Menorca 2017

Back again to San Thomas on the south coast of Menorca for some sunshine and relaxation. At least that was the plan. Had to travel with the back-end  of a heavy cold that was not enhanced by the air pressure in the plane cabin. In fact I arrived at the airport in a state of semi deafness....

This time we had a better view from our room which was on the first floor and looked over the swimming pool down the coast. We were on the best side of the hotel meaning that we had sun on the balcony until it went down which was always spectacular. 

Good to see our friends from last year again who were out for 2 weeks. Weather was very mixed with some heavy rain , thunder and lightning all thrown in. I would say that we had about 3 very good sunny days and a couple of overcast ones. Thankfully much of the rain was overnight.
 It was on one of the overcast days that we decided to hire a car and visit the previously unexplored northern side of the island. Once we had sorted the workings of the handbrake we set off to Fornells , our first port of call. I say port , it is actually a harbour in the traditional fishing style.



Fornells was closely linked to the need to fortify and defend its bay which was constantly attacked by pirate ships. In the 16th century. The existing watchtower was found to be inadequate so in 1625 King Phillip IV of Spain ordered a castle to be added. This project was not successful due to lack of funds. In 1637 the building project was recommenced as the castle of Sant Antoni. in 1782. King Charles III of Spain then ordered the partial destruction of the castle and all that is left of the military past of Fornells is the watch tower on the headland, outside the village.

 

Lots of nice restaurants and bars , I was struck by just how clean Fornells was. After experiencing the stunning views from the Watchtower it was time for a swift pint before moving on.



After a few false twists and turns not to mention 'raised voices' we arrived in Cala Pregonda, considered to be one of the best beaches on the north coast. Cala Pregonda is beautifully located inside a bay, well protected by the two small islands Illot and Esculls de Pregonda. The sand is golden, the water is crystal clear and the view from the beach is stunning.

 
 
Next to the northernmost point of Menorca! Cap De Cavalleria the object of worship and respect due to it's position for sunrise and sunsets. We had another false start ... Leaving the car in a official car park and walking , wondering why so many cars were going past us? After about half an hour and still no sign of our destination we decided to return to the car. It transpired we were in the wrong car park. Making up for lost time we drove the few miles to the lighthouse that crowns a calcareous cliff  some 90 metres high.

 

The lighthouse came into existence in March 1857 with a beam of light reaching 70km into the distance. A good place for bird lovers like my self with Ospreys to be seen in the conservation area on the north coast. Thankfully the journey back to Sant Tomas was relatively uneventful.