Morning stroll in Ses Coves

Monday morning started off with a stroll around the area where our host's live. The route is about 4km long and loops around the surrounding fields and orchards. Since it had rained over night, it was slightly cooler and a nice temperature for a walk. We started up the incline into the area of a few houses, and then continued along the dirt path passed the forested area and into the fields. We saw some lovely houses and in some cases only some lovely gates in the area as well as lots of different orchards growing olives, almonds, figs, carob and of course vineyards. We also saw a few animals, mostly guard dogs, but we did also see some chicken and cockerels. Even though it's late in the year, some of the plants have started to bloom again and there were some amazing flowers along the roadside. Once we were about half way around the weather started to turn. As it was about the same distance to go back as it was to go forward, we carried on. I had my umbrella with me and it was only a light drizzle. By this time we had come to the point where the road had now been paved but still not the main road. At this point there were a lot more vineyards around rather than the orchards. At the end of this road was the main road towards town which we followed. Although it is a nice newly paved road, there were still lots of things to see including more orchards and an interesting old stone cistern. By this time the rain had stopped and we made our way back to our host's casa.

Port d' Andraix and Back

After lunch we had to drop our host son off in Palma for a couple of hours, so we went along for another car trip. This time we headed toward the west of the island. After leaving Palma we drove again though the back roads and through the lower end of the mountains towards the town of Andraix. The journey took us through a couple of quiet valleys where there was not many house but just windy roads up and down through the hills. We tried to get a couple of photo through the car window, but not much really turned out. We did stop at the narrow side of the road for one photo opportunity of a pomegranate tree. They weren't quiet ripe yet though. We continued on till you could see the town of Andraix between the mountains and drove pass and down to the coast. There at Port d'Andraix we parked the car and went in search of "Cappuccino" and cafe bar down by the port. As we walked along the port, the fishing trawlers were coming in with the days catch and unloading the fish. The smell of fish mixed with boat diesel and old nets on the docks is not a pleasant one. We finally found the cafe we were looking for and sat outside and enjoyed a very expensive cup of coffee and the wonderful "free" views. After coffee it was back in the car and heading back to Palma, but not before we were shown what "most" Brits experience of Mallorca in the resorts of Magaluf. Not impressed to say the least, but we did like the look of Palma Nova which is just further around the bay. Then after a quick pick up of a passenger in Palma, and it was back to our host casa for another amazing meal of beef stroganoff with rice all washed down with mojitos and local wine.

Mallorca Road Trip

As the last post stated, we are now safely in Mallorca. The weather when we landed was hot and clear skies. So after a belated brunch of fruit and "ensaimadas" we all piled into the car and headed on the road. We were took the scenic route over the "Serra de Tramuntata" (mountains) and enjoyed wonderful views along the way. We stopped off on the way to view the terraces built up on the mountain side. These terraces are to help keep the soil for the trees from washing way when it rains. We continued up the mountain to Coll de Sa Bataia 579m in height. We stopped at the little restaurant there for some tapas of local grown olives (both green and black) tortilla , and an offal dish which I did try a little of but didn't like. All served with a lovely local unsalted brown bread and aioli. We were also introduced to a flat orange drink called Trinaranjus, which means "three oranges". It was very refreshing on a hot day. After a leisurely time spent in the shade we headed back into the car. We took a quick diversion by Santuari de Lluc which is a monastery. One of the things this monastery is famous for is it's boy's choir which has performed all over the world. We headed down the other side of the mountain towards Pollenca where we saw amazing views of Inca in the distance between the peaks and occasionally a sea view as we got closer to the bottom. Once on the north coast we stopped off at a little resort called Cala San Vicenc (where the photo at the top was taken). The sea was an amazing turquoise colour and although it was not much wind there was a small amount of waves crashing against the shoreline. Our next stop was up a very long, narrow and winding Peninsula Road at Cap de Formentor to the Talaia d'Albercutx, an 18th century watch tower above Cap Formentor in northern Mallorca. It is approximately 376m above sea level, and was donated in 1984 by the Capllonch Family to the people of Pollensa. There was great views of the coastline, sea and mountains. Very awe inspiring, if not a little scary at times. From there we could see the hotel Formentor, a historic 5 star hotel that has been the faviourite of many celbraties. It also was the setting for the 1981 version of Agatha Christie's murder mystery Evil Under the Sun starring Peter Ustinov, Maggie Smith and Diana Rigg. With its own private beach and spectacular gardens, the hotel is a classic Mediterranean hideaway. After a quick "pitstop" in Puerto Pollenca, we headed back to our host's place, this time by the motorway, were we enjoyed a wonderfully cooked minute steak and salad with some locally produced wine. ¡salud!

Convalescing At the Sea Side

RIMG4757, originally uploaded by Bio-hazar.

Well after a week of being at home in bed sick, I was starting to get a bit tired of staring at four blue walls. So suggested to Peter we go to the sea side for some fresh air to blow out the cob webs. So on Saturday morning Peter put me in the car with my blankets and pillows and we headed off. I had no idea where we were heading, only that the sea would at some point make an appearance. We stopped off part way at a services and had a nice cooked breakfast and were soon on our way again. By mid morning we ended up at the maritime cinque port of Rye. I'd never been to Rye, so it was exciting to explore a new place. We walked the cobbled streets, shopped in the unique little shops and visited the historic Ypres Castle and Landgate.

By mid afternoon I was starting to get very tired from all the walking and also hungry. We found a delicatessen and got some take away sandwiches, quiche, salads and lemon sodas before we headed back to the car. We then left Rye and headed towards the beach at Camber Sands. I was surprised to find that we weren't the only ones with the idea of going to the sea side. The car park was full, and we had to wait awhile before we could get a spot. We then climbed over the dunes and onto the beach, where Peter purchased a wind break and we started to set up camp. We first put down some underlay mats to keep any moisture and cold from coming through. Then lay down the car blanket. I then wrapped up in another blanket and used a jumper for a pillow. We ate our lunch with the view of the sea and the sun at our backs. Then Peter did the crossword while I rested and wrote postcards. After a couple of hours as the sun was going down and our fingers were getting very cold, we packed up and headed back to the car. As we were packing up Peter noticed some friends of ours walk by who we hadn't seen in years. So we all went into the cafe and caught up over a cup of hot chocolate. By the time we left Camber the sun was starting to set and the sheep in the field were laying down for the evening. It was the end to a wonderful day by the sea side.

Raod Trip Layout

I managed to do some scrapbooking this weekend in the midst of being sick and making cards. This layout of photos is from a road trip to Florida we took as a family when I was young. I'm the one with the big cheese grin. Sorry for the line down the middle, as it's scanned in two half and merged together. Done using Stamping Up card stock, Stamping Up Brocade paper, Basic Grey Mellow Auomne paper, lace coloured with Ranger's Shabby Shutters Distress Ink and threaded with ribbon, Journaling Tag, fibers, mixed flowers and Bo Bunny Brads. The title was cut using a CraftRobo with Candice font on Stamping Up Brocade paper on the reverse side. Thanks for looking.