A blissful break in the Balearics

A couple of weeks ago we headed off on our Summer hols to sunny Majorca.  This was our 5th year in beautiful Puerto Pollensa and as ever it didn't disappoint. You'd think we'd be bored with the Balearics by now but there's just something about the laid back lifestyle, the beautiful weather and glorious sandy beaches and scenery that keeps us returning year after year.  This year we took Mom-in-law and among her first comments were 'I can see why you come back every year'.

Puerto Pollensa, Majorca

Peaceful times on the Pine Walk

Having five on the Pine Walk

As ever, our holiday journey was anything but ordinary.  We set off from Birmingham at 6.20am and by 8am were making an emergency landing at Limoges Airport in France after a pressurisation problem with the plane.  We were informed later in the day that the Captains sudden and rather terrifying announcement of "May day, may day, emergency descent" to the entire cabin was actually intended for the surrounding air traffic rather than our panic stricken souls.  Not much of a consolation after having your pants scared off!  By the by, we landed safely but then had a rather long delay whilst awaiting another plane to safely transfer us onward to Palma.  I did vow never to fly again after our little incident but funnily enough, 12 sunny days later the whole experience didn't seem quite so bad :). However, I think it may be my last booking with Monarch!

Most of our holiday was spent lazing on the beautiful golden beach at Puerto Pollensa and swimming in the clear blue Mediterranean sea.  With the baking temperatures the beach was most definitely the best place to be as there was a constant cooling breeze.  We did do a couple of sight seeing trips during our stay, more than anything to show Mom-in-law the lovely Majorcan way of life.  We visited Arta and climbed the steps to the church of Sant Salvador and then took a stroll around the town visiting the convent on the way.  After Arta we headed on to Portocristo a little further down the coast.  Portocristo is such a scenic little resort with many yachts and boats lining the harbour and a charming beach and town.  We stopped for a ice-cream break on a bench over looking the beach and MiL commented on how it looked like a picture postcard.

Church of Sant Salvador, Arta

View of Arta

Steps from the Church of Sant Salvador, Arta

Harbour at Portocristo

'S' at Portocristo

Sunday was market day in Alcudia and Pollensa Old Town so we headed out early morning to miss the worst of the heat.  As normal the markets were bustling and alive with the Mallorcan vibe.  At Pollensa we scaled the 365 Calvari Steps to the little church although the heat was a little overpowering at times.  The view from the top over Pollensa Old Town and out towards Puerto Pollensa is glorious and well worth the climb.  Right near the top a local was playing lovely Spanish music on his guitar as we walked by.

'P' and 'S' at the market in Pollensa

Market in Pollensa Old Town

Guitarist at the top of the Calvari Steps

Calvari Steps, Pollensa

During our stay we spent many an evening at our favourite local venue, Palms Bar.  They remembered us from previous years and gave us a lovely warm welcome each evening when we visited.  We saw some fabulous entertainment while we were there including a Rod Stewart tribute, Michael Buble tribute and Abba Angels.  Rod Stewart (also known as Vinnie Scott) has a fantastic act and we were keen to see him again this year after being so entertained in 2010.  This year they had a new act, Michael Buble, who although was a little lacking in confidence and looked absolutely nothing liked the man himself, was an amazing sound alike and sang his songs with great flair.

'P', 'S' and 'A' at Palms Bar

Rod Stewart Tribute at Palms Bar

We had our regular visit in the town square to Jose at Bony's bar.  Again, it was lovely to see he remembered us and that he's still as colourful as ever.  We had a lovely take-away this year too from the Dragon Oriente.  Customer service was brill and the food was lovely.  In fact MiL liked the duck so much that it became a holiday phrase :).  In fact we ended up with many silly holiday phrases as we do on most holidays.  Such as "Hola, mi llamo A...", "Do you want to play Uno?", "That duck was just lovely" and probably most used of all "the RELAY!!" which was a send up of a rather enthusiastic British swimmer we'd seen being interviewed during the Olympics.  Absolutely riveting stuff I'm sure you'll agree ;-), but they all meant something to us lol.  Does everyone have 'holiday phrases' or is it just us?

'P', 'A' and me at Bony's

'S' and Mom-in-law at Bony's

For the first time ever after visiting Majorca I was actually happy to return home.  I'm never one to be homesick but I think a mixture of the hotter than normal weather and the fact I missed our lovely pooch was all the incentive I needed to get me on the plane home.  Not to say I didn't have a wonderful holiday as I really did and now feel thoroughly refreshed  .  'P', 'S' and 'A' would have been quite happy to stay even longer I'm sure, and 'P' has already said that our next trip definitely needs to be longer.  Arnold didn't seem too disgruntled at being deposited in kennels and judging by the fact he looks a little slimmer I think he perhaps had more exercise than he does at home!

Cornish magic and muck for luck!

Last week we returned from a lovely week in North Cornwall, in particular the little hamlet of Rosecare near the village of St.Genny's.  We found the cottage online and were pleased that they accepted dogs and had availability during August.  When we arrived the cottage was actually prettier than it looked in pictures.  'The Granary' was a section of converted farm buildings with a small courtyard outside and a short walk to a village green and several public footpaths.  Rosecare was an ideal base for exploring the local area.  Away from the hustle and bustle of the larger towns, Rosecare was a peaceful haven for relaxation and scenic walks.

[caption id="attachment_980" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Granary Cottage in Rosecare, North Cornwall[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_988" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Local views, Rosecare[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_989" align="aligncenter" width="300"] An evening stroll by the cottage[/caption]

Now, being known as the family to experience an eventful happening on any holiday,  we yet again obliged with a rather smelly but amusing offering on our outward journey.  We decided to stop the car at a little lay-by at Rackenford just after exiting the M5 to let the dog do the business and the rest of us stretch our legs.  Unknown to me there was the largest pile of turd I think I've ever seen, undoubtedly deposited by some kind of Yeti or such like.  In the blink of an eye, Arnold had eyed it up, weighed up the odds of serious discipline, figured what the hell and delved head long straight into it!  I think the actual experience was a little traumatic for him judging by the look of shock on his face, I don't think he was prepared to take on quite such a huge pile of excrement.  To say he was plastered in it was an understatement and we continued to spend the next half an hour, one pack of Johnson's face wipes, half a pack of wet wipes and a squirty bottle of water trying to remove said dung from his fur and collar.  The kids then started a debate over who was to have the pleasure of his company for the remainder of the journey.  Although we all found the whole situation extremely hilarious he still felt he should try to make amends.  He continued to place his chin on 'A's seat periodically giving her the doleful puppy dog eyes, to which she responded by backing even further into the car upholstery.  Needless to say the rest of our journey was rather noxious but much less noteworthy!

During our week we visited our usual North Cornwall hangouts such as the beautiful Duckpool Beach, Atlantic Village (Devon, I know but it still counts), Bude Light, The Pepperpot, Tintagel with a couple of new additions including Padstow and Port Isaac.  Padstow had a lovely charm but unfortunately was overrun with holiday makers making it very difficult to even navigate the narrow streets, especially dog in tow.  It's definitely somewhere I'd love to revisit but maybe mid winter when the hoards have departed.  Port Isaac lived up to all expectations and luckily the sun came out to improve its appeal even more.

[caption id="attachment_981" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Port Isaac, home to 'Doc Martin'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_982" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Port Isaac[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_983" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Beautiful Duckpool Beach, nr Bude[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_984" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Kids at Duckpool Beach[/caption]

As this was Arnold's first visit to Cornwall we thought it only right to let him experience the fantastic rock pools on Summerleaze beach.  'P' threw numerous stones into the little pools and Arnold delighted in splashing and eventually submerging his whole head to grab them and drag them out onto the sand.  He had a whale of a time although I think his initial fascination with the sea has now worn off as he certainly didn't seem as keen to get wet this time around.  Considering this was his first real 'beach' holiday and due to the fact that he's only 14 months old we did wonder how he'd behave, but he really was a complete star.

[caption id="attachment_990" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Fun in the rock pools![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_991" align="aligncenter" width="300"] A bit wet behind the ears![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_992" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Relaxing on Duckpool Beach[/caption]

We left the cottage after a super week in Cornwall but had one more treat in store - Hartland Carnival.  After attending on many occasions as the children were growing up we decided we couldn't head back to the Midlands without stopping by for a visit.  Hartland Carnival is the most politically incorrect source of opinion you will ever see.  This year's floats were tame by previous years attempts but none the less entertaining.  There was a terrific 'double-decker' Harry Potter effort complete with revolving tree transporting wannabe wizards and witches around on broomsticks and also a fantastic 'Inbetweeners' float complete with yellow fiat precariously balancing on the edge of a lake.  Other great efforts included 'Chilean Miners', 'Smurfs', 'The Lynx Effect Comes to Hartland' (brave chap taking an outdoor shower) and 'Hartland Senior Citizens do Fame'.  All in all what better way to end a lovely week.  Oh yes, and no poo related incidents on the return journey to report either!

[caption id="attachment_985" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Harry Potter Float[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_986" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Hartland Performing Farts do 'Fame'[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_987" align="aligncenter" width="300"] The Inbetweeners Float[/caption]

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'The Gallery' - Man & Dog

Gallery theme for this week is 'Black & White' and I had just the picture in mind for this.

 

Bude in Cornwall has always been a favourite holiday destination of ours ever since the children were little.  One of our most loved spots is 'Duckpool' - a small National Trust beach a little further up the coast from Bude.  We've spent many a Summer and Autumn day sitting on this beach and this particular photo was taken on a .............Summer day (yes, you wouldn't think it would you!).  The sky was so dark and stormy but the camera just wouldn't do it justice.  I tried a B&W setting and voila!  It captured the scene just as I'd wanted.