Day 2, and the weather is quite different to Day 1. We awake to the sound of rain and the mountains obscured by low cloud, so it's definitely not a loafing-about-by-the-pool kind of a day. Doesn't matter anyhow, cos we had already decided that Sunday would be a day to get out and about. We head to the north of the island to Pollensa Old Town to visit the Sunday market there. We had been told it was a Good One Worth A Visit, and we were not disappointed.
I love a good market. As you know my home town here in Yorkshire is a Market Town and I am therefore used to market shopping and the hustle and bustle that goes with it. But there is something so exciting about visiting a foreign market and I am captivated by it all. The stalls are hugely abundant, and everything seems more....well just More than at home.
We are essentially shopping for a bit of fresh produce :: Serrano ham, cheese, tomatoes. Pretty easy things to come by in a market such as this. But my goodness we are easily distracted.
I am heading towards a pile of lush looking tomatoes but suddenly these strings of peppers stop me dead in my tracks and I am rooted to the spot by them. So beautiful! So colourful! Like giant edible necklaces!
Ok. Must purchase tomatoes. But oh oh the flowers are so beautiful! I want to dance a jig around them! Want to scoop them up and carry them all home, they are so incredibly vibrant and wantable.
Eventually we do manage to purchase tomatoes :: big, huge, squishy, ripe, deep red plum tomatoes, the sort that are definitely Spanish and not English. We also buy some (quite stinky) delicious Spanish cheese, and watch in awe as a man takes a hummungous long knife and cuts the thinnest long slices of Serrano ham off the joint for us. That's our dinner sorted for later then, I am already looking forward to it.
Quite exhausting to be so over excited by fresh produce you know, it's time for a sit down and some refreshment. We head up to the main square and settle outside one of the many cafes there.
I order a cafe con leche (coffee with milk) and feel quite Continental. It takes an age to arrive, service at this cafe is slow and leisurely. But eventually it arrives and it is deeeeeeelicious. I try and drink it slowly cos I don't want it to end.
We seem to spend a long time trying to pay for the cafe con leche, the arrival of the bill is even slower than the arrival of the drink and my friend is getting hot under the collar about it. She wants to be off. There is lots more market to explore, there are clothes and bags and belts and jewellery and all manner of enticing things.
Eventually we do manage to receive a bill, pay and leave, and we are free to explore more of the town. Up and down and in and out the little warren of paved streets we go, it's very atmospheric and ancient.
We find ourselves at the bottom of a looooong flight of steps, three hundred and sixty five of them to be precise. They lead up to the old 18th century Calvario chapel (I sound very knowledgeable don't I, good ol' Google). Deep breath and we begin to climb....
....some beautiful old houses line these steps, with some of the most amazing cacti I have ever clapped eyes on. Just imagine having a cactus as tall as your house??!!
oooooooooooooooooooooooh and lemons too, just look how laden those branches are! Everything seems so delightful to me, my heart is going skipety-skip. I am also quite breathless by this point actually, three hundred and sixty five steps amounts to rather a lot of climbing and huffing and puffing.
Eventually we reach the top and the views out across the town are superbly picturesque. It was so worth the huff and puff to get up here.
Skipping back down the three hundred and sixty five steps is a lot of fun, we manage it incredibly quickly. Then it's back into the heart of the town for a late lunch of tapas and vino blanco (and that's about the extent of my Spanish, although of course I can say Cafe~Con~Leche too), followed by a drive to the port for early evening drinkies. Then back to the villa we go for our market produce dinner (oh those divine tomatoes), a little snooze, packing of bags, saying goodbyes and then the beginning of the late journey homewards.
Doesn't it all sound wonderful?
And that's cos it was exactly that.
Wonderful.
I was/am so very very glad of the hours I had away from home, it was a huge luxury for me to take off like that. But I really felt I had earnt it, deserved it, needed it. And by the way, it was wonderful for J to stay home and allow me to jaunt off, but let me tell you he has already booked his own flight for early next summer (four nights away in Ibiza on a rowdy stag do). So it's all pretty even-stevens around here you know, his halo doens't need buffing up too much.
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Hi Lucy.
I have been following your blog for a while now. I just love al your stories and you beautiful crochet work. Your colors are to die for! I have recently started my own blog and have linked your blog into my reader. Lisa
The Red Headed Mermaid.
Posted by: Lisa Mason | October 30, 2010 at 02:12 PM
Good post !!!!
Thanks for sharing such a nice traveling experience.Hope you had a good enjoy at your trip.
Posted by: villa in calpe | October 28, 2010 at 08:12 AM
I usually come to check your blog. It is very cheering to see your writing.
Sometimes I wonder, how you dry your crocheted blankets. When I put them in the washer and dryer, it all tuned out not so looking good.
I am so amazed by the quality of your pictures too.
Hope, one day you will write about how you manage the quality pictures.
Posted by: Bindu | October 27, 2010 at 03:37 PM
what a lovely place..
love the narrow streets..
Posted by: lulu | October 25, 2010 at 06:07 PM
those chillies look amazing! great colours :D
Posted by: nicole | October 25, 2010 at 08:55 AM
Thanks for taking us along on your little get-a-way. Loved the pictures and your so descriptive words about them.
Posted by: Darlene Garner | October 24, 2010 at 09:12 PM
Ooh I've been to that Sunday market. It was wonderful - and climbed all those steps too! Thank you for the wonderful trip down memory lane. By the way, I think we went to the same cafe - I seem to remember some very slow service too :)
Posted by: Lisa (WrightStuff) | October 24, 2010 at 02:31 PM
Looks fab...love the peppers. Glad you had a such a good time x
Posted by: louise | October 24, 2010 at 09:06 AM
Just popping around on Saturday night. Hope you have recovered from your fun weekend away. It's nice to be back home and settled for a little while. Fall is here that's for sure. The summer just went too fast. I hope THE FLOYD hasn't scared you away....te-he....Did you know that I really enjoy most of my day in silence except when writing my posts. But, I do like to shake it up every now and then and make sure we are all not turn into old hooking bitties. Let's keep ourselves young in spirit.
What a drag...I'm being called to the lower level {basement} as we call it... to watch some silly movie. Boy, do they need attention or what.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend,
Kate
Posted by: The Garden Bell | October 24, 2010 at 04:16 AM
great that youve had a much needed break with an old friend! Cant beat it can you eh!
Posted by: Antonia | October 23, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Beautiful photos
Susan
Posted by: Susan Blencowe | October 23, 2010 at 11:08 AM
So glad you share photos over there of such interesting places. Beautiful colors. Our markets here are all indoors with everything in shelves or bins. Your shopping there looks much more exciting than here. Wish I were there. The countryside is just beautiful.
Posted by: LuAnn | October 23, 2010 at 06:24 AM
What a lovely holiday! Wish I could have one. Sounds absolutely delightful. Good for you!
Posted by: Ashley | October 22, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Happy for you Lucy that you enjoyed your time away. Love the pics as always!(oh and -- can I ask how many chain u used for the baby ripple?) Sorry don't know where else to ask) - Robyn Qld AU
Posted by: Robyn | October 22, 2010 at 10:07 PM
Ooooh how I miss the Mallorcan markets and the fresh local produce. Nothing beats fresh and ripe (in Switzerland nothing is ripe when you buy it...) seasonal fruits and veggies. Your photos bring back good old memories of the 4 years we used to live in Mallorca. It sure is a beautiful place. Lucky you to have such a great getaway. I am sure you are all boosted up with new energy now.
Posted by: Annette | October 22, 2010 at 08:51 PM
Lucy,
You are just the cutest...most....you make me smile and cry at the same time. The last part about J going away and his halo..sent me over the edge. Thank you!!!!
And! You have such an eye...your pictures are beautiful.
I am so happy you had time away to recharge. It's such a good feeling to get away...and coming back is so nice too.
Hugs - Lori
Posted by: Lori Daly | October 22, 2010 at 08:33 PM
Lucy:
humm ¡¡¡¡¡ these vegetables are very rich, I'd like to try our coffee?, Costa Rica is famous for its rich coffee. send me your address and I can send coffee to try it. my email [email protected].
Pura Vida¡¡¡¡
Geovanna
Posted by: geovanna | October 22, 2010 at 07:59 PM
WELL DONE----thats what it is all about DONT FORGET IT ! J Australia x
Posted by: Jeanette | October 22, 2010 at 06:23 PM
Can I come with you on your next trip? This sounds exactly like what I like to do on vacation!
Posted by: Tracy | October 22, 2010 at 04:17 PM
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. :-) Although, by my count, you should still get two days away since your husband will be taking 4 nights away later. Maybe it's time to start planning another getaway. ;)
Posted by: Anne | October 22, 2010 at 04:10 PM
Sounds absolutely divine. The coffee, a tiny work of art, hence the wait perhaps? How lucky you are to have markets like you do. Rather that than the soulless mega stores we shop at here. I can see myself with a basket over my arm, walking along, selecting the freshest vegetables. I bet we would all eat heathier too.
Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault
Posted by: Eileen @ Star's Fault | October 22, 2010 at 03:50 PM
Lovely pictures, Lucy! You are very clever at capturing the feel of a place. I loved the peppers in the market, and the bright flowers.I hope you feel totally refreshed after your lovely little trip and glad to be back.
Have a lovely weekend.
Helen x
Posted by: Helen | October 22, 2010 at 03:17 PM
It looks like your trip was wonderful and I hear that Mallorca is fabulous- though the person that always raved about it to me was from Spain :) I love reading your cheerful posts, I'm so happy I found your blog!
Posted by: Amanda C | October 22, 2010 at 02:32 PM
Hi, Lucy. I'm just catching up in your posts. What a wonderful opportunity to rest and recuperate! I live vicariously through you - I feel like I've been somewhere after spending a few minutes reading about your weekend. Thanks! xo
Posted by: Christina | October 22, 2010 at 01:16 PM
What a lovely way to recharge your batteries. Mine could use a little recharge too but I would wish for cool and damp. Florida this time of year is totally warm sunny and dry. Anytime you wish for time in north central rural Florida..just let me know I am happy to trade for a week of cool and damp..especially in the fall. Glad you are back as you enliven my world. Take care. BeBe in very warm very sunny very dry Florida
Posted by: BeBe | October 22, 2010 at 12:13 PM