Our Majorca holiday

We love to go to Puerto Pollensa in Majorca and after our 2 weeks last year we said we would take Hannah and Megan this year for a week and have 9 or 10 days after on our own. This was agreed with the children's parents and schools and then we realised how unwell our lovely daughter Kaye was and thought it might help her to come out for a week with Sebastian too. We all set out for the airport with much excitement, our wonderful friend Mike chauffeured Andy, the girls and myself to Bristol airport and Simon brought Kaye and Seb to meet us there. We checked in and got priority boarding which was great, the girls were sooo excited as they had never flown before. We had a lovely meal before boarding and very soon we were winging our way to Majorca. The girls loved the flight, looking out of the windows and giggling at the fluffy clouds. It was getting dark as we landed and the sparkling lights of Palma were wonderful from the air. We collected the 7 seater hire car and set off for Puerto Pollensa. We got to the apartment and had a quick drink and a biscuit or two and went to bed. We have stayed in this fab apartment before, 3 mins from the beach, just up the road from the British food & Hire shop. It has three big bedrooms, 2 large bathrooms, lounge diner and fabulous kitchen, fully equipped laundry room and has a pool shared by the other block residents. The girls thought it was heaven. The week was spent, swimming in the pool, on the beach, snorkelling, eating ice creams and dining out in our new holiday threads. Evenings were spent mixing with the locals in the square until very late, the culture is very much about including the kids in everything and evenings of course are cooler. The girls turned a lovely bronze colour and looked gorgeous, they were made a fuss of wherever we went and they behaved beautifully the whole holiday. We were so proud of their manners and social skills. Little Seb turned out to be proper water baby and wasn't content to just paddle...he wanted to be in up to his neck!! He loved making sandcastles with Gandy and then running off for Gandy or me to chase him. He delighted the staff in every bar and eaterie and is a dreadful flirt with the girls, cheeky smiles and giggles galore. We went to the market on the last day the girls and Kaye were there and they bought gifts and souvenirs with their holiday money, tried lots of local goodies and I treated us all to a gorgeous fish lunch on the square. As we were leaving the girls asked if we could look at getting their hair braided by the Senegalese ladies in the market, I said we would go and look but nearly fell over when they asked for 60euro each for the girls. I said no and they reduced the price to a 100euro for both. Still too rich for my blood. She asked me how much I would pay and I looked at how much cash I had and told her no more than 30euro for both! She almost spat at me and I said sorry but I didn't have any more to spend and walked away. We had only taken 5 steps and they were coming after us shouting "Nanna, Nanna, OK 30 euro for both." So they had their hair braided and were totally made up. We arrived back at the apartment and all they could tell Gandy was how Nanny had argued with the women to get their hair done. Gandy explained it's called 'haggling' and the girls decided between them to try it out next time they bought anything. We'll see how that pans out. All too soon the week was over and we all wished that we had booked for them to stay the whole time, but we tearfully waved goodbye at Palma airport, ditched the hire car and returned on the shuttle bus for a less strenuous few days. Poor Andy's Sciatica had been playing up and we had to make 2 emergency appointments with a local physio. Thank goodness our friends Sam and Ian who are residents there had a number for him. We enjoyed the rest of our time but perhaps didn't do as much physically as usual due to Andy's pain. We paid for it when we got home with a significant weight gain of over 7lbs for each of us...aaaaarrgghh! The trip home was horrendous as Andy couldn't stand for any length of time even when using his walking stick so we had to have a wheelchair and assistance through the airport and on and off the plane. He was so embarrassed but I couldn't manage everything so we had to have help.

Thankfully we got home and he had an appointment with the wonderful Wanda who has sorted him right out ( I don't know how, it's on a need to know basis evidently)

We thoroughly enjoyed having the girls,Kaye & Seb with us and will definitely do it again and hopefully with all the Grandchildren soon, maybe a very big villa to share next time...sounds great to me. It's all about family for us and the special memories that are left after sharing lovely family times together, bigger and better next time me thinks!

Here are a few pics to give you an idea of our fun....

The enigma of sleep.....

It would seem that in our house there have always been some issues surrounding sleep...Danielle slept in 2 - 3 hour shifts for the first 2 years of her life and Kaye didn't sleep through the night until she was 4 years old. She often awoke in the early hours to get up and ride her tricycle around the lounge, in the dark!! Karl would sleep any illness off from a very early age, taking to his bed and staying there until he felt better. Daniel loved his bouncer swing that hung from the door way and I felt guilty every time I turned away only to turn back to see him dangling there, blonde head lolling to one side..fast asleep!!

Andy and I both managed on very little sleep for years due to kids, bands, working shifts and general partying. Andy worked night shifts for many years and during this time he often had to have the children during the day when I was in work and they were off school. Kaye particularly remembers a day when he took them to the park in Derwen Fawr and she was on the zip line, squealing about how clever she was, when she eventually got the hang of it. She excitedly called out 'did you see me Daddy?' to the seated figure in sunglasses on the bench...no response came back so she went over to find him snoozing away behind his dark glasses, Kaye being Kaye she slapped his leg to wake him up, which it did with a bit of a start. 

Not too long after that we took Karl.,Kaye & Daniel to The Grand Theatre to see 'Pinnochio' we sat in the front row of seats for a better view. Andy had done a night shift and this was the afternoon matinee. During a bit where Mr Fox is leading Pinnochio astray he addressed the audience for some participation. In the middle of it all he held up his hand and stopped the performance. His finger pointing directly at Andy he said in a very loud stage whisper..'Look at him..he's asleep, WAKE UP!' The whole room erupted into peals of laughter and roars of 'WAKE UP'  much to the embarrassment of the children and I. Andy woke with a start and tried to sink lower in his seat but he was a marked man and us too by association!! Oh the shame at the interval as went to get ice cream and every one giggled as we passed, the whispers of 'that's him isn't it?' were almost too much for Andy to bear.

The kids have never forgotten it, nor have I and I know it is not one of Andy's fondest memories but it is often the subject of hilarity around the dinner table.

Speaking of dinner tables, during a particularly difficult time when the children were young I worked 4 jobs, cycling 112miles a week within a 3mile radius!! Working 7 days a week I was often exhausted and the children would wait in hushed silence as I nodded off at the dinner table..just waiting for the moment my face actually went into the food on the plate and on the odd occasion it did the screams of laughter could be heard as far as Pennard. I always thought it a strange thing when my parents and grand parents fell asleep on Sunday afternoon after a large roast dinner. My Dad and Grandad covered with a broadsheet newspaper in their respective chairs, the paper would flutter slightly every time they breathed out. My grand mother snored, not an offensive loud snore, more like the sort of snore a doormouse would have, if a doormouse was to snore that is! My Mother would sit dozing but somehow still aware of what was going on around her and my sister and I thought it was some kind of voodoo that she knew immediately we were up to no good, looking at us with the immortal words,'I was just resting my eyes, I was not asleep'.....I now sometimes succumb to an evening snooze but mine of course is a power nap....naturally!

Practice random kindness and senseless acts of beauty!

Brrrrr the weather is so cold at the moment, going out for a walk needs full preparation with hat, scarf, gloves & warm socks for the human beans and thick cozy coat for little Tink. That done Andy & I set off with Tink for a stroll to the castle. How beautiful everything was, the sky was fantastic silvery blues with scudding mackerel clouds and the sun was sparkling on the water, the river was high from the run off from the heavy rain earlier and the ground was looking green. 

The trees are still bare, but spring leaves are coming through and soon the heads of crocus and daffodils will be nodding in the breeze over by the castle. They have appeared over the years in the strangest of places around the area, I think it is lovely that someone has committed this act of senseless beauty. When the kids were little we often had quirky sayings up on the wall and one of them was ;

Practice random kindness 

and 

senseless acts of beauty

It always appealed to me..random kindness seemed a wonderful idea and when I thought about it I realised it was something that actually happens more than we think....giving someone the odd 1p at the petrol station, stopping to help when someone is broken down, taking a stranger home who needs a lift. Not big things necessarily but things that make a difference to others never the less. Senseless acts of beauty are committed all the time...the planting of bulbs in public places (not by the council!), laying stones into a circle maze, the placing of a bench to sit on, making a mosaic sign. Little things and bigger things that put a smile on people's faces. I think I'll put the saying up on the wall again as I like it so much.

We strolled on to the castle and saw the next generation of golfers out on the golf course, complete with all the gear! I'm glad I didn't have to shop for their Xmas lists.

I have had a bit of a thing about taking photo's through things...it all started with the archway of the old slipbridge in town and now I'm obsessed!

Have a look at these 'through the aperture' shots from around my own backyard.....

We met our neighbour Boris as we arrived at the castle, his head popping up from the steep bank he had just climbed with the very excitable Mungo...Sian's naughty younger doggy.

Before Christmas Mungo had on a regular basis wreaked havoc and destruction in Sian's chalet The Mayhouse and pictures of his absurd eating habits were posted on Facebook, they included things like CD's with or without the cases! Rugs, cushions and anything else Sian may have left in reach! I think he's improved a bit since then and I often bump into him wearing his fluorescent green collar romping around the lane. He knows I have treats in my pocket and makes a bee line for it, nuzzling his nose in until I give him one..or three!! Tink loves the big black dog but he does get a bit heavy handed..mmm...should that be pawed, with her when he gets excited, she is faster on the turns than him and weaves a quick retreat back to the safety of my legs if this happens.

We headed for home after I explored the castle a bit more with Tink and Andy strolled on ahead.

We headed towards home and I turned back to look at the majesty of the ruined castle and although I have seen it more than a thousand times I always see something new when I really look.

We headed on back and paused for a moment by the signpost, known by Candy as 'The P***ing Post' because of course ALL the dogs stop for a wee there! I think it's just the dogs anyway! It's developed a bit of a starboard list lately and doesn't really point where it should anymore but I love its quirky old fashioned look..... 

We got home and cooked a lovely roast dinner and then settled down for the evening, cuddled on the sofa with a little ball of fluff cwtched in as well.....
Pure bliss.

A Beautiful walk in the cold sunshine to start off February

On the 1st of the month I awoke to find that the grey skies and rain had given way to a crisp cold and brilliantly bright day!
After lunch when it had warmed up a little I took little Tink all dressed up in her winter coat out for our usual walk. The ground was hard underfoot, a pleasant change from sliding in the mud! The birds were singing their little hearts out and the sky was a deep clear blue. As we left the middle field to go onto the golf links I stood for a while to look at the Snowdrops all nodding their heads in the gentle breeze on the bank....Tink was playing chase with Dai's new Jack Russell puppy aptly named 'Dut' which means little and she is really little. They get on really well and have a rare old time together.

The lovely Snowdrops

We headed out onto the links and turned left, the sun was bright and Tink seemed to be even more full of beans than usual, gamboling on the grass and running circles around me. I couldn't run though as I am still recovering from a particularly nasty Urinary Tract Infection and running really hurts. We climbed the hill and Anna and Nigel's place was looking fabulous, they really have a great view from up here.

Nige & Anna's in the sunshine

We walked on, the castle to our right with the sun streaming around it and a bit further on the water tower standing like a watchman against the blue backdrop of the February sky. It's such a landmark for us, it even gives Tower Field it's name and I'm so glad it has not been taken down....long live The Water Tower.

Walking on we met up with Marta who was walking Missy and Coco Chanel, Missy is a grumpy baggage who barks all the time but is really harmless. Coco is staying with Marta while her owners are abroad and looks like Tink's sister only slightly darker....Tink plays well with Coco and tries to include Missy but she isn't having any of it.

Tink & Coco Chanel

Missy

We walked to the castle and the views took our breath away, the water was sparkling like crystal and once again I felt that deep sense of thankfulness for the beauty of my 'back yard'.

There are some rare plants that grow around and on Pennard Castle and some of the flora is starting to come back  by early summer there will be lovely little sprigs everywhere.

My back yard!

Plants on the castle wall

We strolled home and my thoughts were rambling as my feet were walking and I got to thinking about a John Denver song I used to play that had a line in it that in my youth touched a bit of a chord with me....'serenity's a long time coming to me' and I used to identify with that during the tumultuous times of my earlier life. I now know that some things are worth waiting for and the serenity I always craved has come to me for the most part and it gives me a deep and wonderful sense of peace and calm....perhaps this is one of the benefits of growing older in a place that you love.

We got in and I had a nice cup of tea before curling up on the sofa with my book, Tink and Tink's 'Bun Bun'....he's her baby bunny and she has had him since we had her, he always goes in her bed at night and she loves him! A bit like I love her, I guess....I am truly blessed.

A weekend walk on Pobbles Bay with Andy & Tink

Today we had a lie in after seeing The Journeymen at The Tav last night in Swansea with Sal & Law,Mark & JJ plus about 100 others!! The band were awesome, great classic blues and the lead singer has an amazing voice...could have been Robert Plant himself singing the Led Zep covers! Had a lovely brunch then decided to blow the cobwebs away with a walk onto Pobbles. It was blowy but not raining and not too cold. We rounded the bend and were a bit shocked to see some brave/mad soul running into the frothing waves.....nutter we both said simultaneously as he dipped in quick and ran back out!

Crazy person on Pobbles Bay

Little Tink loves the beach and ran like a crazy thing, in and out of the waves which were quite impressive.....

Andy & Tink rock climbing

 She loves to scramble over the rocks and doesn't care about the rock pools, just skids to a halt every now and then for a quick spot of furious digging, she never digs anything up but she loves it.

Tink loves her daddy

Digging!!

White horses

 We watched as a lone surfer tried to catch some waves but he totally missed everything and we didn't see him get up at all. Andy and the kids used to surf a lot when they were younger, Karl still does whenever he can get down to the water. He was such an adrenalin junkie he would go night surfing with his mates and worry me to death.Poor Andy has spent many an hour walking the bay with a torch to get him home. I bought him flares and waterproof torches to strap to his arms and he promised to use them, but I have a sneaky feeling he never really did! That wasn't the only dangerous thing he did in the water, he terrified his older sister Danielle one summer when he let her into his secret pastime...CLIFF JUMPING off a ledge by Hunts Bay. She cried in terror, sure he would be killed, when he miraculously survived she made him promise never to do it again. I think it lasted about a week before he was up to his old dare devil tricks and she grassed him up to me! KIDS, no wonder the years fly by, there's never a dull moment.
There were lots of folks out and about all enjoying the fresh air and Tink met lots of new doggy friends, so many dogs just want to say hello and play but every now and then one is unexpectedly aggressive and this has made her a little more cautious than she was. I think if you know your dog can be unpredictable it is sensible to keep it under control while you are out, but it's obvious that there are some dog owners who do not share my opinion. They then can't understand my scathing fury when their rabid mutt turns on my little girl....get 'em on a lead I say and then No Problem!

View through the rock from Three Cliffs

A pensive moment for Andy

We decided to head for home as the weather started to turn a little more grey, heading up off the beach I was fascinated by the huge lumps of wood washed up by the power of the high tide, it is a marvel what the water does to it....

As we climbed up the bank on our way home I turned and the sun was streaking through the clouds and reflecting onto the water....truly magical

As we climbed the hill home we noticed that the gorse was starting to flower, along with other things that seem a bit early again this year. I love the gorse it's happy yellow flowers always make me smile and we reminisced about the years when we collected the flowers and got lots of scratches so that we could make wine. It was delicate and delicious with an almost coconut hint to it....note to self, must do it again soon!

The sunny yellow gorse

We rambled on home  and snuggled up tired but content in front of the fire with a mug of hot chocolate and an alpen light bar (very slimming world) and waited for Dan and Lyndsey to join us for dinner after returning from their snowboarding holiday in Austria...life is good and we are blessed to live in such a beautiful place.