Day in Palma

After a very late night on Wednesday, Thursday morning was a very relaxed time. We had an early lunch of wonderfully cooked pork belly with crackling served with gravy, roasted red peppers and roasted potatoes. After lunch we had to take our host son back to the airport, so while in Palma we were given a quick running through tour. We started off at the Palma Cathedral also called La Seu and is of french Gothic style. The story behind the construction of the Cathedral is that in 1229 Jaime I was returning to Mallorca with his troops in order to recapture the island. On the way they ran into a terrible storm, fearing for the lives of himself and his troops Jaime I vowed to build a church in honour of the Virgin Mary if they survived. He never saw the final edifice. Although he laid the foundation stone in 1229, construction continued until 1601, with further alterations continuing until 1904. It is made of golden sandstone is 121m long and 51m high. In the museum there are two large 18th Century Baroque silver candelabras, weighing 250 kg each, by the artist Juan Matons. Over the Capilla Real is the 14th Century Rose Window, which is one of the worlds largest Gothic Church windows, at over 2.55m. It is filled with very impressive stain glass windows all along the cathedral.

After the Cathedral we walked along some of the old back streets of the city to the City Hall in the Plaça de Cort. Just inside the City Hall are "The Gegants i Capgrossos" ("The Giants"), which are figures that come out when there is a celebration in the town and are dressed in typical Mallorquin folk dress. Just across the street from the City Hall in the Plaça de Cort is a wonderful old olive tree. The age of the tree is uncertain but it several hundreds of years old and still producing olives. We then traveled through the pedestrian old street with all the shops to the main square of the city the Placa de Marques de Palmer. Then back down to the sea front and back to the car. We then we a car tour along the harbour and up into the residential part of the city. Then up into the hills to Castell de Bellver which was built in the 14th century and is unique as a Spanish castle because it is round. "Bellver" means lovely view, and there certainly was one from there of the Bay of Palma.

That evening was another quiet one with a light dinner of cold cuts, salad and unsalted brown bread.

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.

Leeds Castle without Me

Well even though I had to work today. Peter took Yvonne to visit Leeds Castle. This photo was taken in the grounds of the castle beside some very large plants. They look a bit like thistles, but are way too big. I have been told that she really enjoyed it there even though she didn't get to see the dog collar museum.

In the evening they picked me up from work and I got a ride home. Then we ordered from out our local Indian take away. We had Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan, and Lamb with ginger. Yum! Then a relaxing evening sitting infront of the fan to try to keep cool.

Amended - After some research on line we have discovered that the Thistle like plant is called a Cardoon or a Articohoke Thistle.