Beach!

"I wanted to be left on my own!" wailed Jemima, as Kevin and I retraced our steps along the beach. We'd realised that she wasn't going to follow us as we pretended to walk off, and was instead perfectly happy to see us go. She was enjoying herself too much to leave.

It had been Jemima's idea to go for a picnic after school. Kevin and I had had a restful day: our morning run was followed by a quiet afternoon in the flat, with me reading coaching books on the balcony - the sun had returned with enthusiasm that morning. Then our usual Chameli's visit (handshakes from the head waiter today! We've probably been about ten times in three weeks so I think we now count as regulars...), before collecting Jemima. After she suggested the beach outing, we packed a picnic, got the towels, and walked down there to enjoy the last of the sunshine. 

Jemima loved it: paddling in the (completely freezing) sea, singing to herself; playing in the sand; and relishing the whole experience. So much so, that we couldn't drag her away, not even with the lure of some post-picnic chocolate ice cream. Hence the bluff that she could stay on her own and we'd leave her to it. Unfortunately, as stated, she actually rather liked that idea.

When we finally persuaded her to leave, we did go for the promised chocolate ice cream: to Flanigan's in the marina, so Kevin and I could share some more of their ambrosial jamón. Not bad way to end the day really. Good thinking Jemima.

Studying on the balcony

Chameli's

The beach!

Calviá to the Castell

The weekend pace is set by Jemima, and on Saturday she was still pretty tired. So we had a slow morning in the flat, then wandered down to the marina with her scooter for lunch. The sun was back; so we got a table outside Cappuccino, the café with the prime-est spot in the marina. It was coat-less weather, absolutely glorious. Jemima and Kevin amused each other by making up stories based on the cocktail menu, which was entertaining.

After lunch, and some more scooting, we had another rest in the flat (Jemima really didn't want to do much); then went on a little drive to Calviá, the old capital of the region, and where, apparently, there was a good public indoor pool. We found the pool, but not much else - we'd arrived during siesta time, and Calviá was most definitely closed. But its surroundings were beautiful - the Mallorcan countryside is so lovely, it might make an even better view than the sea. 

We'd lured Jemima to Calviá with the promise of an ice cream; but with nothing open, we returned to the marina, and Flanigans. Chocolate ice cream for Jemima; and, tempted by the hanging jamón, I ordered a plateful for me. It was the good stuff - ambrosial. So good, we shared another plateful (a treat - one plate of jamón works out the same price as two of Chameli's menú del dia). In fact, Jemima said it was as good as the ice cream - her highest praise. Then, back home for an early night.

By Sunday morning, Jemima was a bit more energetic.  We played some games (thank goodness for Orchard Toys mini games); did her homework and some phonics; and then went out into the sunshine.

Our destination: the circular 14th Century Castell de Bellver, built to house the Kings of Mallorca. The occasion: as part of the Sant Sebastia celebrations, the mounted police were putting on a display. So we found the castle (up a big hill); then walked a long way back down with lots of Spanish families through the shady wooded countryside to the mounted police HQ. 

The horses were huge, glossy, and frothing at the mouth (literally chomping at the bit). They did some beautiful dressage-style moves to music varying from Spanish-sounding classics, to rock: prancing, knees high; or moving sideways diagonally, crossing their legs elegantly. Jemima was getting hungry and grumpy, so we left after an amazing group display by four horses (Jemima said she liked the blanco horses best, so some Spanish seems to be sinking in). Then after a re-fuelling pit stop at the café back up the hill, we ventured into the castle.

We all loved it - me for the history; Jemima for the hidey-holes (her current favourite game is having her photo taken in small spaces); and Kevin for the views, which were magnificent, all across Palma and miles out into the Bay, dotted with hundreds of tiny white sailing boats ("Bellver" means "good view" in Castilian). We could practically see our flat. Then after a wonderful wander, it was back home for a late lunch.

Chameli's was sadly at capacity, so we reverted to Moo Moo's which advertises a Sunday lunch. We sat out the front in the sun eating roast beef and Yorkshire pudding, slightly disbelieving about dining traditional English al fresco in mid-January. 

And then it was home for another little rest, and the all-important (if slightly bathetic) de-lousing (for me and Jemima). It was a lovely castle outing - as long as we strike the right balance of not further exhausting an already tired Jemima, we can have a lot of fun exploring kid-friendly Mallorca with her on the weekends. Something to look forward to. And so on to another week - they are flying by!

Cappuccino

Calviá

Enjoying the jamón

At the mounted police display - the caballo blanco

The Castell

Looking east over Palma and the marina

Looking west towards Portals Nous

A three café day

Jemima woke up cheerful, with no ill effects from the night before, thankfully. Another jolly scoot to school; another bright, "bye Mummy!" as she headed off with her classmates for morning line up (only ten in her class today - there's normally 17 but they've all got colds).

I had requested a quiet day, so after the usual washing/ tidying/ studying hour first thing (I'm back onto my coursework for my coaching training), Kevin and I started slowly with a roundabout walk down to the marina for a coffee - a bit more Portals exploring. I then had a happy half an hour nursing an orange juice and reading a coaching book in the sunshine while he took a morning constitutional along the sea wall. 

After that, we decided on a little drive to Andratx (we'd been to Port Andratx the day before; this was the inland village). Another sunny drive past the burgeoning almond blossom, and we arrived in a pleasant un-touristy town in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana, the stunning mountain range along the northern spine of Mallorca. We wandered up a street lined with orange trees pruned into little pom poms and found the main square, with various cafés around the edge. We chose a sunny corner and just sat for a while, a glass of wine and plate of calamari as accompaniments, watching the world go by. According to the waiter, this weather is not normal for this time of year. No matter - we are just grateful for now.

Then back in the car, and home to Portals for lunch. Menú del dia at the favourite again, Mallorcan fish and chips today, and it was as busy as yesterday. It was fun eavesdropping on surrounding tables: two German-sounding estate agents plotting behind us; and a man on our left that spoke perfect Spanish to his friends but answered his phone in Cockney. And then it was time to collect Jemima from school. She was tired, but nothing like yesterday - apart from that one moment, she seems to be really enjoying herself, which is great. And obviously (what with all the sitting, eating and drinking) we're enjoying ourselves too.

Portals from the sea wall

Andratx