Blue skies and trains

A clear blue sky this morning had us up and off relatively early for the little wooden tourist train from Palma up into the Serra Tramuntana mountains again, but this time by train.

It's a very touristy thing to do but it's something we haven't done before and promised ourselves on this trip. The train climbs up to the town of Soller set in a valley of orange groves between the mountains and the sea. (The view down from the mountains can be seen on my 22nd March blip 'High Sierra') We passed the town by on our trip to Valledemossa hoping that we would be visiting later in the week. Today lots of people had the same idea and it was very full of all nationalities including Spanish. There was a great holiday atmosphere.

From Soller we got the tram (seen here) down to Port de Soller. A lovely little bay with houses climbing up the steep surrounding hills. Again we could see this from above on Sunday sparkling at the bottom of the steep wooded mountains. The tram was even fuller than the train and we stood outside on one of the rear viewing platforms. It was hilarious watching the irate driver trying to make sure everyone was 'on'.

We had lunch sitting by the marina with lots of cyclists having a break from the tortuous mountain roads.

Back in Soller we spent an hour sitting here in the square watching the half hourly trams, more cyclists and people coming and going. The church of Sant Bartomeu is the back drop of the busy square and the arched tower above the Rose window was created in 1912 by Gaudi's pupil, Joan Rubio. Can you also see the post covered in knitting!

We caught the last train back at 5.00 pm as the sun started to drop over olive groves and citrus orchards back lining the route down into the city.

Our last night here so we have had a stroll around the illuminated cathedral and palace after dinner and a few farewell drinks.
We don't fly home till evening so time for a little more Mallorquin pleasure tomorrow.

( PS Gladders the train stopped in Bunyola so I'm sure you will remember it!)

You can see the route of the train on the map if you are interested.