Mallorca Day 11

Mallorca Day 11

L

Mallorca Day 10

After a leisurely breakfast Lyn and I took the van to Lidl whilst Gerry and Chris packed. We then cycled into Puerto Pollenca to finalise the choice of a suitable resturant for lunch. Lyn and Gerry had done extensive research the previous evening and a had produced a short list of 4 poddible restaurants

Martin and Sue arrived just after midday in time for a coffee before we wandered into town. We had selected a small resturant, El Posito a short distance from the main square.. They were offering a 3 course menu of the day for 12 euros. The food was excellent. The spaghetti Bolognese starter was larger than the main course we had had on the previous day. Lyn and I opted for the lentil soup which was very good. After a leisurely 3 courses and coffee we said goodbye to Gerry and Chris and they set off to get their bus to Palma. We returned to the appartment.  Martin and Sue set off to explore the Boca valley and Lyn  and I did a short ride to Cala de Sant Vicenc. A pretty cove that's being over developed.Lots of building work was taking place all over the resort to get everything ready for the season. Glad i had nor booked to stay. We returned via Pollenca and the back roads to Pueuto Pollenca. 

Mallorca Day 10 - Changeover Day

Mallorca Day 9

We planned a ride from Biniali with a lunch stop in Porreres at a bar we had had an excellent meal in on previousl trips . We had intended parking in our usual spot by the roundabout in Biniali but found they had installed 2 electric car charging points were we wanted to park. The car park for the sports pitches was locked so we decided to park in Sancelles instead.  We managed to fit the van in a spot at end of the car park. Our route took us to Ruberts and then on the bike track towards Montuiri.  The first 1.5km had been upgraded as was now tarmaced. As we cycled towards Montuiri Lyn commented it was the hottest day of the holiday. In the next 9km the temperature dropped by 5 degrees as we approached Porreres.  We arrived in the square to find Bar Sa Placa had closed down. After a tour  round the town we eventually decided  to continue to Algaida for lunch.  The restaurants on the outside of the town were busy so we continued to the square and selected Can Sant cafe. We ordered a spaghetti carbonara each. When it can we thought they had made a mistake as we had a small dish to share. Very tasty but it was like having a small child's portion each. The bill was for 2 portions so we will not be returning . We continued to Santa Maria and climbed up to the church and stopped at Bar Can Prim for a coffee.  They served food and we may try it  out for lunch another ride. We then continued towards Consell turning off on the Cami de Muro towards Sancelles.  A round trip of 37.5 miles.   We ate in the apartment and Chris cooked an excellent paella.

  

Mallorca Day 9

Mallorca Day 9

Mallorca Day 9

Mallorca Day 9

Mallorca Day 9

Mallorca Day 8 - Cap de Formentor

We were all having breakfast at 7:00 and left the appartment by 8:30 for the ride to the lighthouse at Cap de Formentor.  The 25 miles route included 860 metres of ascent. Staying closer to Pollenca means the legs have not warmed up before the climb up to Mirador  es Colomer begins. A steady push for about 5km with most of the gradient being between 6 and 8 percent. The route returns along the same road so as you are enjoying. the descent to the beach at Formentor you know the and have to climb back up to the Mirador es Colomer to get home. From the beach at Formentor the road ascents though trees at first as gives views of both sides of the peninsula as it swings from.one side to the other. A short tunnel was negotiated and after more ascent we had the first glimpse  of the lighthouse.  The final part of the route was a quick decent and short climb to the lighthouse.  We arrived at the lighthouse around 10:15. Lyn was pleased to find the cafe had just opened. Leaving early meant there were very few cars but we were beaten to the cafe by the Marlow Cycling Club so had a long queue for coffee and a cake. Photos are taken and Lyn and I left Gerry and Chris to return at a more leasurely pace.  We stopped at the very pleasant beach at Formentor and the cafe would be worth investigating on a future ride. 

Robert passed Chris and Gerry on the final climb. He returned to ride with Lyn to the top. Lyn returned to the apartment whilst Robert cycled up to 

 The watch tower of Talaia D'Albercutx . It's well worth the climb and has good views across the bay and over the island. He returned to the apoartment to find an excellent leftover lunch had been prepared. After time to recover Lyn and I left Gerry and Chris to enjoy the sunshine and a  a quick ride to Polenca.  After confirming the ice cream stall was no longer in the main square they returned to the appartment. We are eating out tonight and have earned our dinner.

Mallorca Day 8

Mallorca Day 8

Mallorca day 8

Mallorca Day 8

Mallorca Day 8

Mallorca Day 8

Mallorca Day 7

We left Gerry and Chris to explore Cala de Sant Vicens whilst Lyn and I set off in the van for Ariany. Our usual parking spot was taking but we soon found a place to stop. Our planned route was to take the tracks to Petra and then head out towards Artà on the Ma 3330 before turning off to drop down into the Bosch valley. After around 4 miles we joined a section of the previous days route but instead of turning off towards Artà we continued straight to Sant Llorenç des Cardassar. On entering the town a new section of road provided evidence of the recent flooding.
Fortunately the bakery Ca N'amer has not been affected and we ordered whole meal chicken pie with peas , an onion pie and a coffee each. After another coffee we were ready to set off. Rather than take the old railway line towards Manacor we opted for the quiet roads. We turned too soon when trying to cut the corner do had to retrace our steps and took the next track. We had planned to take the minor road out of Manacor and join the Ma 5110 towards Petra but we we delayed finding the correct turning. We had gone wrong in 2018 and did not want to repeat the mistake. Being chased by a small dog further delayed us so we opted to save some time and take the bike path alongside the motorway instead. We turn off after about 4 miles towards Petra on the Ma 3310. Yesterday's wind had subsided but the heat was an additional challenge. Lyn was pleased when the road finally got into the town. After a biscuit by the church we were ready to retrace our steps back to Ariany. Around trip of 41 miles.

We decided to try and driving thought the centre of Muro rather than following the extended sign posted route. This was a mistake at the streets were narrow with cars parked both sides and Robert had to stop to check the van was shorter than the height restriction at one point.

We stopped in Sa Pobla for shopping as Friday night was going to be steak night. We arrived back at the apartment just after 6:00 and had another excellent meal.


Robert

Mallorca day7

Mallorca Day 7

Mallorca Day 7

.Mallorca day7

Mallorca Day 6- A ride from Manacor

After their rest day exploring the Boca Valley Gerry and Chris decided to join us o  a 35 mile ride from Manacor. Getting all the bikes in the back of the van was not a problem . However the van only has 3 seats so Gerry and Chris had an early start , leaving the appartment at 7:00 to get the bus to Inca and then the train to Manacor. Lyn and I had a more leisurely start leaving the apartment just after 8:00. We arrived at the station just after 9:00 and found some suitable packing we could use for the day a short distance from the station. A gpod spot for future rides as the ststiom has a cafe snd toilet.  The train arrived on time at 9:15:and by 9:36 we were cycling out of Manacor,  We had done the route previously and it took us out of Manacor on the MA 3321 then towards Sant Llorenc des Cardassar before turnsing off on a minor road towards Arta, This section  of the route is now part of the 312 km annual bike ride and had been completely resurfaced since we first rode it.

We arrived in Arta just before 12 and opted for lunch in La Biciceletta  cafe  sitting outside. After lunch we had 29  km along the old railway line back to Mancor, Unfortunately the temperature dropped a little after lunch  and although the black clouds did not bring any rain  the wind picked up . It was quite gusty and made the track hard going.  The forecast showed winds up to 45 km per hour .We had a short diversion into the town a Sant Llorenc des Cardassar for an over an ice cream before continuing for the final 7.8 km to Manacor,  We then used the Garmin to direct us though the town and back to the station.  Robert and Lyn returned in the van whilst Gerry and Chris had time for a drink in the cafe before getting the train back to Inca. They would have had a long wait for a  bus to Port de Pollenca so after dropping Lyn off Robert drove back and picked them up from Inca.

We eat in the apartment,  Fresh tomatos with basil and Alioli to start followed by fresh salmon with Mallorcan potatoes and fresh vegetables. 

Mallorca Day 6

Mallorca Day 6

Mallorca Day 6

Mallorca Day 6

Mallorca Day 5

Mallorca Day 6

Mallorca Day 5

Mallorca Day 5

Mallorca Day 5

Mallorca Day 5

Mallorca Day 5

Another fine day. We left Gerry and Chris to explore the delights of the  Boca valley and Lyn and I set off to Llubi in the van. We planned to do a similar ride to one we had done in ,2018. For lunch we planned to stop in bar be Mallorca in Biniamar. We parked in are staying in usual spot in Llubi.  We diverted from the previous route by taking a cycle track alongside the railway line. On reaching the MA 3240 we had intended tracking the  track to Jornets that was shown on the map. We could not locate it so ended up cycling further up the road and turning towards Costitx. The bakery and coffee shop in the main square was open so Lyn insisted on stopping for a coffee and piece of cheese cake.  We then headed towards Sancelles and turned towards Biniagual , we crossed the MA 13 and the cycled though to  Binissslem . This year we went though the main square and saw another side of the town. If we had not planned our lunch stop  we may gave stopped for lunch.  We arrived  in Biniamar at 14:30 and we ready for our lunch. Unfortunately Bar de Mallorca was closed. After a little debate we decided to continue to Moscari arriving just before 15:00. We shared a Pa lamb oil . It was disappointing on  sliced baguette with poor quality ham. We then took the tracks back Llubi a round trip of 34 miles. 

We eat in tonight with Chris  producing a excellent stir fry chicken with ginger and spring onions, 

Bikes were packed in the  van ready for tomorrows ride from Manacor and we settled down to watch the Manchester derby on Gerrys Sky go.

 

Mallorca Day 4

Mallorca Day 4

Mallorca Day 4 - That's better

The rain cleared overnight and we awoke to blue sky's and a temperature forecast to rise to above 20 degrees in the afternoon . Gerry and Chris collected a couple of hybrids from Rent Marche and we set off shortly after 10:00 talking the backs roads to the Parc Natural de S'Albufera. We were disappointed  to find that the  coffee machine thst dispensed micro cups of coffee had been removed. We checked out a hide before continuing round the Parc.  No turtles under the bridge this year . Gerry and Chris decided to continue riding with us and after the Parc we took the back roads to Muro. Lyn setting a personal record on the climb up to the town. Our favourite cafe was busy but we were able to get a table. After a pie with peas and a coffee we were ready for the descent to Sa Pobla, From there we took the road to the cove de Campanet. The fete at the chapel of Sant Miquel was still taking place.  Lyn and I shared a small piece of chocolate cake whilst Chris needed some cold liquid refreshment. It was then the back roads back to Puerto Pollenca and round trip of around 44 miles. 

A light wind made  some route more difficult but it did push us home. 

We checked out a couple of restaurants for the eveeevening ning and opted to book a table at Stay.

Mallorca Day 3

Unfortunately the forecast was correct and we awoke to light rain. We decided to travel across the island to a salt fair at Ses Salines but by van  and not bike. The first stop was Lidl in Pollenca for some cardboard boxes we could use to put the bikes in in  the back of the van. It took around 1 hour and 10 minutes to get to Ses Salines . Unfortunately when we arrived they was no sign of the salt fair. We continued on to Colonia  Sant Jordi.  After a tour round the town the rain eased and we decided to cycle to the salt flats. On arrival we investigated the shop but decided to pass on the opportunity to purchase some salt at 8 euros a tin. We continued down the road to the beach at Es Trenc. After a coffee in the restaurant we retraced our steps back to Sant Jordi  By 3:00 pm we were ready for lunch are shared a wood fired pizza in a small cafe set back from the sea front. The weather had improved throughout the day but worsened as we drove back to appartment to join Gerry and Chris who had arrived on an early flight from Liverpool . A tea of  fried padron peppers followed by a coq au vin was prepared an eatern. The wine Maria left us proved difficult to open but the challenge was eventually overcome.

Mallorca Day 3

Mallorca Day 3

Mallorca Day 2

Mallorca Day 2

Apart Hotel Flora was a excellent value at £49 for one night. The cooking facilities were basic but we the apartment was a good size with a separate bedroom. The pool looked inviting the number of swimmers using it provided a strong clue to the temperature of the water,.

The local supermarket provided pain au raisin and bread and fruit for breakfast. We checked out at 10:30 and drove to Lidl in Pollenca to stock up. We had a message for Maria to say the appartment was ready for us at midday.

We unloaded the van but by the time the bikes were assembled the weather had started to get worse,

Lyn read her book whilst Robert amused himself by calling Talktalk and trying to get the data roaming to work on his phone. This was eventually achieved after they send a text and an app that reinstalled the setting. Not sure why it stopped working but it's now fixed.

Maria called in to collect the payment for the flat after which we cooked tea. A fresh asparagus started followed by steak served with fresh vegetables, mushrooms and homemade tomato sauce.

The forecast for Monday is worse than today but we are hoping to be able to fit in a short ride.

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Mallorca Day 2

Mallorca Day 2

Mallorca Day1

For some reason yesterday's text did not appear

Preparations for Mallorca were completed this morning with a quick ride on the Brompton into Bourne for an emergency tooth repair kit.I am hoping not to need it but a piece of tooth came away whilst eating a piece of bread. I now have enough filler for 24 filling. We set off to East Midlands airport just before midday and used the chauffeured parking. It was a short walk to the terminal, there was no though at the checkin and we were soon thought security. The restricted height in the body scanner meant Robert could not adopt the correct pose so had to be frisked. 
The flight was uneventful. We had extra leg room seats over the wing in the middle of the plane and as in previous years were the last to be served. This year we were in luck  as they had one off our first choice of toasted sandwiches left. 

It was a long walk from the gate to the baggage reclaim. By the time we had sorted the rental van out the bags were on the conveyor belt and the bikes had appeared. 

The van was collected from Sixt and we were pleased to see it had a good collection of dents and scratches which we checked against their check sheet. We arrived in Puerto Pollenca just before 10:00pm local time. Apart Hotel Flora was located and we found a parking spot outside for the van. The pizza restaurant opposite was still open so having checked in we wandered down for a meal. The pizza was ok but fresh tuna spaghetti disappointing and too salty. The cold beer was very welcome.

Robert 

Mallorca Day 1