The World of Simon T: July 2017

Monday 3 July 2017

Menorca 2017 Day 2 - A Fishy sort of Day

What a great start to the day as we found the only place in Es Castell that was showing the rugby - a little bar 10 minutes walk. Brilliant result for the Lions and the eggs and bacon were not too bad either. No beer consumed, only 3 litres of water and coffee. Needless to say the womenfolk stayed in bed.

The weather this morning was still not behaving itself which didn't bother us as we had always planned a trip into Mahon on the first Saturday to visit the fish market and to part satisfy half the travellers insaisable appetite for shopping. Not that we were going to buy any fish but more the fact of sampling the excellent cuisine and atmosphere. Got there just before it got really busy and bagged ourselves a table outside.

I really would recommend a visit here as you could sit all day long grazing on the numerous dishes available. From cockle popcorn through various paellas and onwards to little sausages, olives, tortillas and bocadillas. A few litres of Sangria were also consumed.

In the same area there are some nice market stalls and a bit of architecture for the cultural types.

At last the ladies could not stop themselves and vanished into a multitude of clothes shops touching and cooing at everything in sight. This left the guys to ponder on the more important questions of the universe.

The only time we met up again was for inflatable toy shopping ( Don't ask!)

Enough was enough and us guys bade farewell and made our way back to the bus station and onwards back home. Worst discovery of the holiday so far - the lovely little bar inside the bus station that served ice cold cider had shut down - disaster!

So upset by this we had to stop off at the local "English" bar for reviving beers. Not only this but the landlady made her own scotch eggs and pork pies daily. Too good to miss - English tapas.

Later on that evening we were made more than welcome back at Bar Lemon, the finest cocktail bar in Menorca. They had only just opened last year and we visited every night. They remembered us of course. Mrs C got a bit greedy and ordered several drinks.

The other benefit of having a good relationship with the locals is asking for her recommendation on where to eat. Her tip was for a small restaurant at one end of the harbour with an unusual menu - it only had one main ingredient - octopus. Too interesting to resist.

Octopus served Galacian style or as a tail - no, we have never heard of that either. The wine was also served uniquely - out of a jug into saucers.

Okay, that was quite enough fish for one action packed day. The sun was due an appearance for Sunday so off to bed and up early for a full on pool day.

To finish off here is a picture of a sausage machine

Laters

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Sunday 2 July 2017

Menorca 2017 Day 1 - Death Plunge & Prosecco Showers

Yes, it's that time of year again when the Stanwick Six set forth to warmer climes, plenty of good food and accompanying drinks.

The same villa as last year had been booked. Es Castell just south of Mahon, the capital of Menorca. Flights courtesy of easyJet entailed a very early start onwards to LTN. Early, like 2:30 in the morning early. Wait for bus in car park 2 minutes, no queue at checkin, through security in 3 minutes. It was going far too well.

Upstairs in the bars and restaurants it was heaving with hens and stags on their way for long weekends in Magaluf, Benidorm etc. Fancy dress was something to behold. Naturally there would be none of this frivolity on a Menorca flight. 5 minutes later we were shown to our tables in Frankie & Bennies, yes that's correct, tables. Mrs CT and yours truly were banished to a corner on our own. Unsure what we I done to deserve this the two nice ladies on the next table offered to take me to Malta if my friends didn't want me. (Yes that is a pint at 4:15, please don't judge me).

So far so good. Boarding commenced and completed. Off the tarmac and airborne on time.

Now we already knew that the weather that morning in Mahon was a little unstable, for which read thunderstorms, lightning, hail and heavy rain. All the pilot said was that there maybe a few bumps in the climb up. Okay sounded fine.

OMG, 10 minutes before landing all hell let loose. Just prior to this the pilot whispered into the tannoy that anyone who still had hot drinks remaining should put the lid back on. Most passengers paid little attention to this. I, on the other hand, as a frequent traveller on these Airbus 321, read this as a coded message that we were in for a rough ride. I warned Mr C of my concerns but said not to mention anything to Mrs C who is not a good flyer at the best of times.

The cabin crew had vanished. They admitted later that all 4 of them had got caught in the rear galley when the urgent call from the pilot just for them, came through. Only having 3 seats between them, the youngest and smallest had to jam herself under a seat in front.

The aircraft came out of the bottom of the storm clouds after quite a few bumps and bangs and proceeded to drop 200ft in a second. Anything that wasn't strapped down went upwards towards the ceiling as the aircraft went down. The youngsters thought it great fun, the adults just screamed! I have to admit that in 40 odd years of flying this was the biggest unplanned flight movement I have experienced. Thankfully that was it and we landed safely 5 minutes later.

Now, I can tell you that the following photo was not taken after the sphincter and bladder loosening moment just described but some one hour earlier. "Can you get my cardigan out of the overhead locker" asked Mrs R of Mrs CT. This she did by throwing it from a height onto the remaining Prosecco that they both had been enjoying. Never has so little gone so far. All down Mrs R's trousers making it look like an unfortunate accident and then all over her own seat. To avoid further wet pant embarrassment, the nice Tracy produced an easyJet rubbish bag as a seat cover.

So onwards to Es Castell. Couldn't get into the villa until 2 pm so down into the harbour to find coffee. This lasted until 10:45 (ten minutes later) when the ladies decided they could not hold off the rose wine any longer. Elevensies of more wine, beer, croquettes, anchovies, prawns, and patatas bravas followed. Cannot remember the rest of the day!