By Lyn Funnell
The rain in Spain stays mainly on the plain – because it can’t go down the drain!
It was the first day of our holiday in Majorca (or Mallorca) and rain was forecast.
We had our breakfast in the BonSol Hotel and we gazed at the sky, where dark clouds were gathering. But we didn’t want to waste the whole day. As we went to catch the bus to Palma the Capital city, raindrops were just beginning to fall.
Apparently there was a Marathon in the town and some roads were blocked off. So we had a bit of a diversion on the bus and a longer walk to where we wanted to start.
I didn’t envy them running in that weather!
I wanted to see the Monastery of Sta Clare, where the nuns bake delicious sweet and savoury biscuits and tarts. You have to pay the correct money.
Their Fraternity was founded in 1256. Now 15 Sisters live there.
The rain was coming down harder and we found the Monastery with the help of our daughter’s phone. We rushed inside the church in time to listen to the Mass. The sounds were beautiful.
Next we slopped through the narrow streets to find the famous chocolate café, peering through gates at the tiny picturesque courtyards. But there was a long queue so we left and searched the streets for a place to eat.
I avoid the touristy restaurants and I try to find something where the locals eat. And there it was across the road.
We made a dash for it and gratefully staggered through the front door. We were wet through.
It’s called Coffee Shop Socio-Cultural Space Yoga Studio. And we were warmly welcomed.
And we speak Spanish, which helps.
Surprisingly, when I went to take a photo, everybody smiled and waved!
How different to the English, who all hide their faces as though they’re escaped prisoners, saying, I hate having my photo taken!
The menu is basic, with toast with various filling.
But it was served on sourdough bread from a bakery across the road, and piled high with ingredients. We had to eat it with a knife and fork.
I had toast with tomato, serrano ham, and boiled egg. I didn’t have rocket because I can’t stand it.
Hubby John had the same, with the rocket.
Daughter Rana had tomato & olive oil and Granddaughter Isabella had toast and jam, the nicest toast and jam she’d ever had.
She had a bottle of Coke. It’s made in Majorca and it’s the most tasty Coke I’ve ever tried in my life!
We paid and went to leave as they were closing, and they told us that we could stay there until the rain stopped.
But we left and we wished we hadn’t. They were so right. The rain fell in bucketfuls and we managed to shelter under some jutting-out balconies.
And sure enough, as they obviously knew, it eventually eased off.
We paddled along to the seafront and the magnificent Cathedral as we thought the queues would be shorter in that weather. But it was shut!
So we caught the bus back to the hotel and peeled our wet clothes off, then we had a hot bath and a cup of tea.
I was wearing a dress, a mac, and a spare plastic mac over the top and I had an umbrella.
But even my underwear was soaked!
We agreed that Palma was worth walking around, even in that dreadful weather.
Later, we had a drink in the bar and a lovely meal in the downstairs restaurant by the sea, watching the waves and the cloud formations.
The next morning it was sunny again!
Bonsol Hotel
Paseo de Illetas 30
E 07181 Illetas
Mallorca
Espana
Tel 34-971 402 111
www.hotelbonsol.es
bonsol@hotelbonsol.es
