday afternoon we are collecting our friend Gillian up from Marbella bus station after she fly’s in from England for the first time since she moved back to Torquay last year.Sh’e kept her small house  below the village in the complex – we are also taking her to the airport in Gibraltar when she goes back.

Finally on Wednesday morning it’s the big one when I have an appointment with my Prostrate consultant over at the hospital past Marbella to find out the results of my Prostrate biopsy last month – fingers crossed!!

Tonight’s supper is the second pan of ‘Lancashire Hotpot’ which I’ve made up with rest of lasts night feast, which we really enjoyed, tonight we are having Cabbage with Alcelgas and pickled Beetroot! Then we will watch the news and weather forecast to see if there is any change!

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

" CALLE SAN VICENTE " SUNNY MANILVA THIS EVENING -" LANCASHIRE HOTPOT "

WINDY BUT STILL SUNNY MANILVA AT LUNCHTIME TODAY;

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

WINDY AND SUNNY MANILVA ON WEDNESDAY;

WEDNESDAY 26^th/ MARCH 2014.

Overnight the ‘Lavente’ wind has got up and it is causing the wet weather to hit us on Friday and Saturday off the Atlantic, such a shame but will just have to wrap up and plod on down here on the ‘Costa Del Sol’ on our trip to Cadiz cathedral and Puerto Santa Maria!’

So this morning after breakfast I’ve just made two pans of ‘Lancashire Hotpot’ to my own recipe; some have Kidneys and even Oysters in different parts of Lancashire but I just use Lamb Chops/Cutlets which I’ve marinated in a little Virgin Olive Oil & Tarragon before browning then off on the griddle, another recipe does not brown them before cooking!

I then build up the hot-pot with layers of hand cut sliced potatoes and Onions, the browned Lamb and sprinkle each later with diced Carrots, Celery, Leeks and Turnips; I season as it builds up and finally the top layer of very finely sliced potatoes is made into a pattern before adding a strong Vegetable and Meat stock – I then put knobs of butter across the top before cooking in the oven this evening!

We are just about to go for our walk with dogs around the village; Scruffy has settled in and goes into his posh bed when I tell him! He’s eating well but only sips a little water, which we gather from Adrian and Rose is normal; some pictures later of the finished new passage-way hopefully! He’s sat at my feet as I’ am typing the Blog.

Over in Manchester David & Paul are racing to get ready the “ Beef & Pudding Urban Pub & Kitchen ” open for business on Friday April 4^th with a "VIP" bash on the 24th April -  its starting to look rather special and the menu’s and the wine list are terrific – we wish Paul & David all the very best for their 5^th ‘ New Moon Pub Company’ enterprise! See the pictures below;

This evening after our ‘Hotpot Supper’ which we will have with lots of pickled red cabbage and Garden Peas; we will then catch up with the news and the latest weather forecasts before finding something to watch.

Last night over in the German 'Bundesliga' Pep Guardiola's Byern Munich won the title with 7 games to spare after winning 10 consecutive away games and being unbeaten in 52 matches! Next week they play Manchester Utd in the 'Champions League!! This evening in 'La Liga' it's Barcelona v Celta de Vigo, Sevilla v Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid v Granada - results later;

Barcelona won 3-0, Sevilla beat Real Madrid 2-1 and Atletico Madrid won 1-0 so they go top by 1 point from Barcelona! Oh yes - Liverpool won 1 -0 v Sunderland and go second in the Premiere League!! 

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

" BEEF & PUDDING URBAN PUB & KITCHEN " MANCHESTER CITY CENTER TODAY;

WARM AND BREEZY SUNNY MANILVA THIS AFTERNOON;

" WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY " PORTHMADOC HARBOUR STATION THIS MORNING;

" OLD TRAFFORD " MANCHESTER THIS EVENING;

MADRID THIS MORNING " THE FUNERAL CORTEGE " OF ADOLFO SUAREZ;

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY FROM SUNNY MANILVA;

WARM AND SUNNY MANILVA ON TUESDAY;

TUESDAY 25th/ MARCH 2014.

A little lie in was called for this morning before we had our breakfast and sorted ourselves out for the day ahead; I then went down to the butchers for something for tonight’s supper, so we are having freshly made ‘Albondgas – Meatballs’ in my rich Tomato salsa with Spaghetti and diamond-cut Green Beans.Later this morning I made a fresh batch of my famous 'Ensaladilla Rusa - Russian Salad' as Brenda had got all the ingredient's ready.

At the moment on all the TV channels it is showing the funeral parade through the streets of Madrid of the horse drawn carriage carrying the coffin of Adolfo Suarez, he is receiving full military honors with a very impressive showing, with the high-stepping slow march by the massed bands and regiments, all his family are following and then also all the politicians, the funeral cortège is on its way to the airport which has been renamed in his honor ‘ Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Airport’ He is being buried after the service in the cathedral crypt of the walled city of Avila where he came from this afternoon.

At lunchtime Scruffy is due back for another three days with us, so we will go for a walk later with him. See the picture above later !He's just arrived and he is with us until Friday morning.As you can see there is a little breeze blowing,the new passage-way is forecast to be finished tomorrow by the foreman?! The weather is fine with the sun and clear blue skies, we will find out later about the forecast for the weekend as we are due on our trip to Cadiz cathedral and then to Puerto Santa Maria on Saturday. Oh dear it could be a little damp!!

This evening I will watch the derby match between Manchester Utd and Manchester City after I go online on the large PC upstairs in the office on my ‘Firstrow Sports’ connection; over the past couple of days we have caught and watched some films on the various channels.

City have just won 0-3 and another 'Blue' team also won 0-3 - Everton ( for Big Bri !)

“Deep Blue Sea” from 1999 – a science fiction horror movie about sharks with Saffron Burrows, Thomas Jane,LL Cool J and Samuel L Jackson; then it was another Seven Segal film produced, directed and starring him with Michael Caine for a change playing a baddie! “On Deadly Ground” from 1994 about the Alaskan Oil Industry and the Eskimos;finely it was Clint Eastwood in the classic “ The Outlaw Josie Wales” from back in 1976 with Chief Dan George,Sam Bottoms,Sondra Locke and Geraldine Keams.

Thoughts for the Day; See above.

..

                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

SYDNEY FROM ABOVE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO;

" WELSH HIGHLAND RAILWAY " - " ABERGLASYN PASS" YESTERDAY EVENING;