The Most Beautiful Ice Cream Cone We've Ever Seen

Although quite full after our unforgettable Spanish, real life, proper, churros experience ......

..... temptation was still round every single corner in Palma ........

...... soooooooooo, it would have been rude not to have at least a little gander .......

....... and cheeky inhale of some of the other wonderful comestible profferings! 

However, there was also some ornate decor that took Darrell's breath away .......

 ...... in particular this mahoooooosive, jewel encrusted ice cream cone, which even I had to admit was absolutely stunning.  I don't think either of us has ever been so taken aback by such an elegant ice cream bearing receptacle before, which left Darrell proclaiming that had it been for sale, he'd have moved heaven, earth and highwater in order to purchase it, to replace the now very ordinary mirror in The Tower's hall!

So long did we stand ohhhhhing and ahhhhing, admiring it's wonderous beauty .......

....... that it seemed only polite that we avail ourselves of a tiny scoop or two or three from the kiosk it was adorning ........

What are we like?

Real Life Churros in Palma

When in Palma, it would be rude not to do as the Palmarians do, to wit, embrace a cheeky churros!

We'd experienced "plain" churros with ice cream back in Pegeura, but we'd only dreamed of being able to them embrace them, in full, by dipping them in warm, melted chocolate .......

Needless to say, once spotted, we were in the purveying establishment within seconds and our order delivered toute suite ....... 

Let's just say, not a lot was said as we were each lost in our thoughts with unbridled, comestible Spanish delight.  They DID NOT disappoint, even the cup was drained, politely, if not licked, because, unfortunately, our tongues were not quite long enough ...... but trust us, if they had been, we would not have held back! 

This was a mahoooosive Spanish bucket list tick off for Darrell and I ........ and with that, I think I'll just leave the joy there for us both to remember and contemplate the true wonderfullness of it all!  What are we like? 

Another School Year Over ........

Our thoughts today are very much back home with Eric because, goodness only knows how it happened, but another school year has come to an end, in the blink of an eye! It only seems like yesterday, that  we were dabbing an emotional eye over our beloved niece proudly modelling her new school blazer and tie and worrying about her settling in, as if, in the end, we needed to ....... a duck to water springs to mind!

So, this afternoon Eric set out for the very last time, this school year, to pick up his beloved niece and nephew from their respective meeting places, trying to keep it all together!

He collected Bertie first, knowing that he had to embrace each and every single second, as this was one of those reflective days where memories, happy and sad are made (..... the next time he picked up Bertie, he would be in Year 5, his last year at first school).  As per usual, his young nephew leapt into his arms with a huge hug and sloppy kiss, before they set off to met Iris, going over Bertie's very last day with his class and staff, as they will all be mixed up next year.  

 

Eric had his "spare provisions" bag ready, as the young master is always starving, hungry, famished after school, usually opting for a Jaffa Cake, chocolate coated Biscoff or Jamie Dodger ........and on hot days, well, it would be rude not to pop into the only corner shop we've ever found in Evesham, for a slush.  

And then, there was Lidl, where on no slush days Bertie and Eric pop in to pick up (often following a early morning text message) an item from the bakery department for Iris, usually a yum yum, pretzel or pink doughnut. Bertie doesn't often fancy anything, but will occasionally choose a cookie. 

It is also where Eric taught Bertie how to use the self service machines and scan his debit card, the trust and responsibility something Bertie is very proud of! 

With baked comestible in hand, it was time to meet Iris for more hugs and kisses, before wending their way slowly to Snake Mountain, each a little lost in thoughts of no school or school runs for the next six weeks, and wonderful adventures, holidays and weekends away ahead and so many carefree days stretching before them......  

Eric, we understand from Alice, returned home a little quieter than usual and knew instinctively that he needed a little space for a while. 

She felt exactly the same, it's a bit like New Years Eve but in July ........ with soooooo much been, done, gone and behind us and a whole raft of new starts ahead, if you know what I mean?

Our First Palma Port Of Call ....... A Stunning Church

As you know, we very much appreciate a church, plain or spectacular, when we are in foreign climes and what was the very first "interesting" building we stumbled upon on our trip to Palma, only one of the most stunning churches we've visited ......

....to wit the Basilica De Sant Miquel de Palma, of the catholic persuasion .......

 ...... even though our pictures don't even touch on its full glory, because we were really trying our best to be respectful, not wishing to make it obvious what we were doing. 

Down both sides of the church were different alters, each seeming to become more beautiful as we went round ......

..... until we found, almost at the end, our very favourite one, if you're allowed to have favourite things in church?

Again, our picture doesn't show just how breathtakingly it was, in a peaceful and gentle, yet ornate type way, with Mary bathed in blue, surrounded by cherubs and seraphine, gold pillars and magnificent painting depicting her glorification.

It was here that Darrell and I decided to light our traditional candle to remember all the special people who are no longer with us to share in our adventures, Andy, Granny Shelia, Grandad Colin, Grandad Jack, Uncle Stephen  ...........

It was the most perfect start to our visit .......

...... we held them in our hearts as we continued on our way, safe in the thought that they would be ohhhhing and ahhhhing along with us in awe of this beautiful city. 

Palma does have a very wonderful cathedral, but the queues, we were warned, are long and hot, but to be honest, we prefer to go off piste as far as our churches are concerned, as you never know quite what to expect once you pass through their portals.  

We Board A Spanish Bus To Palma

Oh my goodness, after a full morning lying and paddling sur la plage, but wanting to embrace a bit more of Mallorca ........

...... we came all over brave and bold and decided to avail ourselves of the 102 bus to Palma!

To be honest, it seemed much easier to find the right bus stop than in Evesham (of which we are still pretty much strangers after all these years as the train is much easier and faster) .......

..... and there was no worrying about whether we would get a seat, as it was one of those extra long buses, in three sections with elastic down the middle (???).

 The air con was perfect for our 35 minute journey, which cost us just 4 euros!

We felt like real life locals as, to the best of our knowledge, we were the only "tourists" on board! Mad dogs and Englishman? 

Our journey was seamless, we were so proud of ourselves, as we usually book a trip or taxi when we go on an excursion out of resort

The bus station was in the slap bang in the centre of the city, which beckoned through those magical doors and up an escalator ....... our adventure was about to begin.

Extra Large Pickle Anyone?

We've noticed that at the end of every supermarket check out, including our own, now much beloved, SPAR up the road ......

..... that they all seems to have a large vat or bucket of rather large pickles .......

...... of which we are very curious.

Darrell says that perhaps when he's all geared up of a night, following a cheeky cava sangria, two or three .......

.... he'll pluck up the courage .......

...... and avail himself of a choice one to nibble upon our return to our hotel .......

....... if only to see how they actually get said pickle out ...... net, fishing rod, spear? And then how they present it to you?  Answers on a postcard please!

Joyous News From The Towers

Although he's been trying to keep it to himself, I know Darrell has been fretting over his beloved amaryllis, Richard who, as we were leaving for foreign climes, was on the very cusp of blooming for a second time, despite Darrell seriously decapitating him a few weeks ago!

But, with a pressing plane to catch, there was nothing Darrell could do, except leave Richard to the tender, loving ministrations of Eric and the ever fragrant one. 

So, you can just imagine the unfettered pride and joy this morning, when Darrell received news and pictures from Eric and Alice, of Richard once more in his prime, standing tall, proud and in fragrante!

I have to say, he (Richard, not Darrell) really is a magnificent beast, even though I am pretty much a stranger to the art of the burgeoning, soilless and waterless plant.

Eric and Alice have done a sterling job in taking caring of Richard, however, with this news, perhaps Darrell can now truly relax and embrace our shared Eviva Espana Experience with all his usual gusto and relish (sweet and spicy please)!

Our First Taste Of Tapas

Last night we got our very first taste of authentic tapas, something we've drooled dreamed about ever since Darrell booked this holiday.

We decided that we really wanted to eat where real life locals eat ........

...... so veered off from the well trodden main strip of restaurants and ventured excitedly up a back passage, let's just say we were not disappointed.

It was hard to choose from the menu, as everything looked and sounded too wonderful for words, but eventually opted for six dishes that arrived, it seemed within seconds! 

The dates wrapped in bacon were our stand out favourite, with Darrell already deciding that, if he practices, will replace our usual pigs in blankets on our festive table next year, so I guess that shows that Mallorca has already stolen a piece of our hearts.

Next best favourite were the patatas bravas, followed by the gypsy chicken, meatballs, croquetas de jamon and finally the crusty bread with pork slices.

It goes without saying that our plates were almost licked clean as we absolutely loved it all, however we did manage to hold ourselves back just a little as we were also desperate for some Spanish pudding ...... to wit churros, with a dollop of ice-cream. 

It was as if we'd died and gone to heaven ...... they were all we hope for and more

..... all washed down with a complimentary shot of pina colada.  We are now very much converts of a tapas type nature ...... and definitely want for find more dates in bacon and churros by the dozen during our stay.  

The restaurant was very traditionally decorated, we were desperate to take more photos for your delectation, but as it was jam packed, we didn't want to cause a kerfuffle and disturb our fellow guests, but trust us, it was rather beautiful and authentic in a shabby type way.