Four Nights in
MAJORCA
With Catherine
and Alex

18th - 22nd
February
2003

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We arrived at Palma to find it freezing cold and raining. However by the afternoon it had stopped raining and we went off to explore the south west corner of the island and found this delightful beach not far from Magaluf. The water was actually fairly warm, but we still didn't feel like swimming.
The next day we drove north from Palma and came to the small town of Soller. Here we had a good long walk before stopping at a cafe to warm up with a coffee.
Only a few miles from Soller is the village of Fornalutx which the guide book described as one of the prettiest villages on the island. In the foreground can be seen masses of oranges and lemons.
We parked and walked into the village up very steep slopes, trying to avoid the steps which had originally been built for mules.
Then down to the Port of Soller. Here we had another long walk and also visited a cafe for drinks and tapas. We saw the old tram that links the Port of Soller with the main town of Soller.
Majorca is used to one or two days of light snow on the mountains, but they were completely taken by surprise with this fall which totally blocked one of the passes. They said it was the most for forty years.
We managed to get through the snow to the Monastery of Lluc. This is an active monastery and also a choir school. We were lucky enough to arrive in time to hear the choir boys singing two anthems in the Basilica.
  

Further on at Pollenca we drove to "Calvari" at the top of the hill to get the view looking down these steps to the town below.
The Roman Bridge at Pollenca.
From Pollenca we drove down to Porto Pollenca and then round the peninsular to the lighthouse. By then the sun was starting to shine and we had wonderful views of the rocky coastline.
Not far from Porto Pollenca is Alcudia which is a fascinating old walled city. m45.jpg (31299 bytes)
m48.jpg (20168 bytes) On our last day we drove to the west coast and on the way stopped at Valldemossa. The old monastery was abandoned in 1835 when the state took over all the monasteries. It is now a fascinating museum. It was here, over the winters of 1838 & 1839 that the composer Chopin stayed with George Sand.
Leaving Valldemossa we drove on round the beautiful west coast of the island.
m60.jpg (25787 bytes) Windmills used to be a common feature of Majorca, being used to pump water. Today there are only a few remaining and most in poor condition. However this one, standing on a hill above the town of Andratx has been restored.
After Andratx we drove to the coast to Sant Elm which is a beautiful seaside village. The sun was shining and it was really beginning to get warmer. We managed to sit outside for a drink in the sun. m62.jpg (37459 bytes)
The resort of Sant Elm. Almost deserted in February but swarming with people in the summer.
Back in Palma for our very last evening we walked round the Cathedral to visit the old parts of the town.