Our scooting school run had been particularly chilly - the Beast from the East was making itself felt even in Mallorca, so it was woolly hats all round; but there was a warm welcome for us in Reception 2, as usual. I waved goodbye to Jemima, ambled happily back to the flat to finish unpacking, and then Kevin took me on a tour of his recent discoveries.
The 15th Century Llotja, or Merchants' Guildhall
Art and objets on Carrer de Sant Feliu
After a stop-off in Calanova marina where we looked at a boat he's been researching (good for family day trips), we parked at the Mercat d'Olivar for a wander. First, the Market itself, or rather the fishmongers' hall, which we'd missed before - stall after stall of squeakily-fresh fish and shellfish (I'd have been happy to start gnawing at the raw hunks of purple tuna). Then, after a brief stop to warm up with a hot chocolate, he led me to the street of art galleries he'd discovered with Ben - beautiful, interesting furniture, objets and art, set in modern spaces converted from old buildings: the Rosali exhibition looked like it was being held in an old laundry, with huge stone sinks and a giant metal tub with a space for a fire to heat the water. We even considered their vegan restaurant for lunch - but it was off-puttingly garlicky when we went in, so we retreated (happily) to Chameli's.
It was late, so only one menú option was left, and that was the "frito Mallorquin", a traditional speciality, apparently delicious: fried liver and kidneys. However, neither of us are offal fans... So instead it was a special treat: paella (a version with shelled prawns and mussels) - and it was delicious. At 4pm I nipped down the road to collect Jemima, and brought her back to help us finish it off, before we all, replete, wandered home together.
Wednesday saw the return of run day. Kevin had been continuing in my absence, so I was a bit concerned I wouldn't be able to keep up. And it was still chilly, so I was in about five layers. But fears were unfounded: it was actually fun, and not too cold; and we saw our sea-wall buddies, fast-walking lady and leaning old man (she speed-walks faster than we run; he shuffles along at snail's pace with a decided right-wards lean, but just keeps determinedly going) - they are there every time we go, rain or shine. Another sign of getting back to normal.
After stretching and showers, we were both feeling a bit slow - it had been a very busy month, with all the visitors, and then my assessment, and I was knackered. So we had a bit of a drive around Palma, and returned to our comfort-zone of Chameli's once more. After (unfortunately highly garlicky but delicious) chickpea and chorizo stew, and school pick-up, it was then time for another Mallorcan first: a kids' birthday party.
Blanca and Eric, twins in Jemima's class, were celebrating turning 5 in Mundo Pirata, aka Pirate World, a very civilised soft play we'd seen before, next to Palma Jump, with added bouncy castles, trampolines and face-painting. Not too busy or loud, it was also well-organised, with red tabards for all the party children and shoe hangers in the cloakroom. And, best of all, booze and tapas had been laid on for the parents. So we enjoyed a glass of something and snacked on olives and tortilla while Jemima had a whale of a time with her classmates. And we even did some socialising.
I was a bit stressed about the whole thing to start with: they all know - and speak Spanish to - each other. But Kevin and I got chatting to a couple of dads who spoke excellent English, and I ended up enjoying it - they are a really friendly bunch, and it almost seemed as much a party for the adults as the kids. After a hilarious group dance and frenzied present-opening finale (we all contributed €10 per child in an envelope at school - what a brilliant system), I drove a merry Kevin and happy Jemima home, ready for yet more festivities to come: the Day of the Balearic Islands tomorrow.
The fish market
The 15th Century Llotja, or Merchants' Guildhall
Art and objets on Carrer de Sant Feliu
Paella!
Mundo Pirata
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