Mallorca part 4

Wednesday was another morning by the pool, and afternoon at the beach. Things built out of sand this time included a castle, an airplane, a small figure (!) and a rather splendid bridge while the big boys played ball in the sea. 

In the late afternoon we went to Alcudia for a walk round the old streets and walls - a lovely evening again. We did a bit of shopping, and had a  meal in the main square, washed down with beer of course, and a walk through the town which looks lovely in the dark. Alcudia really is so different from Port d'Alcudia - so much more Mallorcan. No English bars, no full English breakfasts, no supermarkets every few yards. Much nicer!

Thursday it was off to a Waterpark - one we've been to before, Aqualand at Arenal. About 45 mins drive, and we were there by 12. After setting up basecamp on the grass in the shade of trees and hiring some floats so we didn't have to queue for them at the rides, off to explore! I'm not keen on the rides (I hate water so not much good in a waterpark!) so I'm happy to watch and take pictures. The rides with the floats were first - the Diablo, Black Hole and Rapids. the girls liked the rapids so much they went down 3 times.

Stu managed to fall off, apparently more than once, and came down several minutes after everyone else. After lunch of baguettes and beer on the grass, it was off to explore the other rides. The Banzai where you come down an almost vertical slope on a tray and hit the water at full speed looks as though it provides colonic irrigation, is always popular!  I spent most of the afternoon in the Jacuzzi pool with an ace view of it, especially the look of sheer terror as people set off.

We stayed almost until thrown out, and had a great time. On the way back we stopped off at a supermarket and picked up food for a BBQ.  As the BBQ was in a strange place at the Villa - nowhere near the sitting areas, we kept the men company while they were cooking by drinking a bottle of Cava with them. The jacket potatoes, salad, pork chops, sausages and chicken went down very well, and we had a great night in. A few more games of pool, can't say I won any this time.

Friday was another day at the villa - our last one. Lots of reading, and a last session in the pool for all of us.

In the evening we went to Pollenca - another lovely Mallorcan town - and walked a little way up the Calvary steps - not to the top - there's too many of them!  But, there's some good shops on the way up and we managed to do quite a bit of present shopping. After a beer in the square, we drove to Alcudia for our final dinner here. We ate in the small garden at the back of the restaurant we'd eaten in last week. An excellent set menu - squid, steak and ice cream.  Back to the villa for a last game of pool and an attempt to empty the fridge of alcohol. We did a good job, and only had to leave one bottle of wine.

Up relatively early next morning (9am - very rare that anyone had been seen before 10am normally), to find cleaners already there and keen to get us out. But, we had packing to finish and breakfast to have, so they had to wait. Then we were ready to set off. But we had one minor problem. We had a 7 seater car with virtually no boot space, and 7 people, 7 cases, hand luggage and a banjo to get in! After cramming as much as we could in the small boot, everyone got in, and had something balanced on their knee - only Stu the driver didn't have to look over a suitcase for the hours journey to Palma!

Palma is one of my favourite cities, and the view of the cathedral as you approach via the coast road is stunning.

We walked up the steps to the cathedral, past the living statues - we saw pirates, cowboys, headless men, brides and men in boats. All will let you take their picture - providing you pay! Also lots of pavement artists doing portraits and charicatures, and guitarists playing Spanish music and trying to sell their CDs. We went inside thr cathedral, which has some interesting decorations inside. An altar canopy by Gaudi and a modern mural by local artist Miquel Barcelo representing the miracle of the loaves and fishes. What I love best about it the light from the stained glass windows which floods the inside with beautiful colours.

After a drink in a bar under some trees, where one of our party got decorated by a pigeon, we walked up to town, saw the Giants in the Town Hall, and had to stop in an amazing sweet shop. Eventually we reached the Placa Major - the big main square, full of market stalls, street entertainers and cafes. We had lunch in one of the cafes - and a final drink!

 Then it was everyone in the car again, pile the suitcases on top of us, and to the airport. Plane was delayed by over an hour (that's all 3 plane trips - not good Jet2!). But, we occupied our time somehow - I mainly played Angry Birds on the iPad, others read, and one of our number (who shall remain nameless to spare the blushes...), decided to step outside to get some fresh air.  Not a good idea when you're airside, have gone through security, and don't have your boarding pass or passport on you! Luckily, we were sitting near the windows so he was able to wave to us and mouth "I can't get back in", through the glass. Well, it amused most of us. I'm afraid I'm laughing just thinking about it as I type....

Of course he did get back in, the plane didn't crash (I'm not a good flier...) we got home late and tired but OK. A great holiday!

Mallorca part 3

Saturday it was up early and off to take Tom and Ollie to the airport. First we called to see some of Stuart's family who live in Palma Nova. Something very strange happened on the way there, it started to rain. Actually it threw it down. Never seen the beach in the rain before, normally it's baking hot with not a cloud in sight. In a brief halt to the rain, we took Ollie for our traditional game of crazy golf which is just round the corner from the flat - we've been playing it with different kids ever since we started visiting there.  It's a great place, very exotic with waterfalls, plants and ducks. Unfortunately we'd miscalculated the rain, and it hadn't stopped at all, so we got wet. But, we played on, and even got a couple of holes in one.

Ollie won with the highest score(!), and then it was off for some lunch. Again strangely eaten under the roof rather than in the open air. Ollie was hungry and asked for eggs, beans, sausages and toast, and got the biggest plate of food for a 6 year old I've seen - and he ate most of it!

We had to swop our car for a bigger one at the airport as although we were dropping Tom and Ollie off for their flight home, we were picking up some friends who were joining us for the second week. Luckily the weather had improved, and after discovering that their flight was over an hour late, we drove down the coast and sat on the beach at Arenal for an hour.

When we got back to the villa late evening, the kids managed a quick dip in the pool before we went and found some dinner.

The next day started warm, but a bit cloudy, and we spent it mainly by the pool, with the odd game of table tennis and pool. Then in the afternoon we went to the beach, where Beka and I built a spectacular castle and the kids went in the very warm, shallow sea.

In the evening we drove to Poerto Pollenca for dinner.

Monday was very hot, and we hardly moved at all! Except to go the shop for essentials like beer and water, and then in the late afternoon, to a go-carting track. The Paul, Stu and the kids all decided to have a go, but me and Beka decided to be official photographers and watch. After some detailed instructions on how to drive ( right foot fast, left foot stop) and some complex helmet fitting which required the girls long hair to be piled up on top of their heads,

and some posing for photos

and taping the girls flip flops to their feet so they didn't get stuck under the pedals

they were off. Perhaps a sign of things to come, one of the girls had trouble stopping and not running the instructor over as she pulled out of the pits, and then crashed half way round the first lap, after a very fast run down the straight. With a big bruise on her elbow, the instructor drove her back and understandably she wasn't keen to carry on. So, the boys raced each other, and Alice drove very sedately round and made it without coming off the track at all.

Paul won, with Jacob beating Stuart into third place. Back to the villa for a quick dip, and then across the road to a bar for dinner.

Tuesday we decided to get out, and went to Arta, about an hour's drive away to see the caves. Very spectacular, with an amzing entrance overlooking the sea. Hundreds of stalactites and stalagmites, and some huge ones. There's a music and light display half way round the tour, and some of the bigger formations are hollow and make a noise like a bell when you hit them.

Home for lunch and some more time reading by the pool before staying in the resort again for dinner.

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Mallorca part 2

Wednesday we woke up and it was dull and cloudy, this is not the weather we expect over here! We decided to out for the day, and because Ollie was with us, we thought the Palma Aquarium might be a good idea. It's not far from the airport, about 45 mins drive, and we were there by 12. First thing to negotiate was the car park, tiny, but with a great guy manoeuvring people in and out. Then there was the queue to pay - enormous. But, we made it, and I have to say it was one of the best aquariums I've been to. The first section was tropical seas, and was made up of a mixture of huge and small tanks, with everything from piranhas and sharks to tiny brightly coloured fish like Nemo.

Of course there were sharks,

and giant Moray Eels, which looked as if they were talking to you as they constantly opened and shut their mouths.

There was a display of jellyfish and one of seahorses. The jellyfish were fantastic, displayed very well in tanks with coloured lighting, and were hypnotic to watch.

All through the exhibit the tanks were very well set out, with cushions for everyone to sit on and watch the fish. We spent ages there, and then came out into the sunshine to the gardens, complete ponds of turtles and rays, and with pirates throwing waterbombs at everyone to drench them and cool them off, as it was now very hot.



Then it was into the jungle exhibit with waterfalls, orchids, and giant ferns. Finally it was the ocean tanks which were enormous, and we sat for ages watching the sharks and other fish, which in places swam above us.

It was a great day out, we spent nearly 5 hours there. Then it was back for a swim and catching the last of the rays.

In the evening Stu and I went into Alcudia to meet a friend from work and her husband who were staying just round the bay from us. We managed a quick walk round Alcudia first, and then had a lovely evening with them in the old square.

Thursday was glorious, so we spent a day by the pool. I read a book, from start to finish, the best way to do to. It was Room, by and I recommend it to anyone. Amazing. In the evening we went to Alcudia again, and took Ollie and Tom for a walk round the old town, including round the city walls where you get amazing views of the town and the surrounding countryside. Bit scary in places though - you'd never get some of the steps up to the walls through UK Health and Safety!



The streets of Alcudia are lovely - some just small houses with plants and often people sitting chatting in the shade outside, and some with very upmarket shops, and always with  lovely bunting across the street to provide a little shade.

After a meal in a lovely courtyard garden, we were back to the villa for more socialising and a couple of games of pool.

Friday morning by the pool again and then to the beach, where Ollie and Tom built a car, and I made another dribble castle, my favourite beach pastime.

A quick nip to the supermarket to stock up on essentials, ready for Beka, Paul and family joining us tomorrow, and then a meal in the bar just across the road, where Ollie tired himself out in the bouncy castle. I had my first cocktail of the holiday, a champagne one complete with sparkler.

Then back to the villa, and Tom and Stu had a last few games of pool, but this time I joined in, and won two games on the trot. Pure luck, and them potting the white, but it felt good anyway!


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Mallorca, part one

So, we're in Mallorca, one of my favourite places. On holiday. Saturday was a rather uneventful day getting here - a lovely clear day as we drove across the Snake, good check-in, nice food and drink in a Lounge ( thanks to my bank giving me a Priority Pass), and a flight delayed by only an hour! Arrived at our villa in Puerto d'Alcudia about 8 o'clock and after a quick look round, we were off to find somewhere to eat. A nearby grill sufficed, and after a couple of beers and some steak and fish we felt like we were on holiday. The clouds seemed a bit darker than normal, but we thought nothing of it, until we woke up...

...the next day to find it raining. and I mean raining. Good old English throwing it down rain. So, we stayed in bed and hoped it would go away.



When it didn't, we got up and went shopping. Got the essentials, beer, wine, bread, loo rolls, you know the sort of thing. And got back to the villa to find the rain had stopped, and it was sort of OKish. Warm enough to go in the pool. Only the pool was cold. Very cold. But we soon got used to it, and a


good time was had by all. However, when we got out, we were cold, and me and Ollie sat wrapped in a blanket - not what you expect for a holiday by the Med! A phone call from home then caused a bit of a panic. The utility room ceiling had water dripping through it. The only thing above it was the fish tank, which was....leaking! Some quick thinking, and the application of a towel and duct tape seemed to save the day, and later we wandered down to the Jolly Roger Bar, which was - ordinary. Then we came back, sat outside the villa and chatted over a bottle of wine. Very civilised.

Monday we woke up to glorious sunshine, and spent the day by the pool. Reading books, listening to music, eating ice creams, and generally chilling out. In the evening we drove to Puerto Pollensa, and walked along the bay, looking at various sand sculptures



till we found a place we liked, and Tom and I shared a paella. Ollie wasn't impressed with the seafood!



When we got back we heard loud noises and after discounting thunder, decided it was fireworks, and climbed on the roof of the villa to watch them, and in the process saw an amazing shooting star. Not seen one as clear and as close at that before.

Today we woke up to sunshine and a few clouds, and after a mooch by the pool, walked to the beach, all of 10 mins. Ollie and Tom dug a hole until they reached water,



always a good thing to do, and I regressed to my childhood and built a sandcastle by the edge of the sea, and felt that amazing glow of pleasure when the sea filled the moat all the way round! Then I turned it into a dribble castle, taking me back to when my kids were small and I spent many happy hours doing it - all towers and turrets and fairies and wizards. And then watching the sea eventually claiming it and taking it down. Great fun.



Lunch at a beach cafe of sandwiches, chips and beer ( what else?), and tried to watch a friends funeral as it was live streamed to find it needed Microsoft Silverlight (yuch), and wouldn't work on my iPhone.

Back to the villa and some more reading by the pool, interrupted only by the fridge door falling off. Fairly spectacular. Maybe too much wine and beer in it? Then a BBQ with home made burgers, which luckily stayed together and some pool and table tennis and more wine before bed.


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