 Changing Places Week 156 W/C 15th February 2009
On the basis that it is good for the soul to do something different every day we took ourselves off for a Sunday afternoon walk through the Raixa estate. We have watched from the Soller Road the erection of the signs to Raixa but were not sure what lay in wait for us at the end of the lane. Agatha Christie's story of ` Evil under the Sun' was filmed here as were many others needing the impressive valley and scenery as a backdrop. The manor house is set into the side of a mountain with many outbuildings and a small church high on the ridge. The setting is only marginally spoiled by the huge modern car park that is being built just near the house. When this project is completed they are obviously expecting crowds of visitors to fill it up. On an early spring day the few cars were parked in fields well behind the new concrete that will house the coach trips. The valley between the mountains was full of spring flowers and almond blossom. The house and buildings to the right of us were very impressive and the visitors climbing the stairs that feature in the film were retracing the steps of Peter Ustinov, James Mason, Maggie Smith and Diana Rigg. Our dog wasn't impressed by that roll call of names but he loved the walk and the new smells of the afternoon. It was great to have the gentle walk of solitude before this year's visitors arrive. The Raixa estate has been closed to visitors for years and will generate a lot of interest as a new venue this year.
Our working lives have become entwined with the brilliant inventor Graham Smith. Sun Search and Graham have a few partnerships going - The Light Box Bench being just one. His latest invention, which is going into production this month, is that of a Hot & Cold Boiler system. `Doesn't sound very sexy' say my London friends -`not quite the usual Sun Search image'. What - are they mad - this is a revolution! I'm delighted to be associated with this one because it will change our views on air conditioning for ever. The premise is that a dual boiler containing a heating element and a cold room compressor together with radiators gives you a central heating and cooling system... All Graham's inventions are environmentally friendly and use the minimum of energy so this system ends up being hot in the winter, full replacement for air-conditioning in the summer , reasonably priced and saves the planet. Boilers being produced in Sheffield as you read this page. Mallorca the launch pad for another new invention - it is all very exciting.
Have you felt awful this past week, were you sick and wiped out for 24 hours? Every other person we speak to has had this charming little virus of the winter. Jay succumbed and took to her bed. It's always a tragedy when Mum is ill so we did a spot of babysitting for youngest granddaughter to allow Mum to sleep. Treats were offered ranging from going on the train to Palma or visiting the delights of Festival Park. The favoured outing was a walk up our local mountain to the local Finca that sells orange juice. A child of simple tastes that we were happy to indulge.
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