Up Up and Away

Up up and away - yes we have been to Mallorca to recharge our batteries and soak up the sun - fabulous - only downside I was bitten by mozzies - although I used a protector - but never mind about that - I am going to post some pics and share our highlights for the week.

 We walked most days - well everyday in fact - enjoying the experience of the amazing scenery - our hotel was the Grupotel Maritimo in Alcudia

 - we have stayed here  before -  a few years back -  food and accommodation were excellent.

Day one took us out on the local bus to Port of Alcudia to wander round the harbour - boats fish and sunshine -

a good combination.- the fish below were swimming in the harbour waters

- on then to the old Alcudia Town - we decided to walk and view the countryside

and the gardens

and of course to mess around with our cameras - the old town itself was very addictive - all those old streets and buildings

- some of them being sympathetically restored

- taking on different  shades of colour in the afternoon sun. We decided to walk back to the hotel and not catch the bus - 6K and a bit we were told when we reached reception at the hotel - in the blazing sun - time for a well earned glass of wine !!

Day two took us to Mallorcas' best kept secret  - the S'Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park http://www.mallorcaweb.net/salbufera/introang.html - I have attached a link - we spent 2 days of our week gazing at the scenery

and the wildlife  - the bird below is a purple gallinule - about the size of a young turkey -

- we saw a lot - but also the marsh land is so dense -  that all there was to go on was bird calls and twittering - little bird below is a Kentish Plover  -so dainty - just in front of the hide

 

I was so lucky to get this

shot of the turtle - if you look closely you can see its stripey head and its yellow eye - click on the pic to zoom in

 

-top right in the pic below is a night heron - and below in the bottom corner is a fledgling night heron - and of course centre is a egret

of course this is where the mozzies launched  their attack without a doubt - but I would not change a thing about those 2 days !!

Day 3

- off on the local bus again and a stop off at Peurto Pollensa

and a walk along the sea front  approx 2K - I would say

and during which we took a well earned lunch.

Day 4 - off to Palma

- care of the local bus -

seriously the bus service on the island is to be recommended - for both price and efficiency.
I counted 20 flower stalls across this avenue - and each one was beautifully presented as is this one

and of course everyone the world over loves a book stall

Day 5 - I had prebooked this organised trip with an excellent tour guide - and this is where we went -first of all we visited Lluc Monastery - I have added a link http://www.mallorcadaysout.com/5.7.html  it was quite a short visit but long enough to feel very privileged to have had the opportunity. This archway - contained lit red candles of prayer - faced the main courtyard

 

All around were symbols of devotion - see the cross towering on the hill above the monastery

 

This was part of the ceiling in the chapel - the glass was so beautiful 

 

Lavenders and herbs in the garden

 

 

The second part of our day was a trip on the tiny train from Soller to Palma - we caught the tram

from Peurto Soller to Soller passing through

the orange groves -

we were given time in Peurto Soller to soak up the views

 The little train

rushed up into the mountains giving fine views of the town below

 - and dashed through extended tunnels -veering to the left and then to the right -we had been on this train a few years back and it still held its magic for us - brilliant - thankyou for calling by - Jane

New Plant on the Block and General Chitchat

Yesterday a visit into Shrewsbury and yes in the town square a Farmers Market - cheeses - cakes - chocolates - damson wine - yes and  I tried some! even a stall devoted to Scotch Eggs - they must be getting very popular! - of course a must have browse was an interesting plant stall - anyway end result this plant - an herbacious perennial (Thalicktrum delavayi Alba --  which will grow easily from own seed - so the seller informed me ( sow immediately after collecting and overwinter in a cold place) !- should be able to find one of those!

A major move around in the garden - resuting in chaos and mess has begun- end product - in distant future a new greenhouse - well not ew as such but in good condition and with memories attached of a good friend.

 Where have all the blackbirds gone! are they over at yours? - every year our blackbirds seem to dwindle away but reappear in the autumn for a feed on the sultana dish but not a bird yet!

Good fun was had at the camera club this week - challenge was a butterfly shot - mine managed a third - next month we are all going on a Ghost Walk around Shrewsbury with Martin Wood the town crier - should hopefully get a few pics and have some ghostly tales to tell!

My holly tree is loaded with berries this year - should be plenty for all - a sprig  for the house and the Redwings can finish them off in January -

- the cyclamen look good and the little appletree down the lottie has done very well

- must collect some sweetpea seed and also read up what to do with gladioli which have provided me and the family with flowers this summer gone

Still searching for a decent red cabbage recioe - has anyone got one?- tasted a fantastic dish at a local pub a while ago - tried to bribe the chef for the recipe - but to no avail ! there was definitely a hidden hint of spice on the taste - I am open to ideas - well have a good  week- Jane

Better than a Garage Sale !!

Last weekend saw a one off local sale of a life time collection of  cars - blacksmith and industrial tools - farm implements and paraphernalia - all of which had belonged to Alf Strange a local author who died in the seventies http://property.supadu.com/images/ckfinder/64/pdfs/Auction-PDFs/Alf%20Strange%20Catalogue.pdf

Alf Strange wrote three books that I am familiar with my favourite and sitting on my bookcase is Me Dads' the Village Blacksmith - a good read about times gone by in Shropshire

It was an enthusiasts dream as you can see - the auctioneer was about 5' ft nothing with a voice like a fog horn and a young lad ran in front of him ringing a bell as they moved from lot to lot- exciting the crowd. Beer was a flowing -  adrenalin surging and caution was thrown to the wind by many of the anxious buyers.

Old buildings disclosed their hidden secrets - dusty corners - bits and pieces - oddities

Look at this heap of old treasure sold for £120 it was said - this chap was well into the scheme of things and willingly posed for his picture - was he the buyer? maybe ! Click on the picture to search for the treasure - was it cash well spent?

Certainly a blast from the past - bringing back memories of bygone years

Hello Diary

Ok diary so it has been a while - but the past months have been full of family stuff - happy and sad - and of course the blogging catastrope when all was lost!
Dog walking has continued - the garden has been tended - places have been visited - plans have been made and pictures have been taken.

 A family wedding was a highlight for June - a fabulous day - and because it was our anniversary we took a break to the Isle of Man - and spent 4 days travelling around the island on the old trains and trams.

We bought a ticket to take us anywhere at any time - and away we went - it was amazing and we met lots of people doing likewise - sort of in a make believe world away from the problems that life throws up -

-

The picture below is a shot taken from the hotel window in Port Erin -

 

we could sit in the window and watch the sun go down

 

 

The Isle of Man TT races had finished the previous week and remnants of that momentous event still lingered on the island - see the wall art on the buildings below - this was on Snafell - the track winds round and round towards the summit

 

An  enthusiast still living the day !!

 

What is it they say - why do you never see a baby pidgeon ? - well if you look carefully at the pic below  you can see a scap of  yellow down on the left  snuggled up to mum  - this pic was taken through a turret window at  Castle Rushen - a medieval castle dating back to around 1200 -

 

 

We spent a fair amount of time in the castle and in the town - a good day out

 

Lot of different view points to gaze down to the town below - lots to see  

 

 

 

 

I thought this one was a bit like throught the keyhole !!

 

 

 

 

The harbour  at Castletown

 

We watched the horse drawn trams in Douglas - the trams looked heavy to me but the horses were trotting along briskly - we saw their stables after and could see that they were well cared for - apparently we were told that they work a shift of 50mins a time

 

Camera club meetings have been postponed for the summer months- instead the group has been out on several excursions - and in June we visited Acton Scott Working Museum  and Venus Pool Nature Reserve.

 

 

 

 

So that my dear diary is my catch up for June come July

 and yes I know we are now in September - but hey ho catching up !!