Chilling out and warming up in Menorca

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Geo: 40.0279, 4.16433



First Stop Menorca

We have been here 3 days and are settling in well. Because the season ends this month there are few people around.

The complex is spread amongst pinewoods and set back from the beach behind protected sand dunes. White topped stone walls surround each tree or clump of trees to protect them. The weather has been like the really a perfect summer day at home which we rarely experience, with the sun hot during the day but not with the burning intensity found here in the summer months. It has that sleepiness of autumn at home but with warmth.

Already we have walked along the headland into the next bay and seen a variety of birds. Last evening we tried to find our way into a small area of wetlands which we had approached the day before from the woods but could not get into. Eventually someone told us we needed to go into the golf course and along the edge til we reached the wetland. We did and thankfully didn't see any golfers but then we had to cross a fairway. There was a sign and a large bell. After hesitating a while we decided we should ring it (in case anybody was about to take a shot) but as we were there to see birds it seemed a foolproof way of scaring them off. Eventually we saw a flock of blue heron, three different sized raptors, (I think the smallest was a kestrel and the largest an osprey) and the usual mallards and coots.

During the day we went into the capital Mahon which is an interesting port with Napoleonic hospital on an island just offshore and a lovely old town with steep streets, castle and churches. There was an organ recital due to start in the main church as a celebration of its bicentenary. We thought of going in until we saw it cost 5euros each.

Coming back we reached the bus station to see a huge queue of about 60 people at stop 20 where we had disembarked. Earlier I had asked the driver if the return bus left from stop 20. He said no, we needed to go to 22. Only one other person joined us at 22. I am sure you can guess, the bus arrived at 20. We were lucky to get on because the queue was so big, but we had to stand. It could have been worse – if the bus had pulled in at 22 we could have been trampled in the rush. I did feel a touch deflated after being able to ask the driver and understand the answer but having been given duff info. (do I hear murmurs of pride n falls?)

Oh, almost forgot, there is a geriatric gym trail through the woods with (very gentle – see pic) pieces of equipment to work on. Hope Jim's leg can take the pace! Going for a snorkel next.

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Photos

Mahon Harbour
Napoleonic Hospital in harbour

Comments

[Aranza]

Hola, Sue! que bonitas estan las fotos que has puesto en tu Blog. Aqui ha llovido a cantaros! y hoy mas o menos ha salido el sol, parece que las temperaturas van a subir:0) Pero el domingo volvemos al clima frio!Parece que te estas divie
rtiendo en Menorca. Manana seria nuestro dia para la clase y a decir verdad me siento extrana ... despues de un anio o mas de clases se siente raro. No he oido nada de Angela, me supongo que se fue a Espana. Ojala que su madre no este tan mal.Aqui como siempre trabajando duro, mucho por hacer en el colegio.Escribeme cuando tengas tiempo.Aranza x