Time for winter wonderland

WE went skating last weekend at the ice rink in Palma. I say “we,” what I really mean is that Gidg ice-walked around the rink whilst my husband and I looked on, grateful that she was over the age limit to go on without a responsible adult. Neither my husband nor I can skate with any style at all, and we really don’t want to learn either. Bless her, she tried. Her mates were all better than her, including the ones who were younger than her, but she still gave it a serious go, and wants to go back again for another stab at it.

There was quite a big group of us, 10 adults and seven kids, and after we’d been at the rink we decided we wanted to go for lunch. In Palma. On a Sunday. Wow, that’s a tougher ask than you realise. I’d love to know where you, dear reader, would recommend for a biggish group to go on a Sunday for a reasonably priced (no Michelin stars or fancy pants required, just good decent nosh please). You can get in touch with me at www.familymattersmallorca.com.

As it was we ended up in a pizza place (nothing says Sunday more than a pizza … to be honest I felt a bit hard done by as my brain expects to see either a roast dinner, a BBQ or a paella on a Sunday) which was okay, I guess. The company more than made up for the rather dull lunch. It was a typical Mallorca winter Sunday full of friends, kids and laughs. And it was lovely to walk in the crisp air and look at the lights (and scoff a couple of churros with Chocolate de la Taza).

The electric blankets are now on the beds, and the wood burning stove has received its seasonal wipe down and fire up. Yes, the advent calendar (which I moaned about at length last week) is now in full swing, and I have attended three Christmas fairs already. Coming up tonight at Mood Beach (Thursday December 11) there will be the ‘In the Mood’ choir performing Christmas Carols in the bar, call 971 676 456 or email info@moodbeach.com for times and more info. Then at the weekend you have the Binissalem Christmas Fair which is not to be missed, it’s great.

If you like handmade and unique items then you have to go there for a mooch around. Of course there is also the traditional Christmas fair at Palma Nova (used to be Portals, then it was Santa Ponsa, now it’s Palma Nova, but it’s still the one organised by Calvia Council) which will be on over the weekend. And then the one in my neck of the woods in Andratx: this Saturday sees the Plaza being reopened after its facelift and we will all be in there to see what, if any, improvements have been made. See you in Ses Rosses at about 8pm on Saturday night!

www.familymattersmallorca.com