Changing Places No 123 W\C 22nd June 2008

Route 221 is the place to be in Soller, it is the path that leads up and down our mountains and links the Port of Soller to the town and Biniaraix. The days are long and hot and the dog walks using this route have to be early or late or we all dissolve in a puddle. This walkway is magic, the fields and meadows full of wild flowers and wild goats. The rabbits that hop about accompany our evening walks – just when they thought the humans have gone for the day along we trot – and that’s just the dog! The small holdings where families sit near the slip roads bagging up the oranges and lemons to be taken off to market. There is scarcely room for a truck to come and get them but every day they are ready for the next day’s market somewhere on the island. The clear blue sky above the peaks of the mountains and the pastoral scenes in which we walk confirm everyday that we live in paradise.

The beach is other side of our life and the strategically placed deckchairs underline the unofficial pecking order that exists there. You are considered’ very well in’ if you manage to get a waters edge deckchair from our king of the beach. Benito is his name and his lifetime on the beach and his father’s before him entitles him to unofficial ownership of the place. It is crazy how privileged you feel if he actually smiles at you and allots you a ‘prime spot’ deckchair. His watchful eye on the pedalos and the children playing nearby ensures that there is no trouble on his stretch of sand. The first aid box is always on hand for the odd sting and scratch and his job satisfaction comes from everyone leaving the beach tired and happy and safely looked out for. Our beach is full of everyone we know and it becomes the equivalent of the town square in the height of summer. Children gather in hordes and the blue diving platform is where they all gather and put the world to rights in a junior way before pushing one another off. The numbers are augmented by the tourist’s children who are so jealous of this whole team of children who actually live here and are on that beach every day in the summer holidays.

Emma’s term in the local school in the Port of Soller ended with a school disco. The parents and the little children celebrated the end of term in fine style. The class teacher – Cati was being hugged to bits by our little one. Full conversations in Majorcan and kisses all round. What a brilliant end to her first year at the local school. The first two terms were very quiet ones for her, she wasn’t confident enough about the language to express herself fully – what a difference that third term of the year made. Now she chats away to her friends and her teacher like a little local girl. The blonde hair still sets her slightly apart – she doesn’t look at all Spanish but at least the first year language hurdle is over.

Kate’s school had a more formal year ending with speeches and prizes and farewell to the six formers leaving for university. The tears and kisses there were reserved for their form teacher who was leaving the school for a new career. The day ended at lunchtime and then it was a sleepover with a good friend in Arenal, the holiday started as it meant to go on. Fun, beach and friendship which she believes is a good basis for life! I completely agree with her philosophy particularly in the long hot Majorcan summer that is now upon us at last.

The parents duties are not over yet – they have to go to the schools and collect the reports and the work that the children need to take home. The school in the Port of Soller is clearing the decks ready for the start of summer school which happens in July and August. The school becomes a safe haven with lots of activities while mums and dads work hard with the tourists. Emma is signed up for July to play in the mornings with her friends and Kate is planning to join the tennis and swimming club for that month as well. The notion of summer camp and childcare while the parents work is very relevant here. The length of the holidays and the need for the whole town population to be working in its busiest months of the year make summer schools an essential part of life in our bit of Majorca.





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