When you are on holiday you lose track of the time and the day that it is. That is great....but can also be a problem when you realise more days have gone than you perhaps thought.
By day three you get into a lazy routine despite your best intentions. Day three was quiet! A long lie for me, followed by a long breakfast and then a walk along the beach to the outer limits of town! People walk, people run, people walk thinking they are running and some ....well, I'm not sure what you would call it! I'm sure I could walk faster than some who are running....and I only have short legs!
The town limit is the roundabout which takes you either into the bustling beach side of town or round the back of town! The beach front is now one way only and a new two lane cycle lane has appeared meaning that the majority of the cyclists are kept off the pavements! This is a boost to the walker until you reach the town limit when walker and cyclist alike have to fight for the designated space along side the road! You get into the habit of watching for bikes coming up behind as not many make use of their bells to alert you!
The walk from one end of the bay to the other is about 6km and so is a good work out.
Lunch was in the apartment while the sun was at its highest. However, Friday was quite 'dull' and so didn't feel as fierce as the day before. In the afternoon we headed to the beach as the roof top pool at the apartment had been too much of a sun trap the day before and there was no shade whatsoever. That, and a breeze, had been the cause of some of the 'burning' that had taken place on just day 1! I, myself, with. Ice coat of fur was somewhat protected from that,,,,, it melted in the heat!
Dinner out was a rowdy affair with five of them trying to get a word in, or four of them really as one knows when it is best to take a back seat! After dinner then the next thing on the agenda is an ice cream cone from the stall! The ice cream is excellent, although the kiosk that used to be there has gone which is a real disappointment!
Day four was sunny once again and we were off on an adventure to one of my favourite places....Old Pollensa town. This is a few miles inland and is a popular destination for. Day or half day!
The trip starts with the local bus - €1.50 each for a single and off we go! I, of course, am smuggled on secretly as I don't need a full seat and bears should not expect to be charged for public transport. Ten minutes later and we can see Pollensa and are looking forward to exploring once again.
It is quite routine - and follows a familiar pattern!
- bus to Pollensa!
- walk to the old town!
- have a coffee stop, as the Calvary Cafe does a mean latte macchiato!!
- brace yourselves for the 365 step walk up to Calvary Church, and not Calgary as one of the young ones thought, to visit the small church a top of the hill and then enjoy the stunning views all around!
- walk back down the hill and then meander through the streets and the little boutiques and shops until you come across the large, unimposing church which when you enter suddenly becomes a place of great beauty with ornate carvings, fresco roof paintings and a stunning alter area at the end of the huge, cavernous church.
So...they stop for coffee and a cold drink and contemplate the climb! Perhaps this should have been the reward for the successful scaling and return from the 730 step walk. Apparently there is a step for every day of the year and as you make your way up the steep hill the view of the old town becomes clearer and clearer!
There are house all the way up the hill and some have been done up and renovated while a few are still in a bit of a run down state.
The two young ones had been the day before and had taken a photo of the 'classical guitarist' whose job it is to sit on the steps, in a shaded spot, and play the guitar to help the struggling walkers make it to the top. They had said yesterday there was a real scent of some possibly illegal substances in the air, it today we were none the wiser! But I got my photo taken with himand left a suitable donation which had not been the case the day before with K and I!!
His competition was sitting at the top of the steps and he seemed to be struggling more in the heat and perhaps could have done with some of the odd 'baddy' that might have been going around the day before! I'm sure he wasn't doing such a good trade as the first guy seemed to be cleaning up and most people didn't seem to want to contribute to two guitarists Vieing for the same space and audience. I wonder if the have a race in the morning to get the lowered space on purpose?
The church provided a few minutes of rest and solace and a chance to get out of the morning sun which was very warm!
The church, although not nearly as interesting or beautiful as the one in the heart of the old town was interesting and well maintained!
The views from the outside were equally stunning and you had a clear view right down to Puerto Pollensa and the surrounding area.
From here it was back down to the square and the shops and the church!
The church is well worth the visit alone to Pollensa and is eerily dark when you enter. The vast space inside is so ornate and heavily decorated it is difficult to see everything for everything.
I sit for a few minutes soaking up the atmosphere before having a close look around! It really is a stunning piece of architecture from a time when man has no access to the modern tools and approaches use to build it. The tourists musty help supplement the chinch's income to help maintain it.
From here it is back to get the bus to Puerto Pollensa for a lunch break in the apartment. Then it is on to the beach once more around 3pm as at least you get a parasol there to help protect you from the fierce rays of the sun.
After a walk along the Pine Walk it is back again to the appartment and they play some card games before getting ready to go out once again for dinner! They visit a restaurant liked by Mrs and they had a lovely meal! Of course, the day is rounded off with an ice cream as tradition dictates!
A great day....and for anyone visiting the area....a visit to Old Pollensa Town is a real must do!
I am really enjoying my annual outing to a sunny destination!!