Finally, we can return to Camp de Mar

Remember going on holiday?  Getting up just after dawn, drinking champagne in an airport lounge, walking off the plane to a physical wall of heat.  I missed it so much.  If, like us, you spent a large proportion of your lockdown time fantasizing about the future. Our dream travel plan was to return to HPB Biniorella in Camp de Mar, Majorca  in the school holidays with all the family.

It was a bit of a faff but travelling to Majorca was definitely worth it.

For two joyous weeks we sat in sizzling sunshine at Camp de Mar and sipped cool beer and wine whilst enjoying the fabulous view from our villa terrace.  The holiday had been touch and go until the last, with the Government only confirming it would not go to Amber + or red only days earlier.

At the airport........Instead of crowded check-ins there were rows of unused trolleys and redundant queuing barriers.  When we approached the counter, we were immediately helped.  Going through security was also quick and uneventful.  Entering Terminal 5 at Heathrow was surreal.  So quiet.  We went up to the Club lounge which only had table service but it worked really well.  We went down to our gate.  Everyone was wearing a mask.  Flight attendants, all wearing masks handed us  disinfectant wipes, although I had a pack of my own, which even though my area seemed clean, I used to disinfect my tray table and seatbelt buckle etc.

Arriving in Palma was another surreal experience, the terminal was nearly empty and there was much less activity than normal.  All our documents were checked very quickly by very friendly staff. 

Slip on your sunnies, because this summer holiday looks set to be a true bobby dazzler.  We were so excited to set off for the villa at Biniorella.   

For two weeks we escaped the washout English summer and could feel the sun on our faces.  Of course, with covid still very much at the forefront, things were a little different.  Masks had to be worn indoors but in Majorca we very rarely ventured indoors except at the villa to sleep or get another beer or bottle of chilled wine out of the fridge.  We didn't have to wear masks on the beach.

Our preparations for this trip involved far more than checking our passports were in date.  Being fully vaccinated we didn't need a test to enter Majorca, but we had to fill in a Spanish locator form online detailing where we would be staying and for how long.  British Airways required us to upload confirmation of the Spanish locator form and proof of vaccinations before allowing us to finally check in.

But the forms and tests didn't end there.  We needed to take a test to get back into the UK when in Majorca. ( A bit of a worry at 3 a.m. the night before when I woke and thought what if I test positive.) However, it was easy to do at the medical centre in Camp de Mar near the beach and cost 30 Euros and  within half an hour (we went for a swim in the sea whilst waiting) they had confirmed we had negative results and issued an official certificate. 

The final task we needed to perform before returning to the UK was to fill in the UK Government's passenger locator form.  It asks where you will be staying in the UK and you must give details of the booking reference for your day two PCR test to prove it has already been booked and paid for.

Leaving Majorca was simple and my experience of returning to the UK a surprise.  With warnings of long queues, I was astonished it took me less than five minutes to get through using the e-gates.  How typical this experience is remains to be seen as more people jet off and return to the UK.

For an experienced traveller used to flying around the world, it's still a challenge BUT for the chance to spend a holiday in the Majorcan sunshine I'd do it all over again.

A family holiday  by the sea, with plenty of beach action; memories are made of this.

That first drink on the terrace is one of life's great delights.

Rise and Shine:  A swim in the sea then coffee and croissants on the beach.  A chocolate croissant and a perfect cup of coffee....that's my kind of morning!  Breakfast on the beach - does it get any better?

The kids also loved Pizza by the Sea!  Amazing pizzas from the Beach Club, all freshly cooked.  Such a treat to eat them on the beach and watch the sunset when you just want an informal, chilled night with the family.  What's not to love!!!

And for the adults:  Absurdly good Beach Cocktails at Maria 5 Beach Bar.  Most of the time, ordering a drink that comes with a watering can and flowers is absurd.  But when the sun is out, the sand is underfoot and the sea is lining the horizon, getting a beach cocktail is the best decision you can make in your life.  Beachy vibes and stunning views.

And to celebrate my birthday with the family we booked a table at The Beach Club.  It's really lovely and the staff are very welcoming, efficient and, it turned out, quite extrovert, because they surprised us with an impromptu cabaret act with wigs.  How lucky to be celebrating my birthday in such a fantastic setting

And Alun pushed Grandad's boat out and ordered lobster, the king of seafood.  One of the world's culinary treasures, it can be intimidating to order - and eat - if you have never done so before.  The grandchildren were fascinated by the live lobsters in the lobster tank and having to choose which one.

Another fabulous evening was at Biniorella's restaurant enjoying Mariano Miranda at the guitar dinner.  A true master of the guitar.  He was, I concur, brilliant.  We were spellbound.

Let's remind ourselves of the joy of our villa holiday, which was mainly relaxing and taking in the amazing costal views from the balcony, before going for a dip in our huge private pool whilst Sam entertained the grandchildren at Kids Club with amazing tennis lessons, crazy golf, water polo and archery.  It was wonderful. 

 

And who is cooking tonight.  Sea Bass on the BBQ.  Well done Granddad. And the grandchildren are making Chocolate Brownies for dessert.  I'm too busy drinking the on line supermarket delivery Rose.  So impressed we managed to do that instead of having to drive to the supermarket. Having your own private terrace with a barbecue is one of the great things about staying in a villa.  Sometimes it's nice to just chill out by the pool and enjoy a relaxed lunch or dinner.

And for dessert, delicious ice cream down in Camp de Mar.

And we all tested negative on our return.