Cala Galdana & Cala Macarella

Mo did most of the driving but one day I ventured out to Cala Galdana with Helen & Tine leaving Mo at the AirBnb. After the obligatory coffee we sauntered to the beach and the sun returned.

Who fancies a pedalo complete with slide?

Cala Galdana beach is in the distance, but Tine & I wandered along the coastal path...

...with excellent views...

...to Cala Macarella, only accessible on foot.

There my Bond beauty, after posing (of course)...

...went for a dip in the inviting waters...

...before the trekked back to sun-bathing Helen.

Es Canutells

Another beautiful bay near to our AirBnb was Es Canutells

The main bay was pretty enough...

...but just down some steps...

...or round on this purpose-built walkway...

...a second bay and beach came into view...

...complete with visiting ducks.

Tine & I went to explore...

...but the bamboo and other tall grasses soon stopped our exploits.

Cala en Porter

Probably the nearest beach to our AirBnb was Cala en Porter, ideal for late afternoon sun worshipping, or even just exploring.

And not even crowded!

Beach babe Tine

Is this what you call a selfie?

Tine left us to explore the walkway along the cliffs...

...and returned with some stunning photos.

What these photos don't show is how easy it was to go into the wonderfully warm sea, or the lack of jellyfish!

El Toro (Mounte Toro) & Fornells

Just above Es Migjorn Gran lies the highest point on the island, El Toro with its beautiful view and the Sanctuary of Our Lady. The story goes that a bull led monks up the hill, where they saw a vision of Our Lady. 

The magnificent view to Fornells in the north

From this angle we have to wonder if we're celebrating Christ or our mobile phone network

Ahhh, that's better!

Helen & Tine appreciating the space outside the sanctuary...

...whilst I'm impressed by the plant arrangement.

 We dropped down to Fornells to explore the port and rugged coastline...

...and  have lunch in the beautifully hot sunshine, Tine having to borrow my Peaky Blinder cap.

We spent ages trying to capture the waves crashing on the cliffs...

Successs!

The British built tower fortress...

...with Helen & Tine too!

Es Castell & Es Migjorn Gran

Just to the south of Mahon/Mao lies Es Castell.

We wandered around the harbour, picking our favourite vessel

 Next morning we went inland to Es Migjorn Gran

We visited the impressive church of Sant Cristfol...

...before exploring the narrow streets...

...complete with unusual plantations.

Cakes at a market stall, if my memory serves me well

Happy New Year/Bonne Année

Sorry I'm late wishing you all the very best for 2020, but it's no less sincere. (Can you tell we've had a houseful over the holidays, so not a lot of blogging time available?)

Quick advert here: our good friend Nicole has a wonderful blog on https://coxigrue.wordpress.com and she recently wished her readers Happy New Year with a beautiful sunset. I couldn't resist copying her!

The difference is that this is sunrise, here at La Place des Mogettes,  very near to chez nous...

...then onto the cannon by the jetty.

Now you can see why I was out of my bed so early (for me)!

There was a beautiful rosy glow over the town

Silhouettes are nearly up there with reflections for me 

Young Betty is missing all the excitement but looks slightly relaxed

Same sun but different direction. This is sunset yesterday...

...complete with wonderful silhouettes.