A tale of two shoes.

A walk in the hills from Na Burguesa to Costa d’en Blanes.

Sunday 10 April woke to find itself covered in sun, almost a bit too much sun for April but it was a happy day. It was the day of the first organised walk for the Lace ladies along with friends, partners, and dogs. A bit of a trial day for a gang of 8 (plus canines Chiggy and Charlie) including the very experienced Mr. Mallorca Walker, aka Robin. The French Coffee Shop in the Costa d’en Blanes car park was to be the start and finish of the days exertions, providing a good caffeine kick start.

 From here we all climbed into Robin’s van for the drive up to the spectacular monument hovering over Genova with arms outstretched to welcome us. This saved the weaker of us what could have been a hell of a climb. The sun shone whilst we all took in the view of the cosmopolitan city of Palma and the Mediterranean 400 or so metres below us.  From immediately below the monument of Our Lady the walk began passing through the concrete posts into what was yet another piece of military land now thankfully opened to the public. Immediately we were enclosed in the pine woods that are so prolific in Mallorca with the wonderful fresh smell that only they can bring. The party quickly settled into small groups with the more active leading the way up along the well marked stone path, passing flowers of white, purple and yellow and a freshness of greenery that only spring can supply.

After about half an hour of easy but uphill walking we cleared the woods to find ourselves at a junction with impressive views towards the Tramuntana Mountains. It shows the complete contrast of this beautiful island, as within that very short distance we had gone from looking over ½ million people to seeing just pristine scenery with not a building in sight. At this point one of our party had a problem with shoes that had decided they didn’t want to come this far so had been deserting her bit by bit from the start of the walk. A pair of shoes that had not seen the light of day for some time and had decided to disintegrate, giving us all a lesson on check before you leave. Sadly it made more sense for her to return as we had not yet reached the halfway mark and we must thank her for returning the van to Costa d’en Blanes and commiserate with her missing the rest of the walk.

From this first major junction we headed left and then right in a southerly direction and slowly started to glimpse the water of the Mediterranean, sadly a bit too hazy to view the distant island of Cabrera but still a spectacular view from this ridge of mountains that would carry on and spill us back at our starting point before dipping its toes in the water. The vistas were spectacular including the distant refuge on the next mountain to the peak sof the Tramuntanas in the distance. As we progressed along the ridge we were than exposed to the bay of Palmanova and Magaluf beyond, which from this distance looked incredibly inviting and shortly after this appeared the motor yachty paradise of Portals with its thousands of metres of fibre glass brazenly on display. From our position though all we could hear was the sound of the gentle wind and the odd baaa from the wild mountain goats hidden in the shrubbery giving it all a surreal feeling.

After a brief stop for oranges to boost us all we started to descend into civilisation, looking down on the Bendinat tunnel  giving it a Scalextrix perspective rather than the one we are all used to. The walk finished on the back roads of Costa d’en Blanes, through streets of houses and apartments that all seem to have at least one dog that barks. It would appear that all these caged in dogs were jealous of our two companions who had been free to roam in the backhills and were letting us know. We finished back where we started at the French Coffee House for a well earned seat and a caña having enjoyed a three hour round trip that was not too exertive but you knew you had completed a walk in the hills.

Thanks to www.mallorcawalker.com and www.lacenetwork.com for organising what I hope will be the first of many more ambles through Mallorca.

Jamie Marshall and Friends live at The Half Moon – 12 Feb 2011

Deep joy, here at last, this trip had been organised so far in advance, I’m sure it was even before Will knew Kate or the world had discovered Gareth Bale (THFC) back in October. In reality it all started long before that with a chance meeting at a mutual friends Fulham restaurant launch 15 or so years ago, where the usual polite conversations were carrying on.

“What do you do then?”
“I’m a musician”
“Have I heard of you?”
“Probably not, I tour a lot in Europe”
“What sort of music”
“Blues / rock, here’s a copy of my CD”
“Thanks ….now where has that bottle of champagne gone?”
later
“Who was that darling?”
“Don’t know, some musician that Hywel knows, he gave me his CD, top up dear?”
Well it shows how little I knew about this guy and how much I would enjoy and still do enjoy that CD many years later. His music is a breath of fresh air, a rasping voice that is somewhere between Joe Cocker and Bruce Springsteen, lyrics that make the girls cry and tunes that have a wonderful rhythm and don’t tire. I have listened to this album so many times, I always make sure it is in the car on long journeys and now ensure it is loaded onto my current music player. If you have a copy of that album, Jamie Marshall – In Our Lifetime*, you will know what I mean.
But it was not until my discovery of the blue nowhere and a whole new world that is FaceBook that I was able to track down this wonderful musician again. Having a second wind with my music addiction and realising that I missed a lot of live music has refreshed my love of it over recent years, so it was only fitting that I put the name Jamie Marshall into the little search box at the top of the FB page to discover he was still there, still performing, still writing and still totally approachable, albeit through a Czech Pilsner haze in Prague.

Soon after our virtual affair started a note went up from Jamie – 12 Feb 2011, The Half Moon, Putney, Jamie Marshall and Friends. Brilliant! An excuse to get old pals together after many years apart, a chance to visit one of London’s most celebrated music venues and above all, at long last hear this guy live and in person. Planning and booking of flights went off straight away, quickly followed by notes to a number of pals to meet up for what proved to be one of the best weekends in a very long time, but that’s another book. Saturday evening arrived far too quickly and our little gang trotted off to The Half Moon in various cabs, arriving at a packed pub with concert ‘SOLD OUT’ signs all over the place. The man himself, my FaceBook friend, was wandering around pre-concert and immediately greeted me as a physical friend with no introduction, which is surprising for those of you that have seen my various profile picture incarnations on the interweb. With a lot of expectation this large number of old and new friends of Jamie entered the back room and without doubt must have made the man himself check if he’d brought a change of pants, even if they were totally unnecessary. He came on stage and put together a show with such confidence, total professionalism and a swagger that Mick Jagger would be proud to own. The set started after a bit of banter with Jamie on his own and included the brilliant track The Judas Tree and a wonderful, if slightly altered, cover of my other favourite musician David Byrne Psychokiller. Soon to join in was Radek Hlavka on electric guitar creating the point that the girls all went wobbly kneed as Jamie presented us with a wonderful new and unrecorded song Yes I Do, co-written with Clive Gregson. The evening built up with the rest of the band, 6 in total, finally joining in for the bulk of the concert and the place rocked, there was not one person who did not enjoy this concert. Jamie supplied what was superb music with a brilliant backing band, you would not have believed that they had only one day prior to the concert to rehearse. The set included 6 of the songs from that original album from all those years ago that had started this night off for me. A night I would have missed had it not been for a chance meeting over a glass of champagne in the back streets of Fulham, something I have to thank my dear friend Hywel for. It was a truly joyous evening, I know that makes it sound religious but it was far from that, it was just special. Music put together by a professional (and still unpublished) musician along with a band of Friends that proved music is still about having  fun and performing in front of an audience, that even if they weren’t friends before the concert had all become friends by the end. This included the young and hilarious James Lewis, who was only staying for an hour at lunchtime with a quick drink in the Lamb & Flag (Becks at £3.80 Covent Garden!) but was strangely still with us for the concert and was the last to leave the Half Moon, well done James. One final note regarding the post concert dj, who had sussed out his audience by supplying us with a rockabilly selection, which was in the main from the late 50´s and 60´s - perfect. Well done The Half Moon, long may you shine.
The idea of bringing Jamie to perform in Mallorca has popped up and has not been discounted as yet; it’s just a bit of a logistics problem, one maybe Eddie Stobart or a decent sponsor can solve for us in the near future.

JamieMarshall & Friends - Band members
Chris Belshaw - Bass Guitar
Simon Callow - Piano and Organ
Radek Hlavka - Electric Guitar
Steve Simpson - Slide Guitar, Mandolin
Paul White - Drums, percussion, backing vocals
Jamie Marshall - Acoustic Guitar, Vocal

Set List
Solo
Hungry For You
The Judas Tree
Psychokiller/Baby One More Time/Doncha
Shooting At The Moon
with Radek
Yes I Do (Jamie Marshall/Clive Gregson)
Trust Me
with Band (but without drums)
Until I Hear It From You
Vagabond Heart
Full Band Set
Which Side Of The Line
The Question Why
Hallelujah Day
Stir My Soul
Good News From The World Outside
Long Way To Fall
The Tricks That Time Can Play
Troubletown
She Is In Me
I'm Not Waiting
Encore
Just Enough Of A Moon (Jamie Marshall/Johnny Black)

*the album In Our Lifetime is no longer available but some of the songs from it have been re-recorded and rearranged and appear on the CD HereAfter which can be bought from iTunes, Amazon etc. via www.jamiemarshall.com plus from the man himself if you are lucky enough to see him live.

Thanks to Ralph Lunt for the photos www.eccentrica.co/

The Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill, Essex

For those of you wanting a shopping trip but would like to stay somewhere a bit different from the usual travelpremierexpressinnlodge type hotels without paying more then you should seek out this wonderful coaching inn which has been a hidden gem for years. Known for it's wonderful restaurant, real ales and cosy pub atmosphere, we thought it would be an ideal base to use for a shopping trip to Lakeside, Thurrock, Essex and Bluewater, Kent, shopping centres. With Lakeside just 10 minutes away and Bluewater 25 minutes away it was a perfect location.
From the moment we arrived at this pretty timber framed 600 year old village inn, just ten minutes from the M25, we felt comfortable. The receptionist was helpful, including recommending alternative places to eat. The room we had, which was one of their suites on two levels was special and the meal we had in their restaurant on the second night of our stay was excellent and good value - yes they can all go together. Our room was equipped with all you would expect, swish bathroom including a massive claw bath and a separate shower with a head the size of  the base of Henry and Liza's bucket but with a few more holes. Everything else you would expect was there, including a large and very comfortable bed at the top of a spiral staircase. With the added bonus of a short stroll to the very welcoming public bar with a selection of real ales and good wine on offer along with a roaring fire taking away the chill of mid winter England. Breakfast is served in Hill House, next door to the pub and has the option of a simple buffet or freshly cooked eggs, bacon and more on offer. Overall this Inn has everything tied up, quality, price and a great yummy factor.
This really is a superb location for anyone traveling to the UK on a short shopping trip or visit to south Essex / north Kent and it is only about an hours easy drive to Stansted Airport using the A130 via Braintree, a much better route than the dreaded M25 / A12, both of which should be avoided like a looky looky handbag salesman in Playa de Palma.
It will definitely be at the top of our list when we next plan to stay in the area which hopefully won't be too far off as I am in need of some new M&S pants.
http://www.bell-inn.co.uk/

No Smoking

I must first confess that I am an ex-smoker, albeit of almost 20 years or should that be I am smoker but don’t want one now thanks, I am still taking one day at a time. I don’t want to preach like an ex smoker but here goes.

There have been all sorts of arguments about the new no smoking laws in Spain. Many bars and restaurants are saying that it will ruin their business as the clients will no longer come to their venues and they don’t want to stand outside and smoke. This is probably true but there is also the argument that people who would not normally frequent these establishments will now do so, as they can breathe easier, will not have smoke puffed over their expensive meal out and will not have their clothes reeking of smoke at the end of the evening. Yes, I am now firmly in the second category but really only since the law has been introduced and made me think more seriously about the issues. This petty argument will go on forever and there will never be a conclusive solution while it is thought of at this level. Surely the concerns are far greater than that.

Yes I can hear many of you say what about our freedom to choose. But most smokers have already lost that freedom by their addiction. They are unable to stop smoking no matter how much they say “I don’t need it” or “I can give up tomorrow”, they are kidding themselves not anybody else. I know this, as for at least 10 years I said the same.

Isn’t it time we all woke up and realised that this is another drug that would never be allowed to be introduced in the 21^st century. Can you imagine Peter Stuyvesant walking up to the WHO and saying I’ve got this great product that will help employment all around the world through farming and production plants in underdeveloped countries, plus it is a pleasurable pastime that helps social bonding in pubs and restaurants. The only side effect is that you smell a bit afterwards. I don’t think so. It has been proven time and again that the costs to society as a whole are far greater than will ever be recovered by the taxes that are received from packets of cigarettes. Below are listed some facts form the WHO* web site based on the UK alone, what cost then to society in countries where the taxes aren’t so great on cigarettes. It is clear if we looked at it from this point the non-smokers are contributing to the smokers’ tax liabilities.

But surely the real concerns are bigger than that? Let’s get back to the no smoking laws that are creeping in like a North sea fog across the world, shouldn’t we all consider the real issues? Smoking kills and we all know it. Smoking damages your health and we all know it. Cigarette companies can try to convince us otherwise until they are blue in the face but without a doubt it is something that is not good for you. Yes there will be short term losses for bars and restaurants but if in the long run people live a bit longer isn’t that better? Our children grow up with one less killing temptation put under their noses, isn’t that better? Our environment improves, isn’t that better? And yes, taxes get reduced, isn’t that better?

It’s about time we all thought of the long term implications rather than the current short term problems. Would it not be far better for future generations to grow up in a smoke free world? I think so.

*From the World Health Organisation web site: The United Kingdom provides examples of the burdensome cost of smoking to society. Treating smoking-related illnesses in England is estimated to have cost the National Health Service (NHS) £2.7 billion per year in 2006–2007: more than £50 million each week. In 2009, smoking accounted for 5% of all hospital admissions of adults aged 35 and over in England (462 000). Illnesses among children from exposure to second-hand smoke cause an estimated 300 000 visits to general practitioners and about 9500 hospital admissions in the United Kingdom each year.

While the taxation of tobacco in the United Kingdom contributes around £10 billion annually, the overall economic costs of tobacco use to society have been estimated to be £13.74 billion. These societal costs comprise not only treatment of smoking-related illness but also the loss in productivity from smoking breaks and increased absenteeism, the costs of cleaning up cigarette butts and fighting smoking-related house fires, and the loss of economic output from people who die from diseases related to smoking or exposure to second-hand smoke.

Fantastic views in Randa

The Sanctuary of Our Lady of Cura

Situated in the middle of the island this hemitage, at 548 metres high, commands fantastic and unparalleled views across Mallorca. The vista includes Palma and the southwest, the complete range of the Tramuntana Mountains and from the bay of Alcudia all the way around to the island of Cabrera off the south coast. Take a trip out and wander around the old monastery which was restored early in the 20^th century, although I don’t think they had planned for the eyesore that is the soft drinks machine in the main courtyard! There is a restaurant & bar situated within the complex both sharing a terrace area, weather permitting, with part views across the south and south west. The restaurant looked to serve typical Mallorcan fare, including Lechona. (any reviews out there?)

Added in 1947, the Sanctuary has accommodation in what are described as cells. Sadly looking at the photos on the reception window the word cells seemed somewhat apt although the prices would appear quite competitive at around 20€ a head per night.

There is also a gift shop which looked slightly depleted when we were there and a hotel reception with extra information, but typically on a Sunday morning when most of us can get a trip out these were both closed although the bar was open.

It is a great shame that this wonderful landmark site is yet to catch up with the 21^st century but on a clear day the drive up there, which is far from arduous, is well worth it regardless of its failings.

Only 20 minutes or so out of Palma, you can find the sanctuary on the road between Llucmajor and Algaida.

Haiti Benefit Concert

A total of 6.455€ raised in aid of the Médicos sin Fronteras Haiti Appeal


Palma Chamber Players – Palma Aquarium 30 Jan 2010 ©Red Dot Rogan Photography 2010 - All Rights Reserved. Left to right -Gina Nicola (Violin), Paula Marqués (Violin), Javi Arnal (Oboe), Dimitri Struchkov (Cello), Miguel Arola (Viola) and Philip Dawson (Bass).

On Saturday 30 January 250 people attended a concert by the Palma Chamber Players (chamber music sextet) which took place in the Ocean Room at Palma Aquarium in aid of Médicos sin Fronteras (Doctors without Borders) in collaboration with Jellyfish Events and Palma Aquarium. The event’s objective was to raise money to support the ongoing work of Médicos sin Fronteras in Haiti following the aftermath of the devastating Earthquake on 12th January.

The support of the public was overwhelming with tickets completely selling out. The 6.455€ raised included the ticket revenue and extra donations made on the evening along with a generous donation of 3.700€ by BIC (Balearic International College) who raised the money with a non-uniform day and a donation of 300€ by the Ramon Llull Lodge of Freemasons.

The recital included well know pieces by Mozart, Pachelbel, Albinoni, Purcell, Barber and the famous sound track of the film “The Mission” by Morricone. After the concert the attendees enjoyed an opportunity to visit “The Big blue”, the deepest shark aquarium in Europe.

If you would like to be updated on further concerts by the Palma Chamber Players - please send your name & email address to: info@jellyfishevents.com

Status Quo 9 September 2009

Many years ago a great friend of mine became a Status Quo fan, he was a bit of a rocker and it was in 1973 with the hit single Caroline when he really started pushing this band with songs that rocked but really all sounded a bit similar. Caroline was their first real hit and it wasn’t until the end of ’74 that they had their one and only number one single with Down Down albeit there was a lot of top 20 hits in between and around these. (Technically incorrect I know.)

But that’s all bullshit really, as what they are really about is live performances. Since the early 70’s they have had a loyal following of fans and more recently they have packed arenas including Glastonbury with their fantastic live performances. These guys, 2 of which (Rossi and Parfitt) have been the mainstays of the band since 1968 opened one of the biggest concerts of all time and actually created the Live Aid anthem with their rendition of Rocking all over the world. Watching them perform at the Palma Arena you understand why they have done so well and why they have such a good following. A bit like Deep Purple who appeared in the same venue last year they are pros. They have spent their careers making and performing music and their professionalism and sheer enjoyment shines through. In reality the music is a bit samey but because of the execution you find it difficult to fault. If you are any sort of music lover, and I am, you just could not help but shout, cheer, whistle and clap to what is one of the best live bands to have come out of the UK. Yes I loved Deep Purple and thought that their classics were classics but they did not have me jumping like these guys, just wonderful stuff and I could always do with more like this.

The biggest disappointment for me was the lack of numbers, probably around 2000, at the concert. including the lack of locals at the concert, was this because they felt the tickets were too expensive or something else?