Wonderful holiday with the Grandchildren

We stayed in a beautiful villa overlooking the bay of Camp de Mar.

The terrace, with it's comfortable chairs, was one of the nicest parts of the villa.  Shady, hung with bougainvillaea and with a magnificent view down to the cliffs and sea.  Where better to pass away the time with a cool glass of Cava, a book and the sound of  happy children.

We self catered and Emmie and Chloe were so helpful and really enjoyed helping.  Thank you.

For Sunday lunch Phil prepared a seafood Paella.  One of the great dishes of the summer, his Paella was delicious and looked really impressive.  Emmie loved the squid rings (hula hoops).  Bon Apetit!!

Phil celebrated his birthday whilst, we were on holiday and very kindly treated us to lunch.  So we all got "dressed up"

and drove the short distance to the cosmopolitan and classy Port de Andratx.  We celebrated at Hotel Villa Italia, perched on the side of the hill overlooking Port d'Andratx and the Sierra de Tramontana.  The food and service were excellent not to mention the stunning view of the Port from the floor to ceiling glass walls of  the restaurant.  A real gem, the setting was sublime.

Then it was back to the villa for a delicious birthday cake.

Happy Birthday Grandad.

The lovely beach at Camp de Mar is a ten minute walk away.  Grandad and Jamie (note matching T shirt).

This beach is family oriented and has the unusual sight of a restaurant on an island accessed by a wooden bridge.

We call it "Ice Cream Island" because at 4 p.m. we visited it for an ice-cream, stopping en route on the b ridge to feed hundreds of fish with our stale bread.

Followed by a visit to the beach to build a sandcastle.

 

and then tea on the beach for the girls.

 

 

We also enjoyed a visit to Palma.  A former Moorish casbah, or walled city, Palma's Old Town is an appealing maze of  narrow streets that are a delight to explore on foot and architecturally stunning.

 

    

The massive Gothic cathedral, La Seu, is the signature building of the city and is a remarkable sight.

 

 

 

Back at Biniorella Emmie and Chloe loved exploring with Nanna and were fascinated by the Orange trees.

 

 

 

 

and the Tree Rabbit.

 

 

They also loved playing Chess

 

 

and Tennis.

 

 

 

 

Not to mention the daily visits to the Swing Park

 

 

 

Whilst Dad checked his e'mails in "the office".

 

 

Thank you for a wonderful family holiday in Mallorca.  The memories of which I shall always cherish.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An Easter Egg-stravaganza

The buds are out, the evenings are getting longer and there's a spring in our step.  Easter is upon us.

We met up with Caroline, Mike, Chloe and Jamie on the Saturday for an Easter Egg Hunt at Highcliffe Castle.

We had to find the Easter chicks hidden in the Castle grounds, then answer the nature-themed question to win an Easter egg prize.

We found a  beautiful spot for a picnic with a stunning view

and old fashioned fun in the woods for Chloe.

Although the first half of April was very kind to us weatherwise being drier, warmer and sunnier than average the weather deteriorated for our picnic but, at least, it was dry if somewhat chilly.

On Sunday the Easter Bunny made an appearance

bringing with him some chocolate eggs for a good little girl.

He hopped along leaving a winding trail of Bunny Feet for an Egg-splosion of Easter fun

Chloe was very excited to follow his tracks to find the eggs and she also found a teething ring for Jamie. Unfortunately, the hunt had to be indoors as Easter Sunday was very wet.

Chocolate eggs, hot cross buns and a family Sunday lunch are all part of the Easter feasting plan.  But what wine to uncork to celebrate.  Why Chocolate Block, of course.  You can just see the two bottles in the background of the above photo.

Fortunately, the weather cleared up in the evening when Doug and Sofia arrived with their adorable dogs and we all enjoyed walking off the chocolate on the beach whilst enjoying a dramatic sunset.