Living the dream Day 7

Roger suggested we wait to see what the weather looked like before we made a plan today. It was cloudy and cool so it didn’t look like I’d get my last pool time. We drove to the Cooperativa on the way to the walk, so that I could buy the local olive oil (Waitrose prices - Oh dear poor Mr C!)

Parking near the Cuber reservoir, we walked 21,500 steps, first beside the reservoir then up to a col from where we could see down to Soller, then headed on to a further col, climbing up steadily. From it we looked over to the hills we climbed 6 years ago from Orient up to a col then down to a monastery after which it was the lamb restaurant up from Alaro. Further over we could see the plain and if it hadn’t been cloudy perhaps as far as Palma. It was a delightful walk with pretty flowers - this year in short supply due to the drought I suppose - then up into pines. To our right as we descended we could see the route up to the peak climbed on our previous visit. The sun came out so we could take off our fleeces.

We returned by the same path, then got the car to whizz down the twisty mountain road, busy with very fit cyclists, legs pumping their way up.

I made us all a late lunch (3.45 pm!) of onion, red pepper and mushroom omelette while Carol prepared a salad and Roger cut up oranges for a fruit salad. Mr C packed and Roger kindly advised me on what to write to the annoying ticket sales agency (Mr C’s birthday treat, one of). I had had to download an app to access our tickets but it said I needed to have registered when I bought the tickets. I had chosen paper tickets but they said they were no longer issuing them and they were accessible only with this app. I thought I had done something wrong but Roger said not.

Carol wanted me to teach her to crochet 15 minutes before we were due to leave. I did my best but said I had learned by YouTube so I’ll send her link. The pattern for a breadbasket looked a bit complicated for a beginner.

We said goodbye to Carol at the house and Roger drove us to the airport. They think if the weather doesn’t improve they’ll go home a week early as it’s pointless wasting their 90 days.

There was a huge queue to check in then Mr C was horrified that water cost €6 a litre in a shop. I had spotted a vending machine so we got it for €2.2O. I told him the savings would be spent on a G&T on the plane.

Plane landed early, but it was buses to the terminal and as 2 flights got in, long queues at passport control. Hundreds waiting for taxis so we got the last metro. It only goes as far as Regent Centre but it’s only a mile to walk from there to the car. Should be home by 2am.

It’s been a great trip but very full-on, pleasantly so, with good company too, but we’ll be vegging out tomorrow.