Our Family Holiday

 We are just back from our summer trip this year which was a fortnight at Camp de Mar in Mallorca.  Rocha Mar is the place where the family can completely switch off from their busy lives.

We first visited Camp de Mar in 2012 when Chloe was just a baby, so we've seen it change over the years.  This time I have to say it was very, very busy and very, very hot.

The moment we arrive at the villa is always a good one because it feels like our second home.  We know where to find everything and our devices log on to the wi-fi all by themselves - all we have to do is kick off our shoes and relax.

And so we all began to unwind and and fall into a routine.  Most mornings we headed out early to the beach for an early morning swim followed by coffee and croissants.

Mike would join us after his long bike ride.

One day the youngsters walked up to the Castle on the Hill but I just waved at them.  

Then back to the villa for lunch and an afternoon in the pool.

Time to whip out activities too, jigsaws and Poker.

And so time rolled on at that lovely holiday pace when you're not quite sure what day it is.

The grandchildren and daddies loved their day out at the Waterpark.

We loved popping out for cocktails before some lovely dinners.  I won't show you photos of all the meals!!!

Although some of the meals served by the Master Chefs in the Villa were excellent too.

Our first meal out was at the Beach Club, Peguera.  Nestled along the seafront with gorgeous Mediterranean views.  Shame the service was very slow and a clown set up shop at the front of the restaurant and proceeded to perform with a honking duck noise and circus tunes.

The grandchildren and daddies loved their day out at the Waterpark.

We did venture out one day to meet some of Caroline and Mike's friends at Platja De Muro.  A beautiful sandy beach which is narrow but very long and overlooks mountains with crystal-clear shallow calm water, ideal for swimming.

The beach was covered with seagrass "Neptune balls".  Apparently the underwater seagrass traps plastic pollution in natural bundles of fibre.  With no help from humans, the swaying plants - anchored to shallow se beds may collect nearly 900 m plastic items in the Mediterranean alone every year.

Lovely meal at Berganta Beach Club on Playa de Muro in a wonderful enclave with a swing.

Another day Caroline and family went to visit Mike's sister and family at the Drach Caves but we enjoyed a leisurely day by the pool recharging our batteries!

It was my birthday whilst on holiday so for a treat I was treated to cocktails at Maria 5 in Camp de Mar.  We love to come here for great cocktails in a beautiful location.  The atmosphere is so relaxed - a favourite place.

We then crossed the rickety footbridge to Restaurant Illeta.  A spectacular location (islet over the sea) in the wonderful cove of Camp de Mar.  It was perfect.  The service was excellent and the food delicious.  Gracias.

The grandchildren made my birthday extra special by cooking this incredibly delicious birthday cake whilst I was enjoying a siesta.  Nanna's Perfect 3 Tier Cake made with love.  Thank you so much and what a delightful surprise complete with candles.

Another day, another cocktail.  Tim's in Port Andratx is a great location for watching the sun disappear with good cocktails.  And thanks to the awning we were protected from the sun.

After cocktails we enjoyed lovely food just down the road at Latitud 39 with great harbour views.  Again another lovely evening.  The staff were extremely friendly and good service.

As I have said we have been coming to Camp de Mar for many years and Caroline and Mike treated us to a meal at the Beach Club.  This place is a gem.  We were given a very friendly greeting and shown to an excellent table on the terrace.  A great setting, a lovely place to sit on the sunny terrace overlooking the sands and watch a spectacular sunset.

Just before we departed for the airport we enjoyed an air conditioned lunch at Grand Sol.  Despite the fact that the restaurant is a little hidden and the entrance looks like an old parking lot, the food delivered is top quality and the price reasonable.  It  feels like an authentic Mallorcan restaurant and the roasted suckling pig was amazing.

And so we had a good chat about  how times are changing with the grandchildren now that they are teenagers, imagining our holidays in the future......and it felt good.

Thank you for a fabulous time.