Mallorca

We got back home around 20.30 hrs on Saturday, having spent the previous week based in a superb villa on the outskirts of Pollenca. Scenery was stunning, as was the bird life, with twenty-nine year ticks added without any effort to "do the circuit". It was a holiday for Emily & Harry, our grandchildren, and the first time they'd ever been abroad so everything was concentrated on ensuring they had a good time. From that perspective we succeeded big time; the hustle and bustle of the Gatwick terminal, to the take off and landing, and our Renault Trafic, nine-seater, minibus to the villa, pool, barbeques and general holiday adventure, they loved every minute of their experience.
It made no difference if we were sneaking up on basking Geckos or stopping the minibus to jump out and gaze, in wonder, as a Black Vulture leisurely soared above the adjacent hillside or just sat in the garden as the sun went down, watching bats hunting around the trees and listening to the haunting calls of Stone Curlews - brilliant memories for all of us!

I've got over 650 photos to go through, so there is plenty more material for a few posts over the next week, or so. England's progress in the World Cup is a wonderful distraction for all of us long suffering fans, so used to underachievement by our national team. I managed to see both goals, as they were scored, but not much else of the Sweden game. I assume it must have been rather good, as there were still parties going on when we arrived back at the bungalow. I've got some particles cooking in the slow cooker and am hoping to get out for a short session this evening before the reality of work kicks in at 05.00 hrs tomorrow. So there you have it. Holidays, football and fishing - life really doesn't get much better?

Emily and Harry enjoying themselves in the sunshine at
Marine Park, just west of Palma.