Back home this weekend after a cheeky mini-trip to Valencia for 3 days last weekend. We flew from Palma to Valencia with Air Europa who we've found in the past to be very reliable and good value for money. Palma was quite busy for a very early morning but then again it was the start of a long bank holiday weekend out here, when quite a few Spanish travel to visit family elsewhere in Spain. Of course this year is a bit different to say the last but some people were still travelling and the Balearics publicised that any residents here could have a free PCR test on return from the mainland during the bank holiday dates if they wished. Anyhow, each passenger had a row of 3 seats to themselves and everyone was handed a sanitiser wipe as we boarded in order to wipe our hands and the area around us. No refreshments were available but then again it's a very short flight! The mainland felt just the same as here, mask wearing, hand sanitiser etc etc and on return we were given the information about a free PCR test although as you have to go to Palma to have it, we decided not to take it up.
This week saw the introduction of a new curfew time of 10pm instead of the previous midnight. This is because unfortunately the numbers of coronavirus cases here has gone up quite a bit and so the government has introduced this in order to try and prevent people being out late in bars etc. We're never out late so it doesn't make the slightest bit of difference to us! And if Christmas and New Year celebrations are more restricted than we had anticipated then so be it - we're still going to have a lovely time, come what may 😁 Mind you, there are strong rumours that tomorrow, the Pollensa area will enter Level 4 restrictions as sadly locally the numbers have gone up; it seems the care home on the bypass has been hard hit recently both with residents and staff affected. Level 4 will mean we will be unable to leave the area unless for medical reasons so no-one will be allowed in either, unless they are resident. And hospitality will be affected with seating only outside at tables of 6 and at 50% terrace capacity which could lead to a possibly chilly Christmas dinner at Stay for us! Ah well, as long as we have a table, we'll just wrap up warm if we need to......
I very much hope the vaccination is approved for use here really soon so that vaccinations can begin. The Spanish government has laid out it's plans for how it will roll out - pretty much the same as in the UK - but hasn't yet started although it's definitely imminent. Fingers crossed, and for me - although I respect those who are wary - I will most definitely be having my jab as soon as it's offered.
The Christmas lights in the Port were put up during the last couple of weeks and have now been turned on and it's lovely to see them after such a challenging year. The church is looking very lovely:
And the rest of the square looks like this:
In other local news Ca'n Ferra, Los Faroles/Ca les Monges and Hostal Borras have all closed their doors on the season, and today is the last day open for Brisas Marina too. This is, of course, nothing new and a normal time of year for them to do so but it definitely brings a real winter feeling to the Port. All the terrace heaters are out in force at the places that remain open and once the sun goes down it does get quite chilly. Today is lovely and yesterday was nice but during this past week we have had some very cold, wet and windy weather indeed. It's much harder to get warm indoors here as most houses/apartments have no central heating, are uncarpeted and are built for keeping the heat out! We've got used to it now and very much appreciate our gas fire and our two small oil-filled radiators, but sometimes it's colder inside than outside during the day!
So.....from a potentially restricted Pollensa municipality - keep smiling, stay safe and hasta el próximo domingo!
thanks Sarah, take care xxx
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