May 16th 2019. Our last day.

It seemed like a good start to the day. Blue sky, sunshine, lovely breakfast, and then we were informed that an unknown person was blocking in the hotel car parking! Remember the challenge of even getting to the car park? There was no wriggle room. Fortunately our flight wasn’t until the evening so we had plenty of time and could change our walking plan, so no worries. By the time we had packed up and paid the bill the offender (an Englishman who has a second home here and who knew he shouldn’t park there at this time of year, how embarrassing!), had got himself out of bed and moved it.

Geoff, ably assisted by Alex again, managed to get the car out without incident and we headed west on the MA10, stopping in Estellencs for coffee and to buy a snack for lunch, then on to the start of our walk at Col de sa Gramola.

To start with it was an easy and well trod path, part of the GR221. Even when we turned off this onto a different path it was easy to follow. We stopped for a quick lunch at a view point high on the cliffs overlooking the sea. Stunning in the sunshine.

We made it to the next mirador with no trouble, although the edge did make your knees turn to jelly!

Then the path disappeared. We each went off in what we thought was the approximate direction, but without success. By this time we knew we couldn’t get to La Trappa and back in time to get back to the airport so we reluctantly turned back and headed for the car.

With an evening flight and the threat of airport food we went into the small town of Andratx to get something to eat. There were a couple of options in the main square so went to one and ordered tapas and some drinks. The drinks came quickly, but the food took nearly an hour!!! It was freshly prepared and delicious so that helped, but then he didn’t take cards, and despite how cheap it was we didn’t have enough cash to cover the bill, so there was a mad dash for the cash machine!!

It was now nearly 5pm and we had to drive to Palma airport, filling up with petrol on the way and get the car back by 6. Should be no problem!!! However, there had been an accident on the road so traffic crawled for probably 10 or 15 minutes until we were past the incident. Just petrol to get and Helen had told us there was a filling station on the roundabout as you got to the airport. Google maps agreed and there were loads more around so none of us were checking as we arrived at the airport and started following the signs for hire car returns. We were of course looking for the petrol station on a roundabout but unfortunately we arrived at the entrance to the car park without having seen either. At this point we couldn’t turn back so had no option but to go to the returns reception to ask if we could get out again and find that petrol! Fortunately they said yes, or else we would have been faced with a large bill for returning a car not full of petrol!!

We successfully got out, found the roundabout and petrol station, filled up and returned the car just before 6! We still have no idea how we managed to miss it all first time round!!

Check in was simple and quick so time for a coffee before David headed for his flight to Malaga where he is meeting Uni friends this weekend for some walking in the Sierra Nevada. We headed for our departure lounge. The flight was a bit delayed but we were back into Gatwick before 9.30 and had the luggage not taken half an hour to arrive it would have been an easy exit. The car was where it should be and we were heading for the M23 and feeling like we were almost home, but what’s that????! M23 heading north completely closed??? Diversion taking us south on the M23?? It’s dark, late, we are tired so just follow it, whilst Alex who is sitting in the front with Geoff is quickly talking to our friend Google to get a route back to where we eventually want to be which is the M25. Technology worked!! No more problems and a straightforward drive home for Geoff whilst his passengers dozed off and on!

Home soon after midnight and a much needed cup of tea before heading for bed. It’s been a fabulous week away and as I write this on a cloudy, grey Friday morning I’m missing the blue skies and warm sunshine already! 🌞