September 25th 15:00 Update
I was hoping for some excitement earlier when a large motor yacht came in close to shore and anchored up. Shortly after a Guardia Civil patrol boat came in and anchored up close by. Wishful thinking was that a drug bust or perhaps a stolen boat was about to be recovered. I had my camera ready but nothing happened. The motor yacht has just left but the police are still moored off shore. Must have been out for a Sunday afternoon cruise.
Just watched Michael Schumacher turn his F1 car into a low flying aircraft. Thankfully he seems OK.
Also looks like we will be getting some more rain before too long as Cala en Bosc is disappearing into the murk once again.
September 25th 14:50 Update
We’ve had rain again and although it has stopped now it is still cloudy. Am watching the Singapore F1 but not really enjoying it. Don’t if it’s the race or just me.
September 25th 11:00 Update
Bev and Gord have taken Soph and Sam to the airport. They are supposed to depart just after 12:00 but we have just heard from Soph that their flight is delayed until nearly 18:00. There is nothing worse than having to kill time at an airport. However, Mahon is a small airport with not many facilities. I don’t envy them the next few hours.
September 25th 10:15 Update
Well we have had a varied couple of days.
On Friday we went exploring along the easter coast just north of Mao. First stop was at S’Albufera which is a nature park set around a large lake. There are various walks with hides and view points. Given the heat we opted for the 30 minute trail. For the twitchers out there this is a great place to visit. After completing the walk we loaded back into the car and headed off to find somewhere to get a drink. A short drive away is Es Grau, a pretty village clustered around the shoreline. Here we had lunch in a little restaurant with tales set out on the sandy beach under spreading trees. Sound idyllic doesn’t it. And it would have been if not for the sweet scent of dog poo gently wafting through. Still we stayed for cheese and ham toasties, chorizo bocadillo and fries washed down with cokes and beer. After our lunch we explored the village whereupon I chose my retirement residence. A delightful little rustic cottage right above the water (10 feet) with a balcony big enough for two. I can already see me and Gerry sat there watching the sun go down over the water while we sip our favourite tipple.
Anyway, that’s enough day dreaming. From here we drove to Port D’Addaia. This is the antithesis of Es Grau and in my view it is the tourist equivalent of a council housing estate. On one view point you can look across to Na Macaret which does still retain some of its original fishing village roots. After a short stop we’re headed back to Son Bou and a very welcome cup of tea. The evening meal was an ad hoc arrangement as all the fresh air and exploring had left us all too tired to go out again for a meal.
Saturday was an enforced rest day. Enforced by the weather. The morning started dull and cloudy and got steadily darker as the storm clouds advanced from Majorca. As the time moved on the rain got steadily harder and then the thunder and lightning came. Gerry and I sat on the lower balcony reading and watching the lightning. After a spot of lunch I swapped the pleasures of my book for a marathon Rummikub session with Sophie and Sam.
September 22nd 16:45 Update
The silhouette of Majorca is just visible on the horizon. Very hazy today. We have promised ourselves a trip over there some time in the future. Today has been a little odd as nobody has wanted to commit to any activity due to the fact that Julie has to leave for the airport. Three of us went into Alaior to stock up on supplies at the local Binipreu. I picked up some Sobrassada and a local Mahon cheese which will get some serious investigating later. Probably to be washed down with Menorcan Illa beer.
September 22nd 11:00 Update
I’ve been hoping spot the ever elusive heron down on the marsh land in front of the villa. Just when I have my head immersed in the latest “Chief Inspector Banks” five of them erupt from the reeds. They wheel around as if trying to make up their minds where to go, then all head west.
I guess the season is winding dow here. The numbers on the beach have noticeably diminished over the last week. There are only a dozen or so cars in the beach car park where normally there would a hundred or more.
The road sweepers have paid us a call this morning. Gave me a laugh as the guy was driving the motorised brush/vacuum vehicle. His partner, female, was walking along carrying the leaf blower. Between them creating quite a dust storm and in the interests of health and safety she was filtering the air she was breathing through a fag.
September 22nd 08:00 Update
Feeling a little sad today. Julie leaves us this afternoon and heads back to the UK and Merseyside. At least she will be able to get a bit more sun bathing in before she has to leave for the airport as her flight is not till late afternoon.
September 20th 14:30 Update
Feel like I’ve sung for my supper now. El Gordo and I have had a bit of a clear up. Well El Gordo has been doing hack and slash clearance while I have provided the labour to carry off the detritus. Just about everything here has spikes or prickles so you have to be so careful. The Bouganvillea has spines, the Palms have lethal points which pierce the palms of industrial gloves and the prickly pear (cactus) has an edge to its “leaves” making them as dangerous as a band saw. El Gordo told a passing couple that we didn’t get paid for this work, that we were doing community service because we had been “naughty”. Great thing here is that you can leave organic waste at the roadside and the authorities collect it, usually within 24 hours. No prior arrangement needed. Residents just contribute as part of the local community charges.
September 20th 11:00 Update
Gordon (El Gordo) and I have just strolled down to the bakery for the daily baguette and the papers. Mind you it’s more like a mountain hike to get back. I’ve no idea how many steps there are but my heart goes at 19 to the dozen.
The sun is just creeping into the pool area so Gerry and Jules have squeezed two sun beds into its rays. It’s going to be a long days sizzle.
September 19th 11:20 Update
Finally managed to sleep all night through after yesterdays storm cleared the air. Well until 06:30 this morning when I awoke to some kind of world music. Pan pipes, guitars and wild singing. I thought Sam and Sophie were awake in the next room and were watching a DVD. But no it was a bunch of guys partying in the beach carp park. Had the car doors open listening to the car radio. Six of them singing and doing some kind of Turkish or maybe Greek dancing. They weren’t doing anyone any harm, just that my ears and brain were not tuned to that kind of sound so early.
What a strange time to start a party. Anyway they left around 10:00 as the rest of Son Bou struggled into life.
The rest of the crew have travelled into Mahon whilst Jules and I are revelling in the peace and quiet.
I’m feeling rather jealous as I can see a fishing boat just off shore. Looks as if they have been successful as there must be around fifty gulls wheeling around the stern.
September 19th
Well here I am in Menorca. Have been here for six days. The predominant colour is blue. The sky has been bright blue for five of those six days. The sea has been many different shades of blue but has been flat calm and on occasions nearly mirror smooth. Lastly the tiles in the pool are a rich blue. Temperatures have been high thirties with the poolside thermometer registering 38degC at 18:15 one evening.
Until today Majorca has been fairly clearly visible on the horizon. On Tuesday we were treated to the most exquisite sunset which seemed to magnify the Majorcan silhouette.
Today started off like any other, full of promise, with sunshine and blues but rapidly changed to dark and menacing. This turned into a full blown thunder storm with fork lightening. Luckily we had taken shelter in the restaurant at Binimel-la where I was able watch the storm while tucking into Tortilla Espagna con Patata aka Spanish Omelette and Chips.
Which leads me on to the wonderful food that we have been sampling. Baby squid, Hake, spicy Sobrasada, Paella, local Pork Livers and so forth. All freshly cooked and beautifully presented. Local restaurant La Compostella does a nice line in “Hot Peppers”. These are whole mild green chillies, served piping hot. One serving is enough for six to share. Yummee !!!
WrAnTz 