Soaking up the Sun

What could be better than spending time with your loved ones?  Especially when grandchildren are involved.  You get to watch the next generation grow up (and play an important part in it) and create unforgettable memories in the process - for them and for you.  On holiday with the grandchildren, you get the chance to experience the adventure of travelling again through childlike eyes.  And that is something very special.  

However, Europe is in the middle of a heatwave named Charon, after the boatman who ferried the dead to the underworld!!!!!!!  And we are taking the grandchildren.

But get the basics right - a well-positioned villa with shade and a pool - and everything else falls into place.

And in the summer heat, with the temperature touching 25C at midnight, the pool became the centre of our world.  It sits there on arrival, shimmering in the sunshine at Roca Marina.  It says, very loudly, "come on in!"  And, by God, we do; within five minutes of arriving the grandchildren had dived into the water.  For the next seven days, they were rarely on dry land.

We breakfast, lunch and eat dinner on the terrace by the pool; we read and sunbathe by its side.  At night the grandchildren thrash and weave through the water, looking for all the world like Minoan bull dancers amid the spray.

The views from this water paradise are amazing.  The area promises healthy walks for the energetic.  Perhaps I'll go tomorrow - I don't - I've been too thoroughly seduced by the pool.  But Mike, otherwise known as Team GB, goes from being an extreme relaxer to hard-core roadie.  Mallorca is the mecca of European cycling and Mike would set off on his bike early in the morning for a 45 mile ride through some of the most beautiful mountain and coastal scenery.  Well done Mike.  If only we can get away from our pool.

The rest of us look down to the Mediterranean and can see young bloods race about in speedboats in the bay at Camp de Mar.  We decide to head down to the sandy beach that is well-suited to families with its transparent waters and breakfast on the beach.

In the transparent waters lies S'Illeta, a natural islet which can be accessed via a wooden bridge.  This iconic rocky outcrop and restaurant has been featured in the Night Manager and a number of other films.  We tried to book the restaurant but it is fully booked for months.  It is a photogenic paradise for Instagram and has captured the attention of the young bronzed avid Instagrammers.  Very entertaining to watch them posing.  I don't do Instagram but I expect there will be an incredible number of posts tagged in this location.

After coffee and croissants and a delightful swim in the clear water it was time for some action.  The family hired three paddle boards and set off to explore the bay.  They really enjoyed it.

Another day it was All Aboard Mallorca's best boat trip.  This pedal-powered boat was great - no need to worry about soaring fuel prices and awesome fun to slide off into the sea for a swim.

Daddy Day Care.  A fantastic fun filled day at Western Waterpark on the water slides.  Daddies acting like kids, returned with bruised bum cheeks!  Nanna spent the day sitting by the pool.

Camp de Mar is not subject to noisy night clubs.  This is because the nightlife here revolves around the Maria 5 Beach Club and several local restaurants.  Maria 5 Beach Club is a restaurant and lounge bar beautifully located under a shade of pine trees and looking out to perfect sea views.  There is something so special about having a cocktail while close to the beach......right?

And after a cocktail we enjoyed a couple of meals  at The Beach Club Restaurant.  We have been coming here for years.  Great spot right on the beach, good food and friendly service.  It does get very busy in the evening.

More cocktails and dinner out, this time to Port Andratx.  Restaurante Roma, also called My Way.  It is located towards the end of the harbour with great views.  We visited on a Tuesday and there was live music.We were beyond disappointed when the gates of Villa Italia closed and we will always reminisce about the stunning food they served.  The team has moved on to Roma and is hosted by Alfonso and his wife (with their son in the kitchen).  A beautiful setting especially at sunset.

On Thursday evening we dined at the restaurant at Biniorella and Mariano Miranda worked his magic with his guitar, as he does every Thursday.  Such skill.  Apparently Javier, the Manager, first discovered him busking outside Palma Cathedral.   A man of amazing talent, he is a genius with the guitar.  I don't understand why he isn't world renowned.  A fantastic evening and great food too.  Javier commented on how wonderful it was to watch our grandchildren enthralled by the music too.

Back home now.  The weather is awful.  I really miss soaking up the sun, listening to music with a drink in my hand, watching the children playing, looking out to the coast, surrounded by family.  But then if we had it all of the time a family holiday wouldn't feel as special!