Tuesday, 11th June - Home to Peguera
Not the best news on waking up. The pissing rain over Cranfield and parts south had disrupted the rail network, with associated delays and cancellations. Still, we decided to take the scheduled taxi to Flitwick station just to see what the score actually was.
The train I'd targeted was due at 9.59. It did at least run, but was around 20 minutes late. No matter, as it turned out. In fact, the network was eerily quiet. Very few people around, even at St. Pancras International, which is normally very busy. Weird. Given all the delays and cancellations, I was expecting a real rush. So we trundled into Gatwick Airport only around 15 minutes behind schedule. A real result given the truly awful weather.
Thence shuttle to the North Terminal, where we dropped off our bags. This was fraught for two reasons - one, the technology was difficult to understand and two, much to my intense annoyance, I had to pay £40 for each bag. The Easyjet website really had not made this clear at all, but what can you do? A couple next to me were fulminating about the same issue.
Anyway, through Security with little problem and found a Wetherspoons for a bite to eat and a glass of something before we headed to our gate. As we had Speedy Boarding, we were able to get through the initial barrier reasonably quickly, but we were then herded together in a small space for about 15 minutes before they let us out to board the plane. This was purgatory for me, as there were loads of screaming kids behaving abominably who were tired and emotional. I can't stand the noise they make - old fart time, I know.
Finally got onto the plane and found our seats - I hadn't been able to get two seats together with extra legroom, so we both had window seats, one behind the other. Not too bad as it turned out. Flight was smooth and uneventful, and we actually landed on schedule despite the plane being 35 minutes late departing.
Temperature was about 22 degrees on landing - far pleasanter than the 12 degrees we had left behind in Blighty. Through Customs and baggage collection reasonably swiftly, then it was time to collect the hire car. A long wait ensued, as there were at least four groups in front of us. Finally got to the car - an almost brand new Nissan Qashqai, since you ask - and after a lot of pissing around trying to work out how to drive the bloody thing, finally got underway.
So - left hand drive car with which I was unfamiliar on roads with which I was unfamiliar in a country with which I was unfamiliar. Cue stress. I had at least got a dinkus to hold my phone on the windscreen and Google Maps was again absolutely invaluable (even though the car does appear to have a satnav, much to my surprise). However, one thing we hadn't really realised was that our hotel was a good half-hour's drive west of Palma itself. Not without difficulty, I managed to get there and thankfully drove the car up onto the hotel concourse in Peguera.
Checked in and decided to take the opportunity to use the hotel car park. 25 € a night, though, but at least the car gets parked for you. A very professional welcome with two glasses of Cava (nice touch) and a very nice room:
As it was now 8 p.m. local time and I, in particular, was knackered after that drive, we decided to eat in the hotel restaurant, which was actually a high-quality buffet. A nice bottle of Albarino accompanied it - much-needed.
Went out for a very quick stroll - this hotel is right on the beach at Peguera - and the situation looked good:
More to discover tomorrow, for sure.
Earlyish bed. Breakfast finishes at a very civilised 10.30 p.m., so a bit of a lie-in is indicated. No idea what we'll be doing tomorrow......
The train I'd targeted was due at 9.59. It did at least run, but was around 20 minutes late. No matter, as it turned out. In fact, the network was eerily quiet. Very few people around, even at St. Pancras International, which is normally very busy. Weird. Given all the delays and cancellations, I was expecting a real rush. So we trundled into Gatwick Airport only around 15 minutes behind schedule. A real result given the truly awful weather.
Thence shuttle to the North Terminal, where we dropped off our bags. This was fraught for two reasons - one, the technology was difficult to understand and two, much to my intense annoyance, I had to pay £40 for each bag. The Easyjet website really had not made this clear at all, but what can you do? A couple next to me were fulminating about the same issue.
Anyway, through Security with little problem and found a Wetherspoons for a bite to eat and a glass of something before we headed to our gate. As we had Speedy Boarding, we were able to get through the initial barrier reasonably quickly, but we were then herded together in a small space for about 15 minutes before they let us out to board the plane. This was purgatory for me, as there were loads of screaming kids behaving abominably who were tired and emotional. I can't stand the noise they make - old fart time, I know.
Finally got onto the plane and found our seats - I hadn't been able to get two seats together with extra legroom, so we both had window seats, one behind the other. Not too bad as it turned out. Flight was smooth and uneventful, and we actually landed on schedule despite the plane being 35 minutes late departing.
Temperature was about 22 degrees on landing - far pleasanter than the 12 degrees we had left behind in Blighty. Through Customs and baggage collection reasonably swiftly, then it was time to collect the hire car. A long wait ensued, as there were at least four groups in front of us. Finally got to the car - an almost brand new Nissan Qashqai, since you ask - and after a lot of pissing around trying to work out how to drive the bloody thing, finally got underway.
So - left hand drive car with which I was unfamiliar on roads with which I was unfamiliar in a country with which I was unfamiliar. Cue stress. I had at least got a dinkus to hold my phone on the windscreen and Google Maps was again absolutely invaluable (even though the car does appear to have a satnav, much to my surprise). However, one thing we hadn't really realised was that our hotel was a good half-hour's drive west of Palma itself. Not without difficulty, I managed to get there and thankfully drove the car up onto the hotel concourse in Peguera.
Checked in and decided to take the opportunity to use the hotel car park. 25 € a night, though, but at least the car gets parked for you. A very professional welcome with two glasses of Cava (nice touch) and a very nice room:
As it was now 8 p.m. local time and I, in particular, was knackered after that drive, we decided to eat in the hotel restaurant, which was actually a high-quality buffet. A nice bottle of Albarino accompanied it - much-needed.
Went out for a very quick stroll - this hotel is right on the beach at Peguera - and the situation looked good:
More to discover tomorrow, for sure.
Earlyish bed. Breakfast finishes at a very civilised 10.30 p.m., so a bit of a lie-in is indicated. No idea what we'll be doing tomorrow......
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