So this is Christmas......

I am staying in Soller over the festive season. A very nice couple wanted to go to England to visit family for the holidays but needed someone to look after their cat and I volunteered. It was a good decision. The cat is a dear old girl with failing eyesight and she keeps on bumping into things but otherwise she seems as fit as a fiddle. Apart from staying in a warm, modern apartment there are added benefits such as home made chilli con carne, mince pies and some chocolates. Add to this a view across the town to the mountains which would make a perfect jigsaw puzzle and you have the makings of a very comfortable couple of weeks.

Yesterday (yes, 25th December) the sun was shining for the first time in a few days so I took full advantage and went for a walk. Driving out of Soller in the direction of Lluc there is a mirador - viewpoint - with a carpark. The view looks out over the port of Soller and this is a good point to start a walk along the mountain paths in the direction of Cala Tuent. It isn't too hard a walk and the scenery is breathtaking with occasional glimpses of the sea between steep mountain slopes and terraces filled with old olive trees. The air was cool but the sun was warm, creating strong thermals for the Black Vultures circling above the highest peaks - I counted 16 of them at one point.

After the walk, making a mental note to return another day to explore some more, I returned to Soller to shower quickly before driving to Palma. My one acknowledgement to the passing of Christmas was to spend the evening with friends enjoying a traditionally English meal - huge quantities of turkey, potatoes, parsnips, carrots, peas, beans etc. etc. Many thanks to Annie for her hospitality.

Today the rain has returned but the weather forecast promises another opportunity to put on my boots tomorrow. I will keep my fingers crossed.

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Its been a good year for diving. I have now completed my PADI Divemaster course and Wreck Diver Speciality course as well as notching up over 100 dives. This shot was taken whilst completing a standard safety stop after a dive to the wrecks just outside Palma horbour. Thanks to Ingo for taking the pictura nd to Marc for sharing. Should you be tempted to give diving on Mallorca a try (and obiously I can recommend it) then give Marc a shout - take a look at his website at http://www.tauchenaufmallorca.com/english/index.htm

Views across from Cabo Ses Salines to Cabrera as autumn storms pass by. In fact they didn't all pass by exactly, one waterspout was forming right next to us and passed over our heads before it had time to develop, thankfully.