Mallorca

We returned to Mallorca and are settled in our usual winter quarters now. Just in time too, as rising Covid rates have resulted in regional and national lockdowns across Europe, some with curfews. Sitting in the sun on the patio should allow us to weather this comfortably. Unfortunately, it looks like we will not have any visitors for the foreseeable future.

Goodbye Mallorca

We have packed our stuff here in Mallorca and shifted it to the locker we rent. Tomorrow we fly to Germany. The time here was great and the weather especially nice during the last few weeks. We plan to return in November.

As I was in Palma today, I visited the Galleon Andalucia, which is docked in the harbour this week. This replica of a 17th century Spanish Galleon goes back to a time when Spain ruled the high seas, a bit of sailing nostalgia for me.

Galleon Andalucia completed more than 50,000 nautical miles

Grandchildren (and their parents) visit

Jessica and family are spending a few days with us and we are having great fun spending time in, on and at the water. We are also exploring some of the playgrounds in the area.

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Port de Pollenca beach

Hiking in the wilderness

Sheila was in the UK for a few days, including spending a special weekend with Oliver in London. She came back yesterday and today we went for a hike in the wilderness behind the Mortitx winery. Some of the area is closed from February to June because of vultures nesting there. We saw some vultures, but far away. We were probably walking too fast.

Weiterhin schön!

Ulrike und Klaus besuchen uns diese Woche, wir wandern, Klaus fährt e bike. Das Wetter ist weiterhin sehr schön und die Mandelbäume blühen.

Sunshine again

The wind has died down, the sun is shining again and it is nice and warm. We used the nice weather for a round of golf.

Bad Weather

We do get bad weather in Mallorca occasionally, and yesterday and today we experienced a strong southeasterly wind and big waves. Almost a third of the boats in the anchorage, 18 in total, were washed up on the beach and our patio got covered in seagrass and saltwater. Tomorrow the weather is supposed to improve and there will be a bit of cleaning.

Busy days in Pollenca

The patron saint of Pollenca, San Antonio, is celebrated on January 17 each year and the day is a big event in many towns and villages across Mallorca. In Puerto Pollenca this starts the evening before, with huge bonfires lit and public barbecues on many streets for the locals.

Bonfire leftovers a day later

On the day itself, all kinds of animals are blessed in front of the Catholic church and a bare pine tree, made slippery with soap, is climbed by the local youth.

Pine tree to be climbed, but not by me

I missed all the fun as I went for a walk with a German group on Thursday, and lunch afterwards took rather long. Yesterday, I went for a stroll along the beach between Colonia San Pere and Can Picafort, much more quiet and less smoky.

Beach between Colonia San Pere and Can Picafort

The weather this week was sunny and warm, now the forecast is for three days of rain before the nice January weather will hopefully return.

Another sunny day

Sheila is in Germany for a few days, and I have time to pursue my hobbies. When I went to the golf course early this morning, it was one degree Celsius outside and there was frost on the shady parts. This afternoon it warmed up to 16 degrees and I took the paddle board for a spin in our bay.

Golf in the sun

Our guests have left, the sun is shining, and it is about 15 degrees. A perfect day for a game of golf.