The R W Nash Blog

Technorati Tags: Travel, flight, online check in

A big accident in Palma this morning, if the noise of all the sirens was anything to go by. I wanted to to Castell de Bellver, the castle on the hill that overlooks my hotel. Anyway the taxi was late due to the accident and when it did come, we immediately got stuck in Mallorcan traffic jam. However having said all that, taking a taxi was the way forward, as, as hills go, it was a hill and a half.

Lovely if somewhat hazy views from the top. A museum, telling the story of Palma and if you look closely, you will see two mounted police officers. Walked back, as it was downhill all the way. Afternoon, by the pool (again).

Apart from the British papers, which you can still get.  Ebaying from Mallorca and back to the 4 star buffet (see pictures).  Tummy less red now .  Spent the day by the pool.

 

There’s something about driving in the middle of the night, quite apart from the lack of traffic. It’s easier and more difficult at the same time. Easier as you don’t have to deal with jams and bonkers drivers, more difficult as it is harder to see (especially when your contact lenses flare). Anyway the new Tom Tom maps no longer show you in a field when go from the second Severn crossing to the M5.

My plan to check in three hours early (as before with EasyJet at Bristol) didn’t quite work. Turns out that no one from Easy arrives until 04:00. You can’t blame them really. Still a large cappuccino helped (picture 01). Anyway when I checked in, I was boarding group A again, which was nice. Up to the bar as everything was closed and a rather summery Magners (picture 02) to start the journey.

Flight left 10 minutes late but arrived 15 minutes early. I wonder how much recovery time is built into this schedules? Passport control was the problem. Half an hour to get through. Picture 05 shows the queue behind me. A guy who does the journey every two weeks, said that they hardly ever check passports, argh.

The resorthoppa transfer was delayed due to late a arriving flight from Newcastle. Probably not helped by the passport control queues. Great thanks to the Penarth knowing Geordies for their running commentaries on the coach.

After that it was downhill all the way. McDonalds, then cold beer ans papers by the pool. I’d forgotten how cold the pool could be. However when you have been awake since 00:30, it doesn’t half wake you up!! Using solar charger to save the world (picture 07).

Well, what a good day.  Thanks you Bev and Debra, here are the planes that I promised.  The V bombers,

all nuclear capable.  Bar next to the Travelodge has free Wifi and is the way forward.  If only the

Tom Tom hadn’t takn me to a Church 🙂

With a Beagle and a Flemish Internet dating couple.

So OK it’s much warmer than this time last year, very spring like. All the
locals are wandering around and enjoying it. Had some local chips from a van
on the way up the hill.

So, they are out of Cantillon Framboise but they have Framboise Girardin and
Framboise Boon. Both are acidic but not as much so as Cantillon. The Boon
(Boon) is dated 2005 and has a more complex taste, it also has it’s own
glass. Both are 5% by volume. A very good start.

Liefmans Kriekbier, a Kriek based on a dark beer instead of a lambic.
Heavier but very pleasant. However my teeth are beginning to get rather
sticky. 6% by volume. The way forward!

Lindemans Pecheresse – peach beer only 2.5% by volume but a rather gentle,
refreshing taste. slightly cloudy but a refreshing taste with a peach after
taste. More forward.

Oude Geuze Boon – The Perfect Marriage. Old & young Lambic. Rather pleasant
aroma but a far better acidic taste that would cut through any thirst. 8% by
volume, a sipping beer.

And Ostende on Monday.

Still had plenty of time.  Tom Tom & dips from foggy Bristol airport.

The Stasi museum and their smell records.  Crossing points and what little is left of the wall.