Mallorca Hike around Alaro

Today I set off early and met up with Jackie and Juliette, two lovely ladies I got to know a few years ago on the hiking trips I've done in Mallorca. They're both British but have lived here for years. 

We went on a walk around the mountain behind Alaro, a small town which has its own Castle. It's about 30 minutes' drive from where I'm staying in Platja de Palma.  Everywhere is about a half hour drive I find!  We had a fantastic hike up the hillside, and even came across a wild donkey, on his travels in the other direction. Juliette had seen him in a bad way a few months ago so was happy to see he's had some medical attention. His coat was a lovely glossy brown.  We then had a trip into Binisallem and drank coffee in the square, outside, with the sun on our backs and the trees still orange with autumn leaves. Winter hasn't arrived yet.  After saying our goodbyes I headed East in the car and went to visit one of the 'Santuaries' Mallorca had, high up near the village of Randa, just outside Llucmajor.  From here wonderful views

across and towards Palma harbour with the sunset. The monastery of Cura is here and I lit a little candle in their small chapel before heading back down the hairpin bends to ground level.  A truly relaxing day.

Missing my boys though and had a lovely chat with Dylan when I got back to the hotel,   I have had some needed 'me' time but look forward to seeing them for Christmas Eve tomorrow.  

Running!

Phew! Running in December in Spain can be quite warm. Just did a 5km run along the sea front and back again. 

That will work off the coca that I have bought from a little bakery, for lunch tomorrow.  Here is a recipe in case I want to make one when I get back home.  

Tomorrow I'm meeting up with two friends I met while on the Mallorca Hiking trips I did in 2012 and 2013, Jackie and Juliette.  I have been invited to go and do a walk with them tomorrow near Alaro which is at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains. At least I've been active the last day or so. Walked a lot round Palma then up and down the sea front (which is great, since cars aren't allowed). Tried to hire a bike but the place was closed today. 

http://tocookwithlove.com/2012/09/15/cocarrois-or-mallorcan-vegetable-stuffed-pastry/

Palma in winter

Outside the cathedral

Today I braved the traffic (what traffic?) and drove right into the centre of Palma, found the underground car park and walked through the streets to buy a new phone cable from El Corte Ingles. At least now I have power so the sat nav works. Had a lovely quiet wander through narrow streets taking in the atmosphere.  A group of school children caught my attention and they were advertising with placards attached round their necks advertising 'free hugs'. Well I had about 6 of them!  I also found a tiny secluded garden full of lemon and orange trees. So fresh I picked one and ate it.  Palma is one of my favourite cities. It's a mini Barcelona and so easy to walk around. The Catedral de Palma dominates the scenery and it still amazes me that there are tiny intricate details such as little gargoyles of dogs, monkeys and so on.  Anyway here are a few photos of today.  I also found a huge 14th Century church. Catholic I would assume judging by the amount of ornate gold. Had a little cry to myself and some thinking time. I'm not religious but if any of that works I surely need it right now   

Sunset

Sunset here is beautiful. Reminded me of our holiday in Ibiza 2013 and trip to cafe del mar.   Will get a photo tomorrow night.  This place is nice this time of year. I would think it's full of English and German and Dutch in peak season but now you hear just Spanish with occasional Russian and elderly Germans.   Look forward to my run tomorrow. A clear 4km each direction. 

Therapy. A few days away in Palma

The thing about stress is that it wears you down so much that eventually everything breaks and you realise you have to do something drastic. 

The next few days I will be by the sea, listening to the waves and just having a really good long think about everything that matters most.   

I have done something many people would be scared or uncomfortable doing: I booked a flight and flew alone, got car hire and managed to navigate some tiny streets including one dead end (resulting in a 9 point turn in the road) have been sat on this beach with not a soul to be seen. Just listening and feeling the sun warm me. I hope the sun does wonders for my skin too.  

Off to find a cashpoint as have come with no euros at all and only £10 in my purse. 

Nice long walk along the sea front and was really surprised by how quiet it is. Perfect time of year to come.  It's the middle of winter (shortest day) yet here you can wade in the sea and there are some little kids even swimming.  Just heaven. 

An evening of light relaxation

It was well overdue. The thrice yearly visit to Nirvana.  

No, not the band!  Www.nirvanaspa.co.uk 

We are so lucky to have this on our doorstep.  Jo and I had a lovely swim, steam, jacuzzi pool even the ice pool.  And rather over-ate at the healthy buffet. 

But it was good just to chill for a while and fall asleep on the heated roman beds .. Bliss! 

This weekend

This is going to be a very quiet weekend! 

Tristan and Dylan are off to holland to celebrate Sinterklaas and I'm staying here to finish my 2000 word essays ready to hand in next Monday.  Punctuated by a timely visit to nirvana spa on Saturday evening. Can't wait !

Though I'm not looking forward to going back to SW Saturday morning. I've been less than strict this week and had far too many thorntons chocolates at work this week. Still.. Got Thursday and Friday to be "good".   So we will see. Oh and I ran a 10k on Sunday and a morning run this morning at 6:30 and Pilates on Monday evening so I've not exactly been lazy. 

Interview went well yesterday and I think feedback will be good. Just a waiting game now to see what school I get!  So exciting to think I will be on the last road to get qts (qualified teacher status) in the summer 2017. 

That's all for now ... Am still not looking forward to Xmas much. Just can't get into the spirit of it this year.  Still, the boys have started to do their Xmas lists! 

Dylan's involved most of the toy pages in the Argos catalogue which he has gone through with a pen making big black ticks!