Day 96 Part One - Miles 65-67

Dad had to get up for a blood test this morning, so when he got back he was ready and raring for the morning walk, and it was still only just 9am!

Mum's ankle is playing up a bit again, so she stayed at home to potter and make us some breakfast for our arrival back home.

Dad decided to take me mainly on his normal morning walk with Mary and Brian, but to head up to the Tower to see a sculpture - at the sculptors house! It was worth it to be honest - lovely carved wood and some rust metal as hair. This is at the top of the hill, before heading through the lanes back down towards the sea. There are lots more Orchids this morning.

The wind was very blustery and the sea was having a bit of a crash against the rocks. At this point I realised that I was not going to get in the water at all this holiday! Oh well, health and safety come first! I don't want to be ill any more and I definitely don't want to go home all battered and bruised!

We walked at pace back home listening to the waves hitting the shore, just in time as Mum had made some lovely porridge and coffee for breakfast while we discussed out next adventure and my last day on the island.

Pictures here

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 95 - Mile 64

Today has been another full day! Off to see the Abergavenny Brass Band play over on the Isla del Rey here in Menorca. A short boat trip out to the island that used to house the Navy hospital to hear a brass band from Wales. Not your normal way to start the day, but it was great and good to be able to sit in the sun!

We had friends coming for lunch so we dashed back in time for the BBQ with Javier, Mariangeles, and their daughters Marta (3 years) and Maria (3 months). Marta is full of energy, like most 3 year olds, so we decided to head to the beach for a bit of a walk and a play!

As we headed down to the beach, we spotted a rather large (for the size of the bay) boat in the bay, which headed off as soon as we reached the beach. No one was in the sea and only a few people on the beach. Unfortunately both girls had caught their Dad's cold so we didn't stay and play for long! But it got us all out of the house for a bit!
A lovely set of photos go with this as Marta has such a cheeky smile! Here!

As we headed back up to the house, I spotted a boat that had apparently been wrapped in black plastic. Apparently this is a common sight and you often find boat yards full off plastic wrapped boats for the winter season. I thought it looked like it needed unwrapping!

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 94 - Miles 62-63

HAPPY EASTER!

We knew that there was the threat of rain today, so we decided to have a quiet day at home. The Grand Prix was on, so we settled down, preparing veg and meat for tomorrow's BBQ, and reading in front of the fire, as the wind got up outside and the rain started to lash down!

However, after a siesta - well it is hard work doing nothing - the sun was shining and the sky was blue - well blue with a few white bits!

We decided to go for a walk along the front towards Punta Prima, where it is renowned for having exciting waves in the wind. Once we had set out from home though, we soon realised that the wind had not only blown away the rain, but blown itself out too!

Oh well, not the thrashing wave pictures I had anticipated, and the walk soon turned into a botanical walk, spotting flowers, including lots of Orchids which are coming out now too. Kept Mother happy! She's been on crutches recently, after falling down a hole in the drive, and we had to not get sidetracked and go off on too long a jaunt as her ankle was starting to hurt.

There is a beautiful casita on the edge of the sea here, that gets used as a holiday home by a family on Menorquin's in July and August, so we had a little look and peered into the little cove. There seemed to be a seat naturally carved into the rocks that you'd be able to dangle your feet into the water from. Mum decided that this is a mermaid seat, so they could keep their tails wet!

Up the hill and back along the top, we came to the top of the road. I offloaded my camera and jogged the last little bit home! Obviously on the understanding that I put the kettle on when I got in!

I have new trainers which I am wearing in, but as you'll see from the pictures here, they are rubbing a bit and Compeed plasters are coming into their own!!

Hope you have all had a glorious Easter whatever you are up to,

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 93 - Miles 59-61

"What a nice day it is", I heard as I awoke this morning. I'm not if is was meant to get me up, as Mum's voice drifted from their room to mine, but it did.

After a couple of cups of tea, Dad and I set out for his morning walk. He normal goes out most mornings with a couple of friends for a "fitness" walk, however Mary and Brian are in the UK at the moment so I was roped into being his walking partner.

We decided to kill 3 birds with one stone, as Dad needed his walk, I needed some miles and Dad wanted to show me the BBQ that he has been building at a friend's Villa here.

We headed from Binibeca Nou, along the coast into Binibeca Vell, the next resort along the coast, popping in at the Corish's Villa on the way.

It was very quiet, but then it was 9am after a night that anyone who is anyone would have been out in the town last night, so not that surprising.

The BBQ was very nice (even unfinished), as was the other bits and pieces of work that Dad has been doing for them around the house and garden. I ventured up to the roof terrace, and from here you can see the sea! Hurrah!

We then walked down into Binibeca Vell, where, even though they don't have a beach, they do have a very successful resort. People swim off the rocks and the harbour here is busy in the summer - not today though... the holiday season is only just beginning.

Dad pointed out the Church spire in the midst of the apartments, which the planner decided the skyline needed, even if there is no Church, and this is just stuck on the top of someone villa!?!?! Only in Menorca!

The walk back was pleasant as they sun was heating up, and we wound our way through the back streets back home for breakfast! The smell of coffee as we climbed the steps to the kitchen was just great!

A random selection of photos accompany this blog... but you'll have to wait! Click here

Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 92 Part 2 - Mile 58

Well, what can I say....... It is Good Friday and as Menorca - as much of Spain - has quite a Catholic background, we headed out to the Good Friday parade.

Mum and Dad didn't really tell me much, only that they wore uniforms, drummed alot and carried statues through the town.

We walked across town to get a good position to watch the parade, and had to cross the tail end of the parade before they set off. Coming around the corner, of sleepy Mahon, I was greeted by what could only be likened to the Ku Klux Klan in Maroon?????????? I looked at my parents in dismay, and they assured me that this is "traditional" Easter costumes to do with the higher the point to the sky, the closer to God you are.

So, after this initial shock, we headed, at pace, from the Santa Maria Church up to Sant Francis Church at the top of Mahon. This gave us a good vantage point as this is at the top of quite a long straight road through the city.

It was amazing!!! Over a thousand people marching through the street to drum beats and trumpets playing, all dressed in robes and pointy hats of different colours. It is a very solemn affair, marking the cruxifiction of Christ and Mary's grief afterwards. The crowds are silent as the various stages of the run up to the cruxifiction are displayed as statues. Each being carried by one of the different churches in the Mahon area, each area having it's own colour - although I think there may be some religious connotations to the colours, but I'm not sure.

So, from Peter and the cockerel, through to John the Evangelist offering to carry the cross, to the cruxifiction, Jesus being laid to rest and the grieving Mary, all passed before our eyes. It was spectacular, and this was happening in most towns and cities across Spain!!!! If you are religious in any way, I would recommend it, and even if you're not it is quite some sight!
The photos are brilliant! Click here

Please forgive any religious errors.....

Love Iona x

365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 92 - Miles 56-57

After a horrible start to the week, I have tonsillitis! I have now arrived in a very sunny Menorca for a bit of relaxing and to get some miles in - hurrah!

Mum, Dad and I set off for an afternoon stroll, as I still feel a bit rough, and mum was tempting me to go for a swim! Meany! I have decided that I need at least another day of recovery before immersing myself in water.

Up the hill, round down to the sea, along to the beach and back up home we went. It's amazing the weird, wonderful, beautiful and bizarre things that you see in Menorca. Well I think so, but mum and dad just say "Well it's just what it's like in Menorca". Boats for sale, deck chairs in trees??? wild leeks and wild garlic to name a few.

It was lovely to get to the sea, and to my delight, there was someone training in the sea with a wetsuit on. Proper training, not just splashing about. I was so jealous I can not tell you! It was a good photo opportunity even if I couldn't jump in too!

As we climbed the many steps, up through the houses, you get a good view back down over the sea. We were lucky that you could see the sea from most of our walk. Spotting home through the trees and houses was a welcome sight as none of us had taken any water out with us!

Hope you are all having a very Good Friday.... photos when I get back to the UK.... there will be lots! x
Click here
Love Iona x
365milesin365days@googlemail.com

Day 87 - Miles 50-55

Today, Rebecca and I had planned a walk to Bolton Abbey, as training for the Shine Walk in 3 weeks time. We opened it up to all sorts of people, but due to other commitments, illnesses, the prospect of loosing a hour in bed, meant that just four of us headed out.

Four girls out walking, we must have been a bit of a sight, from rain coats to Bec in her dress and Wellies (Love that girl's style!). Anna, Trina, Bec and I set off about 10.30 so that we would all be able to get home and have a bit of relaxing time before work tomorrow.

It was bright and breezey! A brilliant spring day, even if it did seem earlier as we had lost a hour - why do I plan these things again????? The view after you cross the road and head down to the river is magnificent and beautiful, green as far as the eye can see, with a few spots of colours as other people were out walking and jogging earlier than us.

In no time at all we were at the quarter of the way marker, much to the girls surprises, and everyone was having a good time. Talking and walking are lovely ways to get to know your friends, old and new, because you cover all sorts of random topics and I always end up finding out something remarkable out each person that I never knew before.

We headed up to the the aqueduct bridge - which apparently carries water to Bradford - and back down through the Strid woods. As you'll know by know, I love water, so this walk is really good for me, as you can hear the river the whole of the walk. If I had had £10 for everyone who said to be careful by the river last week, I'd be rich!

I think I prefer Bolton Abbey in the morning, before the crowds set in. As we were leaving the car park was full to bursting and lots of people were still heading out to start their walks as we had finished.

Lunch in a nice Cafe finished of a lovely morning - even if the bookshop next door was closed... oh well.......

Love Iona x

p.s. photos to follow x here

365milesin365days@googlemail.com