September Trip Report.....

[martinchip10]

Finally I have managed to finish my trip report from our week in PP in mid September. It' strange, but whilst writing it you are taken right back into the PP bubble and it is as if you are still there.
Alas, I am not, so buckle up and hope you enjoy it and find it relevant.....

It was done. The war was won. The laptop was triumphantly slammed shut and I had a grin that the Cheshire Cat would be proud of. We were going back to Puerto Pollensa for our September holiday.
Ever since we returned from 2 weeks in PP at the start of July I had worked out my strategy to win the annual battle with Debs as to where we go in September.
“Ooh that cruise looks lovely Martin” she would comment.
“Yes, but it leaves on a Thursday and I cannot get that time off. And it is an inside cabin. And the last cruise we went on 2 years ago in September was really windy ( we were not allowed on top deck for 3 days ) ” I would respond.
“Jo is off to Corfu again in a few weeks. They really like it there, and it is hot” came the next verbal attack.
“But we went to the Greek Islands last September and you always get to choose where we go. And you get too attached to the cats” I cried.
“Whenever we have been to Mallorca or Menorca in September we always have two days or torrential rain and it is not as hot” was her last attempt.
This was in fact true, but unbeknown to her, I had been closely monitoring the weather since we returned to Blighty and it looks positive. “ It looks like it will be between 25 and 29 degrees for the week that we will be there” I helpfully chipped in.
Deb’s attempts were eventually rendered futile as she finally submitted. “ OK, book Mallorca and I am sure we will have a lovely time even if it does rain for a couple of days.”
The days seemed to pass quickly. 2 new pairs of beach shorts were purchased but a week before we were due to fly, the 4 times daily weather checks I undertook started to show a worrying decline. Cloud pictures appeared instead of a sun. Lightning bolts appeared too and the temperature looked to drop to around 21 to 25 degrees.
I was starting to get concerned and wondered if I should have listened to Doom-Monger Debs, but it was too late. We were a week away from flying, so sod it.
The day before arrived and we drove down the Hilton Garden Inn in Luton to spend the night and park the car and have a ridiculously overpriced burger and prawn sandwich.
Addison Lee actually appeared on time at 3.45am to drive us the short journey to the airport and the holiday officially began as I stepped into Departures.
“Look at those all people queueing up at the standard Easy Jet check in desks” I proclaimed as we marched to the empty Easy Jet Plus area. 2 minutes later we were on our way to security. This is where my patience can regularly be tested and today was no different. Only 2 scanners were available ( so 4 lanes ) and it took 15 minutes of standing in the queue for the scanner before meeting our hand luggage again. Don’t know why, but even at 4.15am in the morning Luton is light years behind Palma airport with its security procedures.

Debs had a gander around the perfume counters in Duty Free for 30 minutes which resulted in a purchase of absolutely nothing. Off we trotted to Frankie and Bennies for brekky and to gawp at the 3 middle aged ladies opposite us guzzling porn star martinis while their 5 young children stuffed their faces with chips, and we soon boarded the plane for our 6.00am take off.
7.00am and we were still sat on the tarmac. An issue with ATC that apparently happens regularly and one that I will never understand. However not too much of a problem when you have EXTRA LEG ROOM, although I swear all the people sitting in these seats still only had two legs.

 

[martinchip10]

The flight was great as usual and actually made up around 25 minutes so we didn’t arrive too late.
I marched down the travellators at Palma airport cursing as old people stood on both sides of one of them almost creating a domino effect as fellow walkers had to stop. On the 3rd, “excuse me please” one of them moved.
I hurriedly scanned the TV screen to see what cinta our luggage would arrive on and it was number 19. The eye could only see as far as 10 and by the time we walked to number 19 I think we were actually half way to Pollensa.
The transfer was fine when it actually left the car park and we were dropped off at our new home for the next week, Apartments Flora.
We have never stayed here before but have stayed in apartments opposite and have used their sunbeds a few times. The reception was clean and tidy and we checked in and explored our room. The key they gave us was attached to a huge heavy metal keyring which took me 15 minutes to detach from the key. Begonia 23 was our room overlooking the closed Pepe’s restaurant. It was clean and tidy and a decent size however had the tiniest triangular balcony, but it did get afternoon sun.
Settled in, we popped out to our traditional first day’s lunch at C’an Pescador at the start of the Pine Walk. Due to the rains, we had to eat under cover as they were not serving outside, which was fine. Special sandwich and chips for me and a ham and cheese toastie for Debs and a beer and wine to drink all for 26 euros and nice tasting, although my club was mysteriously missing the egg.
We popped along to the local Spar for essentials ( beer, gin, tonic, melon and milk ) and went back to the room to work out how to use the TV. This was a good TV as it had a number of British channels including BBC and ITV so Debs could catch up on Eastenders and numerous rubbish quiz shows.
I spied a table tennis table in the games room downstairs so we headed off for a few games. This was a nice way to spend 30 minutes as the weather was getting poor outside. Importantly, I won 4-0.
We normally visit Marc’s (previously Nico’s ) for our first nights meal however by 7.00pm the skies had opened and it looked like it was not going to ever stop. It would have taken a monumental effort to get showered and changed and head out to the square to eat so we decided to stay in and get some stuff from the Spar shop opposite.
We braved the rain and sought out the section that offered microwave meals. This turned out to be the smallest section in the shop and I had to pick the one meal that was offered. I fancied an international feast and what I ate was actually sort of international. So I ended up visiting a Spanish supermarket, to buy a Chinese sweet and sour chicken that was made in Poland. It does not get more international than that! Debs bought a big bag of crisps and some coconutty things and we shared a bottle of Vina Sol and went back to the room to “ enjoy ” and to watch some programmes we came away to avoid.

 

[martinchip10]

Wednesday arrived and we peeked optimistically out of the curtains to be greeted by overcast skies however over the next 60 minutes it cleared up nicely and the sun appeared. The market was cancelled and the local schools were closed due to last nights rain and there was bad flooding on in other parts of the island.
New shorts on and after quizzical “ are you really wearing those “ looks from Debs ( bright green with zebras ) I went and secured 2 sun beds in a decent position by the pool.
The pool area is tidy but quiet small. It has one large terrace style area with the rest of the beds dotted around the pool. There was also a full time life guard who by the time he would actually be needed would have forgotten how to swim anyway.
We got chatting to a lovely lady on the adjacent sunbed and finally settled down to read my newspaper and for Debs to do a Sudoku. The sun was very hot ( app 28 C ) and the beds were comfortable and it was soon lunch time.
We would normally head to a beachfront restaurant but decided to pop into the pool bar for lunch. The snack menu is not bad for lunch so we plumped for a chicken baguette and a prawn toastie and sides of chips and chicken wings.
Wow, I was not expecting that. The baguette and the toastie and the wings all came with their own chips. I was surprised the chips did not have a side of chips too! A very chiptastic lunch was enjoyed accompanied by 3 mojitos and we went back to sun ourselves.
It was very hot that afternoon so we dipped in for a swim. I say we, I mean Debbie got straight in whilst I took 10 minutes to get fully submerged. It was freezing. We stayed in the sun until 4.30 and popped back to the room for a G&T, shave, shower and siesta and we dressed and were off to Marc’s ( formally Nico’s ).
Greeted with hugs and kisses by Marcos we ordered our usual food of Quesadilla Pollo Loco and Quesadilla Marinera with a bottle of Senoria De Sarria rose to imbibe. The food as expected was lovely and it was good to see the restaurant packed, even inside. We gave them 42 euros in exchange for the food and left to have a nightcap in Una Bar. This is a gin bar opposite Bar Tecun.
A swift Finsbury Platinum for me and a very strong Negroni for Debs and off we went back home for a final snifter in front of the TV before bed.
Thursday arrived and the sun appeared again so I popped off to lie in the sun by the pool again. I managed to secure the same spot and 40 minutes Debs appeared armed with one of her 6, yes, six bottle of sun cream and her puzzle book and we took in some rays. The pool area was not so busy today and was a bit quieter so we were able to relax a tad more without too many high pitched outbursts from my ultimate enemy, toddlers.
Lunch time arrived and I insisted I must have Pa Amb Oli in Ca Les Monges, which is now my favourite lunch time restaurant. The service there is very friendly and professional and the food is lovely and reasonably priced. The main waiters recognised us from June which is always a nice touch.
We ordered a selection made up of gambas repozado, tortilla patatas, Pa Amb Oli con lomo y queso with a glass of wine and a big beer, as I understand it is now called. Beautiful tasty food and all for 33 euros. Off we went back to the sun beds for a final couple of hours in the sun.
I was instructed to make some gin and tonics and we settled down for what was a really invigorating episode of Tipping Point. The bloke was so close to getting the big metal thing out. We showered and siesta’d and went out to what was my favourite restaurant in June, C’an Panxo in Virgen De La Calme.
A lovely friendly lady greeted us and sat us down at our nicely positioned table and the wine boy appeared to take our drinks order. One bottle Lagar De Costa Albarino and a bottle water. This wine is lovely but must be drunk whilst extremely cold.
The wine, not you.
I ordered the Solomillo whilst Debs had the Sea Bass. Both meals were beautiful. Seasoned superbly and my steak cooked to perfection.
But then, half way through the meal he appeared. We had heard him a few minutes ago but thought he was somewhere else. We froze in terror, staring at each other. We could leave now but still had food to consume. But no, it was too late. The guitar was bought into position and the familiar notes of Volare…Cantare filled the tables.
Actually, no. It looked like we were safe. He had appeared next to a Swedish family who had children who either loved the music or were tone deaf. The parents were videoing him and their kids whist he sang. We were safe, for now.
We continued to eat, but, movement out of the corner of my eye. He was not with the Swedish family anymore. He must have traversed the buildings walls, Spiderman like, to appear behind us.
Cantare….. oh ho oh…..Volare…..
He was at our table. We nodded and smiled politely through screwed up eyes, surely the song must be close to the end now? And there it was. A hefty slap on the guitar and it was over. We applauded politely whist fumbling around in my pocket for a euro coin and off he went to C’an Ferra.
The wine boy transformed into the pudding boy and we shared a chocolate pudding. The bill was 68 euros. The food here is superb and the service is very professional but friendly. They are very knowledgeable about their food and the wine and will happily recommend certain things if you are not sure what you want.
They are not on the sea front so probably have to work a little harder and they certainly do and in my opinion their food is better than all the restaurants I have been in on the front.
We said thank you for our beautiful food and went to Bonys for 2 mojitos and back to the room for a G & T nightcap and off to bed. Nighty night PP.

 

[mike_dublin]

Great report. Thanks for taking the time.

 

[martinchip10]

I woke up around 3.00am with a searing pain in my toe and thought “Oh no, not on holiday”. I got up and took a couple of Nurofen and tried to get back to sleep which took a couple of hours. I finally woke up again around 8.00am and was in agony. I had suffered from Gout for a number of years but never on holiday. It usually appears a week or so after we have returned.

I managed to hobble to the lounge for a cup of tea and took some more tablets. I desperately wanted to sit in the sun again today so managed to hop or walk on my heel down the stairs and over to the sunbed where I stayed until it was time for lunch.
I know that it is rich food and alcohol that brings on an episode but I really didn’t want to stop the holiday feeling even though I was in pain so as a treat for hobbling down to Brisas Marina I rewarded myself with a beer to accompany my Pepito De Lomo. Debs had a bacon and tomato sandwich with a glass of wine. The food here is nice whenever we have been for lunch but we are still not sure about visiting again for an evening meal after a couple of disappointments a few years back. 22 euros was the cost and on the way back I hobbled to the nearest chemist for some anti-inflammatory tablets and a tube of Voltadol. Apparently you need a prescription to get strong pain killers, which was disappointing. The 200 yards back to Flora took about 15 minutes and rubbing the Voltadol on the affected part was agony.
It was really hot again and I desperately wanted to get in the pool but only managed to sit on the edge of the kids area with my feet in the pool, which was actually really cooling on the toe and the pain seemed to subside a little whilst submerged.
We eventually went back to the room for a cup of tea and I read the paper on the balcony whilst Debs watched a stunning episode of “ Celebrity “ Pointless. I tried my new Spanish tablets and they started to make a little difference.
After a strange shower I felt sort of able to make my way to a restaurant for dinner and whilst for the first time in my life I walked slower than Debs, we stumbled on a new restaurant called Chef Table in one of the side roads up from the beach., We peered at the menu and went in even though it was empty. This was a Thai restaurant.
A cheery lady appeared and we sat down and ordered some wine and water. She was hanging around the front of the restaurant so we started to chat to her and it transpired they had only been open a few days. They had had a great opening night despite a family of 4 doing a runner.
The lady mentioned that she had worked in a couple of restaurants in the square for a couple of years and now had the opportunity to run a restaurant with her partner, who then appeared from the back.
We asked him questions about the menu and he was happy to explain the dishes. We plumped for a Chicken Pad Thai for me and Debs had Chicken Red Curry.
The food was extremely fresh when it arrived about 10 minutes later was extremely good. Two good sized portions of lovely flavours were wolfed down. We have had a few “Thai” meals in PP over the last 18 years in various non Thai restaurants and this blew the socks off of all of them.
The chap who cooked the food really knew his stuff and you could tell he was a happy chef when he is cooking. The bill was 42 euros but the food was superb and we really liked them both so left 50 euros and said goodnight.
We didn’t go for a nightcap after dinner so went back to the room for a G&T and then flopped into bed.
Saturday morning arrived and it was a tad overcast. I had slept well and I think the nightcap and the strong tablets contributed to that but as soon as I woke up, there was the pain again, although this time worse than yesterday.

 

[martinchip10]

We had some melon and yoghurt for breakfast and I decided that I was not going to be beaten and would attempt the stairs and do some sunning.
We secured some beds and Debs actually went and bought the paper for me to read. Debs is brilliant at loads of things but sympathy and understanding are two that require some work. I had to dangle my feet in the kids pool again when it got too hot.
I got back on my bed when a hugely endulged 2 year old girl with a ridiculous name jumped in and became a one toddler splashing machine but that was deemed fine to annoy loads of people as long as it gave mummy some peace and quiet to read her 50 Shades book. The screaming splashing machine only quietened down when the dad appeared and sheepishly calmed her down.
Tummies were rumbling so we popped over the pool bar for a tuna toastie and a chicken baguette (yes, with chips) and 2 mojitos. The mojitos they serve are soooo nice but beware, the barman with the “ man bun “ uses less alcohol than the older friendlier chap and doesn’t fill the glass up to the top with Sprite either.
My toe was burning up by now and was the same colour as a post box at home so I asked Debs permission to retire to the room. This was approved and I somehow got back upstairs and left Debs to sunbathe for a few more hours.
After showering and shaving we were due to go to Los Faroles for their lovely Paella.
Debs dressed and looked really nice but I felt bad for her as I had to wear my trainers with the lace taken out on my left shoe as I could not put my normal going out footwear on. The pain was not getting any better and the walk to Los Faroles really took it out of me and I was knackered by the time we got there. I looked like an extra from Thriller whilst I was walking.
Whilst waiting to be seated I noticed this bloke staring up at me from his table next to where we were standing. When he got up, still staring at me, I thought OK, what’s going on here. I would normally fancy my chances as he was a good 6 inches smaller than me but when he put his hand out I realised it was Juan, the chap that owns the apartment that we hire every June. He also owns the block that the restaurant is in. Oh, and a yacht too.
We chatted for a few minutes and he explained he was doing up the apartment we use so I expect the cost will go up because of this. We said goodbye as our table was ready and chose our wine which here is always a bottle of Mortitx Blanco.
We ordered the Paella and watched the world go by. It eventually arrived and was as expected absolutely beautiful. I even enjoyed trying to get the miniscule amounts of meat out of the crab claws and also managed to construct some art out of the various shells and plonk a prawn shell on top perched on its arm things staring menacingly at Debs.
Los Faroles is one of Debs favourite restaurant and she loves their fish, but I am not overly keen on anything else other than the Paella there. When we visited in June the fish was good but they still serve all their meals with 1970’s style veg.
We treated ourselves to two lovely café calypsos and paid the bill, which came in at 57 euros which was well worth it. We eventually got back to Flora and took up two more mojitos to the room before going to bed, me in pain. Come on Spanish tablets, please take the pain away.
Sunday appeared and we normally go to the Old Town for the market but there was no way I was up to walking around all day. The market ( IMHO ) had reduced in size and quality over the last few years and as we had been in June, we were happy to miss it.
The pool area was nice and quiet today and even though I was still in a lot of pain, I was able to move around a bit easier and was even able to go for a proper swim before and after lunch.
Lunch was again at the pool bar and we consumed a chicken baguette and some chicken wings with 2 mojitos. Oh sod it, my toe was feeling a tad better today so we had 2 more!

 

[martinchip10]

I still could not play table tennis so after having enough of the sun for one day we entered the “games” room to play pinball. Debs is excellent at pinball ( hours spent each week bunking off school in Plymouth as a youngster ) . I had the top score then Debs came and played and massively surpassed mine twice. The machine then started to do strange things. The graphics morphed into a big sludgy pattern, the scoreboard was just small shapes and the music was distorted. We sheepishly moved away and went to our rooms and when we looked again on Tuesday morning it was still off with an “out of order” notice stuck on it. Debs, you broke the machine you Pinball Wizard(ess).
We completed our late afternoon / early evening routine and went off to dinner. I could walk a little easier this evening ( well done Spanish tablets ) but still could only wear a laceless trainer on my left foot.
Eventually we got to our destination, La Cabana. We love their tapas there and had a good meal there in June. We were seated in our seat facing the beach and ordered some wine and water and ordered the cheaper of the two tapas menus as I knew I would have to finish off some of Deb’s half, but this is fine my me.
There are too many dishes to mention but it contains the expected meats, cheese, rice and prawns and chorizo etc etc…..
An elderly portly French chap and his wife and another couple turned up and wanted a table outside. They had not booked and wanted a table that had a reserved sign on it. The waitress would not allow this but he moved the sign to another table and motioned for them all to sit down. The waitress put the sign back and said that the table was reserved. He then began to raise his voice and started speaking loudly in French to his friends and gesturing disappointedly at the waitress and the table, only for the waitress to respond in perfect French. This shocked the man and he calmed down and they went to sit at the table that she originally offered them.
He then did something that I find really annoying….there was not much room between the back of the chair he was going to sit it and the back of the chair of the young couple behind him but he looked behind him, pulled the chair out so far that it was touching the back of the other chair and fell into it only to move and perch his large posterior onto the very front edge of the seat, leaving an expanse of seat not used. The young chap pushed back and looked round only for the French rudester to shout Quelle Problem?
Anyway, they ordered starter and mains and after finishing the starter, left what I assume was enough money to cover the food they ate and off they went.
La Cabana service can be a little slow and nervous at times but the food is always really nice and freshly cooked and there is a beautiful large terrace out the back too. 53 euros we paid for our meal and off we went to Una Bar for Expresso Martini and Gin Mare, my new favourite gin.
Off back to Flora for , hang on, what’s that…..?
Cantare… Oh Ho Oh……coming out from the Italian restaurant at the crossroads on Mendez Nunez. Yes, it was Mr One Song.
Monday was to be our last day so after brekky we decided to spend the day on the beach. We did this every day for two weeks in June and spent a fortune on beds and brolly so gave ourselves a treat today.
Our usual umbrella number 3 was available on the first line so I prepared the beds and Debs eventually came down 45 minutes later after getting stuck on yesterday’s cryptic crossword.
The first thing I noticed was the state of the shoreline and the sheer amount of white and clear plastic that had washed up. This went all the way round from La Llonja to La Gola and then stared again after the break and it did spoil the lovely view a little.
We sunbathed in the hot sun but this time with a beautiful breeze that was missing in Flora so it was more comfortable. It was lovely and quiet that day and there were not many people on the beach so it almost felt private.
Lunchtime came and off we went to Brisa Marina again ( Les Monges was closed ) for a Pepito De Lomo for me and a huge prawn salad for Debs. I had two beers and Debs had a wine all for 32 euros and again the food and service was really nice so we must try this for dinner next Summer.
Back to the beach for a final 3 more hours in the sun and off we moped back to Flora to pack most of our stuff.
We completed our routine and headed off to our traditional last night meal at Marc’s where I had one of their superb Utah steaks and Debs enjoyed her Chilli. A bottle of Senoria De Sarria later and hugs and kisses and we were off.

 

[martinchip10]

Half way through the meal we were disturbed by what must be quite possiby the worst quartet of Brazillian acrobats I have ever seen. The ( no spring chicken as Debs put it ) woman began by some very basic quick footsteps and then some weird arm movements and some strange facial expressions. Over to the rotund chap who did a few leg raises and circle jumps and then finally, and actually this tall chap was decent, some gymnastic somersault, handspring jumps which were actually good, and some fire eating so he saved them from getting nothing from me. Off they went in the direction of Bonys.
The steak is soooo nice here and Debs really enjoys all the meals she has had here. The restaurant is not Michelin Star food but is really good value and quality and the service is great.
One final Finsbury and a Negroni at Una Bar and we went back to Flora stopping briefly to take 2 mojitos back to the room. 2 more Spanish tablets for my toe and I was away.
We settled our bill and went back to Flora.
In the morning we began our laborious journey back home.
Flora is a great base to stay at. The apartments are clean and tidy and comfortable with a decent, but small odd shaped pool. The sunbed area is cramped and you are probably better having a ground floor apartment as they come with a terrace and some grass outside. The staff are friendly and professional.
It was a decent price we paid and the food is good. Didn’t like the mojitos though!!

We had not visited PP in September for around 6 years and we found the place really quiet especially during the day. A lot of restaurants that you would expect to have to book at you could just walk in to, even Centric.
Even so, this ( toe apart ) was a much needed relaxing holiday and we would certainly go again in September. It will be my turn to choose again in about 11 years.
Anyway, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed my review and massive apologies for the length.

Also available in hardback
Cheers
Martin and Debs.

 

[martinchip10]

Great report. Thanks for taking the time.

Cheers Mike, but I was only about a third of the way through!
Please come back, there is more....

 

[mike_dublin]

Cheers Mike, but I was only about a third of the way through!
Please come back, there is more....

I realised that while I read.

Great write up. Hope the toe is better by now.

 

[Sparky]

Brilliant trip report Martin thank you for posting .

Would love to know what part of Plymouth you lived in .

 

[car77]

Loved reading every scrap of it Martin!

Car 77

 

[Rosie34]

Ha Ha - very entertaining - especially the rude French man episode

PS I hope your toe is better - maybe the mojitos helped!

 

[Luckyone]

Great Read

Thanks for the best read on this site for a long time. You should write a book.

 

[katsmum]

Brilliant

Really enjoyed your review. Can’t wait for the June 2020 one. Very informative and amusing. Hubby takes Colchicine on holiday just in case. Maybe ask your doctor for next year

 

[wiggyman]

An excellent read that has made a cold winters evening feel much warmer thanks ! Maybe we should all do the same and have a vote for the best trip report?

 

[kate1]

What a fantastically detailed and entertaining report! 'Volare Man' will henceforth be known to us as 'Mr One Song' - wish he would learn something else! September had some very wet weather so I was glad to hear it didn't stop you having a good time - toe or no toe!

 

[martinchip10]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind comments.
I feel I owed the site a trip report as I had not written one since Summer 2015.
Cheers

 

[jat]

I have just been transported to my favourite place in the world. Much appreciated cheer on a very dark and wet County Tyrone afternoon.

 

[marilyn]

Great report. It helps keep me going until next Spring.