Weekend Away :: Day 1

A weekend is not a long time to be away from home, I was gone for exactly sixty hours. At least I think it was sixty (4pm Friday to 4am Monday, is it sixty? Did I get it right? Gawd my head hurts with the effort of thinking that through). Anyhow, not a huge long escape but quite enough. Enough to enable me to completely unwind, relax and recharge in delightful surroundings, and with extremely good company. I would dearly have loved to go away somewhere with J, but as he was a pretty essential part of The Childcare Arrangements  I had to leave him behind to hold the fort.

My weekending partner was a very, very good friend of mine :: twenty two years we've been friends. We met as teenagers in our first year of student life, we pretty much know each other inside out, and we have holidayed many times together in the past.

So this is how it happened :: back in August my friend skipped off to spend a week in Mallorca (Spanish Balearic Islands), staying with friends who have a villa out there. She went alone as she had recently split up from her long term partner and needed to get away for a while. She enjoyed her time there, but did confess to getting a little bored layed in the sun by the pool all day. I told her I would give anything (within reason) to spend a few days lounging by a pool doing very little, the very idea of it was hugely appealing. In fact the more I thought about it, the more I began to want it. The thought of being away from home, of being away from the responsibilities of Motherhood for a while, of flopping around in the sun doing very little, of getting a whole nights sleep made me feel giddy with delight. I began to think Envious Thoughts. I began to whine a little and exclaim how long it was since I had a break away. I began to rather desperately crave a little escape to the sun.

So one day over a coffee she says to me :: I'm planning on going back out for a weekend in mid October, do you think your J would look after the children so you could take a break and come with me? Did I? Why YES of course I'm sure he would, and yes yes I would love love love LOVE to go with you!!!

J gives the idea his blessing and oh my, I am beside myself with the thrill of it all. Let me at it, when can we book flights, show me photos of the villa, can we, can we, shall we, yiippppeeeeeeeeeeeee, I'm going on HOLiDaY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Dates are confirmed and flights are eventually booked. Holy-moly I'm really going, it's really honestly going to happen!!!! I was incredibly excited for a great many weeks. The very thought of it kept me going through some difficult sleep-deprived times.

Finally the day rolls around and off we fly, arriving late at night. We hire a car at the airport and drive away from the hustle and bustle of the main holiday resorts...down increasingly smaller and smaller roads until we feel like we were in the total middle of nowhere. It's pitch black when we arrive, about 2 in the morning. But the sky's clear and the stars are twinkling and it feels warm and the air smells enticingly foreign and holidayish. We sit on the terrace in the dark, drinking wine and chatting with the wonderful couple who've so generously welcomed us into their beautiful Spanish home. I can't wait for the daylight.

I sleep in. Nine o'clock I surface from a very deep sleep in a very comfy bed. Words cannot describe how wonderful it is to allow ones body to wake when it wishes. No crying alarm clock, no agenda. Feels so good, and despite the late hour I rocked into the bed, I positively bounce out of it, run to the dining room and fling open the shutters to see what the sky looks like. Blue blue blue, it's going to be a beautiful warm day.

We eat breakfast in our pyjamas beside the pool. I think that I might burst with happiness and contentment.

I take a stroll around the garden (still in my pyjamas I might add, luckily the owners of the villa have left for work and there's not a soul around).

I wander amongst the trees, marvelling at the olives and almonds and figs....

....ahhh the figs are so perfectly ripe and sweet, we pick them from the tree and enjoy a beautifully fresh, sweet mid morning snack.

Such beauty everywhere, I just adore these flowers. No idea what they are, but I love them. Very un-English.

The remainder of the morning is spent out shopping for essential supplies of food and drink. We return back to the villa with our fresh produce and concoct a wonderful lunch to eat outside...

Such a simple lunch, but so memorable. Fresh ripe tomatoes, wild rocket, torn up strips of Serrano ham and grilled melty goats cheese, drizzled with local olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Scrummy.

The afternoon passes in a haze of warm, lazy snoozyness.

I lay by the pool, close my eyes and drift in and out of dreams. It's absolute bliss.

I'm not sure how long I lay drifting in and out of sleep, maybe two hours? Three hours? More? But eventually I begin to feel hungry again and we make plans to head out for dinner. A quick glass of chilled rose wine first though eh? Just to begin the evening PrOPerly?

We drive out to the coast, to a popular holiday resort called Puerto Pollensa. Lots of yachty things going on here with a large marina for the yachty things to happen in, but there is also a lovely beachside promenade lined with bars and restaurants. It's all very refined and relaxed and stylish.

We stroll. We amble about and take it all in. Then we choose a place to eat (quite posh actually, my friend has quite grand ideas) and then we stroll some more.

We ooo and aahhh at this amazing sand castle. And I think of the Little People and I miss them a touch.

But it's been the most wonderful day, the stuff of my dreams. And best of all, I still have another night of Uninterupted Sleep to look forward to, as well as a Day 2.

Fabulous.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

Comments

[Valerie]

You lucky lucky thing well deserved that's for sure looks like you had a fab time

Val :)

[Ann-Charlotte in Sweden]

Remember to enjoy this trip over the coming months. It looked and sounded so gREAT! Ps, the flower you loved is a Hibiscus (and I hope that is the correct English spelling as well).

[Cath]

What a lovely treasure to take out of your memory box and admire on those bluesy days.

[Anna-Karin, Sweden]

Oh, how lovely! Not The Canary Islands as I did guess, but almost:) Perfect timing, when the autumn's cold and dark.
Love from Anna xxx

[Carmen - Titchfield]

OOOhhh !! how exciting !! Your photos really take me back ! My hubby is Spanish and we lived in Mallorca before returning back to Hampshire, it is so beautiful out there, but believe me.... the novelty does wear-off and it's not long before you dream of English Gardens and kicking up Autumn leaves !!Best kept for girly getaways - viva uk !! Hope you are feeling re-charged Lucy, p.s how is the cardie coming on ?????????!!!! xxxx

[Heather]

*sigh* it's just so beautiful I want to cry!

[Emily]

It sounds idyllic. Me time is so important when you have babies, then it's lovely to come home to them again. Xxx

[Amy]

Sooo glad you had a relaxing holiday to recharge! Those "un-English" flowers are hibiscus, they come in many lovely colors, we have red, orange, yellow and salmony-pink in our yard (southern California USA).

[Erin]

What a wonderful holiday!! Your photos make me dream of white sands, warm air, and blue skys...*sigh*

[Dominique from France]

hello Lucy ! Sometimes it is very important to be alone without the family. It is always better when we come back.Now, my 3 daughters are enough old and I go every year for 3 or 4 days in a large town with my best friend : Prague, Londres, Rome, .....
Have a good day

[ali.b]

Fantastic - BUT how did you get your hubby to let you!!! Not a chance with mine!!!

[Debby]

Beautiful holiday! Those are hibiscus flowers...I thought of them as dancing ladies with big twirly skirts when I would pick them as a child in our yard here in So. California. What a wonderfully relaxing time for you!

[Giselle]

I can only imagine the lovely warm sun and exotic foods. I'm so happy you got a little vacation at the end of your crazy summer. How wonderful!

[Nidia Hernandez]

Glad you are having a lovely time! Yes, those are Hibiscus and we have them here in Southern Florida as well in the most beautiful colors!

[Hazel]

Woot!! And I thought I had it good with my trip to Nuneaton!! Haha. I know where I would rather be. x

[Gorgeous Things]

"the air smells enticingly foreign and holidayish" - Yup - I know exactly what you mean. It is the most exciting thing about arriving on HoLiDaY!!
Gorgeous x

[marigold jam]

Even now that my baby is nearly 30 I can still remember the absolute bliss of a full night's sleep on the occasions she was staying with Granny!! And your holiday home looks wonderful so sunshiny and lovely especially now it's so chilly and grey here! I am glad you were able to enjoy a w/e away.

Jane

[melissa]

Good for you! You so deserve this time. Enjoy!

[Tilly]

That looks fantastic. I'd give almost anything for a little R & R without the littlies. I wouldn't even need to go abroad - I think anywhere would do!

[Nikki]

Lucky duck! Think we're all daydreaming and wishing we were away with you too!Can't wait to hear more about it!

[Arwen]

I love this. I felt like I was right there. And the hibiscus is a gorgeous flower (needs a lot of sun though.)

[Anna]

Wow Luce, it looks like just what the doctor ordered-and how fabulous is J?!! the photos are beautiful-and I think the flowers may be Hibiscus (NO idea where that came from, which may mean I made it up-no quoting!)xx

[Carol]

It looks fabulous, I'm sure you and your family will benefit from this "recharging" of your batteries. Full marks to J for being a brilliant, caring husband.
Carol xx

[Pattygloria]

Aha! So you went to The beautiful and enchanting Mallorca. Lucky you, Amiga! Thanks for sharing those lovely pics and happy memories. I really like the traditional paseo or stroll on a warm evening close to the the marina and the cafes.Cheers!
Hasta pronto,Gloria x

[Ria]

Thanks for sharing all your beautiful images again! It must feel good to be recharged!! And indeed, the flowers are hibiscus, we call them "japon gülü" (japanese rose) here in Turkey!! Love Ria