Beatrix pottering: February 2018

Tuesday 27 February 2018

Home

When the plane landed in Palma on Monday afternoon, I felt like I'd come home. Partly, obviously, because this is our temporary home; but also (as I told Jemima later) my home is wherever she and Kevin are. And it was a lovely feeling.

It had been a great few days. I'd had an inspiring, fascinating and exhausting four full days of my life coach training. I'd had a lovely time staying with my mum and dad (thank you for all the food and lifts - some things never change...) And around that I'd seen the apartment they're moving to shortly (Wednesday night); been out to a very busy Wagamama with my fellow coaching students (Friday night); had a lovely, if slightly sad Pizza Express trip with my parents and sister Tara on Saturday night after they'd had to put the ill and aged family dog to sleep (we'll miss you Nellie!); and then a non-stop chatting visit to the local Thai with my old friend Philly on the Sunday night.

And while I was away, Kevin and Jemima had been having a great time: staying in bed all morning, eating marshmallows for breakfast - you know, all the fun stuff. The Council shut off the water to the school on Thursday (roadworks) so Kevin had an extra day to entertain Jemima that included fideuà from the menú at Chameli's, which she enjoyed; then on Friday evening Uncle Ady (Kevin's brother) flew in.

There followed an action-packed weekend. Valldemossa, our Ermita, Deia - Jemima apparently led them on an lengthy walking/scooting adventure, which included drinking from a mountain stream. On Sunday it was Palma, including a fortuitous meeting with a little boy from Jemima's class (Alejandro) at lunch - a restaurant by the marina with a kids area. A lot of fun was had by all. And then Monday, it was all over: back to school for Jemima; back to England for Uncle Ady; and back home for me.

The sun was shining when we landed and I didn't need my coat (unlike snowy, freezing-cold London); and I just made it to school in time for the 4pm pick-up, rendez-vous-ing with Kevin there. And, "Miss Oliver, Miss Oliver, Mummy's back!". We were very pleased to see each other (although I know she barely noticed I was gone).

Home to drop the bags, then off to Chameli's for shared pizza and steak, before putting my beloved daughter to bed and cuddling up with my beloved husband, knackered but happy. It was good to be home.

My wonderful fellow students (L-R, Sam, Tash and Helene)

Love you Nellie

Gatwick in the snow

Chameli's menú for Jemima

Valldemossa

Jemima being photographer

Lunch and playing on the Paseo Maritimo

Thursday 22 February 2018

Adventures and goodbyes

Jemima was thrilled to be going back to school, and even more thrilled that big brother Ben was going to walk with her. We both waved as she cheerfully skipped off on her "train" of small children to morning line-up. "Bye Ben, bye Mummy!" It's so wonderful (and still a relief) that she enjoys it.

It was back to school for me too today: I needed to do some studying for my coaching course to catch up on the half term week off. So Kevin took Ben into Palma for the day while I hit the books.

They had a lovely time: the Cathedral, the Mercet d'Olivar, the streets of the Old Town; and then (I was very jealous) they went to a recommended vegan restaurant Bon Lloc to try out their menú - four courses for €15, excellent apparently; as well as explored that area of Palma - full of art galleries. Finally Kevin showed Ben our top spots: our wonderful Ermita and Deia (Ben did not enjoy the narrow drive, but then the view was worth it).

And while they were enjoying my perfect kind of day, I was revising, with some Super Noodles for lunch... But at least I got a lot done.

Then the usual afternoon of school pick up and dinner for Jemima; plus, in honour of Ben's visit and a glorious evening, a post-dinner ice cream down at the marina. Followed by an extra treat for me - Ben kindly agreed to babysit so that Kevin and I could have dinner out to celebrate my birthday.

We had a lovely evening. I chose the very nice Japanese restaurant, Tahini, in the marina (Kevin is not so keen on Japanese food, so my birthday seemed a good opportunity to try it out). And it was a beautiful restaurant, lovely service, hideously expensive, but great food. And we had a very jolly time. I felt suitably celebrated.

The next day (Tuesday), Ben's last, was also a big day for Jemima: her first ever school trip, on a coach with the other Reception children to visit an art foundation in the north of the island. She was very excited. Kevin and I in the meantime started our day with a run (back on track now); then we also went north, with Ben, to do some sightseeing up there.

I had a whole itinerary planned, from the wonderful Sunflower book. But unfortunately I hadn't bargained on how far away it all was - about an hour and a quarter drive, Mallorca is bigger than you think. So, given the time available, my itinerary was slimmed down to just one highlight: Artà, supposedly an attractive medieval hill town in the north-west of Mallorca.

And attractive it was. We climbed to the top of the Sanctuarí de Sant Salvador, a former 13th century Moorish fortress with brilliantly crenellated walls, now with a church at its heart, and wonderful views over the town. Then we wandered through the heart of Artà's old town, past their weekly market, until we found a restaurant advertising vegetarian paella - potentially a vegan-friendly lunch...

It was vegan-friendly; it was delicious (I shared it with Ben); and they also had a menú del dia for Kevin (although it wasn't up to Chameli's standards, of course). And then it was time to go home to collect Jemima (I slept most of the way back, snoring quietly - I hope - on the backseat.)

Jemima was also tired after her exciting day, which she had loved - I couldn't really make head or tail about what they'd done - apparently some stone animals had been magicked to life? Anyway, she enjoyed it, although she was actually too knackered to eat when she first got home - unheard of... So no ice cream trips today but another early night, with promises from Ben to take her to school the next day.

And that brings us up to date. Ben did walk with us to school on Wednesday morning, and we both said big goodbyes to little (perfectly happy) Jemima - he is moving to Toronto for work in mid-March, so it will be a few months before we next see him. And I am flying to London today until Monday, for part of my life coaching course. So Jemima and Daddy will be home alone until Friday afternoon when Uncle Ady (Daddy's brother) arrives for the weekend. Who knows what mischief they will all get up to...

So the morning was packing and preparing for departure, followed by eggs in Chameli's, and then we all drove to the airport to drop me off - Ben's flight was later in the afternoon after mine, so he and Kevin were going to potter in Palma for a few hours. And that was goodbye to my beloveds until Monday! I'll be home in time to collect Jemima from school.

And so that is also goodbye for now for the blog. I will see if I can add any updates on Kevin and Jemima's adventures, especially with Uncle Ady. But normal service will resume next week, once my Mallorcan adventure continues!

Views from Ben and Kevin's adventures

Marina trip

Jemima having fun with her camera

Birthday dinner

Tuesday: Artà

Rest and relaxation

Saturday started very slowly. No pancakes today - after a week of them every day, even Jemima had had enough. She didn't even want to get dressed, asking if she could wear her pyjamas all day. So I said she could keep her pyjama top on, which she thought was great fun. There was some TV cuddled up together in bed; some drawing; returning the hire car; and then the three of us headed out into the sunshine.

Our destination: Santa Ponça for a coffee and a scoot, before collecting Ben at the airport. After a little drive around, we settled on a café on the corner of the main street, with a table in the sun. I finished my blog from the kids' visits while Jemima and Daddy experimented with taking close up photos of different things, to compare textures. Then it was back to the airport to meet our next visitor.

Jemima had a great time scooting around the empty airport before Ben emerged. Then after some warm hellos it was back to the flat, and down to the marina for a late lunch in the sunshine. And what sunshine it was: a proper welcome for Ben. We took him to Wellies, and had a lovely lunch, including (helpfully) a bespoke vegan dish for Ben, all enjoying a peaceful time in the sun. Then after an ice cream/ sorbet stop on the way home, it was back to the flat and an early night for everyone.

Sunday was similarly low key: more morning arts and crafts for Jemima, plus her half term

homework; Kevin and I restarted our running training after a week off, thanks to Ben's babysitting; followed by a late breakfast in Chameli's. Then Kevin and Ben went to watch Ipswich (Kevin's team) v Norwich (Ben's team) in Heroes Sports Bar, while Jemima and I - well, we went back to bed. (And I actually went to sleep.)

After a 1-1 draw, and 4pm by now, how Mallorcan are we becoming - it was lunch time. We looked at a few Portals Nous options

(Chameli's being completely full), and in the end opted for Babylon, a Persian restaurant we hadn't tried yet. And it was lovely: a very friendly welcome, and good food, including vegan-friendly options for Ben (Jemima particularly enjoyed the houmous and the "yellow" aka saffron rice). Then back to the flat for another early night. We are all feeling much more rested after a quiet weekend, and thankfully that has suited Ben too after a busy time at work. And that's it for half term - back to school tomorrow...

Experiments with photography

Airport scooting

Wellies

Ice cream!

Sunday: homework with Owlie (we haven't lost him...)

An afternoon in bed

Babylon lunch

Saturday 17 February 2018

Half term holiday, full time fun - Part 2

Continued...

The third day was all about water. It started with Palma Aquarium, justly highly recommended. We consider ourselves aquarium aficionados - Jemima loves them, so we have been to aquaria wherever we've travelled (this amounts to MANY). And this really was a good one - beautiful coral tanks; brilliant multi-language touchscreen information panels (when they were working); and a lovely outdoor jungle bit with an impressive waterfall. Brody and Jasper were more interested in the sharks, and unfortunately the shark tank (despite being the biggest in Western Europe) wasn't a highlight - not very dramatic, no tunnel, no atmospheric setting. Still, you can't have it all. We did have a restaurant for an easy lunch, followed by a trip to the sizeable softplay area, so the kids were very happy.

After a brief rest at ours, it was off for our final activity of the day: a mass swimming trip. After the usual changing room frenzy (Louise and I getting four children plus a baby and ourselves into swimming gear), we donned our fetching swimming caps and headed out to the pool. (Kevin hadn't thought he'd need a cap as his hair is so short; but the lifeguards were insistent; so he ended up appropriating Summer's, which was amusing - I wish I had a photo.) The baby pool was shoulder deep for the kids, so perfect for a splash and a play - they all amazingly still had the energy to enjoy it, Jemima and Brody spending most of the time underwater. Then back to ours for roast chicken drumsticks, rice, broccoli and sweetcorn, and bed once again - Jacob swapping with Jasper for a sleepover at ours tonight.

After two very full days, we had a slightly quieter plan for Day Four: it was forecast to be hot and sunny, so we were off to the beach! One sun umbrella, two sets of bat and ball, two chairs, four towels, and many buckets and spades - we were kitted out. It was so easy - straight through our building, and out onto the beach. The kids loved it - paddling, making sand potions, building sandcastles, playing games. Glorious fun - what could be better. Then a tiny hop to the marina for a good lunch at the (comparatively reasonably-priced) Diablitos, before either returning to the beach for the rest of the afternoon (most of us), or retiring out of the sun (Sophia and her boys). Then it was pizza for dinner at ours, followed by bed - both Jasper and Brody staying at ours tonight, while Soph and Louise went out for dinner - at Chameli's of course.

And then the final day dawned - which also happened to be my birthday. Despite being laid low with food poisoning since about 5pm yesterday, Kevin conspired with the kids that they should wake HIM up today. So little mice crept around to his side of the bed at 7am, with many loud whispers. There was some group birthday card making, followed by a wonderful chorus of happy birthday from the little voices to wake me up, plus my beautiful home-made cards to look at. A lovely start to the morning.

And it continued well. Brody and Jasper went off with the others to the local hotel for breakfast and fun in their soft play, so we had a quiet time at home getting up slowly (Kevin had returned to bed, still laid low by the food poisoning); before Jemima and I scooted out to Chameli's for breakfast. Her first visit! And of course, another convert: "these eggs are bloody good", she said, to my horror (and amusement). "Chameli's is the best!" We had a lovely time: we'd stopped to buy her a Peppa magazine, so she played with that while I read the Hello magazine Kevin had bought me; then we had some lovely chats while we ate. A brilliant birthday breakfast.

After the final round of retrieving lost items and packing up, it was off for our last adventure: a restaurant with soft play just down the road in Santa Ponça. After a brief change of venue (the restaurant we'd intended to visit was having work done on their play area, so they sent us 20m down the road to their sister restaurant, also with soft play). It's such a genius idea. We could relax while they were thoroughly entertained (apart from the odd argument or injury) until the very minute their food arrived - more restaurants should be like this. Louise and Sophia finished their Spanish trip by sharing a paella (apparently delicious), while I marked my birthday with some good jamón (although sadly not a glass of wine as I was driving, but you can't have it all).

And that was it. We had a little extra drive on the way to the airport to encourage some napping among the tired children (four out of five succumbed, only Jasper holding out); and then our passengers disembarked, ready for their onward journey. Lots of hugs and kisses, and then we were all homeward bound. My birthday dinner was leftover rice and a chicken leg while Kevin put Jemima to bed; but I did have a large glass of red wine with it, and we're going to celebrate my birthday properly another evening.

Today was a good end to an epic few days: we are all tired, but very happy. Wrangling five young children, even with four adults, is not easy. There were some fights, scrapes and near-misses; and as Louise said, sometimes it felt like at any given moment at least one of them was crying. But they also played beautifully, and enjoyed so much together - as did we, watching them. A great week - hopefully one for their memory banks, as Kevin said.

And our next visitor - Kevin's son Ben - arrives tomorrow!