25th June – 9th July 2024
Plans for a Family Holiday
It is a long time since we have
had a holiday with our daughter’s family. Before the pandemic, we tried to get
away for at least a week each year to various holiday homes. When the
grandchildren were very young, we rented cottages as far afield as Devon and
Shropshire. Rachel has returned to work after a long break and vacations in
school holidays have become more problematic. But a window of opportunity
opened up for the start of the Scottish school holidays and, in a moment of enlightenment,
we booked a villa for two weeks in the north of Mallorca. A Ryanair flight from
Prestwick, just up the road, was booked for the Scottish branch of the family.
Granny and Grandpa would need to find a flight from Manchester and EasyJet fitted
the bill. All we needed was transport from Palma to Pollenca, a wallet full of
Euros and we were off.
Tuesday 25th June 2024, Arrival
We had a booked an early taxi to Manchester Airport, fearful
of what we might find in Terminal 1. Two days previously, a complete loss of
power had shut down this terminal and all flights in and out. However, our
prompt arrival saw us sail through the baggage drop and security and enjoy a
leisurely breakfast prior to boarding. Away on time, we landed in Palma 10 mins
early and were out through passport control well before our Mallorcan taxi
arrived. Miguel negotiated the heavy traffic around the airport, using bus
lanes and local knowledge to get us onto the motorway north. Finding the villa
was a problem even for a local driver but, by following Maria’s instructions
and photographs and by asking neighbours, we finally arrived at Villa Maria to
rendezvous with another Miguel, this one Maria’s father.
Miguel took us into Port de Pollenca to get a late lunch at
a lovely restaurant in the yacht marine, La Llonja. An hour later, he dropped
us at a supermarket where we grabbed bread and cheese and a bottle of wine for
our supper. A game of football from Euro 2024 passed the time before the
Borlands were due to arrive in our rented cars. If finding our villa in
daylight was difficult, getting close in darkness proved impossible. I walked
down the drive to find them by which time Rachel had rung Maria who turned out
to guide them home. Finally, and very late in the day, the family holiday could
begin.
Wednesday/Thursday 26/27th June 2024, Exploring Port de Pollensa
The trip to the supermarket became a daily chore (or
blessing if you include the coffee shop next door). At 9am each morning we were
waiting for the doors to open to buy our breakfast, fresh croissants and bread.
Later in the morning we returned to town with the children to explored the market, the beach and the ice
cream shops before retreating back to the villa for lunch and siestas during
the heat of the day. It was the heat of the evening football that bothered me
with England played a 0-0 draw to win the group at Euro 2024. The following day
was in the same pattern with a different café and some serious sea swimming for
the young ones. It was about time that the adults took some exercise so, with
no football on TV for a few days, Rachel and I had a late excursion up the
local path to the Col de Siller and beyond. It was almost dark as we returned
down the rocky hillside to find the family watching a film on Netflix.
Sanctuari de Lluc, Friday 28th June 2024
It was time to start exploring the island, or at least our
part of the island. It was the first time I had driven the rented jeep, not the
best choice of routes to launch my Mallorcan driving career. The road beyond
Pollenca climbed rapidly into the mountains via a series of hairpin bends.
Cyclists were everywhere, from slow moving climbers to flying descenders, all
adding to the need to concentrate. Eventually we reached our highpoint and
dropped quickly into a fertile treelined valley surrounded by rocky hills. The Sanctuari
de Lluc had a large car park and we were soon walking up an avenue of trees and
into the monastery. We started with the basilica, the target for pilgrims
walking through the Tramuntana Mountains. This was a dark and highly decorated
church containing a famous statue to the Blessed Virgin. The lady chapel
provided a few precious moments of calmness and contemplation. We all lit
candles and then retreated to the café for ice creams and cake.
Pollentia Roman Ruins and Market Day in Pollenca, Saturday/Sunday
29/30th June 2024
The archaeological dig just outside the walls of Alcudia has
revealed to remains of a large Roman town, probably more military than
settlement. The site was unearthed when a modern railway line was being
planned. It was never built but the Roman site had been unearthed. Johnny and I
spent some time absorbing the atmosphere and reading all the interpretive
boards before crossing into the modern city and looking round the small museum
that contained some of the findings. The family were waiting outside a café in
the market square and, after a quick coffee we returned home for an afternoon
by the pool. The evening was spent watching a couple of football matches.
The next day was market day in Pollenca. Parking one car was
a nightmare, never mind two. Street after street was lined with stalls selling
everything from food to children’s nick-nacks. I gave each of the kids their
spends and off they went into the throng. Such was the difficulty of making a
purchasing decision that I had plenty of time to find a coffee and cake. All my
stress came later in the day when watching England come through against
Slovakia with the help of a last-minute miracle goal from Bellingham.
Rain and the Lighthouse, Monday 1st July 2024
Rail was the forecast for the day and it was certainly a lot
cloudier and cooler. We decided to visit the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor by
bus, taking notice of the warnings about travelling by car. The 11.30am bus
from Port de Pollenca wound its way up and down the narrow hairpins that took
the road from side to side along the barren peninsular. Passing the half-way
car park, it was buses and bikes only. Even this section took great care as
buses travelling up had to pass the returning buses at a very narrow tunnel
exit. A lighthouse is a lighthouse and the café was packed so, after half an
hour of standing on the northern-most tip of Mallorca, we jumped onto the next
bus and arrived back at Port De Pollenca in a downpour. The bus station was
awash with flowing surface water and one of the passengers made a paper boat
that floated off
down the road. Rachel rescued the car, we sheltered and then
ran, and we got home very wet but in time for a late lunch. In the evening,
Rachel drove Jill and me back to town for a meal in Amazo, a highly-rated
restaurant owned by a South American chef. I had sea bass on a bed of mashed
potatoes followed by crème brulee. The wine was Joequin Rebolledo, Mencia 2023
from Valdeorras, Galicia.
Another Market and More Sea Bathing, Tuesday/Wednesday 2nd/3rd
July 2024
Tuesday was market day in Alcudia so we had another episode in
parking a car in the centre of chaos. The stalls were not particularly exciting
although Eleanor found a nice skirt. As there was little opportunity for a
quiet coffee, we were soon home in time for lunch and siestas. After an early
evening meal, we made up for lost opportunities by popping in Port de Pollenca
and sitting having coffee whilst the kids played on the beach. Then it was home
to more football and the save of the tournament.
The next day was a quiet one near the villa. After the
mandatory morning on the promenade drinking coffee and eating ice cream whilst
the kids swam in the sea, we returned for an afternoon by the pool and watching
Cavendish take his record-taking win at the Tour de France.
The Big Walk, Thursday 4th July 2024
Today was the big walk. An early start was necessary; we
were not going to do anything stupid by walking through the midday heat. Three
of the grandchildren volunteered to join me and two adults agreed to pick us up
at the finish. In the relative cool of mid-morning, Charlotte led the way up
the steep rocky path to the Col de Siller and Peter and Eleanor follow her up
to the top and waited for Grandpa to pull up over the edge. Across the sun-scorched
plateau, we had a bit of a spat about who would carry the water bottle. The
guide book indicated a descent path to the left but we could not find it. After
arriving at the top of a cliff, we retreated down a tarmac road that took us
right and then back under the cliff and into the village of Cala Sant Vincent. This
was in a steep sided valley with new hotels and holiday apartments but with a
paucity of cafes or shops. When we met the pick-up crew, all we wanted to do
was get out of there and drive home. Such was our disappointment in missing our
elevenses that, after lunch, Jill and Eleanor joined me in slipping down to
Port de Pollenca for coffee and cake. And whilst we were there, we booked a
restaurant for another meal out. At 7.30pm, Charlotte & Rachel, Jill &
me were in the El Polito, a Mallorcan-style restaurant down a quiet side
street. I had a main course of duck and a dessert of almond cake and looked
with envy on those that had ordered the John Dory. A beer and bottle of wine
dulled the anguish.
Soller and Port de Soller
Friday 5th July 2024
Awoke to a new government back home. No landslides in
Mallorca so, leaving the boys back at the villa, we set out on the long drive through
the mountains to Soller. Rachel had arranged to meet an old friend and we were going
along for the ride. Thank goodness Rachel was driving. The 90-minute drive
weaved and climbed along the length of the Tramuntana range, passing through
tunnels and round hairpin bends all the way until the Soller Valley opened up
below. Car parking was again a nightmare but we eventually found someone
backing out of a space and Rachel skilfully backed in. After passing the road
works at the entrance to the town centre, we found the place packed out with
tourists. A back street café/bar came to our rescue and we sat in a hidden and
shady courtyard to have our elevenses. This was not the place for a relaxing
rendezvous with an old friend so we extracted the car and drove to the port
where parking was easier and the promenade was lined with shaded cafes with settees
facing the harbour. The girls swam off the beach and Rachel and Penny caught up
with their news. Jill and I sat comfortably watching the trams run up and down
the prom whilst we enjoyed a light lunch. A good choice of a route home was
through the long tunnel towards Palma then across country to pick up the
motorway north past Inca. It was a much less stressful journey. Home for dinner
and the first quarter-final of the football.
Ending our Holiday Nearer Home, Sat/Sun/Monday 6/7/8th July 2024
The north end of Port de Pollenca promenade had not been explored
so we parked up near the start of the Pine Walk and drank coffee whilst the
kids collected shells from the beach and stuffed themselves with ice cream.
Needing some exercise, I walked the length of the Pine Walk up to the military
base and then returned on an inland route passing a restaurant with a swimming
pool and a small modern supermarket. The calm of the day was spoilt by the
excruciating experience of an England match resolved by extra time and
penalties. No wonder I could not sleep.
A repeat performance on the following day, this time parking
nearer the military installation, walking the Pine Walk from the far end and
having coffee and ice cream as a halfway halt. I was able to combine the two
pleasures with a magnificent serving of carrot cake. This end of the resort was
not idea for sea swimming so we returned to the villa for a lunch, siestas, and
pool before returning to the beach in the cool of the evening. This time of
course, Granny and Grandpa were on beer and wine outside a waterfront café. The
last full day of the holiday was more of the same, more coffee, carrot cake and
beach play with last minute shopping to boot. Then back to the villa for
packing suitcases and rucksacks. Bella Roma had been booked for our last supper
and we all enjoyed meals of pizzas and pasta and then Robbie had a
Nutella-filled pizza for dessert.
Homeward Bound, Tuesday 9th July 2024
The preordained departure time from the villa was 10am but
we had asked for an extension until 11am
to allow us time for a last visit to the supermarket and a more leisurely
breakfast. The cars were then packed with our dirty clothes and ill-gotten
gains for the various markets. Off we drove, waving goodbye to Maria’s parents.
Our flights were not until early evening so we had a day to explore as yes
unvisited part of the island before heading to the airport. We chose a route south through Alcudia and
then on country roads down to the south east. Manacor looked a likely place for
some sustenance and a break in the journey. We parked in an underground carpark
and walked into the main square for coffee, cake and ice cream. It was getting
hot now in the sheltered streets of the town; no sea breeze here. Unknowingly
we had come to the birthplace and childhood home of Rafa Nadal, the Mallorcan
tennis star. There was a museum to the great man but none of us was inclined to
visit. It was time to move on to the airport and the air-conditioned terminal
building.
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