 Changing Places Week 139 W/C 19th October 2008
The mountain paths around us are filled with walkers right now. They clutch their maps and directions and are all intent on finding the new walk which has opened up as a result of building the new tunnel into the Port of Soller. This sleepy hamlet that used only to come to life in May each year is now the route for hundreds of walkers with their sticks and stout boots. The area of Tamany near our house is famous as the site of the thwarting of the pirates by the valiant women of the area. They threw boulders and blocked the way so that the pirates did not reach town and were sent scuttling back to the sea. Every year the house with the plaque on the wall is the site for a commemoration mass and it is the start of the celebrations for the battle between the Moors and the Christians. The walkers, intent on reaching their destination and taming the mountains probably don't realise what a historic path they are walking. The mid point of the walk before the Port is reached is marked by a mirage - just when it all seems too hot and too long there is a finca offering hospitality and freshly squeezed orange juice. A most unlikely place to find but everyone leaves with a smile on their face as they have watched the oranges being plucked from the tree and squeezed to order. It really doesn't get much better.
Jay went walking last week with a visiting North London friend and Deya was their destination. The paths are very well signposted and the day was perfect to walk and talk. The hours pass quickly with that great combination and then it was the bus back down to the Port to collect children from school. A bus down from Deya is a special treat going round all the mountain bends and seeing that wonderful scenery, all for the cost of a ticket which is cheaper than the tram! Jay is a frequent visitor to Deya because every Thursday there is a wonderful Yoga class which she attends at the community centre. Sandra - the teacher has a faithful following and people travel for miles to attend one of her classes. They asked her to teach their children and now on Monday evenings after school Kate and others are taught the pleasures and relaxation of Yoga not in Deya this time but at a studio in central Palma. Mountain walks and intense yoga were not on the master plan for relocation to Mallorca but what a great bonus they have turned out to be.
Emma (youngest granddaughter) is not to be out done - her favourite after - school activity is the ceramics class. Not bad to be moulding the clay when you are only four! The state school day starts at 9am with a break for play and a sandwich around 11.30, then the children work until 2 pm when the school day officially ends. At that point those who are not staying for lunch go home and those that are take themselves to the dining hall where a three course meal awaits them. Then comes playtime until 4 pm when their after- school activities start. The school that Emma attends has Ceramics, Football, Majorcan dancing and Art on offer and this is organised by the school PTA and charged separately for. Everything that happens after two o clock is choice - you pay if you want lunch and for the activities. Parents and children benefit from this flexible attitude to school and day-care.
Jay recently attended a meeting of this innovative PTA, she didn't understand much of the language but other friendly mums did their best to help her. She is not sure which rota she is on, but she appears to have signed up for `general involvement'! Her attendance at the meeting caused much interest as she learnt later that it is rare that the few English parents in the school get involved - mainly because they don't have enough understanding of the language. Nothing daunted involved she will be improving her Mallorquin as she goes. All those lessons can't have been for nothing can they - and it's all in a good cause.
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