Life on Mallorca

Apologies for the long break!!

2010-12-29T14:50:00.001+01:00

Hi one and all, my apologies for the long break between blog posts. I have been very, very busy here on the island. I have just finished a new website for a client - www.beauty-wellnessbymaria.com and have volunteered to translate the website www.feliz-animal.com from german into english. Nearly finished with this one too so perhaps I will have a little time to spare.

You know it really is sad the way some people treat their animals. I have come across so many sad stories, while translating the website, about animals here on Mallorca it really is hard to understand where these people are coming from. Even more amazing, and we have experienced this with our own rescued dogs, is that those rescued have so much love that they are willing to give to you despite their ill treatment with others.

Thank goodness for the people who run the animal shelters here on the island. They really have hearts of gold, this can be such a thankless task, especially when owners give up their animals because 'they don't have time for them (after eight years and the animal is dreadfully ill') or 'they are now too old (at six months)'.

I will not dwell on it too long, all of the information is on the website, which I am hoping to have complete by the end of the year. 2011 should be the beginning for Feliz Animal in english under the website www.feliz-animal.org.

Please check it out and if you can help in any way the animals and volunteers of this association would be very grateful!

Some good news if you live in Manacor!

2010-10-25T09:05:00.002+02:00

Manacor Council set to freeze municipal taxes
22 October 2010 15:53 - Euro Weekly News

The financial institutions with ATMs on public roads will be charged €510 per year per ATM. There are currently fifteen ATMs in the town, which will help to raise €7,650. There will be a 1.5 per cent tax on every call made through mobile phone operators, which is expected to raise €150,000.

"It's a matter stipulated by the Spanish Federation of Municipalities (FEM), and completely applicable here," argued Finance Councillor Llorenç Bosch.

Both developments should be ratified tomorrow (Friday) at an extraordinary plenary session. This is a decision taken “to alleviate the effects of the crisis on citizens,” declared Bosch.

Another area that requires funds is the incineration of rubbish for which at least €20million is required.

Bosch revealed that “€11million will come from property tax (IBI), €3million from vehicle tax and the rest from capital gains tax and building permits tax on rural land.”

The Town Hall will also be saving €556,000 by year end through the 5 per cent salary cuts of city officials which took effect in July. Manacor is still has 75 per cent of the debted permitted by law, although they say they are working towards the more acceptable 30 per cent.

Inca Town Hall also announced this week that they would be freezing municipal taxes next year.

What a very, very hot summer!!!

2010-08-27T20:29:00.000+02:00

I know we should not complain, but that is what the British do best!! Only teasing, I am very grateful for this fantastic weather and just wish others could enjoy the sunshine, blue skies and wonderful warm waters around our coastline.

Having started off quite disappointing at the beginning of the year, where, for Mallorca it was really quite cold until almost the end of May and beginning of June, we now have wonderful 'hot' days, perfect for relaxing in. Ok for you guys working here it is not so much fun, especially when no matter what you are wearing, half an hour down the line it is soaking. After a shower you are actually wetter than when you were in there even after drying yourself. Still I love it, so much better to have such long, bright days that go on and on until at least nine in the evening than short cold and wet ones.

There really is nowhere better than this wonderful island which has so many things going for it. We can even grown our own fruit in this wonderful climate. We have fruit trees on our terrace which absolutely love this weather, our lemon tree has so many little green fruits and our little clementine tree also has fruit this year, it is the first year for this one. The lemon tree we have had three years now. They do take a while to settle down and produce fruit but when they do it is wonderful to see them produce such fresh and tasty fruit. Still waiting for our nectarine and cherry to produce. I just love having fruit trees on the terrace. We are also trying to grow olives, figs, pomegranates and grapes.

Sorry it has been a while since writing, I have been working hard on AdsMallorca, adding lots of articles about the many different sides of Mallorca and all you can experience.

I will try and come back a little sooner next time.

If you haven't decided where to go on holiday either this year or next check out AdsMallorca for information on all you can do on Mallorca, you never know I might bump into you when you are here!!

Sometimes I just don't understand!

2010-04-23T11:41:00.001+02:00

This really is a beautiful island and I love being here and love the diversity of the people who live here too but I am constantly being brought back to reality with a culture shock that I am still finding hard to accept.

Coming from the UK where animals are treated with respect by the majority of people and there are laws to protect any that are not. Here, under Spanish law, and with the Spanish mentality, and culture, things are so different. Animals are seldom shown any sort of respect and are looked upon as creatures that have now awareness of pain or fear.

Silly little things remind me of this, such as this morning, as it had been raining yesterday all of the snails try to make their impossible journey from one side of the path to the other without being squished, more often than not I help them on their way when I see them (perhaps not the prettiest of creatures but still life is precious no matter how big or pretty it is). Unfortunately many do not think this way at all and this morning when walking the dogs I came across at least ten snails which had been trodden on. I know, perhaps I should not take any notice but it reminds me each time of the lack of care shown to animals generally in Spain. It is accepted that if you don't want an animal you just throw it out onto the streets, and they are the lucky ones, many, such as kittens and cats are thrown out on the motorway from moving vehicles and do not survive.

I realise that this is a cultural difference but it really is one that needs addressing. Perhaps in the schools first so that children do not grow up with the same fixed ideas on animal treatment as their parents and grandparents.

What do you think is not all life precious??

Let the Tourist Season begin - 2010 is going to be GREAT!!

2010-04-16T21:03:00.001+02:00

The mood here in Mallorca is relatively upbeat as we begin the summer season, especially on hearing that British Airway's business airline, CityFlyer, has announced it now has its first ever leisure flights coming here to Palma from London City in May. This has to be a big plus for Mallorca at the beginning of what is predicted to be a much more successful season this year compared to 2009. With Air Berlin using Palma as its European hub it brings with it over six million passengers to the island with an expected increase of 10% this year, Palma airport is still the third busiest airport in Spain.

Of course the majority of visitors will be heading out to hotels but there will still be a good proportion of visitors who own properties here and are looking forward to spending time in their own apartment or villa on this wonderful island.
Now is the time to feel and be positive about our 2010 tourist season. I for one am just looking forward to feeling the warmth of the sun on my face, to getting rid of the boots and jackets, getting out the flip flops and making the most of this incredible island and all it has to offer. Not just for the tourists, it really is a wonderful place to 'hang your hat'.

Take a moment and check out this beautiful island.

2010-04-07T13:49:00.007+02:00

For those of us living on this island, it is easy to forget what brought us here in the first place! We are so caught up in day to day living that the beauty of this Mediterranean almost escapes us. With this in mind I found a lovely video on Mallorca that will bring it all 'rushing' back and to those who have not yet visited this exquisite Spanish Isle here is a treat which I hope will inspire you to come to visit! It is not just an island of sun, sea and sand, there is so much more, please take a look and enjoy:

Mallorca's Northerly Mountain Range is to be a site of 'Human Heritage'.

2010-03-28T14:38:00.006+02:00

The decision has been made and Mallorca's Sera de Tramuntana, Mallorca's Northerly Mountain Range is to be a site of 'Human Heritage'. The Consell de Mallorca had put up a nomination to UNESCO. The four volumes which catlogued the unique characteristics of the Tramuntana accompanied with maps, photos and statistics have now been approved and accepted.

Over the next few months the UNESCO inspectors will visit the island to evaluate the proposal and analyse the area as a potential 'site of natural and cultural heritage'. Apparently the people responsible for the UNESCO cadidature project want particular emphasis placed on the delicate relationship between man and nature and its development over the ages.

Mallorca's wonderful Serra de Tramuntana is to be used as a case study, not just to extract an understanding of the past but also to look at a more intelligent approach towards the future relationship between man and nature within the fragile ecosystem of the island.

It will be interesting to see how this develops, will keep you posted as and when I hear anything.

Mallorca in for Record Breaking Year for Cruise Ships visiting the island

2010-03-15T15:09:00.003+01:00

Cruise ships in 2010 visiting The Port of Palma set to break all records.

The Port of Palma apparently is due to receive more than 1.3 million cruise liner passengers in 2010. This year there will be 553 ships docking in Palma as opposed to 424 last year which brought in just over one million passengers. Palma de Mallorca now ranks as the third most popular destination in the Mediterranean just behind Barcelona and Civitavecchia as a key cruising destination.

In 2008, a 23 million euro investment was made enabling the Port to handle “mega” cruise ships to visit Palma, has now well and truly paid off paid off. Apparently Royal Caribbean International has also confirmed that Palma will be the base for its “Grandeur of the Seas” luxury ship. This has been in response to demand from both the UK and Irish markets. The ship’s first season will commence in summer 2011 and reservations can be made now for those packages. Information: www.royalcaribbean.com.

There is also talk of extending it even further and making Palma accessible for the super cruise ships. Will keep you posted as I hear more.

WHAT HAPPENED TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS OF EVERY MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD IN THIS WORLD WITH REGARD TO SMOKING?

2010-02-25T19:49:00.000+01:00

In the Balearic Islands - The FEH Spanish Hostelry Federation has put out a warning regarding the new smoking ban from all enclosed public places planned for later this year explaining that this will have a disastrous effect on bars, restaurants and cafes as well as leading to another round of job cuts which the islands cannot afford.

The FEH estimate that the takings in the bars and cafes are going to drop by about 15 per cent and restaurants will also suffer a seven per cent drop in trade once the new anti-tobacco law comes into force this year.

The Vice President of the Mallorcan Association of Restaurants said that 45 per cent of consumption in bars, cafes and restaurants is related to smoking and this new law could be the ruin of the industry, with some bars eventually being forced to close.

The FEH survey has also revealed that this new law could very easily put up to 200,000 people at risk nationwide with the law being introduced in the middle of the recession.

As a non-smoker myself, and I suspect this will be controversial for some, it has never bothered me if people are smoking around me. What happened to Human Rights, did they suddenly only become relevant to non-smokers, is it not our right to lead our lives as we would like to. If bars and restaurants want to have it as a smoking or non-smoking bar then that should be their right. If non-smokers do not want to go into a bar where people are smoking, then don't! Sorry but it is your choice to smoke or not to then it is also your choice where to go. This should not, in my eyes, be a government decision, this should be the human right of every person in the world to make the decision what to do and where to do it. I understand completely that there should be a non-smoking policy within office working environments, purely because of damage to equipment, but then this should be compensated with a room for smokers.

If you think back to the time when cigarettes came into being, they were recommended against stress, people were encouraged to smoke etc.etc. Now when the government is trying to lay the blame of high NHS costs being down to cigarette smoking they take the law into their own hands 'supposedly in our own interests' and enforce laws which make the people who do smoke appear to be some sort of 'outcast', having to smoke on the streets or huddled in corners.

Isn't it time we were all a little more tolerant of what others do? Isn't it time we stood up for the human rights of all, not just the non-smokers?

We have seen what has happened in the UK, the decline of the local pub, they are all disappearing as anyone who smokes can only go outside to smoke - where is the enjoyment in that?

Is this now going to happen in Spain, are they too going to look only at the human rights of the non-smoker or are they going to be brave enough to stand up and be counted as the country who looks at the whole picture and at the human rights of every man, woman and child, allowing them the right to make their own decisions.

3.2 ON THE RICHTER SCALE HERE IN MALLORCA!!

2010-01-31T13:12:00.004+01:00

Oh My God!, there I was sitting on the sofa with our cats all around me when suddenly it felt like someone was trying to move the roof along. The whole house was shaking!! I have to admit that in that instance I was very, very frightened. There is nothing quite like it, especially when you cannot explain in your mind what is happening. Certainly makes you think about the terror that the surviving people of Haiti have lived through.

On a totally different note, to change the subject, here is some info on what is happening on the island. There have been plans to work on reforming the Bay of Sóller, a beautiful bay on the east coast deep within the mountain range of Tramuntana. This reform is to cost in the region of 4.3 million euros.

Central government has recently announced that reformation of the Bay of Sóller will continue but will only be carried out during the low season so as to avoid disruption to the tourist industry.

This was discussed as the main theme in the meetings of the Mayor os Sóller, Josep Lluis Colom and Coast and Sea Sustainability Director, Alicia Paz last month. It was agreed upon while looking back in hindsight at the problems caused for the local businesses in the Port of Sóller two years ago during the improvment plan which unfortunately ran over schedule into the summer holiday season.

Central Government’s Rural and Marine Environment Ministry had recently put the bid for the works out to public tender to the sum of 4,3 million euros, with the project calculated to take around nine months to complete.

Soller’s Mayor was satisfied with the meeting and said that the plan is for the project to get under way this year but that it has been agreed that the works will not disrupt the tourist season. This was of particular interest to the local businesses where so many depend upon tourism for their livelihood. They have been reassured that the project, which will include the upgrading of the main promenade, will be on the whole of extreme benefit to the municipality as a whole will not disrupt the tourist season.

So here's looking forward to them finishing this project so that we can once again enjoy this beautiful resort all year round

IMPORTANT NEWS FOR RESIDENTS WHO OWN THEIR OWN HOMES IN MALLORCA AND WERE UNAWARE OF THE FOLLOWING...

2010-01-17T16:56:00.002+01:00

I found this very important piece of news in the Euro Weekly and thought I would put it up to reach even more people. Our thanks to the Euro Weekly and of course to Kate Mentink.

Kate has been kind enough to pass on some important information

As from January 1, 2010, all electricity metres in the Balearic Islands must, by law, be fitted with a power control switch, in Spanish an “interruptor de control de potencia (ICP) otherwise GESA-ENDESA will be issuing fines to their customers with a penalty fee of a maximum power consumption of 20KW.

This power control switch is to prevent excessive energy consumption, over and above that which is stipulated in your contract, especially if you use devices which consume a lot of energy, and which could also damage your appliances or even cause a house fire.
There are two options to consider. The first one would be to either purchase an ICP facility at a cost of approximately 100,00 euros and have it installed by a qualified independent electrician, who must, however, be officially recognised by the relevant authorities.
The second option is to rent this facility directly from GESA-ENDESA. It must be added that this is strongly recommended by the Association of Electricians. The monthly rent is 0.06 euros for normal households and 0.12 euros for industrial facilities. You must have the metre set up to install the IPC or you can ask a qualified independent electrician to set up this up for you in advanceI

In both cases, a technician from GESA-ENDESA has to approve the installation at a charge of 8.64 euros.
In the case that you wish to rent this power control switch, you can apply for it at GESA-ENDESA by calling 902 509 600. By doing this you will automatically prevent a penalty fee with immediate effect. If you decide to buy the switch and have it installed, you will still be eligible to be fined until a GESA-ENDESA electrician has approved the installation.

If you have any further questions or wish to request this service, please contact GESA-ENDES on 902 509 600. You will your last bill to hand and you should be warned that you will only be attended in Spanish or Catalan, so if your Spanish not up to scratch, you would be well advised to get someone to help you.

Bbrrrrr......... SO COLD on Mallorca!!

2010-01-11T19:42:00.003+01:00

Wow, this really was unexpected. Over the past week we have taken the dogs out in horrendously strong winds with pounding rain, the next day in the snow, and the next day in the sunshine but with temperatures around freezing. I know for the majority of Europe, in particular the UK, that is actually quite warm, but here on Mallorca that is COLD! I have just been up to the top of one of our smaller mountains and the snow is still there, as well, of course on the larger mountains. They look amazing but it is very cold especially when the sun goes down.

Unfortunately the winds had brought down around 74 trees over Mallorca, some crashing onto cars as well as flooding because of the rain. To follow that the next day with snow was just a very unwelcome surprise, especially for the emergency services trying to cope with the mayhem caused the day before. There were lots of roads closed from flooding turning to ice, trees down and more. Apparently there were around 5,200 calls to the emergency services over the past four days. To top it all there have been power cuts on and off over the weekend.

Of course the children, and those of us who still are, found the snow to be great fun, something we don't often get in Mallorca.

Crazy Weather!

2010-01-06T13:32:00.002+01:00

Wow! what a week weather wise, we had such strong winds the other day that it actually blew our shed (very large shed) door open and shattered it spreading pieces of it all over the terrace!! It also threw large plants in very heavy pots over and moved the dog kennel right across to the other side of the terrace, about 30ft.

We had to take the dogs out along the main path rather than in the woods as there were several trees already blown down and it was way too dangerous to go there with those winds, it was hard enough just walking. Dogs loved it though, they react a little like children when it's windy and go a bit crazy.

Thank goodness, although they said to expect more winds, today is much calmer and we have even seen the sun. Rained yesterday, well it would wouldn't it, it was Three Kings parade all over the island. Still having heard from friends and family in the UK they are not having fun at all with the weather. Normally when it snows it is all gone within hours, this time I have heard it is staying and staying and staying. So even the wind and the rain is preferable to that here on Mallorca.

Christmas in Mallorca

2009-12-26T18:43:00.004+01:00

For us it was a quiet Christmas, just the two of us, three dogs, seven cats, a hen and cockrel!! Ok there are more than two of us but nevertheless it was quiet.

We were so lucky with the weather, it was the first real day of sunshine in about a week, absolutely wonderful. We took the dogs out on a lovely long walk in the morning and then after the necessary and very traditional Christmas dinner, no matter where you are in the world there is nothing quite like it, we went down into Magaluf to a friend who runs the Boston Bar and were open all day.

Some of the local bars and restaurants opened later in our village for a typical Spanish dinner which takes place anytime from four o'clock onwards. By then of course we were back home to take the dogs out again and enjoy sitting down and doing nothing!! So nice!

I know for many it sounds boring, but it was lovely to enjoy the sunshine of Mallorca with a traditional English Christmas dinner, chat with friends and then relax on our own later, so refreshing doing nothing, can't remember when I last did that. I even banned myself from my emails!!

Of course as you can see I am back again and I am already talking about my New Year's Resolution being to keep my blogs up to date!! See how long that lasts!

No open talks on stray dog policy

2009-12-21T14:06:00.007+01:00

It is a very sad story for the majority of stray dogs and cats on this island. We have rescued three dogs and, over the past three years, eight cats (two of which have since died) ourselves. It is even more sad when those that want to help them seem to get their hands tied behind their backs unable to do what they need to do.

The following, is what is happening now, not a good outcome from something that was indeed very positive from the majority of districts on Mallorca and would have made such a difference to those animals who need our help.

Mayors from the outlying districts of Palma are seeking to find a solution to the very contentious issue of the stray and abandoned animals on Mallorca.

Unfortunately the Mayoress of Palma, AINA CALVO, has refused to meet with the other 32 mayors of outlying areas on the island who are desperately seeking a solution to this problem.

Apparently, as from next year, which is coming up very soon, Palma’s Mayoress will no longer allow municipalities with more than 15,000 inhabitants to use the dog pound facilities at Son Reus. This means that the areas that fall into this category will have to find temporary shelter for abandoned animals for one week whilst an attempt is made to track down the owners. Only then, if no owners are found Son Reus will be able to accept the stray animals and only those that have been chipped.

Calvo suggested that her counterparts from other parts of the island should meet with Health Councillor Begoña Sanchez, but this alternative was deemed unacceptable by the delegation. They are now pushing for a meeting with Francina Armengol, the President of the Council of Mallorca.

This positive move by the mayors of outlying districts came after a meeting held in Marratxi earlier this month in the hope of forming a united front in solving the problem of abandoned animals.

If you enjoy a nice glass of wine, this will make you smile!

2009-11-13T19:05:00.001+01:00

Even more so if you live in Mallorca - Binissalem grape harvest up by 18%

How about this, even with the heavy rainfall experienced on the island in September, the wine producers of Binissalem have had a wonderful harvest this year which is up by 18% on last year's volume.

Most of it, 38%, was due to the local variety of grape - Manto Negro, a black tempranillo grape which has produced almost double the volume this year. Production of the Merlot was up by 23%, Syrah by 11% and Cabernet Sauvignon by 7%. Of the white variety, the Macabeu has increased incredibly by 92% and the Premsal by 55%. Surprisingly, with almost no summer rainfall up until September the quality of the grapes is actually very good. This was reported by the Binissalem 'D.O.' (demoninacio d'Origen) the authority which administers the wine's original trade marks.

This year's weather did force the wine producers of Mallorca to be very selective when harvesting the bunches of grapes in order to ensure the quality of the wine production. In all fairness with around 250 litres of rainfall during September per square meter the grape harvest has been rather more complicated but all in all an exceptional year for the Mallorcan grape harvest.

Can't wait to enjoy tasting the 2009 wine produced in Mallorca sometime soon, how about you?

End of Summer Season in Mallorca

2009-11-03T10:25:00.003+01:00

Yes, the summer season has come to a close, with many of the bars, restaurants, hotels etc. closing their doors until next year. Some of the resorts such as Palmanova are still alive and kicking so to speak, they are open all year round. A real bonus for anyone coming to Mallorca in autumn and winter. The weather is glorious today, a little windy, but warm and not a cloud in the sky, so typically Mallorca, I love it.

If you decide on a winter holiday in Mallorca then your best bet is to find a town rather than a resort as most of these are where the residents live and are therefore open all year round. Palma is fabulous to visit in winter, and will give you easy access to anywhere else on the island you might like to visit. Wonderful places like Deia, Valdemossa etc. Check out places to see and visit on http://www.adsmallorca.com, they have several towns already up with videos so you can see what they are like. They will be adding more.

If you are interested they have also added a section on the Wildlife in Mallorca.

Mallorcan International Film Festival!!

2009-10-27T14:02:00.002+01:00

Looks like the Mallorcan International Film Festival (MAIFF) has finally been set up and will be launched in April 0f 2011.
The Balearic Institute for Tourism (IBATUR) will be giving this exciting new venture for Mallorca a very high marketing profile both in Spain and World Wide and will be present, with this in mind, at next month's World Travel Market being held in London. The festival itselt will be financed through private capital and will involve leading international screen stars and of course the global cinema industry.
The intention is to transform Mallorca into an international stage for the world film industry including famous faces, cinema directors and producers which will in turn promote the islands film industry and the Balearics as a film location. It will also hopefully provide a forum for the industry to hold conventions and meetings.
It is great to see that the MAIFF are not just interested in promoting the wide screen industry, they would like to market the excellence of other visual formats such as documentaries, short films, video art and games.
MAIFF will be given as much exposure as possible before its launch by its presentation at any events linked to world of global cinema and tourism.
This coming January MAIFF will be promoted at the FITUR travel fair in Madrid and then throughout 2010 at the already well-established film festivals in Berlin, Sundance, Shanghai, Tokyo, Venice, Cannes, Toronto and San Sebastian.
There will be a judging panel from the world of cinema. both Spanish and foreign for the awards presented at the Mallorca International Film Festival.
The regional Ministry for Tourism is expecting the establishment of this event to contibute to the all-year-round tourism of the island. Such a festival will bring a greater cross section of society to the island as well as generating new business and a new and exciting international image to Mallorca.
The island's film industry has welcomed this festival, they have been lobbying the government for help and exposure to their industry for many years.
This festival, I am sure, will be of benefit to many, many industries on the island of Mallorca, even those not directly associated with the film industry, and will be the long awaited boost to all year round tourism that is necessary for the survival of many businesses on the island. This really cannot come soon enough.

Opening of the Allen Graham Charity 4 Kidz Shop in Cas Catala last week!

LAST week, the opening of the Allen Graham Charity 4 Kidz new Charity Shop took place in Cas Catala, just in front of the Hotel Maricel.

Kate Mentink, Councillor for Tourism in Calvia, agreed to officially open the new Charity Shop which was well attended with over thirty people turning up.

Allen was amazed to see that that even before the opening ceremony over one thousand euros had been taken as well as just how many people came to the opening. As we know with all events of this kind much depends on those kind and generous people who are willing to give up their time for such a good cause and also all those kind souls who donate so many things, and, of course, those who buy them!

It is now important that they keep up the momentum of such good trade, which means that they will be needing good quality clothing, furniture, bric-a-brac, jewellery, sports equipment, electrical goods, pictures, books, shoes, DVDs, CDs etc., fairly urgently now, so if you have things that are no longer of use to you or your family and are willing to donate them to a good cause please get in touch. Arrangements can be made for collection if necessary.

You can call either Angela on 609 848 622 or Janice on 670 911 073 for any information you may need.

A day in the life of Mallorca!

2009-10-12T14:09:00.003+02:00

Many things going on in Mallorca at the moment and the one thing up front right now is that of the death of Stephen Gateley. Such a loss for so many people, a talented, gentle soul who touched the hearts of millions will be greatly missed. I will not go further as I know all of the newspapers etc. will be bringing this news for many more weeks but felt it had to be mentioned if only to send our heartfelt wishes of condolence to his family and close friends.

RIP Stephen you will be missed.

Some really heartwarming news on Wamda, the half dog and half wolf found in Mallorca.

Perhaps some of you will remember the half dog, half wolf that was being held in Son Reus, purely because they did not know what to do with her. Well there is good news, thanks to all the publicity, Wamda, the half dog, half wolf, is now at a special wolf reserve, in the unique Lobo Park in Antequera (Malaga) and according to her carer, Daniel, is really happy to be out in the open air and free to roam wherever she wants.
Some really heartwarming news on Wamda, the half dog and half wolf who was found here in Mallorca

She is at the moment going through an adaptation periods, getting used to her environment and those around her, especially her carer Daniel, but very soon she will be able to be with others of her own kind. Centro Canino Internacional extends their thanks to everyone and anyone who helped in publishing the plight of this particular animal. It is wonderful to know that through everyone's efforts on her behalf Wamda was able to leave Son Reus and can live out her life in dignity and peace in natural surroundings.

From light bulbs to dogs in need!

2009-09-28T14:30:00.003+02:00

How about this for an update on what's going on here in Mallorca!!
Lights are turned out on old bulbs

Now it has come to Mallorca!!

Electrical shops, hypermarkets and all stores that sell light bulbs are now no longer stocking the 'ordinary' 100 watt light bults. Once they have sold what remains on their shelves they will not be able to order anything in 100 watt but the 'energy saving' bulbs. The European energy-saving commission reported yesterday that 'energy-saving' is going to be radical but will be introduced in stages. Once the old 100 watt bulbs are finally out of use i.e. no longer available to buy there will be a deadline of September 2011 on 60 watt bults with the 40 and 25 watt to be gone by September 2012! According to a proprietor of one electrical shop in the Ramblas in Palma 'People are still buying the 100 watt light bulbs partly because they ar cheaper but in fact the new energy-saving ones last longer and are therefore more economical.

According to the commission, manufacturers will be told to make more information on energy-saving and recycling available to the public on the packaging.

Apparently another electrical shop proprietor in Palma, Tomeu Alberti said that there are already even more advanced energy-saving bulbs (LED diode) but at the moment they are not ready for domestic use due to the costs - very high. Shop owner Fransisca Vives also said that the new (LED diode) technology doesn't produce heat and hardly consumes any energy at all and believes that it will definitely be a 'winner'.

Your Help is needed!
Just wanted to add this heartbreaking story and hopefully there will be someone out there who can make the lives of these two beautiful creatures full of love and happiness. From Euro Weekly News this week - the more publicity the better for the dogs.

Two dogs united by terrible circumstances and that cannot bear to be apart from each other

THESE two dogs, given the names Barbas and Negrita, arrived at Centro Canino in an absolutely terrible state Some people who were renting one of the typical Spanish fincas just up and left, leaving these two poor animals tied to a tree. Some days later, the owner of the finca found them in a pitiful condition, hungry, dehydrated and literally unable to move their legs in any way at all.

They were collected by volunteers from Centro Canino and their first few days were quite difficult to say the least. Even days after, they were still unable to move; they were absolutely terrified and the look in their eyes told the story of their ordeal, but due to the love and attention received at the centre, they are now two lovely healthy dogs, just wanting to be given a loving home together and forget all about what happened in the past.

Due to this horrific experience, these two dogs just don’t know how to be without each other – they are simply two dogs that are united by terrible circumstances and they cannot bear to be apart from each other, so PLEASE, is there anyone out there who wants to take care of two adorable dogs and prove to them that even outside the centre, there are people who exist that are capable of loving and caring for animals.

If you can find it in your heart to help, please call Maena at Centro Canino on 971 261 149 or mobile 689 500 521.

What's going on in Mallorca now!

2009-09-20T19:47:00.003+02:00

A wonderful day at Aquapark Arenal enjoyed by around 500 tourists and residents.

This is the sixth year that First Choice and Thomson Holidays, assisted by TUI España have organised a charity even in the name of ASPANOB ((Balearic Island Association of Parents of Children with Cancer).

Around five hundred tourists were able to have a wonderful day at Aquapark Arenal with all of the profits raised from this event going to this very worthy charity whose main aim is to help parents whose children are suffering with cancer.

Thomson and First Choice have been holding several fund raisers within their hotels during the month of August especially for this charity. Together with funds raised at this wonderful event, esimated at around 9,000 euros, where everyone had a really fun day enjoying the superb facilities that the waterpark has to offer, and including a special raffle and auction, brings the total raised to over 20,000 euros.

Charlie Bridge, Area Manager for TUI Travel in Mallorca, stated that this year they had decided to hold as many fund-raising events as possible during the month of August and he was very grateful for the generosity of all concerned in the events, whether by generously donating or by organising and carrying out events, in particular he commended the hard work and commitment put in by the resort teams and many of the hotel staff. He extended his thanks to all of the staff at ASPRO, who, with the staff from First Choice and Thomson, worked so very hard to make sure that this special day at the Aquapark was a successful and enjoyable event, enjoyed by all who took part.

Second Hottest Summer in 40 years!

Confirmed - according to the National Weather Agency (AMET), the Balearic Islands have had their second hottest summer in 40 years - it is official, with the hottest one being the summer of 2003.

The observatory, situated at Palma´s Son Sant Joan Airport, showed that the average day and night temperature between June and August this year was 24.7 degrees centigrade. Ibiza and Menorca were even hotter than here on Mallorca with figures of 25.3 and 24.9 degrees respectively. These figures have only been exceeded by the year 2003 when the average temperatures reached 26.5 and 27 degrees.

With data from the Balearic Islands' weather observatories, making it possible to make comparisons with weather conditions over the past 40 years, the summer of 2009 has been the second hottest in recent history.

Having had such a wonderful summer and enjoyed every minute of it we have reached September now and for the past week we have had storms every night and I mean Storms. Of course it was to be expected but perhaps not quite so much would have been nice!! Very scary for the animals, we have been up every night comforting two of our three dogs who are absolutely terrified of storms.The good thing is, it is not expected to last much longer and we can look forward to a nice warm Autumn.

Just when you think its all bad something wonderful happens!!

2009-09-12T18:50:00.002+02:00

It looks like the yacht charter industry here in Mallorca has not only weathered the storm, but come out laughing this year. They have actually been more successful this year than last.
According to Christina Sastre, President of the Spanish Yacht Charter Federation (FENAN), even with the fact that the tourist season started slowly, the yacht industry was doing really well and that during the month of August more than 90 per cent of the yacht charter fleet were hired out!
Normally between the months of May and October nautical tourism is popular in the Balearics but this year it has been getting better and better. After two exceptionally good months in June and July they had an even busier month of August where the number of people chartering boats and yachts was increasing daily.
Lowering their prices in line with the economic crisis has proved an effective strategy said Sastre, who is sure that this has much to do with the succes of the industry at the moment. She did add that this year's tourists were tending to leave booking until the very last minute which would also be a reason as to why the costs had been brought down and therfore more people had taken charters.
This year has brought a greater mix of nationalities, with Germans and Spaniards, followed by British, reportedly making up the largest client groups. According to reports nautical tourism brings in around 210 million euros a year, with each person spending an average of 180 euros per day. This figure is even higher than those people who come on golfing holidays, who, it is estimated, spend around 165 euros a day.
According to Sastre, the Balearic Islands charter two thirds of the 1,440 vessels, which comprise the whole of Spain’s yacht charter fleet. The Balearic Islands alone have are around 100 charter companies representing 40 per cent of the entire total in Spain.
It really is good to know that things are going well in this industry which will hopefully have a knock on effect throughout the island.

Enjoying life in Mallorca

2009-09-06T12:55:00.004+02:00

Had family over for a week's holiday last week. Makes you realise just how lucky we are living here in Mallorca. Glorious weather the whole time they were here. It was the first time they had experienced such temperatures, even though they have been coming to see us in August for several years. This did not stop us taking them all over the island to see parts that they have not yet seen.

We were lucky enough to spend an evening out on a beautiful schooner moored in Palmanova Bay while they were here. Our thanks to Linette on the Leopold Normand III and Mich (the Crew), my son. I was very surprised that I felt so good on board as I am not very good with boats and movement. It was lovely to get a rare view of Palmanova at night from the bay, would have been a wonderful photo, but of course I forgot my camera! Never mind it is impregnated in my memory.

The weather has cooled down somewhat now and is very pleasant, especially at night, we can sleep again!! Unfortunately due to the clouds and promise of rain (which actually never happened) there is much humidity and mosquitoes!!

Regardless of this I love this time of year, mosquitoes and all. It is perfect for walking the dogs as it is not too hot, especially for our alsation/husky cross who was finding walking mornings in temperatures of 29 degrees C (before 9.00 am) a little strenuous. He is much happier now, we took a lovely long walk in the woods today which they all thoroughly enjoyed.

Children are back to school either last week or this week coming, the long summer vacation is at an end. Their summer holiday lasts for 10 weeks because of the heat we experience in June. Most international schools finish around the 10th June and begin again around the normal school term start 7th September. Many families take their holidays in August because of the intense heat of this month and the fact that many companies shut down or shorten their hours in this month. Having said that this year it was just as hot in June and July and in all honesty it is quite hot during the day now. (Not complaining, I love it!)

Longest summer in 60 years??

2009-08-25T18:32:00.003+02:00

Apparently it is being said that here in Mallorca this is one of the longest consistent hot summers on record for at least sixty years. I must admit that I have not experienced this sort of summer since living here over the past six years. We normally have a good month and then a break in the weather and then back to good weather, sometimes it rains for weeks during the summer so this summer has really been exceptional.

Thank goodness Spanish buildings are built the way they are, this is a real advantage - our flat is always cool to come back to after being out in the sun, and amazingly during the winter it holds the heat in. Very clever these Spanish buildings and this summer I am especially grateful for that.

Of course it is wonderful for the holiday makers as no matter which month they chose this year they have had fantastic weather. The sea is also so wonderfully warm now and with this heat will be warm at least until the end of October.

Having said all that it does become quite difficult to settle down to work at anything especially cleaning the house, just mopping the floor and you are soaked through in minutes. Even sitting working at the computer, with the fan on, you can only stand so much before you have to get up and move around to try and cool down.

I would, of course, love to use the air conditioning but unfortunately, the newest member of our household 'Bella' who came from SOS Animales an animal refuge, and spent most of her life in one or another refuge, decided that the remote for the air-conditioning was a wonderful thing to chew to bits!!

Getting a new one is not easy - hopefully soon, really the wrong summer for that to happen. Bella obviously never had the chance to be a 'puppy' and is doing what most three month old puppies do, chewing everything even though she is nearer three years old!

Anyone coming to Mallorca soon can really be guaranteed warm, warm weather, apparently we have at least another three weeks if not more according to all of the newspapers on the island.

The Long Hot Summer of 2009!

2009-08-17T17:48:00.003+02:00

How incredible is this, three months continual sunshine - ok perhaps a day or two where it has rained but we have not had such an amazing summer in years. What continues to amaze me on this island is despite the heat the flowers have an incredible vibrancy, their colours are so much brighter than I remember them in the UK and the plants flower continually.

There is a beautiful smell of jasmine coming from one of the gardens on our walks with the dogs along with an incredible selection of fruit trees, some with fruits I had never seen before coming to Mallorca. There is a wonderful passion fruit vine growing on both sides of a local garden fence nearby and huge fig trees spreading their branches on the local public park with fruit for all. Last year the council planted orange trees on this same park - for shade and of course more fruit for all.

There really has been an abundance of fruit and flowers this year. On our terrace we have grapes (what are left after the birds have eaten them, figs, nectarines and a pommegranate (very young tree) as well as, for the first time in three years, a tree absolutely full of olives, a very good harvest this year.

I will do my best to get some photos together, especially of those fruits and flowers that were completely new to me.

Having said that, without our irrigation and watering I am sure very little would have survived on the terrace.

Take a deep breath and love where you are!

2009-08-10T14:43:00.004+02:00

Sometimes you just have to throw away the newspapers, don't listen to or watch the news and just love where you are and what is going on around you, your friends and family.

I love living in Mallorca and would recommend it to anyone, it is really one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean. It does not matter where you live on this wonderful planet of ours, life is fraught with danger. Cross the road, ride a bike, fall over, no matter what, anything can happen to anyone at any time. But it doesn't, it happens to certain people and, although tragic for the families concerned trying to cope with life without their loved one, life goes on and the rest of us get on with everyday living.

If we stop living and start being fearful to go out of the house, to visit other countries then the terrorists of this world have won. Life is for living and for the living, there is so much in the world to enjoy and celebrate - have you seen anything about that in the newspapers, on the news???

I do not want to read only about the misery of others and not to go here there or anywhere else. I want to live and enjoy the beautiful island that I have chosen to live on and hope that people do not stop coming here because of the minority or should it say 'tinority' are trying to make life difficult for Mallorca and its tourism, do not let them succeed. This is a beautiful island, well worth a visit.

Life on Mallorca settles down a little!

2009-08-06T20:04:00.007+02:00

Although there are still bomb scares on a regular basis - unfortunately you will always get the strange people who seem to think now is the time to cause havoc with the police - as if they haven't got enough to do, and the search still goes on for the bombers believed to be still on the island, life seems to have taken on normality again.

It is a very, very hot August, a time when most people who live here tend to take a trip to somewhere cooler - if you have no commitments - like three rescued dogs and six rescued cats - oops sorry five rescued cats, one we actually brought with us when we came from the UK. It would be nice I suppose but I love living here even if it is already 28 degrees C at 9.00 am in the morning, I love waking up to the sunshine, looking out across the fields in front of our flat and seeing the horses grazing and the woods in the distance, I feel very grateful to be given the opportunity to live on this beautiful island.

Oh and at last I have managed to get the photos downloaded so I have a picture of the last 'Podenco' (dog) that we rescued and some of the three of them together - I will put a couple up so that you can see how similar the two of them are. The one alone is Bella our new one and then I have found a lovely one of all three of them.

Support for Mallorca from the Royal Family

2009-08-02T15:20:00.006+02:00

It is reassuring to everyone here on Mallorca that we have such incredible support from the Royal Family who despite the recent bombings are here for their annual holidays.

The Police here on the island, Guardia Civil and National Police have secured the island like a vice. There is no escape for those who are behind the bombs. Police still believe that the terrorists are on the island and have secured every way out that is possible. No-one goes anywhere who cannot identify themselves, especially when wishing to board a boat from the island. Even the small docks have tight security and there is no way to get off the island without going through some sort of security check.

Police are looking for six suspects in connection with the Burgos bombing and the Palmanova killings and have issued photos.

If you see or know of the whereabouts of any of these people please contact the police in Mallorca or Burgos immediately.

Mallorca fights back!

2009-08-01T18:49:00.002+02:00

Not physically of course but with resilience. The people responsible will be found and brought to justice. This is a small island and the majority of people living or holidaying here could not and would not condone the actions of the cold blooded killings of Thursday 30th July.

It is said that the detonator used to blow this bomb could only have been tripped within 200 meters of the bomb which means that someone, the killer, waited until these two young men, with their whole lives in front of them, got into the Guadia jeep. Would it not have been enough to blow the jeep without killing young men?? What sort of monsters are these people? Freedom fighters? You cannot gain freedom at the expense of innocent lives the repercussions are too great - your fight for freedom has just taken a huge step backwards. How can 'freedom' be given to those who cannot live with others, respect the lives of others or uphold agreements made.

The people of Mallorca mourn the loss of these two young men but fight back with a determination, to find their killers and to live their lives without allowing the killers to win. Life does go on but we remember and we do not forgive cold hearted killers. They will pay the price of their actions.

Tranquility shattered for the masses by the few!

2009-07-30T14:54:00.001+02:00

Sadness, frustration, lack of understanding, anger, just some of the feelings going on around Mallorca at the moment. We have just received a phone call from my son's boss that a bomb has gone off in Palmanova, Mallorca at the office of the Guadia Civil, just next door to the main post office in the district of Calvia in the southwest of the island. Reportedly two dead, unknown whether they are Guadia or civilians.

I must ask these people who set off the bombs whether they ever think of the consequences of their actions. Two families will be devastated today, their lives changed forever by the loss of someone they love. For what reason did they die? Some fanatical illusion created by those who are fighting their own wars regardless of the effect on humanity. These people who died were just doing their job, feeding their families, living life from day to day, and guaranteed had nothing to do with whoever set this bomb off. But they and their families must pay the price!

Life on this beautiful, peaceful island has taken a turn in the wrong direction through no fault of its own today . There will be far reaching consequences which will affect life as we know it here and all because someone somewhere wants everyone to know about them and their 'fight'.

Might I suggest that they try doing some good and be recognised for that instead of reeking havoc on the innocent who are unaware, and would like to remain so, of these people and their 'fight'. You are causing devastation to those caught up who paid the price with their lives, but have you actually achieved anything?

Life is what you make it wherever and whoever you are, you will pay the price for what you do to others eventually, mark my words.

My deepest, sincere condolences to those families that lost their loved ones today on the beautiful island of Mallorca.

New items on AdsMallorca

2009-07-27T09:46:00.000+02:00

Why is it that it's only when you go to do something that you realise you can't! We wanted to get some work done on our house, do-it-yourself, of course. Not that easy here on the island, firstly you just have to think ahead, none of that getting up on Sunday morning and thinking, 'you know what we could do' and then popping out to B & Q or Homebase, getting everything and making it happen. On Mallorca the selection of shops for DIY is pretty small, you have Leroy Merlin, a big store - several on the island - or you local Ferrateria (hardware shop) and that, unless you shop in the trade outlets on the big business parks, is it. They are also closed on Sundays! Luckily in one area we had thought ahead so my husband could get on with things but 'unfortunately' for me ha ha! the idea I suddenly had on Sunday morning will have to wait a while.

Having said that, it actually made me think about getting some DIY advice and tips onto our local website AdsMallorca. I found a really good site where there is loads of information and tips and they had an RSS feed so I have put that onto AdsMallorca to give anyone who wishes tips on things such as Decks and Patios, Landscaping and Gardening, Home and Garden and Home Maintenance.

I have also added a couple of articles on Solar Energy and Energy Efficiency - the sun is just waiting here on Mallorca for us to use. We have solar power for our hot water and it is absolutely brilliant, all year round, ok one or two days a year when the sun really can't get through at all and we have back-up electricity in the tank but usually it is pure sunshine that gives us our hot water.

We were reading somewhere about being able to make our own solar panels, that might be our next big DIY project, perfect for here in Mallorca. We are especially lucky in the actual location where we live as its a bit of a windy corner so there are also possibilities to use the wind as well as the sun.

Check out the website, not only for information on DIY, but for a wealth of information on Mallorca, the businesses that are there - those advertising with us at the moment obviously - and many other shopping opportunities, games to play, oooh nearly forgot you can put up free personal ads or rental property ads (if you own the property) too.

Ok we had temperatures - recorded of 34 degrees today!

2009-07-23T20:05:00.000+02:00

Funnily enough it has not seemed any hotter but it looks like the rest of the island was as hot today as we have had it in the southwest of the island for the past few weeks. I am melting today though and apparently it will get hotter with Sunday being the hottest day.

What I love about the island is regardless of the heat everything looks so vibrant, the flowers, the trees and leaves, ok the grass is more than yellow right now, even a bit brown, but the colours around us on this island are amazing. Look at the colours of the flowers on these cactus - we have loads of cactus - my husband's favourites and they flower with such intensity.

Apparently we are going to have a heat wave in Mallorca.

2009-07-19T18:52:00.001+02:00

Having spent the past month if not more in temperatures of well above 29 degrees centigrade first thing in the morning, it is interesting to note that the National Met Office has now predicted that Mallorca is going to have a 'heat wave'. What is even more interesting is that they are measuring their temperatures from what looks like very 'cool' places as they are recording temperatures such as 25.4 and 23.8 around the island when we are roasting. I would love to know whether they are actually measuring on the island or around it!!!

Anyway just to say today has been wonderful, humidity has dropped, there is a lovely cool breeze and the sun is shining, the sort of day where you remember once again why you are living on this wonderful island.

Can't wait for next week and our 'heat wave' as it is apparently going to be the 'worst' heat wave this summer. Think I will just melt and surround myself with bottles of water.

I thought it was Sunday today!

2009-07-18T17:55:00.000+02:00

Silly isn't it but I really thought yesterday was Saturday, it had a real Saturday feel to it, no idea why I really should have taken a little more notice of what was around me. Looks like I spent yesterday in a bubble.

Every Friday in our rather large 'village' well it is nowhere near big enough to be a town but it is a very big village there is a market - that should have made me realise what day it was. This village was originally built for the workers in Magaluf and Santa Ponsa, it is right in the middle of these two towns. Over the years it has of course increased in size and we now have a multi linqual population of people from around the world.

Once again I digress but needless to say I was totally unaware of what was going on yesterday, even mentioning to my son, when dropping him off to friends in the port, that the boot fair had been moved - normally held on a Saturday just down the road from us - and looking down the road and seeing it empty as if confirming what I had said.

Too much work I think, hopefully as I even woke up this morning thinking it was Sunday - I seem to have lost the plot a little.

Never mind tomorrow I will go down to the country club and have a manicure and pedicure and catch up with my days gained by relaxing for at least two hours. Can't wait - time to sit and do nothing - forgotten what that is.

Will let you know, if I can even concentrate on writing after!!

Working hard on AdsMallorca!

2009-07-15T21:28:00.000+02:00

Have been in front of the computer most of the day with the fan going, almost stuck to the seat, it is so hot. Have been working on our new advertising site - AdsMallorca - really happy with the way it is going up in Google, just need to work hard to keep it there.

Mallorca is beautifully sunny today again - better today than yesterday, the clouds have gone so the humidity dropped somewhat!

I did take a drive out to Portals Nous this afternoon and watched all of the yachts sailing out in the bay, so wonderful with the sea the deepest most gorgeous blue you can imagine.

It is strange really thinking back, the different colours the sea has, and it always depends upon the weather. It goes from a dull, grey, blue to a rich, deep, succulent, blue just as the day goes from a heavy cloudy day to a beautiful hot sunny day.

The weather changes the landscape radically on this island - we now have a sandy coloured grass that changes in winter to a lush green, I love living here and seeing this landscape changing throughout the year.

Wow what a day - the humidity is so high!

2009-07-14T21:25:00.000+02:00

Not my favourite sort of day today, with the humidity being so high, I would have loved to have just gone to sleep today, it was so difficult to concentrate and even walking the dogs this morning was a real effort.

It was very cloudy when we got up, in fact we thought it would rain and make everything feel cooler and better. But Oh no! it just hung around all day with the sun trying to get through above causing an unbearable humidity and no matter what you did everything was soaking wet through. Just sitting working at the computer with the fan going of course, I was melting.

Please let the sun shine through tomorrow and send the clouds away. Mallorca is so much nicer when the sun shines through.

Too tired to talk more today, will be back again tomorrow.

Walking the dogs!

2009-07-13T20:31:00.000+02:00

Lovely day again in Mallorca, started out so very hot until late afternoon and now we have a wonderful breeze. Took the dogs out this morning a little later than unusual, which was in fact a bonus, we did not meet any other dogs. Not that I don't like other dogs but two of our three dogs have a few quirks, which comes from the fact that they started life under not such good circumstances. One was on his own from a pup, until we got him at two, in the garden, day and night with no company and has more than a few problems with other dogs, some people and loud noises. Prince is a beautiful alsation/husky cross and at home he is an absolute treasure as you can see. Our other one which has a few quirks was taken to the local dog pound at a very young age and was there until we took her age three, so everything is brand new a bit like a three year old puppy. She has had so little experience of the world and having a home that it is taking a while for her to settle in. She absolutely adores the other two. She is a Podenco, a spanish hunting dog - one of the small ones, as is our other really well behaved dog who we managed to rescue as a puppy, left in the garden day and night in July under a corrugated iron sheet, often with no water. Thats him with the fabulous ears! - Benji. We have not had a chance to upload the pictures of Bella yet but she is the same breed as Benji and very similar will upload once the battery is full in the camera!! Totally forgot to recharge it.

Another wonderful day in Mallorca.

2009-07-12T11:09:00.000+02:00

Sunday, day of rest, well after I have finished sorting out all my blogs, emails etc.... There is always something to do but we are most definitely going out to lunch today, we are off to Palmanova, love it there with its cafes along the main beach road where you can sit and people watch....

This is one of my favourite pastimes I have to admit, I love watching how people enjoy themselves here whether on the beach, in the water or walking along the beach front looking at all the shops and taking a coffee in one of the many cafes.

This is what life on Mallorca is about, the lifestyle, it is so much more relaxed and slower than in the UK. Of course the weather has much to do with it, when it is so hot you just have to slow down whether you like it or not!! Natually we like it, the wine is lovely too, and the tapas, if you go into a real spanish bar. We are very lucky we have a local bar here in Son Ferrer where the tapas is still free with the drinks and it has such a wonderful atmosphere - well worth a visit. Interested? Write and I will let you know the name and address.

Yippee Saturday and the Weather is Fantastic!!

2009-07-11T21:10:00.000+02:00

Mallorca is a wonderful place to live, especially on a Saturday, if you live here. At last an opportunity to catch up with the beach and the sea - so warm right now - have a coffee in one of the sea front cafe's and generally pretend to be a tourist.

Ok this is my dream and unfortunately does not always happen - well not every Saturday anyway. But the bonus is we get to sleep in longer and can have a much more relaxed walk with the dogs around the local park, so nice and every now and then we do catch up with the beautiful beaches that this lovely island has to offer.

I love the lifestyle here and the coffee is soooo... good - I hate bad coffee - that comes from living so long in Germany where the coffee is also wonderful. If you are here and go into any of the cafe's be sure to ask if they have spanish coffee if you like good coffee!

Talk some more tomorrow!

Going Shopping!!

2009-07-10T19:19:00.001+02:00

Normal, everyday thing, you would think. But here is the catch - driving on this island can be very precarious. Today we were late, it was Friday and everyone was on their way home by the look of the amount of traffic and they must have been very tired and stressed.

How do I know? Well normally there may be one at the most two people who just pull out in front of you without looking, thinking or seemingly having the slightest care in the world about their own safety let alone anyone elses.

Today was unbelievable, at least - well I stopped counting after 7 - people just pulled out in front of me - on the motorway, on roundabouts, out of side streets, you name it and they came out of nowhere. My son was on the edge of his seat all the way home.

After driving on the island for the past six years I suppose I am more used to it than he is, although I must say today was an exception, the things people were doing were really lifethreatening - it is often forgotten how deadly cars can be in the hands of the wrong people.

As I said to my son the only way to look at it is to imagine the worst scenario and then be prepared as it actually unfolds - never leave anything to chance or the hope that it might not, no they couldn't, because it usually does and yes they can.

However, as you can see we arrived home in one piece and still absolutely love living on this beautiful island regardless of the potential dangers!!!

Ooh so busy!!!

2009-07-08T20:36:00.001+02:00

Hi everyone, I have been very busy getting a brand new website up and running for Mallorca. Its for helping businesses, especially small ones to advertise without it costing them their business.

It also has lots of things for us 'common' folk, such as national lottery online, games, Mallorca weather, a map of Mallorca, loads of information on Mallorca for those who want to come over here for a holiday or to live. It has a forum, a guestbook and a contact form so loads of ways to make contact either with each other or to add some advice, who knows.

There is also a section of free ads for anyone wanting to sell items they no longer need, for owners to advertise their property for rent and for non-profit clubs and associations to advertise.

I also have free pages for charities to inform everyone what they are about and what they do. We actually launched last month and we are already on page one of Google on lots of advertising, free ads related search words - so cool - working hard on getting it better and better so that anyone advertising with us is on a winner.

So apart from that it is wonderful, weather wise, on the island, so very hot, great for holiday makers. I love being able to get up in the morning, with it being so light and warm, and just take the dogs out without worrying about it being dark or cold brilliant. Mind you they are not so keen to go out in the afternoons, it really does get hot.

Will keep you posted on things - try and update on a more regular basis if I can.

Could this be summer??

2009-03-13T12:19:00.000+01:00

For the first time since November last year I did not light the fire at all yesterday - not even in the evening and today I have woken up to the sunshine once again. Could it be summer, at last. Mallorca is so wonderful in the summer I just can't wait.

Took the dogs for a walk this morning without a sign of a chill in the air. How come everything looks and feels so different when the sun shines and the sky is blue??

Up in the woods it looks so different when the sun is shining and now there is a sign that spring is definitely on its was with flowers coming into bloom all over Mallorca.

One of the wild rose bushes found mostly in the woods has begun to bloom, it looks so pretty and the colour is beautiful, makes you feel so good!!

Crazy but it really makes a difference to how you feel when you see plants and flowers springing back to life and all the green around.

This island never ceases to amaze me!

2009-03-06T18:57:00.000+01:00

What a strange few days we have had weather wise. Yesterday it started off beautifully, I took the dogs for a walk in the park, the sun was shining and it was brilliant, really began to think summer is on its was - we usually skip the thought of spring as it is always so warm straight away, unlike the UK. Three hours later and it is pouring with rain and so, so heavy, nearly flooded the terrace. Ok I thought lets hope that was just a little shower and it will brighten up again!! Spoke to my husband who was working about 20 minutes away on the far southwest corner of the island - they had had no shower at all????

I went out to work at 4.30 it was a little dull and very cold but by the time I came out one and a half hours later it was gale force winds which got stronger and stronger as the evening went on.

So yesterday was a mixture of all the types of weather one could experience all within hours of each other. Today we have blue sky and sunshine - all day.

This island certainly keeps us on our toes - especially when hanging out the washing!!!

Life just get's to you!

2009-02-16T09:58:00.001+01:00

Hi everyone,
I am sorry that I have not posted for so long, life on this island really gets to you sometimes and it is difficult to take time out to do the things you like to do. I have had a few rather difficult times especially the death of my father early in 2008 - expected but still devastating, no matter how old they are or how ill they have been it is still hard to come to terms with. This and what we would consider a very harsh winter, been going on for months, has hindered me with my writing.

However, over the past nine months I have been working on a new website for everyone and anyone interested in health, wealth and happiness. Check it out if you wish it might just be your thing - www.soulenergyrising.com.

In the meantime I have to say we are once again suffering here with the cold and it seems to have been here for so long - we have actually had our fire burning constantly since November - usually we are lucky and have a few weeks in between where the sun is so warm during the days that we don't need the fire but this year we have not been so lucky. We also have a leaking roof which doesn't help it always seems so damp inside so the fire is working hard to heat and dry!!

We had a break just before Christmas and went to see my daughter on another island, much smaller than ours, in the Caribbean. She lives in Antigua, wow!! fabulous, lovely and warm all year round, amazing beaches, incredibly warm waters it was an incredible experience. We also stayed at an amazing Resort - Galley Bay Resort - if you every want to stay in a real getaway from it all resort then that is the one for you - no children apart from Christmas time I believe. If you want to experience another sort of holiday then get in touch with Lush Locations on their website www.lushlocations.com they have some wonderful villas for rentals.

Anyway from now on I will try and get my act together and post regularly - the next time with a bit more sunshine I hope.

Talk soon, have a wonderful day!

It's sooo......... cold here!!!!!

2007-11-18T11:32:00.000+01:00

I cannot believe it, the temperatures have fallen and it feels like January here. It is not normally so cold so early and we really have been caught completely unawares. No wood stocked so we have been running around trying to get wood to keep us warm, especially in the evenings. Although the sun has now been shining for two days, as soon as it drops it is really cold so we need a fire. There is next to no natural gas on the island, only bottles of gas but they don't really heat very well. We rely on wood fires to keep us warm in the winter as there is seldom central heating built into any apartments here. So yesterday I went up to one of the village wood suppliers and bought enough to last us over the weekend and will order 600 kg. for delivery next Saturday - that will be fun as we have to bring it upstairs onto our terrace - about three hours work!! Still it is a life I love even when I think back to living in the UK and having central heating and all mod cons, there really is no comparison it is so beautiful here.

Perhaps being a little behind the times in certain areas of the island is not such a bad thing, everything has a sense of being that much slower and people laugh a lot more over here, they have family meals at the local restaurants as a matter of course even late in the evenings. We live in a large village which was originally built for the workers who were building Magaluf and Santa Ponsa, two of the best known resorts in the South West. There are many Spanish living here and everything is open all year round. Ok that may seem a little wierd to hear but on the island, because we rely on tourism, many of the shops and facilities for tourists close down for the winter. From the 1st November until the beginning of May resorts such as Magaluf and Santa Ponsa are a little like ghost towns.

We have other resorts which are there for winter tourists and of course the city of Palma is always buzzing. It is a wonderful lifestyle, not always easy, but the rewards are greater. I can paint here, I can interact with people of so many different backgrounds and from so many different countries, I can enjoy the most beautiful views around the island and most of the time relish the wonderful weather that we have for most of the year.

I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.

I am posting a few more pictures for you to enjoy some of this beautiful island. This is a view of sunrise from our kitchen window.

This was taken looking out from Port Andraxt

A view taken from the nature reserve in the South West of the island.

Just how long does it take to connect a Phone???

2007-11-07T12:46:00.000+01:00

Even on this beautiful island sometimes we are put to the test!! I have been sitting in our DVD rental shop unable to do anything constructive - we don't normally open until 6.30 in the evening - since 9.00 am this morning - it is now 12.47 pm. I am waiting for a new connection for the telephone and the internet. Ok so they said between 9 - 12 that was bad enough and now having been telephoned by two technicians who were going to be here at least an hour ago I am still waiting. Life really is not so different wherever you, are whatever the weather is like, you still have to put things on hold until things are sorted.

So I am freezing in here and it is beautiful sunshine outside, does that make sense, the buildings in spain are built to keep cool in the summer and warm in the winter but what about in between. The sun is not quite warm enough to warm the air, there is a chill to the air and that's what's coming inside today.

Apart from that this has been a very unproductive week, it would seem something is preventing me from getting on with lots of work that is piling up looking at me. As I try to organise my day something comes up and off I go to sort it getting nothing constructive done at all. I am feeling very familiar with the phrase 'running around like a headless chicken', that's me at the moment.

On a much more cheerful note, Henrietta is growing and loves her new hutch on the terrace, haven't managed photos yet in this very strange week but as soon as I can I will post some.

I have just been sent some photos of the tornadoes that I will post later - as you might realise I am on the computer at the shop and have all my files at home. It was quite a devastating week across the island, lots of work going on to try and get everything back to normal again. Unfortunate for lots of people who are still waiting for new windows etc. especially as it is getting a bit cooler now. Apparently lots of insurance companies are disputing responsibility and that means government help - we all know where that leads!!

Signing off now it is almost 13.00 and I am not going to wait any longer for this connection I am going to shut up shop and go home, hopefully to get on with something a little more constructive.

Talk soon.

The Rain in Spain and Day of the Dead

2007-10-30T20:48:00.000+01:00

Who said the rain in Spain falls mainly on the plains?? Wrong at the moment it falls mainly on the east coast and the island off of it. We had the most beautiful Sunday, glorious sunshine and we all thought that was the end of these constant storms - if you are thinking of visiting come from May to June, then it really is glorious - well we were wrong and it is forecast for the rest of the week until Friday. We should be in for a sunny weekend.

Our local beach when the sun is shining.

This week is Halloween, and although the Spanish don't celebrate many other nationalities on the island do so there is going to be lots and lots of trick-or-treating going on I think. On Thursday we have Day of the Dead this is when the spanish visit the graves of those they have lost, it is a festival celebrating the reunion of dead relatives with their families. I don't think it is quite the same as the Mexican fesitvals but many of the Spanish celebrate this 'fiesta' so it will be a very quiet Thursday with most of the shops shut, only a few little shops will be open for bread and milk etc. but all of the restaurants will be open for families to get together for a meal after celebrating the fiesta.

They have said we are in for a good weekend so I am really looking forward to that. Have not managed to get any new photos because of the weather so I am including a couple of others to show you Mallorca.

This was taken on a reserve in the middle of the island but we have peacocks just along the road from us. A farmer, who obviously loves all sorts of birds has many peacocks and peahens that are often sitting on his roof or in his trees, it is amazing to see them high up in the trees although I have not yet experienced them actually flying. Now that must be something to see with the length of their tail feathers.

I took this picture when we were at the reserve there were so many animals, some native to the island but some brought in long ago by visiting or conquering peoples. The views from this reserve are absolutely magnificent as it sits in the middle of the mountains.

Will keep you posted on the weather situation and this amazing little island of calm!

2007-10-28T19:28:00.001+01:00

What a beautiful day we have had today, so much sunshine and so much warmer - end of the storms and tornadoes, thank goodness. We have been very busy today building a chicken hut and run for our rescued chick and quail (for more info see my blog http://soulenergyrising.blogspot.com/). 'Henrietta' absolutely loves it!! Will get some photos of them both later.
This is a view down on our local beach which is about a 15 minute walk away or two minutes in the car.

We decided on a trip to the west coast of Mallorca, we live in the South-West, it is such a wonderful place, we took the scenic route all around the winding roads up the mountains and took some pictures on the way, as you do!!

As you can see we were quite high up here, the views were amazing.

This island has it all, beautiful beaches, incredible scenery, mountains and so very much more, I absolutely love it here and love sharing the photos I have taken with you. By the way please excuse the quality of photos these were taken with my mobile as it was an impromptu journey, as are most of ours.

Will post more soon and thanks to Deon for your comments, look forward to seeing you one day!!

Meantime as promised some more photos of Mallorca

Photos of Mallorca

2007-10-26T09:12:00.000+02:00

This was the sky this morning having rained all night. I am sitting in my office hoping that the sun will win and return to us once more.

We have only managed two sunny days since the tornadoes and I really miss it. On the other hand everything here is looking so beautifully green at the moment.

I take my two beautiful (rescued) dogs for a walk each morning along this path and if I am feeling really energetic and have enough time we go right up to the cliff tops where we have a break and take in the breathtaking views of the mediterranean.

Here is the view from the clifftops, so amazing and so calm. It is so peaceful up there and usually we are the only ones around soaking up the warmth of the sun, the smell of the sea and the gentle feeling of tranquility that engulfs you when you are there.

Will have some more photos of this beautiful place and keep you updated on the weather front - all fingers crossed please - even though we know Winter is around the corner, even on this island, we really don't want it just yet. I am not quite prepared to put away my sandals.

Talk tomorrow, let me know if there is anything you want to know about the island, if I don't know I will find out.

Alien in Mallorca!!

2007-10-25T20:25:00.000+02:00

Yes, that's me or was four years ago when I 'landed' here. I switched on the TV and sat back flabbergasted that I could not understand a word, how crazy is that! It is wierd how your expectations throw you all the time, how on earth did I think I was going to come over here and understand everything all at once - well I think deep down inside I did.

I came over to teach and ended up painting and loving this beautiful island. I love waking up every morning and looking out across fields that turn from green to yellow to brown with the most incredible sun rises ever.

Life on Mallorca is amazing, full of surprises and interestingly not quite as laid back as I would wish.

More on that another time. As I have started this today I would like to make a short reference to the fact that in just three weeks we have been ravaged by tornadoes and wild, wild storms bearing torrential rain down on this wonderful little island.

Over the past two days our pipes burst and we experienced water inside and out!!

I am thinking tomorrow will bring back normality!!

I will let you know.

See you tomorrow - keep watching this spot you never know you might want to come here some day.