ROQUETA ISSUE 374 AUGUST

EDITORIAL ROQUETA MAGAZINE 374 - AUGUST 2025 ¡Hace mucho calor! As they say in Menorca — and they’re not wrong. With temperatures pushing into the high 30s, it’s no wonder many of us are seeking refuge in the sea, the shade, or the comfort of air-conditioned spaces. Art galleries, museums, and thoughtfully chosen restaurants are all inviting escapes. Or, take a cue from the locals: wait until evening to venture out.

In August, every town hosts a night market — vibrant, atmospheric, and full of local charm. These night markets are also a feast for the ears, with live music echoing across the island. Some of the most breathtaking concerts take place at venues like Lithica, where the setting is as spectacular as the sound. Then there are the iconic horse fiestas, five in total this month — magical to witness, especially after dark, with their traditional pageantry, fireworks, and concerts.

When browsing the markets, look out for island specialities like cheese, sausages, and ice cream, proudly sold by Menorca’s farmers. We visited Tònia from Santa Cecília Lloc, who creates delicious organic artisan cheese — and now ice cream — from the milk of Menorcan Red Cows.

After returning from a guided tour of the Hauser & Wirth Gallery, I found myself wondering — if I were curator, which artist would I choose? Sorolla sprang to mind, so when we heard about a new gallery in Mahón featuring works by Josep Munné, dubbed “the Sorolla of Llavaneres,” John and I immediately headed there. We’ve been enjoying a season of fantastic exhibitions. Alison interviewed Pol Marban, both artist and owner of the Atica Gallery in Mahón’s port, who spoke about his intriguing Grand Prix – Tully Archive.

We’ve also met several Americans who now call Menorca home — or a second home. This month, we caught up with Brycelaine Self, who not only put down roots here but also discovered a historical family link with the island’s Pons lineage. Fewer Russians live here these days, but over on Isla del Rey, you can dive into the fascinating history of the Russian fleet in Mahón — Beverley has the full story.

People often ask: “What’s the big news this month?” For many locals and long-time visitors, the answer is clear — the long-awaited reopening of Los Bucaneros Beach Bar in Binibeca. Since the 1970s, it’s been an iconic spot, and while some are nostalgic for the Moysi family’s era, many are glad to see the place alive again. Lucy Gemmell and some of our readers were there in the opening week to report back. Our Team of Tasters has also been out sampling new openings and changes in ownership — don’t miss their reviews.

But summer in Menorca also brings challenges. Water becomes scarce, and the vegetation is tinder-dry. Fires broke out recently in Bini-me-la and near the main road, both swiftly and bravely extinguished by the island’s firefighters. This month, Rachael Adams met with the specialised forest teams at IBANAT and the local fire brigade — or bomberos, named after the water pumps (bombas) they use. In Cala Llonga, where we live, the Residents’ Association has taken proactive steps, using their own resources to clear valley vegetation and reduce fire risk.

We hope you enjoy this August edition of Roqueta — may it help you discover, understand, and enjoy Menorca even more. There is something truly unique about this breathtaking but unpretentious island. If you know, you know… and if you don’t yet — you’re about to find out…

PLEASE REMEMBER — WATER IS PRECIOUS. You might spot campaign posters that read “El agua no cae del cielo” (Water doesn’t fall from the sky) or “Cada Gota Suma” (Every Drop Counts), especially in ports, reminding boat owners to be mindful. Small actions matter and each of us can do our bit to help: turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, pause the shower while scrubbing, reuse wastewater in the garden, and collect rainwater when it does fall. Every household with a cistern or a simple water butt can make a real difference. Next month we will investigate how new houses can be built to meet these challenges.

Liz & John (Coldplay Kiss Cam!)

IN THIS ISSUE 04 09 14 16 18 20 22 25 30 36 40 42 44 46 47 49 54 57 65 66

ISLAND NEWS MID-SUMMER ROUND UP FIESTAS ISLA DEL REY – THE RUSSIAN FLEET LUNAKIDS CLUB PROPERTY & FINANCE FIREFIGHTING GRAPEVINE – BRYCELAINE SELF RESTAURANTS AND RECIPES SANTA CECILIA LLOC ART & MUSIC IN MENORCA COVA DE S’AIGUA TRAVELLING WITH A DOG PAWS ABOARD ISLA DEL AIRE PHOTOGRAPHY AGROECOLOGICAL ALLIANCE CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS NUTRITION AND FITNESS WHAT’S ON AUGUST 2025 ISLAND INFORMATION A RETIREMENT DREAM GOES AWRY

Cover Photo: Tuesday night market in Mahón

Publisher: John Davies Editor: Liz Parr Printer: LV Grupo Grafico y de Communication, L’Hospitalet de Llobregat Dep Legal ME: 187/1973 No. Registro: 1037/3.992

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

ISLAND NEWS

BY CHRISTINE BROOKER

ROUNDABOUT AT PUNTA PRIMA

FEWER PRAWNS CAUGHT Fishermen on the island are unhappy with new regulations imposed by the EU that have increased the size of the mesh on their nets to 50 mm, meaning that more prawns can slip through. They appreciate that the idea is a good one, but add that the number of days that they can fish has been reduced from 200 to 140. They also say it has yet to be proved that the smaller prawns that they are not allowed to capture will grow and be caught later when they are worth more money. The sector attracts fewer professionals nowadays, and people are leaving the industry as they need a job that lasts all year round.

In December 2022, by a unanimous vote, a new roundabout was approved by the Consell (Island Council), at the exit from Punta Prima to the S’Algar/Alcaufar road to Sant Lluis. There are frequent accidents here and often long queues but it has still not been built. Also approved was the extension of the cycling lane and a bus stop with a shelter. Six months ago, the Neighbours Association from Alcaufar presented a petition to the councillor in charge, Manuel Delgado, which went unanswered. Now they have gone to the “Sindic de Greuges” which is like an ombudsman. They point out that Biniancolla, Son Remei, Cala Torret, Punta Prima and S’Algar are all affected too. Between 2014 and 2023 there were over 100 accidents, 26 where there were injuries, nine were serious and there were some fatalities. The Consell says that although there was a unanimous vote, the previous administration left no paper work and had not made any plans. They have an agreement with the ayuntamiento in Sant Lluís to improve the road from Sant Lluís to the turning up to the crossing, (Sant Lluís will supervise as it is a municipal road and the Consell will pay). They will now study plans for a roundabout!

INFLUENTIAL WOMEN IN FORBES LIST Four Menorcans have been included in the Forbes list of the 50 most influential women in the Balearic Islands for 2025. Dr. Alicia Sintes is a doctor in Physics from the UIB (Balearic University) and an expert in Gravitational Wave Anatomy. She is part of many research groups, including the USA Consortium and the Einstein Telescope Science Team, and is also advisor to the European Space Agency. Also on the list are the Mascaró sisters, Lina (pictured below) for expanding the Mascaró Group including Pretty Ballerinas, now present on five continents, and Ursula for her creative role at Mascaró and now for her new career in art, with several successful exhibitions. The other business woman is Pilar Montañes, the Director General of Subaida and Subaida Cheeses. She has carried on the family tradition, as they originally founded the famous brand ”El Caserio”, now no longer owned or made in Menorca.

MONEY FOUND Employees at the Mascaró carpenters in Ciutadella that was established 100 years ago have handed over 400.000 pesetas, in 5000 notes, that they found while reforming a flat in Camí de Baix. Hopefully, the Bank of Spain will still change them.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 BALES OF HAY STOLEN Joan Marquès, the farmer at Lluriac Nou and Binissaraiet, on the Tramuntana Camí in Es Mercadal, has had 60 bales of hay stolen from a field at Lluriac Nou. He is perplexed, as he explained to the Guardía Civil police, as each bale weighs 250 kilos meaning there was a total of 15.000 kilos, worth 3.750 Euros. He says that occasionally the odd bale might go missing, but thieves would have needed a large lorry or to make various trips. He has no idea who the perpetrators might be but believes they must know that he lives on the Binissaraiet farm. The date was well planned as there was a full moon. He says that the thieves either have animals or they are going to sell the bales. It is sad for him as, after a rainy spring, he was able to make more bales and now this has happened. Maybe an old fashioned haystack would be more difficult to steal.

CASETAS OR ANNEXES Licences are being granted in Mahón for annexes (casetas or garden sheds) to be built in patios in the old town. Neighbours are dismayed and are complaining about the visual impact. They say that many of the old houses have changed hands and are owned by people who are not from the island and who are keen to extend. The area is becoming “gentrified” and views are being blocked, and light taken away. There is less fresh air and, generally, the tradition of these patios is being spoilt. One neighbour in Carrer des Frares backs on to a house with a new owner in S´Arraval where an annexe is being built. She has asked the alcalde to stop the work, which is changing the aspect of her patio and leaving her boxed in. Another neighbour in Frares says the same, new owners want to build a swimming pool and a wall which will close their patio. The alcalde says the general plan for the streets from the XVIII and XIX centuries allows auxiliary construction with a maximum of 40 sq. mts., ground floor only, and taking up less than 25% of the patio or garden. If a swimming pool is involved, the building can’t exceed 30 sq. mts. Hector Pons says he can inspect the buildings to see if they exceed the height permitted.

Originally the law allowed buildings as the patios were used as gardens and the owners needed somewhere to put their tools etc. like a garden shed. Over time, they have become annexes with washing machines and sometimes an extra bathroom. He rejects the arguments that “foreigners” are changing the landscape! It does seem a difficult problem to solve, new owners may need more space and the traditional owners don´t want their patios spoilt.

POST OFFICE NEEDS MORE STAFF The Post Office in Mahón has admitted that they cannot find replacements for staff who retire. This is causing delays, although parcels and registered letters are given priority. The Post Office says that deliveries are being made in the stipulated time. The trade unions and PIME, the small business association, disagree and are complaining. The union CGT says boxes of undelivered post are accumulating in the Poligono Industrial, adding that the letters that are delivered are due to workers doing overtime. The workforce has less than 50% of its full quota after retirements and changes of location.

SPLASH MENORCA – LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL The modification of the Island Territorial Plan (PTI) will include mechanisms to solve some of the Consell’s pending problems, including the ayuntamiento at Sant Lluis´s closure of the water park at Biniancolla. This has caused a great deal of inconvenience and financial hardship. The alcaldesa (mayor) says she had no legal alternative as we reported in Roqueta. The Consell says there is now a possibility to legalise SPLASH and save the ratepayers a huge compensation bill. The PTI will offer “solutions” on rustic land. We report on this every month as the waterpark opened at the beginning of the season and was then shut down again.

INCREASE IN ABORTIONS WORRYING HEALTH AUTHORITIES In the last decade abortion figures have risen by 50%. The clinics can now offer hormone treatment in the arm that lasts for three years; previously this was only available in hospitals. Many asking for abortions had not used contraception and some repeat abortions as time passes. Now courses are available for doctors, midwives and nurses so that they have more information about the latest contraceptive methods.

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 SEVERE LIGHT CONTAMINATION AT CALA PREGONDA If you can remember, the LP cover of Mike Oldfield´s INCANTATIONS (1978) featured Cala Pregonda, it has now come to life in a rather unfortunate way.

Owners of a villa have decided to direct spotlights on to the reef, thus illuminating the whole cove. This caused many locals to complain, including walkers who enjoy the dusk, and people in small boats who sail that way. Those who go to Cavallería or Cala Rotja can still see the shining light. This, seven years after the Consell obtained recognition of the zone as a Starlight area protected from light pollution, and promoted it as such. Pregonda is also in the protected marine reserve in the north and of course the island has been a Biosphere Reserve since 1993. This would seem sufficient ammunition – but apparently not according to the alcalde of Es Mercadal Joan Palliser, who personally contacted the owners.

He told them about the numerous complaints, the light contamination, and how wild life, particularly birds and fish, are being affected because they don´t know if it is day or night. This information he says, fell on deaf ears. One boat owner complained to the Diari and GOB, the ecology group, saying it is no longer pleasant to spend the night on board in the area. It seems inexplicable, with all these protections and the fact that “Menorca Starlight” is attracting a lot of interest, that there is not a way through the bureaucracy to solve this problem.

You have to wonder what possesses people to be so selfish.

VEHICLES TO BE LIMITED ON MAIN ROAD After a lot of discussion, the Consell seems prepared to follow the example of Ibiza and limit the number of vehicles that can come into the island for 2026. Last year, during the summer, the number of cars reached a peak of over 122.000. They want to reduce the number of vehicles coming in by 1.8% when the traffic is most congested, however cars owned by residents - last year there were over 86.000 - will be exempt. Many people who come here in the summer prefer to bring their own vehicle with all their luggage. In 2024, there were 16.123 cars and 4.243 motorbikes; this would be reduced to 10.750 and 2.828 respectively. Local car hire companies would also be exempt, not so the multinationals. Those with second homes, who are not resident, may also have one vehicle per property. Classic and invalid cars, and commercial transport will be permitted too. The rest will have to apply for authorisation, particularly between the 1st June and the 30th September.

The number of vehicles entering Menorca has increased dramatically in the last few years. Between Mahón and Ciutadella, there were 125.900 in 2024 an increase of 52.8% from 2017. 92% of these were private cars and the rest commercial. Figures show that residents make far more journeys than visitors. Ibiza has reduced the number of cars that can come in by 7000 this year, though residents own double the amount that is owned in Menorca.

Opposition parties doubt that the measures will make much difference.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 TOURIST PLACES A slightly different angle this month on the amount of tourists who can stay legally on the island - we have covered ad infinitum about illegal renting. Over 20 hotels and 225 owners of private properties have applied to the Consell, for the licences since they have been put on sale. The demand has been considerable since the places were created two weeks ago. These licences will be temporary while the Territorial Plan is being defined and the Govern Balear is using this solution so that the island doesn´t lose tourist places. The places are on sale for 2.500 Euros each.

Hotels have been increasing their quality in recent years, there are now 64 four-star, four-star-plus. and five-star establishments. The offer for cheaper hotel accommodation is being reduced progressively. The official register allows 83.801 tourist places, 257 fewer than last year. Many of these places are available because the properties with licenses that had not been rented out for the last three years have had their licenses rescinded. This has freed up more places. Ciutadella stands out on the national map for tourist places.

Its urbanisations, Cala en Blanes, Cales Piques and Los Delfines are amongst those with the highest number in the whole country. Only in Mallorca (not Ibiza), the Canary Islands and some zones in Madrid and Barcelona are there more places. However Sant Lluis, that has more urbanisations, is among the top ten towns in the archipelago with this type of offer. The Balearics are second in ranking to the Canary Islands.

WAGE RISES A new agreement about wage rises in the restaurant/hotel sector in the Balearic Islands is coming into force (this prevented a strike in July). Wages will rise over the next three years by 13.5%, 6% the first year, 4.5% the second and 3.5% in the third. Also approved is a reduction in the working week to 37.5 hours which can be negotiated with owners. Many small restaurants are worried and say the administration is just camouflaging another way to make money.

They say prices will have to rise and possibly they will have to manage with fewer staff. Climent Olives, owner of Cap Roig in Sa Mesquida and Es Paput in the port of Mahón, says owners have already absorbed all the price rises they can, and that soon you will pay six Euros for a coca cola in a bar in town. He says shorter working hours can only succeed if taxes are reduced. He is not surprised that some businesses are just closing. Juan Bosch president of CAEB, the local restaurant association, has written an article saying that, while hotel chains make pacts with their staff and continue to make profits, the disturbing reality is that small popular restaurants that offer reasonably priced menus, home cooking, and friendly staff are disappearing. Eating out, for workers, families and pensioners, is becoming a luxury. He believes staff obviously must be well paid, but small bars and restaurants that breathe life into our streets can´t resist much longer. Local businesses with their faithful customers who use local products are being forced out by regulations. He argues that you can´t compare a hotel with 500 rooms with a small business with a staff of three.

Every bar closure, every member of staff who loses their job is a step back in the Mediterranean way of life he says and that, if we don´t act soon, meeting up and chatting with other people informally will only be possible in large areas with prepackaged food. It doesn´t go with our way of life. He has a point, why aren´t the small businesses given tax relief, surely they could come into a different category? The latest news is that the updated register of restaurants shows that an average of three a year are closing.

Viturme, the association for rental properties, has made a formal complaint to the Consell for creating a temporary supply of licences. They say it is profoundly unfair, inefficient, and against the sustainable tourist model that characterises Menorca, adding that not only will it not solve the illegal renting problem, but it will create a submerged economy, where operators will sell places to each other, causing an “opaque” situation. The price will be easily absorbed by large companies, but for local owners of a property and small companies it can be an impossible barrier. They say the measure consolidates unfair competition and stops profit being equally distributed, commenting that the number of places produced by the unused licences is fewer than needed. They complain that the Consell doesn´t talk to them and only listens to hoteliers. They want a complete revision of tourist places, whether temporary or permanent, that are fair and accessible for island residents. Menorca has been a reference for sustainability, with a responsible way of managing tourism and he concludes that we can´t allow that to be lost.

Ibiza has contracted a company that captures the contents of any web, and also simulates a reservation on the digital platforms, for a rental between three and ten days. This creates videos that certify the navigation and are valid in a court of law. So far in Menorca they are reticent to follow but it seems a good idea, especially if you have paid 2.500 Euros for a tourist licence!

PRESIDENTIAL HOLIDAYS The ex alcalde in Barcelona Xavier Trias who owns a house in Menorca has asked the radio station SER if they know who paid for the holidays that two ex presidents of the Spanish Government, Aznar (2001 and 2003) and Zapatero (2004) spent on the island.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 TOM CRUISE SPOTTED IN MENORCA Hola magazine published pictures of American actor and film producer Tom Cruise and Cuban actress Ana de Armas relaxing on a sailboat off Menorca.

They say the pictures were taken on June 30th when the actor and actress were relaxing on a sailboat off the coast of Cala en Bosc.

20 YEARS OF GAY MARRIAGE IN MENORCA In 2005, same sex marriages were legalised in Spain, the third country in Europe after Holland and Belgium. Canada also joined in. The first wedding in Menorca took place in Alaior and was between women. Since then, ages have risen for all weddings, 20 years ago it was 36 years for men and 32 for women, now it is 41 and 38 respectively. 200 couples have married since the law changed and some had waited years to legalise their situation. Most weddings are between women, many because there are children and it is fundamental for their rights, explains Nel Martí, the teacher, writer and ex politician, who says that it was a “historic victory” for any couple who have plans together.

This is an AI generated image to re-imagine Tom reading up on Menorca during his visit.

CANNABIS FOR SALE Shops that sell all the necessary equipment to cultivate cannabis have opened in Menorca. One of the three in Mahón has a machine that dispenses a variety of seeds, amongst other products, and these are active 24 hours a day.

Neighbours in San Ciril Street complain that vehicles double park or stop in front of garages to buy the products. Sometimes they must suffer the noise from customers bashing the machine because it hasn´t produced the goods, that cost between six and 15 Euros. They have complained to the municipal police.

CAMÍ DE CAVALLS The agency responsible for the Biosphere Reserve in Menorca has improved and adapted two points on the Camí de Cavalls, the bridle path that goes round the island. On section 9 between Cala Morell and Punta Natí, two steps have been installed where there had been a significant change of level and in section 14 between Cala Mitjana and Trebalúger huge rocks have been removed so that horses can pass by more easily.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

MIDSUMMER ROUNDUP: M E N ORC A’ S AU GUST TR A D ITI O N AL TOWN F I ESTAS Deep-rooted tradition, powerful horses and community spirit light up villages throughout August with a packed schedule of town fiestas every single weekend!

As the Mediterranean sun reaches its peak, Menorca continues to celebrate its summer with some of the most authentic celebrations in the Balearics. Enchanting town fiestas showcase centuries-old traditions, magnificent Menorcan horses, and the infectious spirit that makes our island culture unique.

This August has five weekends, and every weekend a different town has its local fiesta, so if you decide that its for you, there are plenty of opportunities to see this tradition for yourself. The fiestas offer locals and visitors an unparalleled glimpse into the soul of Menorca. The rhythm of preparations, the respect for history, the joy of shared identity, and the mastery of the riders, truly create some summer magic that makes Menorca unforgettable.

WHAT TO EXPECT - MAIN ACTS OF THE FIESTAS Expect a familiar yet lively formula at all the fiestas, with each town having slightly different timings and additional traditions special to each one. To truly honour each town and their traditions and running order of events, this article would be much longer. The key traditions are the same in each town, and you need to know approximately when each event will be celebrated each day.

Every celebration centres on the Jaleo, where Menorcan horses rear up on hind legs while skilled riders (caixers) guide them through cheering crowds.

Expect vibrant street parties, traditional music, food stalls and rides, and the famous Pomada (gin and lemon drink).

Primer toc des fabiol – the ceremonial kick-off by flute and drum by the lead rider of the horse procession Replec & qualcada – the horse procession through village streets as the cavalcade forms for the events.

Solemnes completes / Mass – solemn religious ceremony Jaleo – Same for all fiestas, the traditional fiesta tune is played with horses circling the main square amongst the people, occasionally riding up on their hind legs in the act known as ‘fer un bot’.

Photos: Illesbaleares.travel

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BY VANESSA JENY, MENORCABLUE.COM

BEYOND THE HORSES: EXTRA FESTIVE HIGHLIGHTS All towns may feature a blend of: Els Gegants & capgrossos – giant puppets delighting families and kids Carnival rides & artisan stalls – especially vibrant in Ferreries & Alaior Community meals (Recepció) – private but emblematic of local tradition where locals open their houses to family and friends.

LOCAL FIESTA TIPS FOR AUGUST 1. Transport: Expect parking to be difficult. Bus services and peripheral dropoffs recommended.

2. Attire: Practical footwear; dresses and sandals are risky near horses. Bring sunscreen and light clothing.

3. Stay Safe: During the jaleo always stay at a distance, and never distract the horses.

4. Cultural Courtesy: Respect private homes and local participants; join the street party positively.

5. Drink With Care: Pomada is still the go-to; pace yourself with your gin & lemon.

FINAL THOUGHTS August’s intense schedule of fiestas are the ongoing heartbeat of summer in Menorca - a tapestry of devotion, equestrian artistry, and communal pride.

Whether experiencing your first Jaleo or your fiftieth, these August fiestas showcase why Menorcan culture remains so vibrant. To witness it and taste the Pomada, you can enjoy a part of the island’s living history.

Pace yourself, and don’t be surprised if a neighbour leads you into a dance in the street or you find yourself shouting a heartfelt Bones Festes! Amongst the crowds in the main square. Find more information at menorcablue.com.

Festival schedules subject to change. Consult official town council websites for current information.

PATRONAL FIESTAS AUGUST 2025 SCHEDULE Compiled by Ilaria Carini

ES MIGJORN GRAN - SANT CRISTÒFOL Main Dates: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 August Saturday 2nd: 17:00 – Ringing of the bells and Gigantes (giants) parade with the town band.

18:00 – Primer toc des fabiol with flute and drum; horses gathered for the Qualcada; flag handed to the Caixera Fadrina

Photos: Illesbaleares.travel

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 19:00 – Caixer Batle receives the Bastó of leadership and the Caixer Capellà is collected; horses complete the town loop 20:00 – Solemn Compline or mass in the church 20:30 – Sa Beguda reception for caixers, cavallers and authorities 21:00 – Jaleo in Sa Plaça, with horses doing several laps led by different caixers Sunday 3rd: 08:00 – Music band wakes up the town 09:00 – Replec of caixers and cavallers led by the Fabioler 10:15 – Solemn Mass with rosewater (l’aigua ros) distribution 12:00 – Jaleo in Sa Plaça, green reeds and silver spoons awarded; followed by three laps of the town 15:30 – Band-led parade to the Town Hall and Popular Beguda reception Afternoon – the cavalcade escorts caixers to homes, concluding the festivities

LLUCMAÇANES - SANT GAIETÀ Main Dates: Saturday 2 & Sunday 3 August Saturday, August 2 17:30 – Church bells ring and Parade of Giants and Capgrossos with the Mahón town band 19:00 – Primer Toc; flag handed to the caixera fadrina; start of the horse Qualcada 19:30 – Solemn Completes (evening prayer) at Sant Gaietà church 20:00 – First Jaleo in Sa Plaça 23:00 – Evening party in the basketball court with live music and DJ Óscar Tortosa Sunday, August 3 09:00 – Musical wake up by the Mahón Cornets and Drums band 10:00 – Second Call of the Fabiol; flag ceremony and replec of the horse cavalcade 10:30 – Solemn Mass for the caixers at Sant Gaietà church, with rosewater distribution 12:00 – Second Jaleo in Sa Plaça; riders receive green reeds and silver spoons Afternoon “Sa Beguda” reception 19:30 – Parade of Gigantes (Giants) from Llucmaçanes, Mahón, Sa Pobla, and invited groups with Mahón bands 21:00 – Live folk music performance by trio “A Romandre” in the basketball court 22:30 – Pasodoble and dance performance with Reynés 23:30 – Grand fireworks display Monday, August 4 18:30 – Children’s games and musical performance by “Pinyeta Pinyol” 19:30 – Mass in honor of Sant Gaietà 20:30 – Traditional sardine dinner (sardinada) 22:30 – DJ Chicha music set 24:00 – Loud traca fireworks to close the festival

ALAIOR - SANT LLORENÇ Main Dates: Saturday 9 & Sunday 10 August Friday 8 AUG Evening 20:30 – Primer Toc: the Mayor hands over the town’s flag to the Caixer Fadrí.

Saturday 9 AUGUST 16:40 – Official start of the festival: the Fabioler initiates the Qualcada (horse cavalcade) 16:45 – Ringing of the bells and Parade of Gigantes and Capgrossos with the Migjorn Gran band 11

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 17:00 – Es Replec and Sa Qualcada: the cavalcade rounds the town to collect riders and horses. The cavalcade heads to the hermitage of Sant Pere Nou

Sunday, August 24 08:30 – Alegre Diana: the band and capgrossos wake the town 08:50 – Morning Replec & Qualcada through the streets, ending at Pla de l’Església 11:00 – Second Jaleo in the square; riders receive green reeds and silver spoons 13:00 – Solemn Mass attended by caixers and authorities, with rosewater distribution; followed by “Sa Beguda” reception at the Town Hall Afternoon – Rosewater distributed door to door as cavalcade escorts dignitaries home 20:00 – Children’s show (Hotel Sol Gavilanes) in Plaza Espanya 21:30 – Live music by Paret Seca in Plaza Espanya 23:00 – Evening party with Duo Calypso on Carrer Nou 24:00 – Late-night dance with Orquestra Fraggels and Menú 96 at the old basketball court

20:00 – Solemn Completes (evening prayer) at the hermitage 21:00 – First Jaleo in Sa Plaça, followed by the Caragol: laps through the town and the Sa Beguda: evening reception and supper for the riders.

Sunday 10 AUGUST 09:00 – Parade of Gigantes: town is awakened by the band and giant figures 09:30 – Es Replec de Sa Qualcada: morning’s round-up of riders and flag by the Fabioler 10:30 – Solemn Mass of the Caixers at Sant Eulàlia church, with the distribution of rosewater 12:00 – Second Jaleo in Sa Plaça: riders receive green reeds and silver spoons The cavalcade escorts the Caixer Batle to the Town Hall and returns the flag; riders begin the afternoon tradition of distributing rosewater to homes around town

Monday August 25th

20:30 – Parade of Floats: creative floats join the Giants and band in a themed night time procession

10:00 – Memorial Mass for deceased residents at Santa Maria church 11:00 – Jaleo d’ases (donkey Jaleo) in Pla de l’Església 13:30 – Foam party in Plaza Espanya

SANT CLIMENT – SANT CLIMENT

19:30 – Children’s show “El món màgic d’en Edu” on Carrer Nou

Main Dates: Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 August Saturday, August 16

22:30 – Grand evening fiesta with groups Elements, Huracán and Sarau in Plaza Espanya

17:00 – Bell ringing and parade with gigantes and capgrossos, accompanied by Mahón music groups

24:00 – Fireworks and final traca (firecracker finale) at Avenue Son Morera.

18:00 – Primer Toc and gathering of the riders (caixers) on Carrer de Sant Jaume 18:15 – Flag ceremony and start of the colcada (cavalcade) at the Residents’ Association hall

SANT LLUÍS – SANT LLUÍS Main Dates: Saturday 30 & Sunday 31 August Friday 29 AUGUST Evening

19:15 – Evening prayer (Completes) in the church 20:30 – First Jaleo in the main square 23:59 – Night party with Fandango All Stars

21:30 – First Call of the Fabiol: drum and flute in front of the mayor; the flag of Sant Lluís is raised at the Town Hall

Sunday, August 17

23:00 – “Vetlada”: evening social gathering with music and local entertainment

09:00 – Musical wake-up by the Cornets and Drums band

Saturday 30th AUGUST

09:30 – Fabiol call and second gathering of caixers on Carrer de Sant Jaume

12:00 – Solemn Mass in the town church

09:45 – Flag ceremony and procession through the town

16:30 – Ringing of the bells and Giants & Capgrossos parade

10:45 – Solemn Mass for the caixers at the parish church, with rosewater distribution

17:00 – Es Replec & Sa Qualcada: Fabioler leads the horse cavalcade, collecting caixers from their homes; ceremony at Town Hall

12:00 – Second Jaleo in the square,

18:00 – Es Caragol: horse cavalcade around town

15:30 – Traditional “Sa Beguda” gathering at the community hall

19:30 – Solemn Completes: evening religious ceremony in the church

21:30 – Evening folk concert (“Figues d’un Altre Paner”) in the square

20:00 – First Jaleo at Sa Plaça: followed by Caragol through the streets

23:59 – Fireworks display at the football field

Sunday 31st AUGUST

Monday, August 18

08:00 – Alegre Diana: musical wake up procession through the town

18:30 – Family circus show in the square 20:00 – “Coca with chocolate” community snack 21:30 – Live music concert by band Huracán 23:30 – Final traca (firecracker finale) to close the festivities

09:00 – Es Replec de Sa Qualcada: repeat of the horse gathering 10:30 – Solemn Mass of the Caixers at the parish church, including rosewater distribution 11:30 – Second Jaleo in front of the church; riders receive green reeds and silver spoons 12:00 – Reception of Caixers (“Sa Beguda)

FERRERIES – SANT BARTOMEU

Afternoon – Cavalcade escorts the caixar batle and capellà home; Fabioler and Caixer Fadrí return the flag to the Town Hall; end of official festivities

Main Dates: Saturday 23 & Sunday 24 August, Jaleo of the Donkeys on Monday 25 Saturday August 23

20:30 – Parade of floats and giants 23:00 – Evening dance (verbena) with live orchestra

12:00 – Flag presentation to the Caixer Sobreposat and first Fabiol call; the Ferreries band plays the town anthem, and traditional candles are handed out throughout the village

24:00 – Fireworks display at Binifadet parking area Monday 1 SEPT (Sant Lluïset, follow-up mini-festival)

16:00 – Bell ringing and fireworks; parade of capgrossos (big-headed figures)

10:30 – Memorial Mass for the deceased community members

16:50 – Es Replec & Qualcada: the Fabioler collects the caixers for the horse cavalcade

11:00 – Children’s fair with games and workshops in Plaça des Pins 19:00 – Monday Festival: performances by local musical groups and gospel singers

19:00 – First Jaleo in Pla de l’Església, followed by the “Caragol” through the streets and Solemn Completes in the church 24:00 – Live concert by Trio Arrels de Menorca at Sant Francesc school courtyard

22:00 – Verbena with orchestra followed by DJ Chicha set 13

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

ISLA DEL REY

BY BEVERLEY WARD

AND THE RUSSIAN FLEET IN MAHÓN

There are many visitors to the Isla del Rey who are amazed to see so much on display, not just in the Art Gallery but in the old British hospital, where work is constantly in progress and changes and new additions almost every week. The latest news is that we have initial approval from the Island Council to restore the “Warren” building, which was symmetrical with the Director’s house, a large project that will involve a crowdfunding scheme to finance it.

We’re presently trying to find the best formula for visitors to have a chance to do both a guided tour of the ground floor, where the pharmacy rooms, the chapels and especially the medical rooms with a huge collection of historical equipment of all sorts are on display, but also to see the first floor with its fascinating stories of the harbour of Mahón. All that in addition to the famous Hauser and Wirth art gallery of course, their restaurant, and the coastal path to enjoy. Understandably, a lot of our visitors decide to come back more than once to be able to appreciate everything.

I recently wrote about the American presence in the harbour, described in the Interpretation Center.

The same room also highlights another, less-known but once significant nation involved in the harbour’s history. I am referring to the time when the Russian fleet was here.

We need to go back to the time of Catherine II of Russia who inherited a fleet of ships following the revolution of 1762. The sailors were poor in discipline, in training, and in morale, inept at maneuvering and badly administered and equipped. From the early days of her reign, the Empress worked to raise standards and efficiency with British help. Russian officers trained in England, and British officers were recruited for the Russian navy. The reasons why the British wanted to help were very much to do with the fact that both nations were traditional enemies of France, in fact Russia was the only great continental power reliably anti-French, but there were also economic bonds and considerable trade agreements at the time. The thinking was that Russian maritime expansion in the Mediterranean would make them more dependent on British help, and by the Russians waging war on Turkey, the British were in a good position for commercial supremacy in the black sea and to the detriment of France. All part of the devious international politics of the day!

View of the Russian Hospital on La Mola

The fleet of Catherine the Great had no access to the Mediterranean, a major handicap when war was declared with the Turks in 1768. Therefore, the fleet was sent to establish bases in Italy, Malta and Menorca. The first squadron left Russia on 6th August 1769 and, following a stop in Hull, for repairs and supplies, sailed to the British occupied island of Menorca, arriving in Port Mahón in January of 1770. The voyage was not an easy one, taking its toll in the sailors. More than 200 died on the passage and another 367 fell sick at a time when problems such as scurvy and yellow fever were little understood. The 19-year-old son of the Admiral Spiridov was amongst those who died, and his remains have been kept to this day in the Church of San Nicolas in Mahón. Initially, the dead were removed to the caves of Cala Figuera but later, in 1820, the human remains were transferred to La Mola and an obelisk was erected in their honour.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 Following some initial battles, when the sick and injured were brought back to Mahón harbour, triumph for the Russians came in June of 1770 at the Battle of Navarino. During the night of 6/7th June the Russian squadron entered the Bay of Chesme and set on fire the Turkish fleet destroying some 14 battleships, 6 frigates and an estimated 50 small ships. This was the biggest and most significant victory for the Russian Navy in all its history. Major celebrations took place in La Mola with the British Governor and officials participating, and the Empress sent valuable gifts of a statue, books, plates, a golden cross and bowl. There was a firework display, and it is recorded that 2 barrels of wine were distributed on the streets!

The departure of the fleet in 1775 was gradual, taking almost a year. Many ships were left to be repaired in Mahón where the officers and marines were taught the necessary skills for good maintenance of their ships. As for the buildings, they were abandoned and no mention of them was made until 1781 when they were taken down to be used as a parapet for the cannons during the attack on San Felipe. What happened to the human remains of the sailors who were buried here is somewhat of a mystery, investigators believe that they were probably thrown into the sea in the rush to build the Fortress.

Hundreds of Russian sailors who died of scurvy were transferred in 1820 to the cemetery of the Greek Orthodox colony of La Mola. The monument remained there for about 40 years before finally disappearing. Today, no remains remain.

So, little is left nowadays to show the presence of the Russian fleet. The help given to them for the maritime ambitions of Catherine the Great which involved sacrifices from the British, had unintentional and unforeseen consequences. The British were unable to mediate in the peace treaty between Russia and Turkey and lost much of their political influence in the Mediterranean as a result of assisting the Russians.

Although officially neutral, the British were ordered to give “friendly attention” and cooperation to the Russian ships. This was granted to the extent that they were allowed to use La Mola to build warehouses, a hospital, a church and a cemetery, and vegetable plots were established for the sick and injured to tend. In fact, Port Mahón together with Livorno, in Italy, became the bastion of the Russian fleet in the Mediterranean. It is said that at one point the British even offered Menorca to the Russians in exchange for support in the war with the colonies, but the offer was rejected with the comment that “The bride is too good to be obedient” meaning that Russia was held in too high esteem to be interested in the British offer.

This story of just one of many that are explained in the Interpretation Centre, located on the first floor of the old British Naval hospital. If you are making a morning visit to the island, for just 5€ you can spend as long as you like wandering through the rooms and enjoying the magnificent views over the harbour. There are tours of the hospital in English on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 11.20am. If you take the 09.00am boat on Sunday morning it is even better as you can share the experience with the volunteers who are there carrying out the restoration work every Sunday throughout the year.

Despite some misgivings by the British, Teodoro Alexiano was named as the Russian Consul in Menorca and was able to exploit a number of properties such as Salinas de Fornells, Tirant, and Son Camaró, amongst others. The transport of such a large fleet to the Mediterranean from Russian ports needed organisation by a considerable network of agents. In the meantime, the Turkish complaints and grievances were met by assurances of British neutrality and denial of aid. This was to cause future problems and damage to relations with Smyrna and Constantinople.

For more information and bookings: https://www.islahospitalmenorca.org/en/home https://menorca.hauserwirth.com/en/home https://www.yellowcatamarans.com/en/home

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

LUNAKIDS CLUB SUMMER PROGRAMME MONTESSORI-INSPIRED LEARNING THROUGH PLAY

BY SIOBHAN FROM LUNAFIT

A FRIENDLY, THOUGHTFUL SUMMER OPTION FOR YOUNG CHILDREN If you are looking for a summer programme for kids, that feels both fun and purposefull, LunaKids Club, has created a warm, welcoming space where children aged 3 to 7 can play, move, create, and make friends — all within a calm, beautifully designed indoor setting inspired by Montessori principles.

The club runs from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, inside LunaFly Menorca, a spacious and thoughtfully prepared indoor studio. Your child can join for a day or for a month, and they’ll be part of a small, friendly group supported by experienced educators who genuinely enjoy being with children.

MONTESSORI-INSPIRED, CHILD-LED LEARNING Our approach follows the Montessori philosophy, which means we create an environment that supports independence, confidence, and natural curiosity. Rather than directing every moment, they offer a mix of structured activities and time for children to choose what interests them.

The space is designed to be calm, organised, and fully child-friendly — with real materials and meaningful activities that help children feel capable and respected. Everything is placed at their level so they can take ownership of their day and develop essential life skills while enjoying themselves.

WHAT WE DO EACH DAY We keep the mornings varied and engaging, with a balance of physical movement, creative projects, and peaceful moments. A typical day might include: • Story time – listening and sharing in a relaxed circle • Arts & crafts – using real materials and exploring different techniques • Yoga & mindful movement – stretching, balancing, and learning to focus • Music & games – singing, rhythm, and simple group games • Practical life tasks – washing up, tidying up, taking care of their own plants • Aerial play & gentle acrobatics – using hammocks and equipment for safe movement challenges • Obstacle courses – building coordination, strength, and confidence • Quiet time – resting, breathing, or simply having space to decompress We follow a consistent rhythm so that children know what to expect, which helps them feel secure and settled — especially important for younger ones or those new to group settings.

A SPACE THAT FEELS JUST RIGHT While many summer camps rely on outdoor space, we’ve put our focus on creating a well-equipped, indoor environment that’s clean, spacious, and purpose-built for young children. The studio is bright and natural, with wooden shelves, soft rugs, open play areas, and high-quality materials that invite exploration and creativity.

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There’s plenty of room for movement — whether children are climbing, swinging, crafting, or stretching — and a calm atmosphere that helps them regulate and recharge.

MAKING FRIENDS & FEELING PART OF A GROUP One of the most valuable parts of the summer programme is the social connection children build.

Because we work with small groups, we get to know each child individually and help them feel part of the community. Children learn how to take turns, share, help each other, and express themselves in a kind and respectful way. We gently support social skills through group activities, shared responsibilities, and clear, consistent guidance — all within a warm, encouraging environment.

Many children who come for just a week end up asking to stay longer — not just because of the activities, but because they feel comfortable, seen, and included.

SIMPLE, FLEXIBLE PRICING We offer a range of pricing options to fit your schedule and needs. You can book a single day, a few sessions here and there, or next year why not sign up for the full summer — it’s up to you.

WANT TO KNOW MORE? For more information or to book your child’s place, get in touch with Siobhan at LunaFly Info@lunafitlife.com WhatsApp +34 620 018 210 www.lunafitlife.com

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

PROPERTY M E N O RC A AT A C ROS S ROA DS : N E W TO U R I S T R U L E S A N D T H E CO U R AG E TO PROT E C T W H AT M AT T E RS Menorca is more than a destination, it’s a way of life. A place where silence still has value, where neighbours greet each other in the street, and where the rhythm of the island invites reflection. But today, that rhythm is being disrupted. Not just by the influx of tourists, but by the tension between growth and preservation, between promises and action.

Menorca is at a pivotal moment. The island’s charm, serenity, and authenticity have long made it a haven for both residents and visitors. But as tourism continues to grow, so does the pressure on its resources, housing, and identity. In response, the Consell Insular has introduced Decree Law 4/2025, a new framework for tourist accommodation that aims to restore balance and protect what makes Menorca unique.

The new law doesn’t simply tweak existing rules, it redefines the game. Tourist places, whether for hotels or holiday rentals, are now subject to a temporary quota system. This system will remain in place until the new Territorial Island Plan (PTI) is approved, which will set a permanent cap on tourist capacity.

For the first time, acquiring a tourist place comes with a financial cost: €2,500 for holiday rentals or tourist establishments, and €800 for short-term lets of primary residences. But payment alone doesn’t guarantee approval. Each application must pass a legal review, and a new place is only granted if a current one has been inactive for three years or officially withdrawn—ensuring that no new capacity is added, only recycled.

Tourist places are valid for five years and are tied to the property. They’re nontransferable to another property and must be renewed if the legal requirements continue to be met. Importantly, receiving a tourist place does not automatically grant a license. Owners must apply separately for that, and meet all legal and technical standards.

JUAN MATEO, BONNIN SANSO

When a property is sold with an active tourist licence it can be transferred to the new owner.

The buyer simply files the “change of ownership” notice with the Consell Insular, pays the small administrative fee, and the licence is re-issued in their name. If they’ll run the rental themselves, they also update the “operator” details; otherwise the existing manager (external person or company) stays on the record or it must be changed to a new manager if the new owners decide to change Managers/company. Both can be done at the same time.

The law also introduces stricter enforcement against illegal rentals. Fines now range from €5,000 for minor infractions, serious infractions up to 50.000€ and up to €500,000 for the most serious cases. Online platforms must display the official registration number for each listing, and the Consell has the authority to designate saturated zones where new licenses may be restricted or denied.

But beyond the technicalities, this law is part of a broader conversation about Menorca’s future. As we wrote recently in our blog, Menorca doesn’t need more promises, it needs courage. Courage to act, to plan wisely, and to protect not just the environment, but the people who live here.

The island faces a quiet crisis: young people unable to find housing, families squeezed by rising costs, and winter months growing emptier. The most unsustainable act isn’t building a home, it’s forcing out those who belong. True sustainability must be social, economic, and environmental. It’s not about banning everything or building endlessly, it’s about balance.

Menorca can be a benchmark for thoughtful tourism, where visitors and residents coexist, and where authenticity isn’t sacrificed for profit. But it will take political, technical, and emotional courage to get there.

“To love this land is not to admire it from a distance. It means getting involved. Rolling up your sleeves. Saying what no one wants to hear, if it’s what needs to be said.” – Juan Torres Bonnin Sanso This isn’t just a regulatory update, it’s a call to action. For homeowners, investors, and anyone who cares about Menorca’s future, now is the time to engage. Not just with the new rules, but with the deeper questions they raise.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

EFFECTIVE ESTATE PLANNING FOR BRITISH EXPATRIATES IN THE BALEARIC ISLANDS: A BRIEF GUIDE

BY SUSAN WORTHINGTON, CEFA THE SPECTRUM IFA GROUP, BALEARES Estate planning is a critical consideration for British expatriates living in the Balearic Islands. With assets potentially spread across the UK and Spain, and legal frameworks differing between jurisdictions, effective planning ensures that your wealth is passed on efficiently and according to your wishes. Here are the key points to consider: Planning ahead is essential to safeguard your estate and reduce the likelihood of disputes or unnecessary tax liabilities. British expats in Spain often have assets in both countries, so your plan should address how these will be managed and distributed. Consideration should be given to residence status, the location of assets, and whether your heirs live in the UK, Spain, or elsewhere.

Wills To streamline the probate process and ensure clarity in both jurisdictions, dual wills can be highly beneficial. This means having one will to cover your UK assets and another for your Spanish holdings. These wills must be carefully drafted to avoid legal conflicts or revocation—coordination between legal professionals in both countries is vital. A Spanish will must comply with local formalities and should reference the UK will, and vice versa.

Assets such as pensions, life insurance policies, and investment accounts may pass outside of a will, depending on the beneficiary nominations made.

It’s crucial to regularly review and update these to ensure they align with your broader estate plan. Failing to do so can lead to unintended outcomes, especially if personal circumstances (like marriage or divorce) change.

Spanish Succession Law Spain operates a system of forced heirship, where a significant portion of an estate must go to specific relatives (typically children).

However, EU Regulation 650/2012 (Brussels IV) allows foreign nationals residing in Spain to opt for the succession law of their country of nationality. This election must be clearly stated in your Spanish will. Without it, Spanish law may apply by default, potentially overriding your intentions.

UK Inheritance Tax (IHT) Even if you are a long-term resident of Spain, and recognising the recent favourable changes to UK inheritance tax (IHT) rules for many expatriates, you may still face IHT on both UK and non-UK based assets.

Careful planning can ensure this exposure is removed entirely. At the same time, Spanish succession tax may also apply based on the location of assets or the residency of beneficiaries. This creates a risk of double taxation. However, tax treaties and relief provisions mitigate these liabilities if utilised effectively.

Solutions There are several tools and strategies that can enhance estate planning efficiency, including the use of trusts, life insurance policies for tax mitigation, and gifting strategies. Spanish-compliant investment bonds, for instance, may provide tax deferral benefits and simplify succession. The suitability of these solutions depends on personal circumstances and goals.

Professional Advice Given the complexity of cross-border estate planning, expert guidance is not just helpful—it’s essential. A qualified financial adviser and a solicitor familiar with both UK and Spanish succession laws can ensure your plan is both compliant and effective. Coordinated advice prevents legal conflicts and optimises outcomes for your heirs.

In summary British expatriates in the Balearics must take a proactive, coordinated approach to estate planning. By understanding the interplay between UK and Spanish law and seeking tailored advice, you can protect your legacy and ensure your wishes are respected.

Email: susan.worthington@spectrum-ifa.com TSG Insurance Services SARL Sucursal en España - CIF W0267715A,Paseo de Gracia 63, Pal. 2a., 08008, Barcelona | TSG Insurance Services S.A.R.L. | Siège Social: 34 Bd des Italiens, 75009 Paris | R.C.S. Paris B 447 609 108 (2003B04384) | « Société de Courtage d’assurances » Numéro d’immatriculation 07 025 332 – www.orias.fr « Conseiller en investissements financiers », référencé sous le numéro E002440 par ANACOFI-CIF, association agréée par l’Autorité des Marchés Financiers » | The Spectrum IFA Group Limited.

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ROQUETA ROQUETAAUGUST JUNE 2025 2025

BY RACHAEL ADAMS

FIRE!

AN OVERVIEW OF CAUSES, PREVENTION AND HOW TO FIGHT THEM

Today I’m off to visit some firemen, needless to say I’ve had to tie all my girlfriends fast to their palm trees. Their preconceptions were not misguided. I’m welcomed into the station by team leader, Joan Sampol, striding easily towards me across the yard. Ooh, this must be what they call a ‘silver fox’! I follow him inside and he introduces me to the rest of the team, and we all sit down together. There’s a huge sense of camaraderie and none of the stiff uppity nonsense I generally get from officials in uniforms.

THE TRAINING To enter this fold requires a two-year course in Palma (CFGM Protecció Civil I Emergències) and then four more months’ training in driving, scuba diving, car crash and vertical rescues. I’m pleased to learn they have two women in their team. As well as physical tests in swimming, rope climbing, running and doing press-ups, they learn about structural fires, the chemistry and physics of fire, and psychology. A lot of the team are already climbers and divers in their spare time.

They work two 24-hour shifts per week and train at the gym during downtime if not called out. Being fit is important as well as fun, as “it’s a very hard time’’ wearing all the heavy gear and fighting a blazing fire. Siscu is dispatched to show me all their kit. Aflame, I ask him if I can be a firewoman.

WHAT’S IN A FIRE ENGINE – A TOOL FOR EVERY JOB We start with the three different types of fire engine. Siscu slides up a shutter on the side of the first one to reveal a frightful array of axes, chainsaws, crowbars, mallets, wrenches and chain cutters. A more sombre feeling now takes over – a large part of their work is dealing with road accidents. Siscu tells me that the worst aspect of his job is fighting to save people who are still alive. I decide I no longer want to be a firewoman.

Perhaps less trying tasks are to remove wasp nests, rescue cats from wells, and clear trees from roads after storms. Memorably, they once extracted an upturned horse stuck in a crevasse in La Vall (rider successfully ejected in the nick of time).

The owners were about to give up, but they got it out alive. They recently recovered a dead cow that was floating near Cala Morell (she’d carefully removed her ear tag prior to presumably taking a rather long fall). A hard yet also rewarding job.

We move on to a larger engine that has miles of hoses and manually adjustable pressure gauges. The longer the hose is played out, the higher the pressure must be raised. “Ooh that could be quite funny, is it like on the telly?” I joke, trying to cheer myself up by imagining the snaking yellow hose flying, a hapless dude flung sky high on the end of it. “Well not really, the metal end is very heavy” – ever the professional. Their largest vehicle, a beast, can carry 400l of water, which makes it unstable and tricky to drive. It’ll also only last 2 mins if they use the big hose.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 As fascinated as a kid under a Christmas tree, I’m shown pull-out trays that have air packs with the harness spread open ready to strap in to. A crumpled x-ray for breaking and entry, things to break locks, a fan to blow smoke out of people’s houses, pumps for floods, a lot of stretchers and blow-up cushions, miles of ropes, pulleys and carabiners, a 27m high cherry picker, foam and sand for car crashes.

We move indoors and I see neat rows of heat jackets, gloves, special torches that don’t produce sparks, balaclavas and helmets with visors, (red ones for the leaders, yellow for the rest), and stand-alone overalls rolled down into electrically-isolated boots, ready to jump into. There’s an, also yellow, “float thing” for dragging people behind boats in underwater searches, and an inflatable boat. And last of all, a cleaning room, full of dishwashers, where they meticulously take apart the masks and wash all the smoke particles out of them.

When a call comes through, the bell will ring, and Joan tells me they’re out of the station within two to three minutes.

FOREST FIRES For a forest fire, there is a specialised team of fire fighters from IBANAT (Balearic Nature Institute) which manages the extinguishing, with their 4000l offroad wagon. The regular firemen supply extra water, forming a convoy of fire engines and hoses. Water stores are dotted throughout Menorca. Despite wearing intercoms for direction, Sisco explains it’s vital they all know exactly what they’re doing. There is a lot of noise, and heat stroke is the obvious big risk for the firemen - so they always work in pairs and swap positions regularly. As well as using volunteers from the Civil Protection group, there are back-up planes from Mallorca and the mainland. They’re called Dromaders and Canadairs, the latter being the boxy red and yellow ones we often see, and helicopters that gather water in the ‘bambi” bag, potentially from your swimming pool.

Shockingly, the firemen receive no psychological support after call outs. None whatsoever.

FIRE CAUSES AND RISK The cause of the forest fire near Macarella at the end of June is unknown at the time of writing. The 2024 Balearic Government report from 2000-2019 showed that discarded cigarette butts were high on the list, followed by agricultural burning and bonfires. A smaller number were caused by fireworks, arson, car crashes and broken powerlines, burning rubbish, and sparks from machinery. Menorca has the highest woodland cover in the Balearics, thus a potentially higher fire risk https://www.caib.es/sites/xarxaforestal/es/ mapa_forestal-19347/. A lot of it is unmanaged; as farmers increasingly leave the land, fuel in the form of dry undergrowth piles up.

SHOULD ALL FIRES BE PUT OUT??

THE BIGGER PICTURE. Usually started by lightning, frequent and low-intensity fires are a necessity for many trees that have evolved to depend on them. They are nature’s way to manage pests and competition.

Researchers can core 300-year-old trees and find rings that are repetitively charred, every couple of decades. Small fires did not kill the tree but cleared out the undergrowth and let moisture–retaining, fast-growing trees, like birch and aspen, grow around them.

Aleppo, and many other conifers and eucalyptus, partially rely on fire to melt the resin in their cones to release the seeds.

Aleppo simultaneously produces another type of cone that opens without fire, instead releasing seeds on very hot days.

Other trees have thick bark that protects them. However, since the early 1900s, the emphasis in the West has been on putting fires out. In parts of Canada and the northern United States this led to stands of trees, all the same age, and thus ripe for beetle infestations. Many of them died.

Many indigenous people managed their land through careful burning for thousands of years. By clearing small patches of forest, they created grassland to attract animals to hunt and stimulate plant growth. They also knew that charcoal retained moisture and helped with soil fertility. Before overgrazing and ploughing turned the land barren, healthy moist soils helped prevent megafires which now burn hotter and longer. In Spain, longer summers mean that fires are larger and burning hotter and for longer.

WHEN YOU CAN BURN OR NOT AND HOW TO FIND OUT Burning near woodland is banned between 1st May and 31st October, though in hotter years these periods can be extended. To burn within 50m of woodland still requires a permit outside of these times. The restrictions vary depending on location, time of year, and the fire risk as established daily on these maps and table; to check https://www.caib. es/sites/xarxaforestal/es/alerta_foc/ Permits are obtained online through the government https://www.caib.es/seucaib/ca/ tramites/tramite/1089715. An alternative would be to take cuttings to the tip https://www. residusmenorca.net/es/deixalleries/ or hire a woodchipper.

FIRE PREVENTION Menorcan woods are made of holm oak and Aleppo pine, with juniper and olive as scrub.

I met Roger Ferrer at IBANAT and he tells me they have a lookout station at El Toro and a camera at s’Enclusa to look for smoke. They also have someone on the ground checking after electric storms where the cameras can’t see. In the winter, they manage the woodland, creating fire breaks and clearing dead scrub. Whereas once firebreaks were cleared lines intersecting trees, nowadays the onus is on keeping the ground moist and cool - so trees that hold water like holm oak and strawberry bushes are left. Rope grass is strimmed right back.

I asked him what we can all do to help? He said, interestingly, that we should choose Menorcan products, to get farmers back on the land, which will mean the undergrowth is better managed. Any farmer will tell you how much less ‘marina” or scrub there was when they were boys, when each farm had 10 workers and nothing went to waste. As well as livestock eating the bushes directly, farmers used to clear undergrowth, so the cattle had shelter in thickets.

If you spot a fire, ring 112. If you are trapped near a forest fire, try to head to the beach, Roger advises — somewhere visible where you’ll be seen and picked up rather than heading to a car and jamming the lanes.

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Recent fire at Binimel-la

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

GRAPEVINE BRYCELAINE SELF – GO MENORCA A Young American Family in Menorca John and I met up with Brycelaine Self in the American Bar (where else?) to have a chat over a coffee about her life in Menorca and her family’s entrepreneurial endeavours.

Brycelaine and her husband Colby first met at Oxford University while attending courses many years ago. They started their life together in Seattle, USA, but in 2015, an enticing opportunity led them to Santiago, Chile, for 6 months, to launch Colby´s digital Start Up company, Carbon Checkout. They were eligible for an innovation grant of $60,000 to build their business there. At the time, Brycelaine was pregnant with their third child. of authentic places and people that make this island special. American visitors especially want guidance on what to do and where to go.” Go Menorca offers annual membership, for just 8.95 Euros, which unlocks discounts, special offers at selected restaurants, shops, hotels and other local enterprises. Members receive a digital wallet pass, saved on their mobile device, in their Apple Wallet or Google Wallet, that can be shown to participating vendors.

They arrived in Menorca straight from Santiago to take part in Menorca Millennials (now known as Decelera)—a pioneering retreat attracting startups looking to grow. “We landed with a 10-day-old baby, two toddlers, and no idea that we were about to fall in love with this island,” Brycelaine recalls. “It felt like the world slowed down and we were able to breathe.”

Charmed by Ciutadella, they were offered a house to rent in the old town while they considered their next steps. They took a brief detour to check out Mallorca’s mountains around Bunyola, which were beautiful, but the couple were drawn back to Menorca. They spent five years living in a rented finca near Favàritx, among the cliffs of Ses Penyes, raising their young children, before taking the plunge and buying a house in Torre Soli Nou. Their three children—now 10, 13, and 15—attend La Salle school in Alaior.

But Menorca had one more surprise in store. During their first year here, Brycelaine noticed the name “Pons” popping up everywhere—on shopfronts, buses and signs. It was a name from her family folklore. “We used to joke that we came from the Isle of Pons but we had no idea where the name came from.”

Intrigued, she hired a genealogist to investigate. He discovered that her greatgreat-grandfather, Pedro Pons Pons, had emigrated from Menorca to the U.S. in the 1840s, and later fought in the American Civil War. He had grown up on an estate just on the edge of Mahón (near the store Decathalon). His father was the estate manager. Pedro was baptised in the church of Sant Joseph which Brycelaine has visited.

Colby has continued to grow Carbon Checkout, a tech company that enables online shoppers to offset the environmental impact of their purchases. It was the first app of its kind integrated into Shopify back in 2015, and today the platform has over 100,000 users worldwide. His work spans collaborations with major NGOs, the Government of Spain, and institutions like The World Bank and WWF. Colby says he was fed up with the delays in international initiatives and Carbon Checkout was his way to find a solution for the urgent environmental challenges of our time. The offset contributions are pooled into their Earth, Ocean, Wildlife and Climate Tech Funds.

“It’s hard to explain the feeling of rediscovering your roots in a place you chose with your heart,” she says. “We came to raise our children here, only to find this was where my family had begun.”

While Colby tackled carbon footprints, Brycelaine focused on the family and adapting to life in a new country. That included navigating the Spanish visa system. “We applied for Entrepreneur Visas, which meant we had to present a plan to show how we could contribute to the Spanish economy,” she explains.

“It made me think long-term.”

While they now call Menorca home, they continue to explore further afield. Each summer, they travel as a family for two months—last year they visited seven European countries and this year they will go to their home state of California.

Brycelaine, a passionate equestrian, also finds time to ride her horse, Sheldon Cooper, at the stable in Alaior.

That long-term thinking led to the creation of Go Menorca—not a startup in the traditional sense, but more as a way for Brycelaine to share what she loves about her adopted home. “I wanted to make it easier for people to find the kind

www.gomenorca.com www.carboncheckout.com 22

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A FUN FASHION PROJECT

PEDRO PONS REDBLONDE AND HIS DESCENDANTS NOTES FROM THE GENEOLOGIST Pedro Pons Olives was the second child of Miguel Jose Pons Pons and Margarita Olives Sequi. He was born on the Llucmaçanes Estate near Mahón, on 14 December 1822. His paternal grandparents were Pedro Pons and Juana Pons. His maternal grandparents were Francisco Olives and Margarita Seguí. They named him Pedro José. Unfortunately, his mother, a native of Sant Lluís, died one week after he was born.

Pedro’s father was a peasant farmer (“l’amo”) in charge of Llucmaçanes estate and his wife was popularly called “madona”. After her death, Miguel married Francisca Villalonga Tudurí. Together they had 5 children, half-brothers of Pedro Pons Olives.

Pedro and Juana would have grown up on the Llucmaçanes estate with their stepbrothers and sisters.

Pedro Pons Olives probably emigrated to the USA in search of new opportunities due to the economic crisis after Menorca returned to Spanish rule. Around 1820, the import of cereals into Spain was prohibited to promote national production. This had serious consequences for the island, whose wealth was dependent on the distribution of these cereals. This caused poverty, leading to important waves of migration of Menorcans to Algeria and the then Spanish colonies in America, especially Cuba and South America. Why did Pedro Pons Olives choose New Orleans? We may never have the answer. A passenger list has not been located for Pedro’s departure from Menorca.

PEDRO IN AMERICA Pedro lived in the French Quarter on Royal Street, New Orleans or had his office there. He founded Southern Syrup Manufacturing Company which prospered for a few years. Pedro traveled to Cuba, and back to Spain once in 1865, perhaps to see his father who died of lip cancer in 1866. Pedro Pons married Margaretha Reeb who was born in Mulhausen, Alsace, in 1827. She came to America with her parents around 1846. Brycelaine’s grandmother Emma, is the granddaughter of their third child, Miguel, who was born in 1850.

Pedro enlisted as a Private in “3” Co. LA Cazadores Esp Infantry, 5th Regiment, European Brigade, Louisiana Militia (Spanish Regiment). When the Confederates evacuated New Orleans (25 April 1862) the European Brigade carried out police duty in the city until the arrival of Ben Butler’s Federal troops, on 1 May 1862. The descendants of Pedro and Margaretha mostly stayed in and around New Orleans.

Brycelaine remembers her Great Aunts, Cody and Tessie, whom her grandmother visited frequently. They were tiny and Spanish looking, and she believes they are Pons descendants.

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Our fabulous contributor, Larissa le Sage de Fontenay, has just launched a range of clothing with bold statements about our hair colour. RedBlonde is the result of two old friends, who met many moons ago in the fashion arena, wanting to spend more time together doing something fun and creative.

Vic, forever known as Red and Larissa, always recognised for her Blonde mad curls, found themselves in the same country, at the same time, in a room with wine and a shared dream, and that was it, RedBlonde was born.

Victoria has been in the fashion business for forever as a fashion buyer and creator of many fashion brands. Larissa has dedicated her life to PR and marketing, having built and sold a PR business and an online magazine.

Larissa told me “RedBlonde is a creative fun fashion project. It’s a start up fashion brand based around the niche of hair shades. We’ve kept the fashion offering simple to start with, crew and v-necks tees, sweatshirts and hoodies, mostly unisex in size and shape and some trucker and baseball caps. Our niche collections and designs are playful, bold and a bit quirky and based on people’s inner or outer hair colour. Every item of clothing is printed only when purchased to limit wastage and support the environment.

Redblonde is the first small step for a fashion brand with big dreams!” www.WearRedBlonde.com Facebook.com/WearRedBlonde Insta - @wearredblonde

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

RESTAURANTS If you would like to advertise your restaurant in the Eating Out section of Roqueta please contact John Davies by email: roquetajohn@gmail.com or by Whatsapp 609851186

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

EATING So, firstly thank you to Liz and John for their kind invite to involve me in the Foodie world of Roqueta. Whilst I do have some knowledge in this area, my skill set is, and always has been, catering for big numbers, although I have been involved in setting up various restaurants in London including airports, museums, the walkie talkie building - sky garden, and the Royal Albert Hall to name a few. I suppose my passion always has been food and the service that complements the environment, with a fundamental focus on value for money!! There are so many components that make a restaurant work - the staff, the delivery, the service, and of course the food. Whilst we are so spoilt in Menorca to enjoy the most beautiful setting, it is becoming more apparent that these elements do matter! So restaurants here are now realising this is where they have to up their game! - and they are ….

OUT

AUGUST 2025

BY LUCY GEMMELL, FOUNDER OF RHUBARB AND ROQUETA’S TEAM OF TASTERS

I will go again in August when they have really settled in …

We met the owner, James - who was charming and really has the heart and soul of what they are trying to achieve - he has been successful in other businesses on the island and we are loving his energy to embrace this challenge.

I love the relaxed approach to the dining here, however, it’s becoming very competitive and I think this is a good thing. I see a lot of restaurants changing hands with new owners bringing new approaches. There is a realisation that we can achieve the levels of the other Balearic Islands. We do not have the beach bars that attract the super yachts and bring in the big money, but the restaurants here have a particular charm and passion and an energy that will only grow.

The food was good, quite well priced, and the wine was good value, however, it’s a beach bar and I fear reservations for tables might be challenging – let’s see. We all really hope this works for them as it is a huge investment for the owners and it needs to be approachable for the locals and the beach goers too!!

As a foodie, l love this and appreciate the hard work that goes into bringing these new ideas ito fruition. It can only be a good thing - I truly believe we are now spoilt by new restaurants, new ideas, and new chefs arriving in Menorca helping it to become the next culinary destination!

Lucy with James

LOS BUCANEROS DE BINIBECA. Carrer de sa Platja de Ponent, 16, 07711 Binibèquer. Open every day from 9am to midnight. RESERVAS / BOOKINGS vía WhatsApp +34 640 515 374 So it’s finally open! And it is a fabulous relief that this iconic beach bar is back up and running and not left to deteriorate, although the Moysi family continue to contest the opening.

There are clearly some fundamental differences – it is vastly reduced in size and having to make a booking for dinner at 8.00pm or at 10.00pm for a beach bar is a challenge - we all grew up on toasties and ice creams so this might appear to be somewhat alien! My experience was that it is a classic, the tables and decoration are charming and there was a perfect sunset, with a very enthusiastic team.

They are doing currently what we call in the trade a soft opening, offering a limited menu with a view to elaborating it to offer a more eclectic choice - it will be a challenge as the kitchen is tiny and there is only seating for 50. These beach bars are so important to Menorca, as we don’t have many, and we need to keep them going - my personal approach would be to do speak easy take away and have a huge pizza oven – let’s see how they cope.

One of our readers, Kevin Baxter, sent us this picture of himself and his wife Sue. He queued up at 9am to be the first customer to order a caña. He thought it was a beautiful atmosphere but there was no food until 12 so he only managed another caña!

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The setting is small but stylish. A breezy terrace opens towards the sea, framed by natural wood accents, whitewashed finishes, and an easy, island-inspired elegance. The transformation is not only aesthetic — the culinary shift is just as impressive.

Opened in May, Mar de Teranga has already gained a loyal following among locals for its contemporary take on Mediterranean cuisine. The menu showcases highquality local seafood and seasonal produce, skillfully prepared with a modern touch that respects Menorcan culinary traditions.

Seafood is the undisputed star. Expect impeccably fresh catch-of-the-day, octopus, and lobster (when in season), alongside tapas-style starters such as baby squid croquettes, Cantabrian anchovies, red prawn carpaccio, and confit artichokes with Iberian ham and a perfectly fried egg. There are also beautifully executed classics — steamed mussels with citrus aioli, Russian salad, burrata, Caesar salad, and the essential pan con tomate.

Main courses highlight local flavour with flair: grilled squid, fried Menorcan-style lobster with potatoes and egg, braised octopus, fillet steak, and lamb chops. For us, the standout is the cuttlefish and prawn carpaccio paella, prepared socarrat style — every grain scraped and savoured to the last. The black rice paella with artichokes and red prawn is also exceptional.

Desserts, though limited to three, are each a triumph. Mame, a pastry chef by profession, crafts each one with finesse. We’ve sampled them all — each is well worth the indulgence.

Service is attentive yet unobtrusive, with Maria setting a gracious tone and staff well-trained in the art of genuine hospitality. Mame often steps out of the kitchen to greet guests personally — a small gesture that adds a heartfelt touch. With the busier summer season ahead, one hopes this charm remains intact.

Pricing is consistent with quality seaside dining across Menorca. While not inexpensive, the standard of food, service, and setting offers good value. We had mussels and baby squid croquettes (6 pieces), grilled seabass with garlic, paella for two and two jugs of sangria and with tips it was around 200 euros.

MAR PLATO Passeig de sa Marina, 66, 07713 Sant Lluís, 622524192

By Nina Hammond

What was once a casual post-beach pitstop now feels like a true culinary destination. Mar de Teranga retains the serenity of Es Canutells but introduces something altogether more refined. For now, it’s open Wednesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner (12:00–16:00, 19:00–22:00), and Monday for lunch only. It is closed Tuesdays. The current season runs until the end of October, though there are whispers of possible weekend openings in the off-season — and, hopefully, one day, breakfast service.

Unassuming from the outside, Mar Plato surprises you the moment you step through and out onto the stunning terrace. With uninterrupted views of the glittering sea, alfresco dining in Menorca doesn’t get much better than this.

While the restaurant specialises in tuna, the menu offers plenty to tempt both seafood lovers and meat eaters alike. The staff are very smartly turned out and genuinely helpful. When I asked about the fish of the day, they brought out a tray of fresh catches.

We began with a selection of beautifully presented starters. The Gildas were a little flavour bomb—thanks to a clever “flavour pearl” that literally burst in the mouth. VIC croquetas lived up to their name (Very important croquetas!), and the Ajo Blanco—a smoked sardine paired with an apple and celery sorbet—was an unexpected and refreshing hit.

Next up was my chosen fish of the day, grouper, simply cooked on the grill, fresh and delicious. My partner went for tuna cheek marinated in miso which was rich and full of flavour. We shared a bottle of Ultreia Godello, which complemented the food very well.

Although we were full, we still shared a pud, just for you! We felt it was our duty to report back. ‘Tocino de Cielo’ a type of crème caramel with Chantilly cream, lovely to end with something sweet.

All in all, very enjoyable, the ambiance is buzzy and it feels like you are somewhere special. 175 euros for two including one copa de cava, one beer, one bottle of wine.

MAR DE TERANGA Diseminado Canutells, 1009, 07712 Es Canutells, 633573775

By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay

EL FARO DE CALA TORRET Carrer de ses Cranques, s/n, Binibèquer Nou, 07711 Binibèquer, 971150443

By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay

There’s exciting news from the peaceful cove of Es Canutells: the once modest beach bar perched on the peninsula overlooking the bay has undergone a striking transformation. Under new ownership, it has been reimagined as Mar de Teranga, an elegant and welcoming eatery now run by husband-and-wife team Mame Cheikh and Maria Reurer.

To be perfectly honest, El Faro wasn’t our intended destination. We had moored off Binibeca and swam ashore with our waterproof bags packed with a change of clothes and a mobile phone, hoping to dine at our usual favourite. But as luck would have it, that spot was closed — so we wandered over to El Faro instead, and it turned out to be perfect. It’s now somewhere we often return to.

Having met in Cuba eight years ago, the couple — who are now raising two young children — have poured heart and soul into this new venture. The name Mar de Teranga translated from Wolof (the most widely spoken language in Senegal, where Mame is from), means “Sea of Hospitality” — a fitting name for a place defined by warmth, generosity, and relaxed coastal charm.

Tucked towards the end of the little restaurant parade in Cala Torret — when facing inland — El Faro is well regarded by both locals and tourists alike. I’m almost ashamed to admit this was our first time eating there, but silver linings do exist.

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ISABELLAS BAR & RESTAURANT, CALAN PORTER 5-6, Bajada de la playa, (Road to beach), Calan Porter, 699 887392

By Mrs Yummsville This is a very popular new kid on the block! It is a Spanish & English restaurant run by Essi and his wife Nicola. It is in very pleasant surroundings and nice decor with three open terraces, one over looking a swimming pool.

We chose the set menu which was 3 courses including wine, available when we visited on a Saturday evening. I had Melon & Serrano Ham, and hubby avocado with beautiful plump prawns, followed by tender roast lamb and sea bass. It was so nice with veg and fries but we were given a choice of salad or vegetables. We followed with strawberries and homemade tiramisu. At 25€ a head no wonder it is so popular. It’s truly a top dinner and we will be booking again! Open every day except Mondays. Lunch & evening. There is an A la carte menu which we will try next time.

Not only does El Faro offer spectacular views of the bay, but the food and service are just as impressive.

It’s a real hit! Good quality food at great value, produced by people who care.

We started with a generous and handsome burrata salad with basil, tomato and walnuts — beautifully presented, creamy, tasty and fresh — just what we needed after our salty swim ashore. We also shared perfectly balanced garlic prawns and grilled seabass, which came with a selection of sides to choose from. We didn’t get carried away with anything too fancy — we kept it simple, which I think is the best way to judge a kitchen. Everything was delicious, cooked perfectly, and served with charm in one of the most beautiful settings you could ask for.

A large brandy and coffee for dessert was just right — especially since we still had to pilot the boat home!

I thoroughly recommend El Faro. The prices are fair, there’s always a friendly buzz, and it’s become our go-to when we can’t be bothered to pack a boat picnic. It’s easy enough to moor off Binibeca and swim ashore — or, if you’re visiting between May and September, grab the marinara if they’re working. It’s a fun way to arrive. Or, of course, you could just do what normal people do and drive or walk there — day or night — but do book in advance! Open April until the end of September.

MENORCA EXPERIMENTAL Cami de Llucalari, 34 627 369431

By Mrs Yummsville This is an outstanding restaurant in the boutique hotel on the main road from Alaior to Son Bou (opposite Llucasaldent Gran it has a yellow sign Agroturismo) As a 65th Birthday Treat we were booked in for dinner on a Tues evening. We had read the very mixed reviews but can honestly say it’s superb and hope to return again! The location is stunning, service was 5 star led by food manager Xavier and his staff. Then the food... wow these days you expect to get really small portions at such places but, no, there was plenty. We started with cocktails, my hubby a mocktail of zero beer with a Mexican twist and a St Germain for me, a local gin with elderflower, egg white, cucumber & lime. Both were refreshing.

For starters we had Foccacia with home made thyme butter and Iberian ham croquettes. The grilled leek with cashew romesco & pickled cucumber was stunning and we also enjoyed the Zucchini roll with menorcan ricotta cheese.

For our mains we chose grilled seabass & fennel and Iberian pork with mustard.

To finish we chose caramelised torrija with vanilla ice cream and chocolate tart with miso, caramel & crystallised hazelnuts. We drank water and a glass of Albarino wine It’s up market, with well dressed guests sitting in a pretty courtyard enjoying first class cusine. What an experience overall. Highly recommended for a total cost of €190

BODEGA AMANO MENORCA. Carrer s’Arravaleta, 19, 07702 Maó, Illes Balears

By John Liz and I wandered into town for Tuesday night market and music. Feeling a little peckish and spotting a vacant table, we decided to try Amano. I was surprised to get a seat as it is usually full. Staff were very attentive, and we enjoyed a nice glass of Ribera for Liz and a beer for me as we perused the different sections divided into hot and cold tapas, oven and smoke dishes, charcoal-grilled meats, and fish and grill. I chose Iberico Secreto with oven baked potatoes (€23) and Liz had a rather Smokey number, roasted aubergine with Greek yoghurt and Ras el Hanout topped with figs (€18). Liz decided that as her main was a vegetarian option, she would start with a half portion of Discarlux Mature Beef Jerky (€13).

I’m not an expert on this dish, but it was delicious and served with some fresh rough-cut bread.

We decided against a postre as the dishes were rather filling and after bumping into our old employee, Christina, we needed to leave room to try the new ice cream experience (more next month). Prices were very reasonable and both food and service were excellent, I can highly recommend it.

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

ROQUETA RECIPE

BY QUESO MAHÓN MENORCA

MAHÓN MENORCA CHEESE RISOTTO AND SEASONAL MUSHROOMS INGREDIENTS 500 g of bomba rice 100 g of cured Mahón Menorca cheese 2 onions 250 ml of white wine

100 g of mushrooms 500 ml of vegetable broth 30 g of butter Paprika

PREPARATION: Fry the spring onion in a clay pot with a little oil. When golden brown, add the rice and let it fry briefly. Add the white wine and cook for 3 minutes, until the alcohol evaporates. Add the vegetable stock while stirring constantly. Halfway through cooking, add the grated Mahón-Menorca cured cheese and a little butter.

Just before it’s cooked, add the previously fried mushrooms, seasoned with spicy paprika, and mix. To serve, garnish with slivers of Mahón-Menorca cured cheese.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

SANTA CECÍLIA LLOC A DREAM ROOTED IN THE SOIL I went to visit an enterprising and inspiring young couple, Antonia Ramon and Carlos Allès, who are running Santa Cecília Lloc, a 100-hectare organic farm nestled at the foot of Santa Agueda, near Ferreries. Over the last 5 years, they have transformed the farm by using ecological and regenerative practices. They produce artisanal cheeses, and now ice cream, made from the milk of their Vermella Menorquina or Menorcan Red Cows, as wells as organic pork sausages and honey. But they have created more than just a farm, it is also an environmental conservation project. We sat down in a shady spot on the farm, each with a tub of creamy icecream, and Tònia told me more.

Santa Cecília Lloc is more than a working farm; it’s the realisation of Tònia and Carlos’ dream to build a 100% organic enterprise. The couple, both from farming families, faced early skepticism. “First, they told us we’d never make a living,” Tònia recalls. “Then, they said our success was just beginner’s luck.” Today, neighbouring farmers peer over the walls with curiosity and admiration, eager to learn from the couple’s regenerative methods.

From the outset, they joined the Custòdia Agrària programme, led

by GOB Menorca, which champions environmentally responsible farming. With support from this network — whom they call their “second family” — they gained access to vital equipment and new markets.

That is not to say that is has been easy. The farm had previously been home to high-yield Friesian cows, which demanded artificial feed and fertilisers. It took two years to transform the land before they could produce their first fully certified organic cheese in 2023. In 2024, they added organic pork products to the mix, and now, they’re delighting customers with farm-fresh ice cream.

Key to their success has been the support of the French landowners, with whom they operate on a 50:50 profit-sharing basis “We chose this model over a salary,” Tònia explains, “to make the project más nuestro — more ours.” The owners, experienced business people, visit every fortnight and assist in strategic planning, including the expansion into ice cream production.

Tònia is not without business experience herself. She studied administration at university and then demonstrated her entrepreneurial spirit by running Son Triay, an agrotourism hotel for 7 years. They enjoyed the hotel experience but, as their children grew, they found it tough to be living alongside clients 24 hours a day. They approached the owners of Santa Cecília and convinced them that they had the ideas and experience to care for the land. For two years, they ran both the agrotourism business and Santa Cecília, side by side until they were able to hand over Son Triay to the new managers. 2024 was the first year when they were finally able to give 100% of their time to the farm. They do not live there but have a house in Ferreries where their three children go to school and where they have the support of their grandparents.

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see how our products make money. It helps them to understand the value of food products and where they come from, they are not just something you pick off the shelf in a supermarket.”

Tònia now serves as president of the Vermella Menorquina Association, championing the island’s native cattle and sustainable practices. She sees the farm not just as a business, but as a life project — “We’re not here to fill our pockets,” she says. “We’re here to build something lasting — for us, for our children, for Menorca.”

SUSTAINABLE FARMING Whereas in the past there were 75 Friesian cows on the farm, they now have 24 Menorcan Red cows. This is the number that the land can sustain without having to import feed or bales of hay. Menorcan cows produce less milk but also consume less expensive feed and are more resilient to the local habitat. This year with the spring rain the harvest has been good, and they will be able to be fully selfsufficient. They have recently planted a crop of Sorghum which is thriving.

VISIT, TASTE, SUPPORT The couple regularly welcomes school groups and visitors to Santa Cecília Lloc to explore the land, meet the animals, and sample the farm’s products. On 28 September, they’ll host a farm visit and concert in a joint initiative with the Orquestra de Cambra Illa de Menorca, to celebrate local culture and community.

By dividing the land up into small areas and rotating the grazing of the cows they are able to balance the ecosystem. In this way, they stimulate and maintain the fertility of the soil and the biodiversity of the land. They are, in a way, returning to past methods, before the walls were knocked down to allow the use of large tractors for mowing. The smaller fields also help to manage the drainage of rainwater, preventing largescale flooding and preventing the topsoil from being washed away.

You’ll find Tònia and Carlos at weekly night markets around the island, their stall brimming with cheese, honey, sobrasada, and ice cream — by supporting them, you become part of their story.

Monday: Fornells 6pm to 10pm Tuesday: Es Migjorn. 6pm to 10:30pm Thursday: Es Mercadal 6pm to 11pm Friday: Ferreries 6 pm to 10:30pm Saturday: Ferreries all year round: 9am to 1pm

MARKETING THEIR PRODUCTS They are very proud of their cheese, which is of the highest quality, with the Mahon-Menorca P.D.O (Protected Designation of Origin) label, but unlike many others it is fully organic. The cheeses undergo a curing process in which they are periodically turned and brushed with organic olive oil, which gives them a unique aroma and colour. Tònia explained that each batch of cheese can come out with a different taste, depending on where and what the cows have eaten. “We have a special and unique product, and this is how we stand out”, she says.

You can follow the project on Instagram @santacecilia_lloc_menorca. +34 650 590 345

Farmers can make very little profit if they sell their cheese in big supermarkets, this is why we prefer to sell direct on local markets. Recently we have started selling our cheese and ice cream in the family run Cas Tix Supermarket in Sant Climent where they value local produce.

After producing milk for 9 months of the year, the cows are given a rest from milking during the dry summer season, but 4 cows are milked to make the ice cream. So, from October to May, cheese, is the main product made from the milk, and from June to September it is the ice cream.

A FAMILY AFFAIR Tònia says “We have turned the farm into a family project that allows us to share moments with the children. They come with us to the night markets, and, on the one hand, we can enjoy the different towns together, and on the other they can 31

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

THE JOURNEY OF BRINGING A HOME TO LIFE What truly sets Vistamar apart is its deep connection to land and sea. Stone walls echo the surrounding cliffs and landscape, while Mediterranean vegetation — olive trees, lavender, and rosemary — has been carefully selected to create an outdoor environment deeply rooted in the island’s identity. Each pathway and terrace is designed to offer both intimacy and an open dialogue with the horizon, where the sea becomes an extension of the home. Soft, neutral palettes are enriched by artisanal pieces crafted specifically for the project. The lighting concept plays a pivotal role, creating subtle moods that shift with the passing hours.

LP STUDIO is a Menorca-based architecture and design practice dedicated to crafting bespoke interiors and outdoor environments, bringing them to life through an all-inclusive service. In this issue, we explore VISTAMAR, a 250+ sqm coastal retreat on Menorca’s privileged seafront that truly embodies the studio’s holistic vision.

Located on the pristine coastline of Sant Lluís, this home gently emerges from the sloping terrain, opening its doors to the Mediterranean breeze. Designed on a single floor plan for the main living spaces, the house emphasises harmony between interior and exterior, enhancing the sense of connection and openness throughout the residence. Large windows and seamless transitions invite natural light and outdoor views to become an integral part of everyday living.

“We bring to life a thin, almost intangible thread that runs through every aspect of the project, weaving together the elements that define the identity of a new home,” says Lluc Pons, founder of the studio. Once this vision is shaped, we oversee the execution by collaborating closely with local suppliers and artisans. We also place our clients at the forefront, maintaining constant communication in their native language to ensure they are informed of every detail and the progress at each stage.

LP studio was involved from the earliest stages to ensure a refined and cohesive vision for its interiors and landscape. Their work encompassed interior design, the creation of custom-designed furniture pieces, a tailored lighting plan, and the natural integration of outdoor spaces, blending architecture with its surroundings. LP studio also took on the comprehensive management and execution of the project, ensuring that every detail aligned with the clients’ desired character and quality.

LP studio’s strength lies in their turnkey approach. Their team — spanning architecture, engineering, landscaping, interior design, art, and styling — builds homes that feel alive and connected with the stories of the people who live in them.

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A glimpse at the construction and the completed home.

DECISIONS SIMPLIFIED Large residential projects, with their many individual spaces, often present a challenge: defining a coherent palette of materials, colours, and finishes without losing a global personality. It’s easy to end up with a mix of styles that feels disconnected or lacks a strong identity. LP studio’s approach is to look at the space as a whole. Thinking about how it will be lived in, how the interiors will flow, and how every feature can contribute to a consistent and well-crafted experience.

decision-making and dilute the vision. The studio’s role is to cut through that noise. Helping clients distill their ideas, uncover what resonates with them, and visualise how their dream home will come together. By simplifying the process, they create spaces that feel intentional and deeply personal.

“We were very happy to work with LP STUDIO to take care of our construction project. Their responsiveness and professionalism were major assets in our relationship. Their always relevant advice and suggestions allowed us to achieve the expected result. A huge thank you for all the work done!”

— Guénaël and Valérie, Homeowners.

In a world saturated with inspiration —endless Pinterest boards, Instagram saves, and global design trends— choice can quickly become overwhelming. Too many options can paralyse

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 DESIGNING IN DIALOGUE WITH NATURE

THE POWER OF DETAIL

One of the defining aspects of Vistamar is its commitment to the environment. The project embraces locally present and sourced materials highlighted by stone wall cladding that runs through the house, connecting indoor and outdoor spaces seamlessly. Every material was chosen to age beautifully, allowing the home to evolve over time without losing its essence.

Craftsmanship is at the very heart of Vistamar and remains one of its most defining qualities. LP Studio collaborated closely with local artisans to create bespoke features that give the home its unique character. From the raw beauty of natural stone to the sculpted ullastre wood handrails and custom-designed furniture pieces, every element contributes to a sense of warmth and authenticity that mass-produced materials could never replicate.

The landscape design was conceived as an extension of the architecture, but also as a celebration of Menorca’s wild beauty. Native species allow minimal irrigation and maintenance, reflecting a thoughtful approach to water conservation on an island where every drop counts.

The result is a home that feels both grounded and alive — a sanctuary where life unfolds in harmony with the changing rhythms of the sea and the seasons. Vistamar celebrates not perfection, but the beauty of authenticity.

No provider chasing.

No long waiting times.

No language barriers.

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Only one interlocutor.

An all-inclusive architecture and design service to create and enjoy your Menorcan home and garden.

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A TIMELESS APPROACH TO CONTEMPORARY LIVING

INTERIOR AND LANDSCAPE MENORCAN DESIGN STUDIO www.lp.studio

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

MEN IN RCA ART

Looking to the future, he will continue his Grand Prix theme as he prepares to spend time over the winter in Florida where he will be working in contract with the OSMA galley in Miami. You can find more examples of his art on the Saatchi Art site.

POL MARBAN, ATICA GALLERY

BY ALISON GURNEY Located opposite the old Estacion Marítimo, in the Port of Mahón, is the Atica Gallery. This is a gallery and creative space run by the Menorcan artist Pol (Paul) Maraban, who has an international reputation.

For his next home exhibition, he plans to explore more common, everyday sights, focussing on the effects of light. Make a note for next July, when he will again showcase his art in Mahón.

We visited the gallery for the opening night of his exhibition – Grand Prix: The Tully Archive. Centre stage, surrounded by paintings with real visual impact was a bright yellow Renault Alpine rally car. When we visited again with friends, this had been replaced by a white Corvette Stingray with gleaming chrome.

Atica Art Gallery, Moll de Ponent, 36, 07701 Mahón Whatsapp 633206588

Pol’s exhibition in 2024 had been on the theme of ‘Dystopia’. He had chosen a lighter theme for this year, indulging his passion for F1. He was also able to draw on his friendship with John Tully, a fellow Menorcan resident, who had an enviable career as a film maker, recording the thrills of Grand Prix racing. Some of his archive was on display at the gallery. He had recorded the legends of motor racing in the 70’s – James Hunt, Ayrton Senna, Nikki Lauda, Nigel Mansell - to mention just a few. This archive had, in the past, been used for blockbuster movies like Le Mans.

So, this was Pol’s inspiration, and you could almost hear the roar of the engines as you studied his art. Dominating one wall was a monochrome work depicting an aging racing car wrapped in covers. The racing cars were reminiscent of a different age - with not quite the clinical 3 second pit stop of modern F1!

Many of the paintings had a poster style and my favourite was the fanciful image of Grand Prix cars of the 1960s roaring along the port of Mahón. We bought the print version!

Talking to Pol, he is very proud of the work in his gallery. He has three floors which includes his own studio, plus space for other artists. One is the artist Julian Castillo, who has been working, with some support from Pol, on the amazing mural telling the story of Es Castell (you can see it on the wall by the school car park). It is also a base for a collective who work with film and live music. During the winter months, the artist Jordi Cardenas offers painting classes.

As his exhibition draws to a close, Pol’s next challenge is a mural for the animal shelter in Mahón, featuring one of the dogs that he has been walking recently as a volunteer.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

ONA GALLERY Alexey Chebotarev, Josep Munné and his granddaughter Ona Photo: Gemma Andreu Diari Menorca

A new art Gallery has opened on the Esplanada in Mahón. Ona Gallery is the home to the paintings of Josep Munné (Sant Andreu de Llavaneres, Barcelona, 1933). An Impressionist, figurative painter, with close ties to the Costa Brava, Munné has been called the “the Sorolla of Llavaneres.” Ona is the name of his granddaughter who has put together this inaugural exhibition.

Alexey Chebotarev, who owns the Menorca gallery, offered his space as a home for the paintings. He says it is not just a traditional gallery, as it also houses an art school and sells crafts in addition to works of art.

The space has been created to be a living tribute to the artist.

The first room houses unique and emblematic works, pieces that encapsulate the essence of his career. In the second, Mediterranean landscapes—beaches, boats, and light—connect with the calm and identity of the island. Finally, a collection of female nudes “displays the body with sensitivity, respect, and depth, as a form of intimate and timeless expression”.

British Artist Caroline Swiderska

Munné says he paints not only what he sees, but what he feels: the calm of a boat on the shore, the texture of skin illuminated by natural light, the silence of an empty house, the vibration of a memory that refuses to fade. You can watch an interview with the artist in his studio on a large screen, with english subtitles.

You can find more than 150 original works by Josep Munné, along with pieces by other artists including sculptures by Marga de la Llana, from Menorca, and Caroline Swiderska, a British artist based on the island. Also look out for a fresco by the Menorcan painter Andreu Galbis (1797-1874) on the ceiling of the main hall of this historic building. This work was commissioned by Joan Basilini, who bought the house in 1777.

Pl. de s’Esplanada, 2, 07702 Maó, Balearic Islands Open Tues to Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. www.onagallerymenorca.com

RECORD BREAKING MURAL IN ES CASTELL Es Castell is now home to the world’s largest charcoal mural breaking a Guinness World Record. It is located on the wall that connects the football stadium to the school facing the car park, and depicts local scenes from Es Castell, alongside images of Menorcan life and a bit of history. Juan Antonio Garrido and Julián Castillo are the artists who, entirely voluntarily and with the authorisation of the city council, designed it and drew it, beginning in May and finishing in early July. It is 187.4 square metres, breaking the previous record of 150 square meters.

The artists with Mayor of Es Castell Lluís Camps and various councillors

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

OPE N AIR SUM M E R CO N C E RTS AT TH E

LITHICA

FOSQUETS DE LITHICA FESTIVAL

In the summer months the Lithica becomes a magical place at night as a large theatre in the heart of the island of Menorca.

The extraction of Marès, stone with which Menorca´s historic buildings and houses have been built, has left spaces carved into the rock, where live music and intimate performances can be enjoyed.

The largest quarry, 27 metres deep, was carved by machines and the impressive cubic space left behind provides a breathtaking amphitheatre. It is perhaps the most monumental space in Lithica, where large-format concerts are held. Carved out from the wall, is the stage where diverse shows are held during the summer.

A smaller quarry known as the Cantera de Los Naranjos or Orange Tree Quarry was carved out by hand. This is a more intimate space where social gatherings, parties, and weddings are held... but it is also the ideal garden for small-scale shows.

Then there is the Medieval Garden, an enclosed, secret garden or cloister which during the summer becomes the refuge for small live recitals until the end of the day.

The final area is the Labyrinth where 3000 marès stones have been laid out to form a maze, falling under the gaze of the Lithica’s iconic giant. Here perfomers, who dare, can entertain on and between the walls.

In August you can book the following concerts

LAURA MARCHAL FLAMENCO

FULL MOON NIGHT - LOS MAMBO JAMBO +FIRE PERFORMANCE

August 14 – 8:30pm With a deep, sweet and nuanced voice, overflowing with emotion and recalling the wisdom of ancient song, Laura Marchal presents La Semilla del Encanto. Jewels of popular poetry, with styles carefully selected for their lyricism, melody, meaning and symbolism, as is the case with the soleá, the sevillanes, the taranta and the verdiales.

August 9 – 10pm Under the light of the full August moon, Mambo Jambo will make the stage vibrate with their unmistakable “jambophonic sound”: an explosive fusion of rhythm & blues, surf, jazz and swing. Accompanying their music, Cia. Enigma will offer a fiery performance that will add magic and intensity to an already unforgettable experience.

ROOTS REVIVAL PERSIAN MUSIC August 21 – 8:30pm Quieter than Silence draws inspiration from Syrian, Persian and Sufi musical traditions, organically combining different rhythmic and tonal elements throughout its journey. The result is an immersive sonic synergy, created through instruments such as the ney, setar, oud, kamancheh, percussion, double bass and voice.

Pack cinema + concert : Movie Bab’Aziz, the Sufi sage for only €2 more — Sufi cinema at Cinema Moix Negre 38

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

ORQUESTRA DE L’ENCUENTRO D’ARREL August 28 – 8:30pm A great festival of music rooted in Menorca: a meeting between musical traditions that share surprisingly similar rhythmic patterns, harmonic structures and expressive forms.

From the Spanish jota to the Chilean cueca, from the Italian tarantella to the Gnawa music of the Maghreb.

Purchase tickets online https://www.fosquetsdelithica.com/es/el-festival_/

QUIETUD MUSIC IN THE MEDIEVAL GARDEN Intimate half-hour recitals in a unique atmosphere of stillness and peace, every Wednesday in August. A garden conceived to be a small paradise. Price: €12 Artists:

Mambo Jambo

• Joan Mercadal, guitarist, composer, and performer specializing in traditional flamenco singing and dance accompaniment. 6 & 20 August 19.30h • Pau Marquès, cellist and viola da gamba performer, specializing in chamber music and interdisciplinary projects. He is currently a member of OCIM and the Camus Trio. 13 August - 19.30h • Elena Armenteros, harpist trained at the Conservatory of Barcelona and the Higher School of Music of Catalonia. 27 August - 19.30h https://lithica.es/en/schedule/

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

COVA DE S’AIGUA: MENORCA’S HIDDEN UNDERGROUND GEM

BY JOHN MORLOCK Nestled in the heart of Cala Blanca, south of Ciutadella on Menorca’s west coast, Cova de s’Aigua is a captivating natural cave and one of the island’s most intriguing attractions. It is the only cave in the area open to the public, offering a unique glimpse into Menorca’s geological and historical treasures.

HISTORY Cova de s’Aigua, stretches over 2,500 metres, and visitors can explore a 120-150 metre section. It was used in prehistoric times as a burial site during the Talayotic period, and when the level of the water table rose, the area was inundated and all human remains and ceramics were submerged in its crystal-clear underground lake. The pre-Talayotic and Talayotic pottery highlight its cultural significance, earning it a designation as a Bien de Interés Cultural in 1966. The cave also bears historical graffiti, with inscriptions dating back to 1580 and the 18th-century British occupation. A bronze lamp found within the lake probably dates back to these periods. John Armstrong was the first to write about the formations in this cave in 1756. Then in 1897, Archduke Ludwig Salvator of Austria refers to it in his book Die Balearen.

GEOLOGY Cova de s’Aigua is a karstic cave formed in limestone and calcarenite rocks from the Upper Miocene epoch (approximately 25 to 5 million years ago). These rocks, typical of Menorca’s southern and western coasts, are primarily composed of calcium carbonate, derived from marine sediments such as shells and coral, deposited when the region was submerged under a tropical sea. Subsequently, various tectonic shifts fractured the Miocene platform, leading to the formation of tectonic joints. The cave was formed by slightly acidic rainwater seeping through for thousands of years. The rainwater, enriched with carbon dioxide, dissolved the soluble limestone, creating cavities, tunnels, and underground chambers.

The process is ongoing, with water flowing through some of the cave’s underwater tectonic joints and rainwater percolating through the roof of the cave, depositing calcium carbonate, thus adding to the cave’s interesting formations.

Cova de s’Aigua is one of Menorca’s longest known cave systems. The cave’s interior showcases a variety of speleothems—mineral formations created by the slow deposition of minerals from water seeping through the rock. These include: Stalactites: Elongated, icicle-like formations hanging from the cave ceiling, formed as mineral-rich water drips and deposits calcium carbonate.

Stalagmites: Upward-growing structures on the cave floor, built from drips falling from stalactites or the ceiling.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 Columns: Formed when stalactites and stalagmites meet, creating pillars that can be several meters tall.

Flowstones and Draperies: Smooth, sheet-like deposits formed by water flowing over surfaces, often resembling curtains or waves.

Unique Formations: The cave features distinctive shapes, such as “egg” and “mushroom” formations, resulting from localised water flow patterns or mineral variations.

A standout feature is the cave’s crystal-clear underground lake, formed by groundwater accumulation in lower chambers. The water’s clarity is due to the slow filtration through limestone, which removes impurities, while its slight salinity hints at Menorca’s coastal geology and possible ancient seawater intrusion.

FOSSILISED CREATURES The cave contains fossilised remains, including those of small Algerian hedgehogs (a species endemic to the Balearic Islands during the Miocene), embedded in the limestone. These fossils provide clues about Menorca’s paleoenvironment, which was once a warmer, more tropical region. The cave’s stratigraphy also reveals layers of calcarenite, a softer, grainier rock formed from cemented sand and shell fragments, which add to the cave’s irregular shapes and textures.

GUIDED TOURS This subterranean marvel enchants with its stunning geological formations set against the backdrop of a serene, reflective lake.

Guided tours, lasting about 45 minutes, are led by knowledgeable experts who weave together the cave’s geological, ecological, and historical stories, making it an educational and immersive experience. The small group size (limited to 12) and atmospheric lighting enhance the magical ambiance and, although it’s not the largest or most dramatic cave globally, visitors often describe it as a “hidden gem,” with the hedgehogs and eerie human remains adding to its allure. Its blend of natural beauty and cultural depth makes it a must-visit beyond Menorca’s beaches.

Pre-booking is essential due to limited tour sizes.

Book online https://www.menorca.es/es/Cova _ de _ sAigua/17401 €10 for adults, €5 for Children ages 8-15, Under 8 years free.

Seniors over 65, €6 and those with disabilities (€5).

Tickets can also be purchased at the Cave Ticket office open for information and ticket purchase all week from 09.00 a.m to 3.15 p.m.

The visit is not suitable to be carried out in a wheelchair, however there is a stairlift service that must be requested at least 48 hours in advance of the visit. Confirmation of this service will depend on its availability. Access with pets is not allowed.

The cave is located at Carrer del Llac, 15, on the green area opposite the Sagitario Hotel, in the heart of Cala Blanca, just 5 kilometres south from Ciutadella’s historic centre.

DESCRIPTION OF THE CAVES EXTRACTED FROM THE HISTORY OF ISLAND OF MINORCA, 1756, BY JOHN ARMSTRONG ESQ, ENGINEER IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY Few people come to Ciutadella with so little curioisty as not to be desirous of seeing Cova-Perella, a vast natural cavern in the rock, about 2 miles southward of the town. Its entrance is narrow and steep, but it widens every way as you descend, and the light of your torches discovers the mouths of several lesser caves, that have a communication with the principal one. In most of these cells the water (which is copiously impregnated with a sparry matter) perpetually drips from the irregular prominences of the roof, and forms an infinite number of stalactities or stony icicles, of the colour of brown sugar candy, for which it has been sometimes mistaken, and of a vast variety of figures. The stalactites are all composed of diverse coats or crusts of very little lustre or transparency, and as some of them are no bigger than a goose’s quill, others are immensely large, and combining together, form vast columns of the Gothick Kind, that seem at present to support the roof of the strange cave, as they will in all likelihood fill up its whole space in a long run of years. …….. Great quantities of sparry concretions lie under foot everywhere, to a considerable depth; not that they were ever rent from the roof by earthquakes, which seldom happen here; or loosened by frosts, or disjoined by winds, being secured from the operations of both by their situation so far below the ground; but the younger shoots, gradually increasing in bulk, have thrust the old ones from their places and overspread the floor with their gllittering ruins… there is here a greater abundance than I ever saw together in any other place. ….. As I walked from the Rocks at the seaside, near these subterraneous regions, I observed in the sand a considerable mixture of red coral; though that is seldom seen by our fishermen, while entire trees of the white kind are every day brought to light (not by design, for here there is no coral fishery, but) in casting their nets for flat fish they are torn from the rocks, and so drawn up. These fragments are thrown up from the sea in hard westerly winds, and then the Cavall Marin (as the Minorquins call the Hippocampus, or sea horse) is no rarity, and sometines we find the Stella Marina Arborescens (star fish) but much injured by being beaten against the rugged rocks on the shore.

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TRAVELLING WITH YOUR DOG FROM TH E U K TO M E N O R C A V I A F R A N CE

BY ANDREW AND SWADE We are new to pet ownership and having travelled as humans to and from Menorca without any issues over the past nine years, often by car and ferry, we decided, on our most recent trip, to bring our 14-month-old Labrador, Rocco.

This was a first for us, and during our planning, the various requirements and restrictions initially felt quite daunting. The list of rules and advice seemed to grow the more we looked into it. I started my homework early, three months in advance, and, with a combination of online research and guidance from friends who regularly travel with their pets, we eventually managed to figure out everything we needed to do.

With the world constantly changing, and particularly due to the rules introduced

by Brexit, the UK can no longer issue European Pet Passports for your dog, cat, or ferret. Instead, you must now obtain an Animal Health Certificate (AHC), which can unfortunately be quite costly.

As this was our first time travelling with our pet under the new regulations, we wanted reassurance that everything was correct and would pass through all checkpoints without issue. Although there are cheaper options available online (starting from around £99), we chose to go through our local vet, who issued the certificate for £175. It was a more expensive route, but we felt it was worth the peace of mind to have their guidance and support through the process.

If you’re considering taking your pet abroad, I highly recommend starting your research as early as possible. There’s quite a bit to arrange, and you’ll want to ensure you have enough time to complete all the required steps, especially vaccinations. Your pet will almost certainly need to be vaccinated against rabies, and keep in mind that the AHC can only be issued 21 days after the rabies vaccination has been given. For those with very young pets, note that they must be at least 12 weeks old before they can receive the rabies vaccine.

Starting early will help avoid any last-minute stress or delays in the process!

After sussing out all the formalities we then considered the route and how best to cross the two stretches of water to reach Menorca. Without much debate we decided the least ferry crossings the better and quickly chose to enter Europe via Le Shuttle. And I am so glad we did because the experience at the designated pet check-in area in Folkstone was really welcoming and very helpful. This easy step help dispersed any first-time nerves so I cannot recommend this route more. As for the fees, it was an additional £23 each way to include the dog onto the ticket. Note that most channel crossing ferries require you to keep your pet in the car so this was not an option for us.

France is very pet-friendly, and we found it especially convenient to stop at service stations marked with a tree symbol on their signs. These stops consistently featured park-like areas, perfect for stretching our legs and giving 42

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 our pet a break. We stopped approximately every two hours to switch drivers, and each of these tree-marked rest areas reliably offered green space and clean facilities, making our road trip much more comfortable for everyone.

Our second trip across the water was via ferry and during the summer months (May to September) we find the route from Toulon to Ciutadella on Corsican Ferries preferable. The drive from Calais to Toulon without stopping is approximately 11 hours so the journey can be made in one go however we chose to travel overnight stopping for a sleep break just north of Dijon. The reason for the overnight journey meant the temperature in the car was at a minimum, there was less chance of hold ups with traffic and above all meant Rocco was very happy to sleep between stops.

Once in Europe we were concerned we may encounter problems with not having an actual European Pet Passport however we were never asked to show any of the pet paperwork again until returning to the UK. In one way it was a relief but in others it was a great expense to go to for a couple of quick checks!

The alternative ferry route is via Barcelona, and we have friends who have experienced both ways prefer to use GNV ferries due to better pet facilities. With a little research and judgement on your abilities, budget and time, this will provide you with the right route for you. For example, we are going to return to the Island in the autumn, and we will have to go via Barcelona due to this being the only route out of season.

Following advice, we booked a private pet friendly cabin on both outbound and return journeys. With an overnight crossing this meant we were all together and we could keep Rocco calm, and we all slept well. Again, with the love of dogs in France we could wander around the ferry quiet happily with Rocco so getting a coffee and croissant from the café in the morning was easy. We did however take our own snacks for dinner and ate quietly in the cabin. Be warned there were many more dogs travelling than I expected so it was good to be able to have our own space. There are designated deck areas for your dogs to “go” and these were washed down regularly. There was a very small tray lined with astroturf and as we entered Toulon on our return journey Rocco leapt into it and had a wee, to our surprise he received a round of applause by all the people hanging on the rails, I think he was the only dog willing to use this facility.

So, my advice to anyone travelling with pets, it is easier than you imagine but do look into all the requirements early and plan your journey with lots of stops.

Consider water and foods and if you can, don’t feed the meal prior to the ferry journey. This was good advice because it was a bit bouncy on the return journey.

Our governments I believe have now negotiated the reinstatement of pet passports but I suspect this will take a little while to administer the renewed process so for up to date advice check out https://www.gov.uk/taking-your-pet-abroad/gettingan-animal-health-certificate Was the extra expense and time to travel worth it? Defiantly! Rocco had the best holiday and like everyone returning to daily routine at home, he dreams of sandy beaches and splashing around in the sea.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

PAWS ABOARD! ALBA A N D LO L A’ S E U R OPEAN ROAD TRIP TO MENO RCA humans, Jane and Paul (they’re okay, I guess), decided we needed a change of Woof woof! Alba here, reporting for duty! Our scenery. Forget the usual walks in the park – we were going to Menorca! Now, we’d And this is my sister, Lola – don’t let her heard whispers of this “Menorca” place. Apparently, it’s an island paradise with innocent eyes fool you, she’s the master of sunshine, beaches, and… well, we mostly cared about the potential for new smells. here’s the kicker: we weren’t flying. Oh no, Jane and Paul are too soft for that! puppy-dog-eyes and can charm a sausage But Instead, we were embarking on a road trip. A European road trip! Turns out, they think roll out of anyone. We’re two pampered it’s way easier than putting us through the “stress” of flying. As if a little plane ride bother us – especially if there are complimentary biscuits! (Just kidding, Mum! pooches from Derbyshire, and we just got would Love you!). back from the paw-some-est adventure!

Anyway, preparations began weeks in advance. First, there were vet visits. Ugh. Needles? Not a fan. Apparently, something called a “microchip” is essential. Sounds boring. And then there was the “rabies vaccination.” Even scarier! At least we got extra treats afterwards. Apparently, this 21-day wait is crucial - humans have a lot of strange rules!

Then came the official paperwork: the dreaded “Animal Health Certificate.” Honestly, you’d think we were applying for a royal passport! Apparently, it’s only valid for 10 days before departure and 4 months of travel. Humans and their planning.

But the best part of the preparations? The packing! Okay, we don’t actually pack, but we supervise very closely. Lots of exciting smells coming from the suitcases! Plus, we get extra cuddles while Jane and Paul are running around stressed!

Day 1: Derbyshire to… Under the Sea?!

The big day arrived! We piled into the car (our favourite spot is the comfy blanket in the grate on the back seat, obviously) and set off. The first leg was a long one, all the way down to Folkestone. Jane and Paul said it was the “hardest part” of the journey, but honestly, we mostly slept. They did stop at a service station, which was good for a quick leg-stretch and a sniff around (important business, sniffing!).

Then, the real excitement began: the Eurotunnel! We’d heard rumours of this mythical place where cars drive under the sea. We were sceptical, but also very intrigued.

First, we had to go to the “Pets Reception Area.” More checks! More documents!

More… sniffing opportunities? Lola tried to make friends with the lady checking our microchips, but she wasn’t having any of it.

But then! The “Walkies” area! This was amazing! A big, enclosed space where we could run free, chase each other, and even sniff some new bums! We met a very handsome Golden Retriever named Barnaby. Lola was smitten. I pretended not to notice.

The crossing itself was a breeze. We stayed in the car (Jane and Paul are very strict about the “no paws on the dashboard” rule) and before we knew it, we were in France!

Under the sea! We made it!

We drove a few hours to a town just outside of Reims, and checked into a hotel. Turns out this Golden Tulip is very accepting of dogs - even letting us into the restaurant of the 3 restaurants opposite. A bistro was picked. Lola and I enjoyed some water and observed all the interesting smells and sights. After a long day of travel, we were all pretty tired, and crashed as soon as we were in our room.

Day 2: Champagne Dreams and River Rhone Schemes Day two was a bit more relaxed. No more underwater tunnels! We drove through the French countryside, which, let me tell you, smells amazing. Vineyards, cheese factories, bakeries… our noses were in overdrive!

We stopped for lunch in a charming town called Beaune. While Jane and Paul munched on sandwiches (which looked suspiciously good), we got to stretch our legs and sniff some more lampposts. Apparently, this town is famous for its wine. We’re more into water, but the humans seemed happy.

After lunch, we continued south, eventually arriving at our hotel in Tain-L’Hermitage, a town right on the banks of the river Rhone. The hotel was nice, but the access was a bit tricky for the humans (we didn’t care, of course). In the evening we walked into the town, where we found a really nice bistro called Le Coffee Theatre.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 Day 3: Barcelona Bound!

The final driving day! We took it easy, enjoying a leisurely breakfast at the hotel and a walk along the Rhone. It was really pretty, and there were tons of exciting smells!

Then, back in the car for the drive to Barcelona. We mostly chilled out, stopping at service stations (or “Aires,” as they call them in France) along the way. Jane and Paul were talking about taking a coastal road along from Girona, but decided to stick to the motorway. More’s the pity! We could have had a dip in the Med! We arrived in Barcelona in the late afternoon and headed straight to the ferry terminal.

This was a bit confusing, with lots of signs and traffic. The humans seemed stressed, but we remained calm and provided moral support (by napping).

Ferry Fun (and Snoozing) After checking in and navigating the car park (seriously, who designed these things?!), we had a walk in Placa del Duc de Medinaceli to stretch our legs. Dogs aren’t allowed inside the restaurants in Spain, which is very annoying, but most have outdoor seating, which is perfect.

After a walk round the city, we headed back to the port and waited to board the ferry.

The ferry itself was surprisingly luxurious! We had a cabin, which meant we got to stay with Jane and Paul the whole time. Score! On the GNV ferries, we’re even allowed in the lounges (but not the cafeteria, sadly).

There were restaurants, bars, even a swimming pool on the deck! We mostly just napped, though. All that fresh air and excitement had worn us out.

We arrived in Menorca bright and early the next morning. Disembarking was a breeze, and soon we were at our villa, ready for the sunshine, beaches (where we are allowed), and (hopefully) lots of new smells!

Top Dog Tips for a Paw-some Road Trip: So, what did we learn from our European adventure? Here are our top tips for travelling with your furry friends: • Vet is Best: Make sure your humans take you for all the necessary vaccinations and check-ups. A healthy pup is a happy pup!

• Comfort is Key: A comfy blanket, your favourite toys, and plenty of water are essential for a smooth journey.

• Sniff Breaks are a Must: Regular stops for leg-stretches and sniff-sessions are crucial for sanity (both yours and your humans’).

• Book Ahead: Hotels, ferries, and even restaurants should be booked in advance, especially if you’re travelling during peak season.

• Pack Smart: Don’t forget the essentials: food, water bowls, poop bags, leads, and any medication you might need. Your humans will probably overpack anyway!

• Behave! Okay, this one’s for us. Try to be good on the journey, no matter how boring you find it. Your humans will thank you (with extra treats, hopefully).

• Register Your Dog with A Local Vet: If you are staying for longer than 2 weeks, it is a good idea to register your dog with a local vet in Menorca.

So, there you have it! Our European road trip in a nutshell. Would we do it again?

Absolutely! Although, next time, we’re lobbying for a private jet. A dog can dream, right?

Woof! Until next time, happy travels!

Alba and Lola, signing off. Now, where are those biscuits...?

Main Information from GOV.UK 1. Microchipping and Rabies Vaccination: • Your dog must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip (15 digit).

• A rabies vaccination is required, and it must be administered after the microchip is implanted.

• The vaccination must be done by an authorized vet.

• There’s a 21-day waiting period after the initial rabies vaccination before you can travel 2. Animal Health Certificate (AHC): • You need an AHC for each trip to an EU country from Great Britain.

• The AHC can be issued by an authorized veterinarian in the UK. • It must be obtained within 10 days of your departure.

• The AHC is valid for 4 months of travel within the EU and covers up to 5 pets.

• For each trip, you’ll need a new AHC. 45

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

UNDERWATER PHOTOGRAPHY WORKSHOP

ISLA DEL AIRE MARINE RESERVE Around twenty people participated in the Underwater Photography Workshop at the Isla del Aire Marine Reserve, an initiative of the Isla del Aire Forum project, promoted by Menorca Preservation with the collaboration of the Marilles Foundation, the support of the Leader Island of Menorca Association, and the technical participation of IME-OBSAM and GOB Menorca.

The workshop was divided into two complementary sessions.

The first, theoretical in nature, took place in collaboration with the Audiovisual Competition for the Conservation of the Balearic Sea (MARE), and included content on underwater photography and the importance of passive observation as a respectful method for exploring marine ecosystems. OMSystem also provided support for this, providing the Olympus TG7 underwater cameras used during the workshop.

Maria Elena Cefalì, a researcher at the Jaume Ferrer Research Station, devoted significant time to the marine biology of flora and fauna and gave a brief presentation on the results of scientific monitoring of fish vulnerable to fishing.

Eva Marsinyach, a research technician at IME-OBSAM, then outlined the importance of marine protected areas as a key tool for the conservation of coastal ecosystems.

Finally, Marina Bolaños, representing the citizen science initiative Observadores del Mar, explained how anyone can collaborate in the collection of environmental data, contributing to the monitoring and protection of the marine environment through this participatory platform.

The second day, took the group to Isla del Aire for a handson snorkeling and guided underwater photography trip. The activity concluded with a snack at Punta Prima, during which participants were able to review their photographs and share their experiences.

This activity is part of the Illa de l’Aire Forum’s line of work aimed at promoting citizen participation and active understanding of this special protected marine environment.

“Underwater photography gives us the opportunity to bring to light what would otherwise remain hidden underwater.

It allows us to show in images the state of conservation of the Balearic Sea, its richness, its beauty, and its threats, the intimacy of the creatures that inhabit it, and the importance of taking action in its conservation. Photography forces you to pay attention to what you are seeing.” - Abraham Calero, MARE technical coordinator.

ALLIANCE FOR THE AGROECOLOGICAL TRANSITION OF MENORCA A SHARED MISSION FOR MENORCA The Alliance wants to join efforts to make this transition possible by: • Coordination between actors in the agricultural sector.

• Mobilising resources and supporting farmers.

• The enhancement of the role of farming in the regeneration of the territory.

AREAS OF ACTION To achieve these objectives, five main lines of action have been established, which would become the axes of work of the alliance: 1. Collaboration: promote cooperation between the different agents involved and contribute together to improving the reality of the Menorca countryside.

2. Accompaniment: training and support for a self-sufficient and regenerative field.

3. Innovation: making Menorca a pioneering example in agricultural and regenerative innovation.

4. Marketing: facilitate the marketing of local and sustainable products and promote the commitment of producers and consumers.

The agricultural sector of Menorca has secured funds from the Horizon Europe program within the European Union’s Soil Mission. With this funding the GOV4ALL project, is being promoted in Menorca by GOB, the San Crispín Cooperative, Rayën Soluciones and the University of Valencia. This project has been funded by the European Research Executive Agency (ERA).

5. Awareness: spread the value of the work of farmers, and their products, in all areas of society.

With this initiative, Menorca is taking another step towards an agricultural model that prioritises sustainability, territorial regeneration and the strengthening of the island’s primary sector.

The aim is to promote an alliance for the transition of the agricultural sector towards an agroecological and sustainable model in Menorca.

The Custòdia Agrària team, at GOB, and the San Crispín Cooperative of Menorca organised four focus groups with agents from the administration sectors, entities and rural businesses and then with agents from the marketing sectors. Shared points of view and valuable contributions emerged in multiple areas, and the needs of the Menorcan agricultural sector on various fronts were specified.

GOB GOB Menorca is part of the GOB (Balearic Group of Ornithology and Nature Protection), a non-profit environmental association that has been working in the Balearic Islands since 1973. The Menorca island section was created in 1977. Their aim is to make human activities compatible with environmental values .

The focus groups identified many needs and the most pressing were: • To deal with the overload of bureaucracy that is currently crippling the sector.

• To approve legislation adapted to small producers, especially in health issues.

• Access to shared machinery, such as legume harvesters to improve the efficiency of the sector.

• To encourage the next generation to take over the farms through training based on the agroecological model.

• Better coordination of the supply chain to better meet local demand, avoid price drops due to occasional oversupply, and reduce dependence on foreign sources.

• To promote the qualities of agroecological products to citizens, and to educate consumer demand.

SAN CRISPÍN COOPERATIVE

This initial dialogue culminated with a co-creation workshop, in which the bases of an alliance for the agroecological transition of the Menorcan countryside were defined.

Rayén Soluciones gives advice training and support to help farmers produce organically “without losing production or spending more money”. They help farmers to understand and improve their soil, and ensure a better symbiosis with the natural local environment. www.rayen.org

The San Crispín Cooperative’s purpose has always been to offer a unique purchasing experience, based on values and a desire to directly impact our community, prioritizing social benefits, offering small local producers a way to sell their products, and thus contributing to the local economy.

Avinguda de la Indústria, 5-6, Polígono Industrial, 07730, Alaior www.sancrispin.net RAYÉN SOLUCIONES AGRONÓMICAS

THE OBJECTIVE FOR MENORCA The Alliance will work to achieve an agri-food model that regenerates the territory and feeds the population with healthy and local products. This vision is based on: • Conservation of the landscape and natural resources.

• The economic, social and environmental sustainability of agricultural activity.

• The reconnection between the population and the countryside.

47

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS

NEWS

SPIRITUAL WELLBEING - LISTENING

BY REV PAUL STRUDWICK and tranquility, offers ample opportunities to go away and - to use another biblical phrase, ‘Be still and know God,’ by being quiet and paying attention to the still, small voice that sometimes struggles to be heard through the racket of our overly busy minds.

We live in a time where listening is not a well-practised skill. Social media seems to encourage a form of virtual shouting at one another with disdain for alternative opinions that disrupt the self-affirming ‘echo chamber’ effect. In a recent sermon I reminded the congregation that we are all supposed to be disciples, remembering that a disciple is a learner, and that it isn’t exactly easy to learn without listening. So it serves us well to do our best to hone our listening skills. And that might involve dragging in a few other characteristics, as well, such as humility, courage and determination.

It has been said of the new Pope, Leo XIV, that he has already given proof of a consultative approach to leadership. As the Italian newspaper La Stampa observed, when the new Pope was forming the new Curia to administer the Holy See, he favoured individual interviews, targeted questions and listening.

Listening would have been of the essence in his years as a grassroots Augustinian missionary in Peru, living with people who were poor, marginalised or in danger, learning to understand their experiences and needs, and helping them to realise their aspirations.

A long time ago, in my other career in Silicon Valley, the division of Nortel where I was employed at the time was joined by a Welshman who, like me, had found his way across the Atlantic and across the continent. He was very personable, very much a ‘hail-fellow-well-met,’ kind of character. But those who worked with him noticed something about him that did not endear him to them. He would greet people with a very enthusiastic, ‘How are you?’ - but seldom paused to hear the response. In fact after a while we all realised that he was the kind of person who spent far less time listening to a conversation than he did thinking about what he was going to say next. Actually, this is to some extent normal human behaviour. All of us, once we start to receive information orally, can’t help thinking about how to react to it. It’s just that some people can actually listen before launching into a response! We might all benefit from something to be found in the biblical Book of Proverbs: ‘To answer before listening - that is folly and shame.’

We may or may not agree with one another, and even though we truly do have more in common than divides us, we are prone to focus on differences and divisions that feed a sort of latent tribalism within us. From a Christian point of view, we may or may not find it easy to see God’s purpose in even caring for some things or some people, never mind how on earth God can love them, but it doesn’t matter. It means that we have to be very wary of framing God’s love within the bounds of human understanding and tolerance.

The Bible is full of examples of those who had to listen with open minds, and in the process not only found themselves illuminated, but turned around and transformed, for their own benefit and for the benefit of others. If we can train ourselves to listen to one another with a truly open mind, without judging, then we might find that we can understand, empathise and find a balanced perspective – and learn a great deal along the way. Studies have shown that careful listening, and the way it works with silence, can deepen our understanding of ourselves and others. It is only through listening and using silence wisely that we can honour the dignity of every person and communicate with empathy and purpose, strengthening relationships and communities, and doing our part to participate in the creation of a world that is more sympathetic, compassionate and cohesive.

The complete opposite of the enthusiastic Welshman was a young woman who joined our church in Canada. She had the ability to sit in silence for - well, extended periods of time. I should acknowledge that this can be disconcerting.

As human beings we become uncomfortable when conversation becomes punctuated by long periods of silence. However, this young woman’s gift for silence and listening made her into an excellent hospice visitor, where she could sit for hours with someone who was facing death and appreciated company, but did not need to fill the time with meaningless chatter.

When hospital chaplains are trained, they are often coached in what is called ‘active listening.’ This means paying attention to what someone says, waiting for them to pause, and if any clarification is needed, repeating what has been heard - often as a question: ‘Did I understand correctly that you said …?’ This is important, because when someone is trying to communicate while under duress, or discomfort, or a stressful or painful medical condition, they want to be understood. Similarly, whether preparing with a couple for a wedding ceremony, or assisting those dealing with the death of a loved one, I have found that taking the time to listen, without interrupting, helps to understand feelings and emotions that need to be expressed, but that are not always easily released.

Worship in the church of Santa Margarita takes place on Sunday mornings at 9am and 11am, as well as at 11am every Wednesday and Friday. There is a service in the outdoor chapel at Cala’n Bosc at 5pm on the last Sunday of each month (normally).

Santa Margarita continues to offer worship online, to respect the needs of those unable to worship in person at the church. The church web site will continue to be the place to seek up-to-date news and information about online worship. Our web site can be found at https://www.anglicanchurchmenorca.net.

The phone number for the chaplain, Paul, is +34 617222382 and his e-mail is chaplain@anglicanchurchmenorca.com.

On a deeper, spiritual level, the world in which we live is noisy in many ways.

I have found that living in Menorca, which is well endowed with places of quiet 49

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING…

CIUTADELLA DAY TRIP: After a 2 hour stop in Ciutadella to have a wander around the central Old Town, we went to the shady terrace of the Restaurant Cala Blanca for a delicious 3 course menu, whilst enjoying views of the beach. A stop at the cliff-top Cala Galdana View point preceded a visit to Truvi Garden Centre.

The shop has been very busy. Lots of donations, Thank you!!! And Thank you as ever to all our volunteers who are holding up well in this heat. Whether its to help in the shop, with collections or even just to come chat with customers.

Speaking of which…

Thank You Christine Crane for organising this trip.

LET’S HEAR FROM VOLUNTEER JULES Hello, I’m Jules, and I’ve been volunteering for Age Concern since the spring. I have lived in Menorca full time, since 2022, and was looking for something useful to do with my spare time. I popped into the shop one morning, filled out an application form, and here I am.

Originally from the UK, my husband and I left England back in 2000 when we were offered an opportunity to live and work in the USA. I worked there in office management and event planning and am now unofficially retired.

We thought we would stay in the US for a couple of years but, as always, plans change and we stayed for 17 years, living in Boston, Connecticut, and Newport, RI. In 2017, we decided it was time for a change, so we sold up, moved onboard our sailboat, Mojito, and set off on a grand adventure. We cruised through the islands of the eastern Caribbean, Colombia, Panama and Honduras, before crossing the Atlantic in 2020.

Our first visit to Menorca, in 2021, was on our boat. I remember how in awe we were of the crystal clear water, the beautiful beaches, the laid back vibe, and friendliness of the locals. We decided to come back and spend the winter in a marina in Mahón so we could explore more of the island and experience Menorca in the off-season.

The following year, we gave up our nomadic lifestyle and made the island our permanent home.

FISH & CHIP LUNCHES ARE CURRENTLY ON HOLD, BUT WILL BE BACK IN SEPTEMBER

I have always had a strong sense of volunteering since my time in the USA where volunteering is part of the culture. I volunteer at the Age Concern shop in Mahón just once a week with a really great team of people. The time in the shop is always busy either helping customers, receiving donations, or organising inventory. It’s a good way to meet people and I can practice my Spanish. I only work a few hours a week, but it feels good to be doing something that supports my local community.

Volunteers are always needed so, if you have time on your hands, why not think about joining the Age Concern crew and helping a good cause.

Anyone interested in volunteering as a hospital visitor or translator, please contact Carol at Lifeline.

WHAT DO WE DO? Everything we do is manned by volunteers. Please contact us if you’re interested in becoming a volunteer as mentioned. Translators always needed!

The Age Concern Shop – you name it, we sell it (well, not quite!). Good quality clothes, furniture, household goods, books, toys …. all at very reasonable prices.

Open Monday to Friday 9:30- 1: 15, Saturday, 9.45-1.15 Tel: 971 156 110

Thanks Jules!!!

Please, feel free to pop by for a chat and grab a form if you fancy joining our Team!

Lifeline is our confidential service geared towards helping individuals who have various types of problems -help and support is just a phone call or email away. Call 676 904 487 Our medical equipment short-term loan service is available to residents or visitors of any age who need to borrow mobility or hygiene equipment. Again, help is available at your fingertips. Call 629 016 307 Our social activities are open to anyone but provide an opportunity for people to socialise in a friendly and inclusive environment…. and with the chance to win a raffle prize! menorca@ageconcern.org.es Sandy: 650 729 430 and Chris: 669 949 370 Our Es Castell ‘Drop in’ is in the Jubilado Centre on the Esplanade every Monday morning between about 11.00 and 12.00. Our Cala en Porter ‘Drop in’ is at Bar Pons, currently on every Friday morning between about 10.30 and 12.00. Feel free to just ‘drop in’, chat and make new friends!

MEMBERSHIP You can become a Member of Age Concern by paying 12€ to our Membership Secretary, Shelley, either at a lunch or in the shop or by bank transfer if you wish.

You can also donate through the DONATE page on our website. Membership subs for 2025 are now due. Apart from the importance of offering your support to our organisation you also get a discount on the lunches you attend!

Contact us: menorca@ageconcern.org.es For the latest information and current offers follow us on Facebook: Age Concern Menorca 2015 or visit our website www.ageconcernmenorca.com 50

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB

BY CHRISTINE BROOKER Hello again, our July lunch was enjoyed by about forty of us on a hot sunny day. Avril informed us that we are going to repeat our coach trip to Ciutadella on 15th October; bookings can be taken at the August lunch with a ten euro deposit. One of our long standing members Shirley Smith had her 90th birthday in July. To celebrate cava was served to everyone. I remember when Shirley was on the committee and in pantomimes at the Picadero restaurant. She looks great for 90!

As we had no speaker, Avril had devised a quiz, she is a fiendish quizmaster, who would have thought that hippopotami suckle their young with pink milk? I remember when Pat Blunt wrote Roqueta for the club she used to put in handy hints, I heard one the other day, people who had rented a villa found the pool rather too warm and bought lots of bags of ice and cooled it down. We won´t be having a speaker in August because of the heat. Until next month.

Peggy, Shirley and Jenny at the Ladies Lunch

LADIES PROBUS

BY DENISE MANNERS The day of our July lunch did not start well, with an unexpected heavy downpour, but it cleared the air of the humidity that had been building up for quite a few weeks. The sun came out as we arrived at the restaurant, S’Aturadeta Jardins. The tables had been set up inside just in case. 32 ladies attended, an amazing number for July when the numbers usually dwindle. All the ladies looked fabulous in their summer outfits.

Shelley greeted us all and gave out birthday cards, holding one back for Shirley Smith who was celebrating her 90th birthday. Shelley presented it to her along with a bottle of champagne. I had the honour of sitting with Shirley and spent most of the lunch reminiscing all the years that we have lived in Menorca. Talking about good friendships that we have made here and remembering those who have left the island, or sadly are no longer with us. There was lots of laughter at some of the stories from Shirley who is amazing for 90 and I am sure has many more years to come.

Above: Probus ladies from Ireland L to R Noele, Maura and Peggy. Below: Shirley with her gift

After a selection of starters, the lunch main course included Senroyet Rice, Entrecôte Steak with truffle sauce, potatoes and stir-fried vegetables (cooked to perfection). Grilled hake with sautéed green beans was also available. There was a choice of desserts which all looked amazing but with rather a lot of calories attached.

The lunch was very relaxed with everyone having a great catch up and some moving around the tables to make sure to chat with everyone.

There is always such a friendly atmosphere. For Elizabeth’s raffle, Shirley picked the first ticket for luck. Later, she won a bottle of gin for herself, good luck indeed!

The next lunch will be held on 15th August. As social secretary, I am trying to organise a fun game along the lines of ‘Mr and Mrs’. I’m calling it ‘Friends will be Friends’. I am hoping that pairs of friends are forthcoming to have a little fun!!!

My food for thought this month is, “Your light may not reach everyone but it will reach those that are seeking it. Keep shining.”

51

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

SHOWJUMPING IN MENORCA

BY BRYCELAINE SELF

Each year, at the end of June, Club Hipic Alaior hosts a national level CSN showjumping competition called “Trofeu Ciutat d’Alaior”. The show attracts competitors from all over Spain, including Olympian rider Albert Hermoso, who competed in various categories, including the highest level of the competition, at 1.30 meters.

The objective of showjumping is to jump all of the obstacles without knocking over any poles, in the fastest time possible. It is a lot harder than it looks. Using subtle “aids” including their seat, reins and legs, riders must set the rhythm, direct and channel confidence to the horse to jump over the obstacles. The course must be memorised in advance, which is why riders walk the course on foot before each category begins.

Competitors of what is known locally as “El Concurso Nacional” (the national competition) started arriving at Club Hipic Alaior in various sizes of lorries days before the competition, giving horses the opportunity to recuperate after the long boat ride to the island.

The competition started on Friday evening the 27th, with the 0.60 meter category, and as the night progressed, the jumps got higher and the courses longer and more complicated, from 0.80 to 0.90 to 1.10 to 1.20 and finally, the most challenging and impressive, 1.30 metres. The competition ended Sunday evening around midnight, after an impressive and thrilling display of high-level riding.

The Showjumping Championship of Menorca will be held at Grup Cavallers de Maó on the 21st of September.

Albert Hermoso riding Coca photo: Katerina Pu

TREBALUGER EQUINE RESCUE CENTRE

BY SAM LAKE We recently had a scare with a young donkey who suddenly couldn’t eat or walk properly, and he was keeping himself away from the others. We think he may have been stung or perhaps kicked, but with plenty of treatment and TLC, he’s bouncing back. It’s in these moments, worry giving way to relief, that we’re reminded how strong and resilient these animals really are (and us!).

To keep the flies at bay, especially during these hot months, we’ve started adding garlic granules to all the feed. It’s a simple solution, but one that really works.

The difference has been incredible; with fewer flies they are calmer and more comfortable. It isn’t something that is readily available in Menorca, but I would recommend it.

There’s no glamour in the day-to-day work, and plenty of it is dirty, exhausting, and emotional. But the rewards? They’re in the quiet moments, in the trust the animals now have, seeing them relax and feel safe, many for the first time in their lives and us showing them that not all humans are unkind.

Life at the Rescue Centre is never quiet, never predictable, and always full on. We care for abandoned and badly treated equines but have many more animals that have been left at our gates, each one with a past, with their own quirks, and all of them teaching us something new every day.

One of our oldest residents, a gentle old mare of 31 years, is struggling to get back up after lying down at night. Her legs don’t always do what she wants them to. It takes a lot of gentle coaxing, massages and good luck to help her back to her feet. She’s had a hard life, with many health issues, but she still relishes her food and love and affection. It is, however, very hard when you are there alone and find her down. This is why we need and ask for help and volunteers on a regular basis.

We are, however, even after many appeals, desperate for more help. If anyone can spend some time any day of the week between 08.30 and 12.30 or 17.00 and 20.00 hrs it would be very much appreciated. You don’t need to be a horse expert, there are so many daily jobs to do, filling water containers, making up hay bags, cleaning paddocks, moving the endless stones that fall down from the walls, feeding cats, chickens and ducks, keeping the shop clean and organised……… the list is endless if you have some time. We have plenty of coffee and are a very friendly team.

Each summer, a lovely lady called Lynn visits us during her holiday. She’s trained in Reiki and comes to work her magic on the animals. She’s quiet, calming, and the animals love her. Even the most restless horse eventually melts under her hands, and more than once we’ve seen them nod off into deep, peaceful siestas while she works. It’s a joy to witness. Thank you for your love and time.

http://www.trebalugerequinerescue.com/ Camí de Ses Cometes (Camí de Trebalúger), 07720 Es Castell, @trebalugerequinerescuecenter fb/trebalugerequinerescue Whatsapp: 689802108 52

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

MENORCA BOWLING CLUB The Menorca Bowling Club, founded in 1987 by Bill Bailey, has a rich history on the island. Initially, the club was established with the support of the S’Algar Hotel group, which constructed a bowling green near the San Luis Hotel. The club had a few individuals joining in the early years, but it wasn’t until 1998 that the club started to flourish with visits from international teams.

BY PETER MARTIN

The Vancouver Bowling Club´s visit, in 1998, marked a turning point for the Menorca Bowling Club. Since then the club has hosted visiting teams from the U.K. every year, with some visits featuring as many as 70 bowlers. This influx of international players has helped to create a vibrant and diverse bowling community on the island.

One of the clubs notable achievements is its logo, designed by Jean Newman, one of the founder members. The logo has become an integral part of the club’s identity and is still used on club shirts and caps today.

In terms of facilities, the Menorca Bowling Club is well-equipped to cater to its members and visitors. The bowling green is maintained to a high standard, the recent installation of a new bowling carpet, courtesy of the hotel (now the Alua Illa de Menorca) and experts from Scotland, ensure that the club’s facilities remain top-notch.

The club’s affiliation with the Hotel provides members and visitors with access to a range of sporting activities beyond bowling. These include Padel, table tennis, outdoor chess, putting, petanca, shooting and archery. The Jumper Bar offers a convenient spot to relax and enjoy refreshments after a game.

Bowling sessions are available on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday mornings, starting at 10.30 am. Visitors can expect a warm welcome and the opportunity to enjoy the sport in a beautiful setting. Elaina Vilalba is the Club Secretary.

The Bowling facility at Alua Hotel is open to the public, you can pay at the kiosk, collect your bowls and the jack. If there are visiting teams playing it may be closed to the public.

CATS IN NEED

BY JANICE BOCKLING

The Trophies for the competitions for 2024/2025 were awarded to: Men’s Singles - Adrian Deamer. Ladies singles - Lorraine Nalik. Mixed pairs - Heather Stansfield and Drew Cansfield.

Almost every day we have a message about a cat in trouble somewhere, and rarely does a week go by without at least one cat having dental treatment, or ear problems.

This month one of our patients was Gordi, from the Hotel Del Almirante. I first caught him 3 years ago for dental treatment and he’s done well until now. He had an infected ear and some more teeth removed but is back home now, happy. There are only six or seven cats at the hotel now, down from more than 30 cats 20 years ago. Proof that Trap Neuter Release works well. At home a newcomer is Oggy, from Calan Porter. He has a diaphragmatic hernia and his breathing is erratic. He’s taken a while to settle but finally he’s joining in. We had a very upsetting little kitten Tiny Mite, who was brought to me one Sunday afternoon. I took him to our Vet but he was having fits and nothing could be done.

On the Monday morning he went to sleep in my hands. So very sad. I felt like he had taken some of my heart with him after just a few hours. Just after Tiny died another poor kitten arrived. It seems like he had been in the jaws of a dog. He couldn’t walk. Slowly, slowly, he has got better and has started to grow. When he arrived he weighed just 500gms. I have called him Pedro, but sadly he also has spasms but he is a happy little soul. He has a little frail girlfriend and they have lots of love.

We are open at the weekends Fridays and Sundays from 11am to 1pm at Sinia dén Riera 16, Es Castell. Please come and meet some of the cats, take some time out with them and enjoy a drink, an ice cream or a bit of fruit cake. Everyone is welcome, including children of all ages. No need to book.

We have lots of treats for you to give to the cats and a shop with really lovely gifts and cards. Many people come to visit us every year. A selection of our cards are also available in the Defensa Animales shop in Son Vilar, Es Castell.

We rely entirely on donations, and the sales in our shop. We receive no subsidies.

We have 2 Facebook pages Cats in Need Menorca and Janice Bockling Tel 0034 610 012 628 WhatsApp on same number.

Email janicebockling@gmail.com Registered Charity 1161878. Website catsinneedmenorca.org 53

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

NUTRITION AND FITNESS WITH JESS AND TOM The following symptoms indicate poor metabolic health:

5 ESSENTIAL BIOMARKERS TO TRACK FOR METABOLIC HEALTH

• Poor sleep • An unstable mood • An up and down appetite • Low energy • Joint or muscle pain • A high waist circumference To determine metabolic health you need the following metabolic markers to be maintained within a healthy range without medication: blood pressure, blood glucose, insulin sensitivity, triglycerides and HDL cholesterol.

By working with a qualified health practitioner, like myself, you can get your metabolic health labs checked once a year. They’ll be able to create tailored nutrition and lifestyle goals for you that will help you with achieving optimal levels and see that your health is on the right trajectory. For most of the measures below you’ll see there’s a ‘normal range’ and an ‘optimum range’ - its worth noting this as for some people they may present with symptoms even though they’re classified as ‘normal’, yet once their levels increase to the ‘optimal’ range their symptoms subside, so normal doesn’t mean perfect for all.

1. WAIST CIRCUMFERENCE Normal Waist Circumference: <102 cm (40 in) for men, <88 cm (35 in) for women Not all fats are created equal. Fat that accumulates around the midsection, known as visceral fat (belly fat found deep within the abdominal cavity), has far more detrimental health consequences than fat that accumulates elsewhere.

Unlike fat found elsewhere in the body (known as subcutaneous fat), fat around the middle is more metabolically active, causing an increased risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease caused by hormones and inflammatory proteins. Waist circumference is often overlooked by people because they rely heavily on the scale. A person can be at an optimal weight but have a large waist circumference, meaning more visceral fat is stored. Using the scale as a first metric is quick and easy. However, using other significant measurements, such as your waist-to-hip ratio, is incredibly valuable and more telling of one’s health picture.

Metabolic health refers to your body’s ability to break down food and convert it into energy to maintain optimal organ functions. Your metabolic health regulates your blood sugar levels, your insulin sensitivity, your blood cholesterol and your blood pressure. It also plays a key part in influencing your body composition, among other functions.

2. BLOOD PRESSURE Normal Blood Pressure <120 mmHg systolic and <80 mmHg diastolic

In 2025, medical costs associated with obesity are expected to be upwards of $1 trillion so the time to pay attention to how to support optimal metabolic health and thus body composition, is now.

Blood pressure measures the pressure of your blood against the walls of your arteries as your heart pumps blood around your body. Systolic blood pressure (the top number on a blood pressure reading) is the pressure during your heart’s pumping/contraction phase, whereas diastolic blood pressure (the bottom number) is the pressure during your heart’s relaxation phase. Generally, these two numbers rise and fall together, but in certain cases one may be dysregulated while the other is normal. Blood pressure over 120/80 means that your heart has to work extra hard to pump blood throughout your body. This is often due to plaque build-up in the heart. Maintaining this force can strain the heart and blood vessels which is why having your blood pressure checked regularly is so important.

As a consequence of our sedentary, stressful environment and poorly sourced food, metabolic health across developed countries is disconcertingly low.

Europe’s health stats tend to be similar to the States these days, and if we take the US as an example, only 12% of Americans have optimal metabolic health biomarkers; nearly 50% have high blood pressure, 43% have diabetes or pre-diabetes and 38% have high cholesterol. Pharmaceutical intervention is currently the most widely used approach to improving poor metabolic biomarkers, but it needs to change. We need to optimise the food and lifestyle choices we make because we can’t medicate our way out of a highly processed diet and expect long-term health changes.

3. BLOOD GLUCOSE CONTROL: FASTING BLOOD GLUCOSE, HGA1C, AND INSULIN

You don’t need to be overweight or diabetic to have poor metabolic health.

Everyone benefits from making healthy food choices and knowing their numbers.

You could be in your 20’s or 30’s, of normal weight and be experiencing blood sugar fluctuations throughout the day. One study showed that 80% of adults who did not have diabetes experienced blood sugar spikes in the pre-diabetes range (>140 mg/dL) after eating cereal. These blood sugar spikes on a consistent, prolonged basis can cause blood sugar mismanagement.

Normal Fasting Blood Glucose: 100 mg/dL, Optimal Fasting Blood Glucose: 70-90 mg/dL Normal Fasting Insulin: <12 uIU/mL, Optimal Fasting Insulin: <5 uIU/mL Normal HgA1c: 5.7%, Optimal HgA1c: 4.6-5.5% 54

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 of stress, the body releases glucose rather than stores it. Ultimately, these hormonal shifts allow more glucose to enter the bloodstream to provide energy.

Even if you don’t eat sugary foods, this happens, so you can imagine the added impact of a high-sugar diet on top of high stress - it’s a constant sugar show.

Your body’s ability to keep your blood glucose levels within a normal range is measured by all of the above. A high fasting glucose level indicates that your body is unable to meet your nutritional needs, which could be for a variety of reasons. Common causes are eating too much sugar or not balancing meals with adequate protein, fat, and fibre. Blood sugar levels are also affected by things outside of nutrition, such as poor stress management, sedentary lifestyles, and inadequate sleep.

2) Use The Optimal Plate Method to Shape the Balance of Your Meals When it comes to controlling blood sugar levels and decreasing inflammation, non-starchy vegetables (fiber), protein, healthy fats and whole food carbohydrates are essential. This way of eating will sustain your energy levels and cause you to feel less hungry between meals and the fiber and healthy fats found in this style of eating can support cholesterol and blood pressure lowering, while increasing HDL cholesterol.

Blood glucose levels measured by fasting blood glucose are more of a snapshot of short-term blood glucose control, whereas HgA1c provides a snapshot of your average blood glucose control over the last three months. HgA1c levels between 5.7-6.4 indicate pre-diabetes, and those above 6.0 indicate type 2 diabetes. Wearing a continuous glucose monitor (CGM), a sensor that you wear on the back of your arm, is the most efficient and accurate way to monitor your blood sugar levels around the clock. This is whether you are diabetic, prediabetic or simply looking to be proactive with your health. Since everyone’s blood sugar levels react differently to the same meal, seeing your personal data can help you personalise your nutrition. Many health professionals believe that for those with Type I or Type 2 diabetes, knowing the time they spend in the optimal blood glucose zone can be an even more valuable metric than knowing HgA1c levels.

3) Drink 1-2 Tbsp Apple Cider Vinegar in Water Before a Meal Drinking 1-2 tbsp of apple cider vinegar mixed in approximately 150-200ml water before a meal can significantly blunt a blood sugar spike after a meal.

This is likely due to the acetic acid in the vinegar supporting the muscles’ ability to take up glucose by interfering with the carbohydrate breakdown of the meal.

In a 2013 study, adding vinegar to meals (1 tablespoon twice daily) resulted in lower blood glucose levels after meals. The post-meal blood sugar reductions were greater from the participants using apple cider vinegar compared to those on metformin which is a drug used by type 2 diabetics.

Measuring fasting insulin, as well as fasting glucose which we’ve just covered, can be helpful too since if circulating insulin levels are low, this can indicate a higher level of blood sugar regulation, since less insulin is needed to be produced to keep blood sugar levels within a healthy range.

4) Invest in a CGM You may want to consider investing in a continuous glucose monitor to better understand your blood sugar levels throughout the day. Recent studies have demonstrated that glycemic variability (blood sugar highs and lows) predicts heart disease more accurately than fasting blood sugar or HgA1c. Additionally, glycemic variability (highs and lows) can lead to fatigue and depression.

4. TRIGLYCERIDES Normal Triglycerides: <150 mg/dL, Optimal Triglycerides: <100 Triglycerides are a measurement of fat circulating in the blood, which is often elevated when sugar consumption is high.Excess calories are stored as fat on the body, but they must travel throughout the blood stream to reach their target tissues.Triglycerides are elevated when you consume calories and processed foods high in refined carbohydrates and low-quality fats. The liver becomes a storage facility for extra glucose and converts glucose into glycogen, a form that can be stored. When your liver is overloaded, it expels triglycerides into the bloodstream, which are picked up by a blood test. The best way to lower triglyceride levels is to improve blood sugar regulation and improve insulin sensitivity.

A continuous glucose monitor lets you know how your activity levels and food choices affect your blood glucose levels. The guesswork is removed entirely.

All foods affect people differently, so this kind of measurement is the most effective way to create customised nutrition changes. This will improve your energy, mental clarity, your mood, body composition and overall health. When blood glucose levels are kept within a normal range, energy crashes, cravings, and internal stress are prevented.

Our mainstream culture has a massive blood sugar problem with so many people unaware that their blood sugar levels are poorly controlled. Currently, our reactive healthcare system only covers CGMs for patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. In order to gain insight into your body’s response to food and exercise, you must already have Type 2 Diabetes in order to understand your blood sugar level. In spite of the fact that the technology has the potential to reverse pre-diabetes or even improve blood sugar levels in non-diabetics preventing other health issues and saving the health care system money, the reactive mentality of our current sick care conventional medicine system typically means that doctors cannot prescribe it so you must go down the private route. This is totally doable since you don’t need a prescription to get a CGM, you can order one independently and go through the date with a health professional to help create a plan that works for your biology.

5. HDL CHOLESTEROL Normal HDL Cholesterol: 40 for men, >50 for women, Optimal HDL Cholesterol: 50 for men, >60 for women There are two types of cholesterol: HDL and LDL. HDL is also known as “good cholesterol” (think H for healthy) while LDL is known as “bad cholesterol” (think L for lousy). Total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL) cholesterol and low density lipoproteins (LDL) cholesterol levels are the traditional cholesterol markers. If cholesterol levels get too high, it may be problematic. However, cholesterol within a healthy range plays an integral part in hormone regulation and optimising our general cell function.

HDL cholesterol carries cholesterol back to the liver for processing, helping to remove cholesterol from the blood vessels.It acts as a scavenger, preventing plaque buildup in arteries. You should strive to maintain high HDL levels whilst keeping LDL-levels below 100.

A CGM only needs to be worn for a few months, so you can collect the data and see which foods and exercise cause your blood sugar levels to spike or remain on an even keel.

Additional lipid metrics that could add more value include: Total Cholesterol, LDL Cholesterol (less optimal cholesterol), or an NMR Lipid Profile which reveals the size of your LDL particles and how oxidised your LDL levels are.

To transform your health, step one is to focus on optimizing your metabolic health. I didn’t mention the power of resistance training for your metabolic health but there’s so much research to show how exercise helps to optimise blood sugar regulation. If you would like any support with this journey, with exercise or nutrition, please reach out.

You are more likely to develop metabolic diseases like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, or stroke if you have even one of the risk factors listed above, and more than one risk factor increases those odds even more.

Wishing you a great month ahead, full of great energy, optimistic thinking and special island memories.

THE 4 BEST TIPS FOR IMPROVING METABOLIC HEALTH Here are three simple and effective ways to improve your metabolic health:

See you next month!

1) Reduce Stress Where Possible It may seem strange that stress could interfere with your health to such an extent, but stress affects your body physiologically, which can lead to a dysregulated metabolism. Firstly, stress activates the renin-angiotensin system, causing your body to hold on to more salt and water, resulting in high blood pressure. A second effect of stress is an increase in the production of cortisol. During times

Jess

Nutritional Therapist - Personal Trainer Yoga Teacher - Cooking Workshops www.TheOnlineNutritionClinic.com 55

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 So if you’re reading this and you’re in the valley - recovering from a stroke, or illness, or grief, or anything else life has thrown at you - please take this to heart:

ONE BREATH AT A TIME – LESSONS FROM THE MOUNTAIN.

• You are not alone • This moment does not define your future • Recovery can begin with something as simple as one breath • There is still so much life ahead The stroke gave me far more than it took away. Here are some lessons I learned from my experience on the mountain and the subsequent months in recovery: Health is your best insurance. I fully believe that being fit helped save my life - and made my recovery possible.

Presence is everything. I remember the sun hitting Devil’s Peak just before the stroke. That moment of stillness stayed with me and became a kind of anchor when I felt so incredibly overwhelmed. The more times I practiced this visualisation, the easier it became to take myself there mentally.

Gratitude is a practice. Seeing. Walking. Holding Jess’s hand. These things now feel like privileges, not givens. It’s easy to forget to be grateful, but even on the lowest of days there’s always something or someone we can be appreciative of if we channel our thinking that way.

Recovery is rarely linear - but it is possible. I was told I might never walk properly again. Two months later, I was hiking back here in Menorca. Progress happens, you’ve just got to stick at it and take things day by day, or hour by hour.

Support is everything. Jess, family, friends, nurses, physios - I’ll never forget their belief, patience and love.

Belief is key. If you think you can, or think you cannot - you are right either way.

Believe you can do it - whatever the situation.

I have created a free gentle Qi Gong flow you can try from home - no equipment, no pressure, just breath and movement. A starting point for your own climb back to a better place. If you know someone who might be in need of some support right now, and some tools to help them get back on track after a tough time, please send them this article.

Email me at tom@qigongwithtom.com with the word ‘BELIEF’ as the email subject and I’ll send you the link to the Qi Gong flow, no strings attached, something that will make you feel emotionally lighter and calmer in yourself.

Photo taken about 45 mins before the stroke

On the 25th June it was mine and Jess’s 9th wedding anniversary.

The highs do return, if you believe that they can. One breath at a time.

Since that beautiful and unforgettable day, life has taken us on a journey neither of us could have predicted. We’ve climbed literal and metaphorical mountains together - and I mean that quite literally.

- Tom PS - This may not apply to you, however please share it with anyone you feel may gain value from the content.

In 2017, just 18 months into marriage, I suffered a stroke while hiking Table Mountain in South Africa. One moment I was standing in awe of the view of the sun hitting Devil’s Peak… the next, I was fighting to stay conscious, get down safely, and piece together what had just happened. That stroke - caused by a hidden brain arteriovenous malformation (AVM) which is an irregular connection between an artery and a vein in the brain - changed everything.

PPS Side note - having good travel health insurance was vital. I actually nearly cancelled it months before the potentially fateful trip as I thought I was wasting money! My 16 days in a foreign hospital, the cost of flying a nurse from the UK to collect me and then both her and I flying back to the UK in business class, plus everything along the way was covered. Sadly Jess was not placed in business class, but her ticket was covered too, though poor Jess had a mum and daughter sat next to her in her row of seats who both had a tummy bag and were seconds away from projectile vomiting over her. She woke up and saw a silhouette wretching so she leapt out of her seat so the mum could run to the toilet. Meanwhile I was on oxygen at the front of the plane, with plenty of room but feeling very sorry for myself. You couldn’t write the script. My insurance was through Barclays with a Travel Pack. My wise mum insisted I had it! She was smart :-) x

There were moments in recovery when I wondered what life would look like going forward. Would I walk properly again? Speak clearly? Be able to drive or return to doing the physical work I knew?

A few days after the stroke I vividly remember having really poor use of my right hand. Not ideal when you are right handed! A part of me mentally prepared for the new challenge of being a ‘lefty’!

But we kept going. One breath at a time. Friends and family came in close, people I did not know were so thoughtful, kind and generous.

PS My website has had an upgrade from Jess :-) Go and take a look... WWW.QIGONGWITHTOM.COM

And then - just as life had dropped us into a valley - it rose again. The low moment brought out the best in so many, I was overwhelmed by how much people cared.

I collated lots of the comments from my members so you can read the benefits they are enjoying from the weekly online Qi Gong sessions I run. “Qi Gong Made Simple for Real People” is my updated strapline as that sums up exactly what I offer. Please let me know what you think.

Fast forward a few years to 2020, our daughter Olive was born. In late 2022, her sister Lola Belle arrived. Two beautiful, headstrong, joyful little souls/monkeys who fill our days with chaos and laughter. Our family is now four - five counting Boni, our very loveable and affectionately needy rescue dog.

Personal Trainer - Qi Gong Teacher - Health Coach WWW.QIGONGWITHTOM.COM to become consistent with your health

Looking back, I see so clearly now: life is not a straight path. It climbs, it dips, it throws unexpected turns. But there is always a way forward - especially if you move gently, breathe deeply, and let the support in.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

WHAT’S

AUGUST 2025 Every month we try to list events that we know are happening to help you plan ahead. Of course if you hear of anything else yourself that is of interest to the readers, then please let us know - info@roquetamagazine.net

ON

MAHON – “ESTIU AL PORT” 2025 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 9 Location: Port of Mahon The Mahón City Council presents “Estiu al Port 2025” or Summer at the Port SATURDAYS: The Night Market and the Music Night at the Port will now take place on Saturdays, from 8:00 PM to 11:30 PM, at the Port Authority Pier.

1 AUGUST • Splendid Festival – Rocio Molina – Teatre Principal Mahón • Open air Cinema - The Old Oak - Cinema Moix Negre • Menorca Music Festival – Love of Lesbian – Es Mercadal 2 AUGUST • Menorca Music Festival – Tribute to ABBA – Es Mercadal • Momi Maiga Concert - Teatre des Born - Ciutadella 2/3 AUGUST – Es Migjorn Gran Fiestas 2/3 AUGUST – Llumaçanes Fiestas 3 AUGUST Ferreries Open Air Cinema – Fly me To the Moon (V.O.) 5 AUGUST Menorca Music Festival – Giutarrica Delafuente – Es Mercadal 6 AUGUST Hauser & Wirth Summer Films: To Sir With Love (1967) 8 AUGUST Menorca Music Festival – Rigoberta Bandini – Es Mercadal 9/10 AUGUST – Alaior Fiestas 11 AUGUST Alejandro Adab’s concert – Jazzbah! Ciutadella 12 AUGUST Don Juan – Teatre des Born, Ciutadella 13 AUGUST Hauser & Wirth Summer Films Un Condamné á Mort s’est échappé’(1956) 14 AUGUST Night of Candles Alaior 14/15 AUGUST Splendid Festival – Mayte Martín – Teatre Principal Mahón 16 AUGUST Las Migas – Spanish music - Teatre Casino 17 de Gener – Ciutadella 16/17 AUGUST Sant Climent Fiestas 20 AUGUST • Tribute to Flamenco Tradition – Teatre des Born - Ciutadella • Hauser & Wirth Summer Films Sympathy For The Devil (1968) 21 AUGUST La Traviata – Cinema Moix Negre Ciutadella 22 AUGUST “Musica per Escoltar” Port of Mahón 23 AUGUST Annual Art Exhibition in the Port of Mahón with 50 artists 23/24 AUGUST – Ferreries Fiestas 26 AUGUST Maria del Mar Bonet – Teatre des Born – Ciutadella 27/28 AUGUST That’s Life - Jazz and Choreographies – Teatre des Born - Ciutadella 28 AUGUST Night of Candles Alaior 27/28/29/30 AUGUST Vela Clásica Menorca XXI King’s Cup 30 AUGUST Enfusion Concert - One Night Only Mahón Aero Club 30/31 AUGUST – Sant Lluis Fiestas

7 AUGUST: The Menorca en Dansa 2025 festival 8 AUGUST: A dance showcase featuring local associations and dance groups 22 AUGUST “Musica per Escoltar” (Music to Listen To), offering live performances that highlight local Minorcan sounds. These concerts will feature artists such as Velam Quartet, Dahlia, Nacho Olivar & The Driftwoods, and Shanti Gordi & Jazz Do It. 23 AUGUST: The annual Art Exhibition will fill the port with creativity on August 23, with more than 50 artists displaying their works along the Muelle de Levante.

In addition to the popular fiestas, Mahon’s port will host various activities throughout July and August.

AUGUST 26TH–30TH: The Vela Clásica Menorca – XXI King’s Cup for Classic Yachts

GRAHAM PEARCE’S BREWERY SENSORY VISIT SATURDAY 2TH, 9TH, 16TH 23TH 30TH AUGUST Grahame Pearce enchants from the very first sip with its special magic.

A small brewery offering an incredible selection of beers based on original recipes adapted to the island: authentic Pilsner, Lager, Brown Ale, and the irresistible Stout.

A whole world of flavours and sensations waiting to be discovered on site.

Adults: €18.00 Dates: Saturdays Time: 11:00 AM Visit duration: 1–2 hours https://sacooperativadelcamp.com/es/visitas-guiadas/660045cervezas-artesanas-de-autor.html

LIVE MUSIC VENUES JAZZBAH Located in the port of Ciutadella, jazzbah holds live music events.

1 AUGUST MAMBOW Natx and Newjoss Duo Returns to the Club with Their Acclaimed Party!

A night full of dance, rock, pop, and timeless hits, designed to keep you dancing non-stop from the very first track to the last.

5TH, 12TH, 22TH, AUGUST REMEMBER REGGAETON: THE UNMISSABLE SUMMER EVENT AT JAZZBAH A themed party that takes you through the greatest reggaeton hits: from the anthems that defined the 2015 era to today’s hottest tracks and timeless classics. With the best resident DJs from Sugar and an unmatched vibe, get ready to dance non-stop to old-school reggaeton, new trends, and all-time fan favorites. Come enjoy a dance floor full of energy and relive your favorite songs under the stars!

6TH, 14TH, 27TH, 31TH AUGUST BAH! ELECTRONIC SESSION Since 2019, the Bah! by Los Santos sessions that have turned jazzbah into the cathedral of club culture on the island, with top artists such as Andrés Campo, Technasia, Stefano Noferini, Viviana Casanova, Tini Gessler, De La Swing, Coyu, Gary Beck... and the list keeps growing. Get ready, because this summer the most beastly Bah! is back.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 20 AUGUST 80’S PARTY WITH LA MOVIDA BAND Jazzbah is firing up the retro machine and diving straight into the ’80s.

Impossible wigs are back, lycra pants that shine brighter than the disco ball, wild curls, leg warmers, and that bold look we all love. Too hot? No problem!

Pull out your ’80s bermuda shorts, neon sneakers, and that tank top you only wear when you want to rock the night. “Style is everything.”

LIVE CONCERT: LA MOVIDA BAND A true tribute to the golden era of pop and rock with the biggest national and international hits that defined generations: from Nacha Pop to Madonna, from Mecano to Queen, from Alaska to Michael Jackson. A 100% revival party to shout loud and proud: Long live the ’80s!

21 AUGUST JET LANDS IN CIUTADELLA WITH ONE OF THE ISLAND’S MOST EXCLUSIVE PARTIES. A unique night featuring commercial music DJs mixing everything from the latest hits to the most danceable afro house rhythms. Get ready to experience one of the best nights of the summer.

22 AUGUST Suu, one of the most prominent voices in current independent pop, will perform for the first time at the Jazzbah hall with a reduced-format concert, designed to experience her music with greater proximity and intensity.

Check online for more information and future concerts https://jazzbah.es/

ES CLAUSTRE The courtyard, of the Cloister of Carmen, framed by beautiful sandstone vaults, is the venue for open-air cultural and recreational activities in Mahon. Jazz, pop, folk, classical, theatre, dance, art concert.

7 AUGUST LA BANDA DE LATE MOTIV AND FLOWER POWER PARTY

JAZZ ES CLAUSTRE FESTIVAL

Get Your Flowers and Best Hippie Outfits Ready — You’re Invited to a Unique Night Full of Good Vibes, Dancing, and Unforgettable Music

All performances start at 21:00 € 15 Free concerts on Tues evenings in summer

La Banda de Late Motiv, a true live energy bomb, perform along with Jazzbah’s resident DJs, who will keep the party going until sunrise.

3 AUGUST Carmen Lancho Quartet is one of the most promising voices on the Spanish jazz scene. She will present both original songs and classic standards with arrangements and lyrics of her own creation from her first EP, titled NO!

Born as the musical project of the TV show Late Motiv by Andreu Buenafuente, this band has become one of the most powerful and charismatic acts on the Spanish music scene. Led by producer Ricky Falkner, they’ve shared the stage with major artists like Bunbury, Iván Ferreiro, Zahara, and Kase.O.

10th AUGUST Jean Toussaint is known for his skillful phrasing, extraordinary improvisational ability, and outstanding instrumental technique.

He is regarded as a modern successor on the tenor saxophone, comparable to the legacy once led by musicians like John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins.

Since 1987, he has lived in Europe; currently, he divides his time between London and Catalonia, where he leads a magnificent quartet completed by bassist Horacio Fumero — who will be replaced in this concert by Juan Pablo Balcazar — pianist Mazzei, and drummer Xirgu.

Their live shows are a vibrant celebration of rock, soul, and R&B classics, featuring covers of The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, and many more.

11TH AUGUST ALEJANDRO ADAB: Alejandro Abad is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter, composer, and music producer.

He has created and produced nearly 1,000 songs, including iconic pieces like “Mi música es tu voz”, the anthem of the first edition of Operación Triunfo, and hits such as “Dile que la quiero” and “Que la detengan”, which found success both at Eurovision and on the sales charts.

24th AUGUST Jorge Abadias Quartet Camins is the title of the new album by composer and guitarist Jorge Abadias. It is a work inspired by an image: the paths formed by Posidonia on the seabed, an analogy that beautifully describes how destiny leads us forward, or how chance chooses for us. Jorge Abadias composed this album during lockdown and recorded it in a single session at the UnderPool studios.

He has collaborated with more than 150 top-level artists, including David Bisbal, Paulina Rubio, Dyango, David Civera, Marcos Llunas, Bustamante, and the great Armando Manzanero.

Alejandro Abad will be joined by his band, made up of local musicians, and will present a setlist designed to move, excite, and invite the audience to sing along to every song. An intimate evening full of stories, where we can enjoy the live talent of one of the great names in Spanish-language music.

28th AUGUST Molt Dope offers a show that is a true celebration of musical diversity. With a powerful voice at the forefront, complemented by the iconic sound of the Hammond and the unmistakable energy of the drums, this trio takes us on a journey through genres ranging from funk to soul, with touches of gospel and hip-hop.

16 AUGUST LAS MIGAS (AT TEATRE DEL CASINO 17 DE GENER, AVINGUDA CONSTITUCIÓ, 18 CIUTADELLA). With two decades of experience and six studio albums, Las Migas have established themselves as one of the most international bands on the Spanish music scene.

31st AUGUST Pablo Millas LaBoP is more than a band; it’s an experience.

It’s an intergalactic explorer. With a fusion of jazz and funk, LaBoP creates a unique musical universe that invites you to explore new sonic territories.

Their flamenco fusion sound has reached over 50 countries, earning them a Latin Grammy in 2022, along with several MIN Awards. They have collaborated with artists such as Estrella Morente, Rozalén, Viva Suecia, and Miguel Poveda, and they boast a growing global community of loyal fans.

Bassist Pablo Millas, leads Pere Arguimbau and Guiem Pons, and the renowned traveler Sergi Felipe, master of the winds, completes the quartet.

A summer classic at Jazzbah.

https://www.esclaustre.com/es/agenda/ 58

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

MENORCA MUSIC FESTIVAL At: Recinte Firal Es Marcadal All performances start at 21:30 Menorca Music Festival is a project that proves a great music festival can go hand in hand with sustainable practices. It aims to raise awareness about climate change and promote individual micro-responsibility.

FRI 1st AUGUST Love Of Lesbian SAT 2nd AUGUST ABBA The New Experience SUN 3rd AUGUST Chiara Oliver MON 4th AUGUST Camela TUES 5th AUGUST Guitarrica-delafuente FRI 8th AUGUST Rigoberta Bandini

ALAIOR’S NIGHT OF CANDLES / NOCHE VELA Music in the streets by candlelight THURS 14 AUGUST and 28 AUGUST

FORNELL’S NIGHT MARKET This year, the Monday night market will feature musical performances and many cultural and recreational activities for all audiences, such as traditional wooden games, cheese cooking demonstrations, zumba sessions, and the end-of-year show of the Dansa-LÔ dance school, a karate demonstration, and another of rhythmic gymnastics.

ES MERCADAL’S NIGHT MARKET The ‘Mercat d’Estiu’ (Summer Market) in Es Mercadal, will animate the streets of the town centre with more than 90 stalls dedicated to artisan and agri-food products. The market is held every Thursday evening, from 19:00 to 23:30.

The event will also be accompanied by live musical performances by local artists.

At: Plaça Pare Camps THURS 7th August 20:00 “A Contratemps” THURS 14th August 20:00 “Res a Dir” THURS 21th August 20:00 “Casa de Andalucia” THURS 28th August 20:00 Eva Pons Trio

At: Plaça de l’Eglésia MON 4th August 20:00 Folk Group Sant Miquel MON 11th August 20:00 Dues Llunes (Two Moons) MON 18th August 20:00 “A Contratemps” MON 25th August 20:00 “Wanderlust”

ALAIOR’S NIGHT MARKET Every Wednesday, Alaior comes alive with its summer market. From 19:00 to 23:00, the streets of the centre host stalls selling local handicrafts, food products, jewellery and 0-km items from Menorca.

FERRERIES NIGHT MARKET

The market includes live concerts plus activities for everyone: traditional games, showcooking, zumba, and demonstrations of dance, karate and rhythmic gymnastics.

At: Plaça de L’Eglésia FRI 1st August 20:00 Performance by Icaara FRI 1st August 21:00 openair concert with Coverland FRI 8th August 20:00 Tribute concert to “La Oreja de Van Gogh” FRI 15th August 19:00 Sant Bartolomeu Festivities FRI 22th August 19:00 San Bartolomeu Festivities

At: Sa Plaça WED 6th August 20:30 Feedback WED 13th August 20:30 Eva Pons Trio WED 20th August 20:30 Ara Martí and Nacho Olivar WED 27th August 20:30 Jazz Obert Menorca Lindy Hop

FOSQUETS DE LITHICA 2025 – SUMMER FESTIVAL AT LITHICA Until SEPTEMBER 11, 2025, the Pedreres de s’Hostal in Ciutadella, Menorca, will host the fifth edition of the Fosquets de Lithica Festival, a unique cultural event that blends music, theatre, and nature in a stunning open-air setting.

The festival’s name, “Fosquet,” refers to the magical moment at dusk when the sun sets and the evening calm sets in, providing the perfect backdrop for shared experiences with family and friends. The organisers envision the quarries as “great courtyards where life flows and expresses itself, transformed into unique stage spaces.”

Programme Highlights AUGUST 9th - 22:00 Nit Lluna Plena Los Mambo Jambo On the most enigmatic night of the Fosquets Lithica Festival, under the light of the August full moon at the Pedreres de s’Hostal, The Mambo Jambo will electrify the stage with their unmistakable “jambophonic sound”: an explosive fusion of rhythm & blues, surf, jazz, and swing. With a broad and diverse career, seven albums released, and a unique, unmistakable sound, this quartet has established itself as Spain’s leading instrumental band.

Accompanying their music, Cia. Enigma will present a fire performance that will add magic and intensity to an already unforgettable experience.

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 AUGUST 14th – 20:30 Laura Marchal– “Flamenc” With a deep, sweet, and richly nuanced voice, overflowing with emotion and evoking the wisdom of ancient song, Laura Marchal presents La Semilla del Encanto. These are gems of popular poetry, with styles carefully chosen for their lyricism, melody, meaning, and symbolism — such as the soleá, sevillanas, taranta, and verdiales.

AUGUST 21st – 20:30 Roots Revival – Quieter than Silence is inspired by Syrian, Persian, and Sufi musical traditions, organically blending various rhythmic and timbral elements throughout its journey. The result is an immersive sonic synergy, created through instruments such as the ney, setar, oud, kamancheh, percussion, double bass, and voice.

AUGUST 28th – 20:30 Orquestra de l’Encuentro d’Arrel – A grand celebration of folk-rooted music in Menorca: a meeting of musical traditions from distant regions that share rhythmic patterns, harmonic structures, and expressive forms that are surprisingly similar. From the Spanish jota to the Chilean cueca, from the Italian tarantella to the Gnawa music of the Maghreb. Music as the thread of history and a bridge between cultures.

AUGUST 31st – 20:00 Labyrinth Day – “Yo Odiseo” with Rodo Gener The Plant Labyrinth will echo with the verses of the Glosat de Soca de Mots, while on the grand stage of the Mineral Labyrinth, actor Rodo Gener will bring Homer’s legendary Odyssey to life, under the direction of writer and scholar Carlos Garrido. A monologue in which the most legendary hero of all time appears before the audience in the first person to recount his experiences face to face— without embellishment or elaborate staging.

FERRERIES (AUDITORIUM TERRACE) Sunday 3th August 21:30 Fly me To the Moon (V.O. / Original soundtrack) Sunday 10th August 21:30 El 47 (V.O. / Original soundtrack) Sunday 17th August 21:30 The Menu

SUMMER IN SANT LLUIS

THEATRE

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1st 19:00 Summer Moli Market 21:00– Movie Soundtracks Concert by the Capdepera Youth Choir Pla de Sa Creu

TEATRE DES BORN Plaça des Born, Ciutadella

MONDAY, AUGUST 4th Women’s Cycle Pla de Sa Creu 21:00 – Concert 4 Suns and 1 Piano with SOLS3I+

2th AUGUST at 21:00 Kairo Momi Maiga presents Kairo Following the success of his debut album NIO— which sold out two consecutive shows at the Menorca Jazz Festival—Momi Maiga returns to Ciutadella to present his second album, Kairo.

Maiga blends West African Mandinka tradition with jazz and classical music, crafting a unique sound that crosses musical boundaries. He performs alongside a remarkable band: Aleix Tobias (percussion), Carlos Montfort (violin), and Marçal Ayats (cello). The kora, a traditional West African string instrument, serves as the heart of the performance.

Momi Maiga’s music delivers a powerful message of unity and hope, and Kairo was awarded Best Album of the Year in a Non-Catalan Language at the 2025 Enderrock Critics’ Awards.

Languages: Mandinka & Wolof

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 6th Sidewalk Culture 21:00 – Showcase of professional companies from Menorca en Dansa 2025 Festival S’Algar (pier) FRIDAY, AUGUST 8th 19:00 – Summer Moli Market, Carrer Sant Lluís 21:30 Concert by The Binigaus Band Pla de Sa Creu WEDNESDAY AUGUST 13th Sidewalk Culture 21:00 Jazz Concert with Ana Szoskak & Manuel Álvarez Punta Prima

6th AUGUST at 21:00 Home A Miserable Home – Hilarious Street Theater at Can Saura In a rundown house, a couple lives out their bleak daily routine.

A drama in the service of comedy, this is laughter at its finest—loud, healing, and deeply human. A fast-paced, moving, and wildly funny show. FETEN Awards 2025: Best Street Performance Circada Festival 2023: Winner of 7 Awards Location: Courtyard of Can Saura

OPEN AIR CINEMA HAUSER & WIRTH Summer Films Open-air screenings on Wednesday evenings at the central patio of the gallery to enjoy films that have inspired the artists whose work is currently on view on the island.

6 AUGUST 21:00 ‘To Sir, With Love’ (1967), by James Clavell lasts 105 min and will be screened in English with Spanish subtitles. Ages 13 and up.

12th AUGUST at 21:00 Don Juan Which Don Juan Are We Talking About? — A Dance Performance by LaMov When LaMov tells the story of Don Juan, what kind of love are we exploring?

Is it excessive love, eternal love, romantic love, or perhaps eroticism?

Are we really talking about Don Juan, or about Doña Inés? Through the choreography of Víctor Jiménez, LaMov offers a personal reinterpretation of the characters and the story. This performance blends the mysterious and magical elements throughout day and night. The dancers’ movements express a tale of love and death, filled with passion, freedom, and eroticism.

13 AUGUST 21:00 ‘Un Condamné á Mort s’est échappé’(1956) by Robert Bresson lasts 99 min and will be screened in French with Spanish subtitles. Ages 13 and up.

20 AUGUST 21:00 ‘Sympathy For The Devil (One Plus One)’ (1968) by Jean-Luc Godard lasts 100 min and will be screened in English with Spanish subtitles. Ages 16 and up.

27 AUGUST 21:00 Ciento Volando’ (2024) by Arantxa Aguirre lasts 92 min and will be screened in Spanish with no subtitles. Ages 7 and up.

Book Online https://menorca.hauserwirth.com/en/book/service/events/2

20th AUGUST at 21:00 “Por Amor al Cante” – Israel Fernández’s Tribute to Flamenco Tradition This is the latest album by rising flamenco singer Israel Fernández, but it is also much more: a story of passion and friendship with Madrid-born guitarist Antonio “El Relojero”.

CALA EN PORTER BEACH Friday 22 AUGUST 21:30 Spanish-language films with English subtitles — ideal for everyone!

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ROQUETA AUGUST 2025 26th AUGUST at 21:00 Maria del Mar Bonet – 50 Years Since Her Historic Olympia Concert.

Maria del Mar Bonet, one of the most iconic voices in world music, will celebrate in 2025 the 50th anniversary of her legendary concert at the Olympia in Paris. She will re-release the live album originally recorded during that unforgettable 1975 performance.

27th and 28th AUGUST at 21:00 That’s Life “That’s Life” is a journey from birth to death through dance, accompanied by live music performed by piano, violin, and clarinet. It will portray the different stages in a human being’s life: the emotion of birth, the innocence of childhood, curiosity in adolescence, the responsibilities, disappointments, and satisfactions of adulthood, the wisdom that comes with maturity, suffering, the calm of old age, and the bittersweetness of death.

Featuring dancers from international companies such as the National Ballet of Cuba, New English Ballet Theatre (London), Sasha Waltz Company (Berlin), Straatstheater Nuremberg, Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures (London), and English National Ballet (London).

The musical repertoire features works by composers Astor Piazzolla, Darius Milhaud, Waldemar von Baussern, and Salvador Brotons, reinterpreted by the participating musicians.

Ciutadella’s theatre puts on a full programme of events, listed on the website https://www.teatredesborn.com/ Tickets available online and from the ticket office, which is open Tuesdays 11.30am to 1pm, Thursdays 7 to 8.30pm, also one hour before the start of the performance.

20th AUGUST 52nd Mahón Music Festival 21:00 – 22:30 This year, Joventuts Musicals de Maó celebrates the closing of the 52nd Maó Music Festival in a very special way, with a unique concert designed and created exclusively for the occasion. The concert aims to highlight the importance of Menorca’s cultural and musical heritage through music, featuring the participation of a very special musician (yet to be revealed), accompanied by the Illa de Menorca Chamber Orchestra.

SALA ALBERT CAMUS

UKALARI’S THEATRE https://www.ukalarimenorcaevents.com/

Carrer de Sant Lluis 58, Sant Lluis www.salaalbertcamus.org

TEATRE PRINCIPAL MAÓ

ORFEO MAONES

Carrer d’en Deià 40, Mahón This is the oldest opera house in Spain, dating from 1829, with a wide programme of shows and concerts. See website for full programme. Tickets available online or from the box office.

12th, 13th, 19th AUGUST at 12:00 Theatre’s Guided Tour (in English) The guided tour of the Teatre Principal de Maó will take you through the most emblematic areas of this historic building, such as the lobby, the Main Hall, the so-called Queen’s Room, and the “Galliner” (gallery), while uncovering the anecdotes that span almost 200 years of its history.

As a new feature, the theatre now offers visitors an updated brochure that includes a map of the building and the history of the theatre

13 AUGUST 52nd Maó Music Festival Joventuts Musicals Maó Josep Portella and Maria Alonso-Allende https://www.orfeomaones.com/es/2024

POLARIS MENORCA Monday 4th, 18th - Thursday 21th, 28th August Astronomical Observation with Telescopes Tuesday 5th, 19th, 26th, August Family Astronomical Observation Tuesday 12th and Wednesday 13th Perseids, Stars Rain Friday 8th August Night Mini Trekking Polaris Menorca offer a range of activities designed to unveil the fascinating secrets of the night sky. Explore constellations, stars, galaxies, and much more through guided observations and interactive sessions that bring astronomy to life.

SPLENDID FESTIVAL MENORCA 2025 Teatre Principal Mahón

https://polarismenorca.com/

1st AUGUST Rocio Molina 21:00 – 22:30 The multi-award-winning choreographer and iconoclastic flamenco dancer Rocío Molina (1984, Málaga) arrives in Menorca for the first time, together with dancer and percussionist José Manuel Ramos “Oruco”, to present her new and surprising piece: Ejercicios hacia el alivio (Exercises Toward Relief). This is a fascinating laboratory-performance where Molina invites the audience to witness her artistic process, navigating between improvisation and research.

The young artist from Málaga fearlessly collaborates across disciplines, weaving in elements from film, literature, painting, and philosophy to create singular stage experiences. Rocío Molina is one of Spain’s most internationally recognised artists, with her works having been performed on some of the most important stages around the world.

14th and 15th AUGUST Mayte Martín “Tatuajes” 21:00 – 22:30 Mayte Martín, a renowned flamenco singer from Barcelona, brings her ninth album Tatuajes to Maó. Known for her unique style and artistic depth, she blends flamenco with genres like jazz, bossa nova, and chanson in this new work.

Performed with a quartet, the album honors legendary artists such as Violeta Parra, Víctor Jara, and Jacques Brel, featuring timeless classics like Gracias a la vida and Ne me quitte pas.

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29TH AUGUST 20:30 OUR LIFE IN BURGUNDY | WITH SA CATERINA WINERY LOCAL CINEMA AND PRODUCT SERIES Fourth session of the Local Cinema and Product series Price: €15 The second edition of this series closes with a very special evening dedicated to wine and the local territory. Sa Caterina, one of Menorca’s most promising wineries, located at the Santa Catalina estate in Binidalí. Guests will enjoy a guided wine tasting accompanied by appetizers and a presentation about the winery’s journey.

Afterwards, they will screen the film Our Life in Burgundy (Ce qui nous lie, 2017), a delicate French movie directed by Cédric Klapisch. It is a story of reunions, harvests, and family bonds, set among the vineyards of the Burgundy region. The film offers an emotional journey through wine, land, and the decisions that shape our lives.

CINEMA OCIMAX CINEMA MAHÓN:

A farewell to the series filled with hope, roots, and emotion. http://www.cinesmoixnegre.org/ Films shown in the original language most Thursdays.

https://www.aficine.com/cine/ocimaxmahon/

Cineclub films screened every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.30pm.

Cineclub films shown in the original language on Thursdays.

CINEMES MOIX NEGRE CIUTADELLA

MUSEUMS

Cinema a la Fresca (open air cinema)

MUSEU DE MENORCA:

1ST AUGUST 20:30 Third session of the Film and Local Product series:

Pla des Monestir, 9, 07701 Mahón Open Tuesday and Thursday: 10 am to 19 pm Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 10 am to 14 pm History of Menorca Permanent Exhibition Until February 2026 Exhibition This is how Menorca sounds presents a journey that contextualizes music within society, economy, and culture over the last 400 years. Also including paintings, musical instruments, and scores, along with various visual and sound resources. The museum’s cloister, is transformed for the occasion into an Emotions Walk linked to different Menorcan songs. For the first time, Vue de la salle du théâtre de Minorque and Vue de la scène du théâtre de Minorque, two oil paintings from 1760 that depict views inspired by an 18th-century theatre in Maó, will be exhibited.

These works have been brought especially from the Museum of Decorative Arts in Paris. www.museudemenorca.com

“THE OLD OAK” WITH GRAHAME PEACE | FILM SERIES AND LOCAL PRODUCTS In this third event of the series, the spotlight will be on Menorcan craft beer, led by Grahame Pearce, a key figure in local beer brewing known for his distinctive style and strong connection to the island’s identity. Enjoy a tasting of various beer varieties, guided by the producers themselves, accompanied by a small aperitif to round out the experience.

The evening will continue with the screening of The Old Oak (2023), the latest film by British director Ken Loach. A moving portrayal of class struggle, coexistence, and hope in a northern English town, where the arrival of refugees sparks tensions… and new opportunities for understanding. A session to be savored slowly—like a good beer shared in good company.

19TH AUGUST 21:20 BAB AZIZ, THE WISE SUFI | SUFI CINEMA | FOSQUETS DE LITHICA

CAN SAURA Ciutadella Museum contains a comprehensive selection of ethnological objects as well as a significant archaeological collection that includes important finds discovered in the caves Cova des Mussol and Cova des Càrritx.

Ground floor exhibition ‘May the earth not weigh you down. A history of death rituals in Menorca’ including the remains of the old Moorish necropolis discovered beneath the building Tuesday to Saturday: Morning: 10.30am to 1.30pm Afternoon: from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Closed on Sunday and Monday C/ Santíssim, 2, Ciutadella Tel 971 38 10 50 General Admission 5€ Over 65 free

General admission: €7 | If you have a ticket for that week’s “Roots Revival” concert, you can attend the screening for just €2 extra.

In the heart of the desert, a blind grandfather and his granddaughter embark on a journey in search of a mystical gathering… This is how Bab Aziz (2006), a gem of spiritual cinema directed by Nacer Khemir, begins. The film immerses us in the universe of Sufism through a poetic narrative rich in symbolism, music, and ancestral wisdom. This screening is part of the World Music section of the festival and complements the Roots Revival concert happening that same week at Líthica.

ART GALLERIES

The session will include an introduction to help us better understand the cultural and philosophical roots of Sufism, offering a deeper insight into the music and traditions celebrated on stage.

CA N’OLIVER C/ ANUNCIVAY, 2 - MAHÓN

21ST AUGUST 21:45 LA TRAVIATA | BADEN-BADEN FESTIVAL

Art Gallery with many collections including BRITISH MINORCA If there is a historical period that individualizes Menorca and gives it a special personality, it is, without a doubt, the 18th century. More than seventy years of British presence have left their mark on the island and its inhabitants which can be seen in this collection Summer Exhibition until 28 September: Francesc Hernández Mora i el seu temps - the work of Francesc Hernández Mora, the first abstract painter of Menorca Summer Opening May to Oct: Gen Admission 5 Euros Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 to 13:30 and 18:00 to 20:00 Sunday: 10:00 to 13:30 Free Entry Monday, closed

The acclaimed tenor Rolando Villazón directed Verdi’s most famous opera in a colourful, lively, and emotional way at the Festspielhaus in BadenBaden, earning an enthusiastic reception for his directorial debut (Stuttgarter Zeitung)! Having made his international breakthrough as Alfredo Germont, ten years later this Mexican-born singer presents a Traviata full of energy, rich in detail, and with occasional touches of melancholy. Villazón chose an unusual approach by setting the tragic love story between Alfredo and the courtesan Violetta in the colorful and noisy world of the circus.

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LÔAC: Contemporary art gallery located at Calle Santiago Pons Quintana 56, Alaior.

Open Tuesdays to Sundays 10.30am to 2pm, and 5.30 to 9pm. Admission 5€.

FUNDACIÓ NUMA Numa’s gardens, courtyards and exhibition spaces invite contemplation, inner dialogue and the exchange of ideas.

HIROSHI KITAMURA Summer exhibition May to October Explore the connection between art and nature. A journey through sculptures and paintings that reveal the transformation of matter, the memory of materials and the ephemeral beauty of the impermanent.

Plaça Quintana de Mar, 07760 Ciutadella https://www.numamenorca.com/

HAUSER & WIRTH GALLERY– ISLA DEL REY NOW TO 26 OCTOBER Mika Rottenberg’s first solo exhibition in Spain will feature celebrated video installations -‘Cosmic Generator’ and ‘Spaghetti Blockchain’-alongside her latest ‘Lampshares.’

NOW TO 26 OCTOBER Exhibition Cindy Sherman - The Women For her first solo exhibition in Spain in over two decades, ‘Cindy Sherman. The Women’ will feature a selection of the artist’s most iconic bodies of work, dating from the 1970s to 2010s https://menorca.hauserwirth.com/en/home

CAYÓN’S GALLERY Carrer de San Roc, 24 Mahón UNTIL 26TH AUGUST Open Mon from 18:00 till 21:00 Tues to Sat. from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 Co-director Clemente Cayón, presents two exhibitions. On the ground floor, a wide selection of works by Catalan painter Joan Hernández Pijuan, who had a strong connection to Menorca. The exhibition, titled Tiempo de pintura (Time of Painting), includes works created between 1985 and 2002, and features a dialogue with three pieces by Pierre Soulages, offering a comparison between two interpretations of the colour black.

The second exhibition is dedicated to New York–based artist Stanley Whitney, considered one of the most important artists of the 21st century. Titled Works on Paper 2021–2025

ATICA’S GALLERY Moll de Ponent, 36 The Menorcan artist Paul Marabán has opened the Atica space in the port of Mahón. Atica is emerging as a signature gallery focused on contemporary and local art with different exhibitions each week. In August Gabriel Llabrés will be showing his exhibition of lights.

Instagram @atica _ art _ gallery

GUIDED TOURS NAVAL HOSPITAL ISLA DEL REY Visit the 18th-century former British naval hospital and Port Mahon Interpretation Centre and discover the rich history of Isla del Rey and the harbour.

Thursdays - guided tours of the hospital at 11.15am in English Wednesdays – guided tours in French. Spanish tours every day Sundays - visits in Spanish, English or French, leave on the 9am Hauser &Wirth Yellow Catamaran from Mahon harbour with the volunteers. Bookings or enquiries can be made on the website: www.islahospitalmenorca.org or: www.yellowcatamarans.com/en/kings-island

ENJOY CIUTADELLA Three guided tours of Ciutadella which can be booked in advance – Craft route, Coastal Heritage Route, Night Route to observe the sky Ajciutadella-org Available in English, Spanish, Catalan and French 63

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

LITHICA PEDRERES DE S´HOSTAL

LOCAL FIESTAS DATES SUMMER 2025:

Open May to October 9am to Sunset and Sunday 9am to 2pm

Summer is the season for fiestas in Spain. These fiestas are particularly special in Menorca, being steeped in history and quite unique. The origin of the local fiestas dates back to the 14th century.

Tickets must be purchased in advance for visits to guarantee access 5 Euros for one visit or you can buy an annual pass for 20 Euros https://lithica.es/en/visit/ Guided Tour in English on Mondays at 19:30 12 Euros and on Tuesdays in Spanish/Catalan.

Es Migjorn Gran: Sant Cristòfol 2-3 August Llucmaçanes: Sant Gaietà 2-3 August Alaior: Sant Llorenç 9-10 August Sant Climent: Sant Climent 16-17 August Ferreries : Sant Bartomeu 23-24 August Sant Lluis: Sant Lluis 30-31 August Sant Lluïsset: 1 September Mahón: Déu de Gràcia 7-9 September Es Mercadal: Sant Nicolau (El Toro) 13-14 September Cala’n Porter: 20-21 September Festa des Caixers Alaior: 27-28 September Bones Festes!!

FOSQUETS LITHICA This is a large theatre in the quarry which has a summer programme of events fosquetsdelithica.com

QUIETUD MUSICA - LITHICA An intimate garden that in summer becomes a refuge for small live concerts until the end of the day. Joan Mercadal, guitar; Pau Marquès, cello; Elena Armenteros, harp. Each one on alternate days.

Wednesdays: July 8pm – August 7.30pm – September 7pm

FOOD MARKETS

Duration: approx. 30 min. Price: 12€

Alaior Saturday Plaza Ramal 9.30am to 2pm

MENORCA CRICKET CLUB

Ciutadella: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am to 1.30pm in Plaza de la Libertad (by the fish market).

SUMMER CRICKET

Mahón: Sundays 9am to 2pm, in Carrer de s’Arravaleta and Carrer Nou (by the American bar).

In July and August matches are paused for Summer Cricket. On Wednesdays and Saturdays the club is open to all. Residents, Holiday Makers, Girls, Boys, Brothers, Sisters, Mums, Dads, Uncles & Aunties, Grandparents, it’s great fun for all. All equipment is provided and the bar is open all day, and food can be arranged. They have qualified coaches and lots of helpers and a whatsapp group for Summer cricket which you are welcome to join, which helps in the organisation of each day.

Mahón Tapas by the fish market: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 11.30pm.

Ferreries: Artisan Food market Saturdays, 9am to 1pm in Plaça Espana.

STREET MARKETS Mahón: Tuesday and Saturday 9am to 2pm in the Plaça Esplanada.

10€ per player, (if you are a club member 5€ per player per session).

Mahón: Daily, Pla de Baixamar, 10am to 8pm.

Minis: Age 3-8 10am to 11.00am Midis: Age 8-11 11am . 12.00pm Softball Training exercises and continuous cricket game.

Ciutadella: Monday and Friday 9.30am to 13:30 in the Plaza Borne.

Hardball cricket game (open to all ages with hardball experience) 12.00pm – 4pm

Fornells: Thursday, 9am to 2pm. in Carrer de la Mar.

Alaior: Plaza Ramal 9 to 2pm Sant Lluis: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8am to 2pm in Pla de sa Creu.

https://www.menorcacricketclub.com

Es Castell: Mondays and Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm in Plaza Esplanada.

Es Mercadal C/ Nou 8.30 to 1pm

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND

Es Migjorn Gran Wednesday 8am to 12pm

If you prefer using public transport as an alternative to taking the car, there are three bus companies covering different parts of the island. Up to date bus timetables can be checked online. TORRES www.bus.e-torres.net

Ferreries Plaza Espanya 9am to 2pm

CRAFT MARKETS

Torres buses run between Ciutadella and resorts along the west coast, as well as to the unspoiled beaches to the north and to the south of Ciutadella. Torres also operate the line from Mahón town centre to the airport. TMSA www. tmsa.es

From June-July to September, in the evenings in most of Menorca’s towns: Mondays in Ciutadella, Calas Fonts 19:00, and Fornells Tuesdays in Maó and Es Migjorn July and August 19:30 to 23:30

TMSA buses run across the island connecting all the main towns, as well as routes to the resorts on the southern coast and eastern coast

Wednesdays in Alaior and Ciutadella (this last only in July and August); Thursdays in Es Mercadal from 19:00 to 23:00

AUTOS FORNELLS https://www.autosfornells.com/ connecting Mahón with the north-eastern coastline up to Fornells, also connections to Alaior and Es Mercadal.

Fridays in Ciutadella, Ferreries and Sant Lluís.

Saturdays Port of Mahón, Port Authority Pier Saturdays and Sundays Fornells 20:00

BANK HOLIDAYS

Sundays Punta Prima Nightly street markets on the Costa Marina in the port of Ciutadella, as well as in Cales Fonts in Es Castell from 20:00.

15 August: Assumption Day 12 October: Spain’s National Day 1 November: All Saints’ Day 6 December: Spanish Constitution Day 8 December: Day of the Immaculate Conception.

25 December: Christmas Day 26 December Sant Esteve

ANTIQUES / SECOND HAND MARKET Gangaria Flea Market in Parc des Freginal, Mahon Sundays 8am to 1pm (may finish earlier if hot).

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ISLAND INFORMATION CONSULATES How do I contact the British Consulate?

You can call or send an email to our contact centre Tel: 933666200 Email: spain.consulate@fco.gov.uk (Make sure you put ‘Menorca’ in the subject line) They will be able to answer most general enquiries and will pass you through to the team in Palma, should you need further assistance. www.gov.uk/government/world/spain.

Germany San Andreu 32, Mahón.

Tel 971 36 90 12 EMERGENCY NUMBERS General Emergencies 112 (equivalent to 999 in UK).

24 hour service in 4 languages.

Domestic Violence 016 Local Police 092 National Police: 091 Police station Mahon: 971 363 712.

Police station Ciutadella: 971 363 066 Fire Service 971 35 10 11 Sea Rescue 900 202 202 Emergency Ambulance 061 OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION Tourist Information visit www.menorca.es.

Offices in Mahón and Ciudadela Taxis 971 36 71 11

Chemist shops are closed on Sundays, CIUTADELLA Canal Salat but some are open on Saturdays.

C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret, s/n Shop Opening Hours 09.00 – 13.30 07760 Ciutadella and 16.30/17.00 – 20.30 Tel: 971 480 112 Larger supermarkets Monday to PRIVATE CLINICS Saturday 09.00 – 21.00 Sunday CLINICA JUANEDA mornings in summer Banks Monday to Friday 08.15 – 14.00 Avenida Vives Llull, 6 07703 Mahón If hiring a car, you are required to Tel. 971 351 115 keep with you: Hire documents, info.menorca@juaneda.es driving licence and a photocopy of CLINICA JUANEDA your passport. NB: Seat belts are Jose Delfin Serra, 10, 07760 compulsory, and children must be in Ciutadella the back of the vehicle Tel. 971 480 505 For a comprehensive list of all bus info.menorca@juaneda.es times on the Island, please visit POLICLINICA VIRGEN DE www.tmsa.es GRACIA Internal flights in Spain from Av Vives Llull 6, 07003, Mahon Menorca: Iberia – www.vueling.com, Tel: 971351115 www.iberia.com RED CROSS POST OFFICES CREU ROJA MAÓ Carrer de Ciutadella, 76, 07701 Maó C/ Josep Anselm Clavé, 162 ·07703 Plaça des Born, 9, 07760 Ciutadella Tel.: 971 36 11 80 de Menorca Creu Roja Ciutadella Carrer Llevant, 5-7, 07720 Es Castell c/ de la Creu, 2 07760 Carrer Lepanto, 43, 07740 Es Mercadal Tel.: 971 38 19 93 Carrer de sa Lluna, 13 (antes, Carrer CREU ROJA FERRERIES de Sant Esteve, 14), Av. Jaume Mascaró, 66, 07750 07710 Sant Lluís Tel.: 971 37 31 39 HOSPITALS WITH 24 HR Creu Roja Es Mercadal EMERGENCIES C/ Veterinaris Gomila, 12, 07740 Tel.: 971 37 53 00 MAHON Hospital Mateo Orfila CREU ROJA ALAIOR Rda. de Malbúger, 1, 07703 Mahón, C/ Orient, 39 · 07703 Phone: 971 48 70 00 Tel.: 971 37 12 38 65

CREU ROJA SANT LLUÍS C/ Pere Tudurí, s/n · 07710 Tel.: 971 15 10 01 CHEMISTS Chemists or Farmacias are found around the island. For emergencies out of hours, there is a list of duty chemists displayed on the chemist door.

GAS All cooking gas used in Menorca is bought from REPSOL BUTANO. Bottles can be exchanged at petrol stations and at the depots.

Mahon: Avinguda de Fort de l’Eau, 125, BJ, 07701 Mahon: Main Road. Maó-Ciutadella ME-1, Km. 3,5. 07714 Ciutadella: Cala Morell Road, c/ Algaiarens, km. 1,5, 07760 See the website for opening hours https://gasmenorca.es/centros-dedistribucion/ FLIGHTS FROM THE ISLAND For all information and timetables regarding travel by air and sea to and from the Island please refer to the airline websites. To contact the airport, call 971 157 000 SANTA MARGARITA ANGLICAN CHURCH +34 617222382 e-mail chaplain@anglicanchurchmenorca.com

ROQUETA AUGUST 2025

BY DAVE NUTTALL

Aparthotel Vistamar

WHEN A RETIREMENT DREAM GOES AWRY What made you come here? How many people have been asked that question? This is my parents’ story. What do you do when you retire?

Where do you go? My parents chose not to stay in England.

and shown the offices above the then Bar Magón. Then it was back to the airport for the evening flight. All very impressive. My Dad signed up for a plot of land with a villa, if my memory serves me: no.166.

Back in 1969, my parents owned a hotel in Ware, Hertfordshire. One fine day, a young man who had dated my eldest sister paid them a visit with a proposition. How would they like to invest in a holiday apartment in Menorca? People began searching to find out where Menorca was. The apartment turned out to be in the Aparthotel Vistamar, in Santo Tomas, right on the beach. It looked wonderful in the brochure, and the price was right – all told, around £600 – too good to be true, thought my father.

Better still, one could view it on a day trip to Menorca for about £25. So off went Mum and Dad one morning to sunny Menorca on Freddy Laker Airlines. They were sold and happy that they could rent the apartment out and enjoy holidays there at certain times.

That was when my parents decided they would come to live in Menorca.

They arrived in August on a holiday flight, theoretically for a two-week holiday, but with no intentions to return. Mum with her fur coat and lots of luggage. I stayed in England. However, they did return as they could not stay in their holiday apartment at Santo Tomas in winter.

My Dad came back to the island a couple of months later to discover, to his horror, that there were problems at Son Vitamina and that the house was not being built. It turned out that the salesman, one Mr. Robert Teers, was a bit sharp and did not have the right to draw up the contracts. The palm trees soon disappeared as they had not been paid for, along with the streetlights, and that was when Dad said “stop the sale of the house back home”. Too late. They were then obliged to try and sort things out. Dad went to see a lawyer in Mahón who, rather interestingly, was working for both parties.

Next, my father was looking for somewhere to retire to on a more permanent basis. With a love for golf, he went to Portugal, but it seemed expensive.

So, when he heard that a golf club was going to be built in Menorca, his mind was made up. Shangri-la sounded like a dream.

I came over by car, a yellow Mini Moke, to see for myself what was happening and to try to help. I met a guy who sold property, nicknamed 10% Tony, and we found a house in Cala en Porter for the princely sum of £1000 plus another £500 for furniture and fittings. It was a little twobedroomed villa overlooking the sea, very nice, although it had a strange terrace made up of large concrete steps. We were told that the lady who had built it was returning from Africa and the steps were made for the cages to house her monkeys. The cages were never installed, as all the neighbours complained, and she was obliged to find another home.

At a Homes Abroad show in London, Menorca was extensively featured.

My father got in touch, and a salesman came to the hotel armed with brochures and contracts. Under the auspicious name of International Villa Investments, he was selling luxury villas in a new urbanisation called Son Vitamina. Golf clubs, bars, and restaurants were also going to be built on the island. Sign the contract on the dotted line to accept that you will make a purchase. My parents thought it was fantastic and did just that. I too read the contract, which appeared to be correct and in order.

We were then promised another day trip to Menorca for only £25, leaving Stansted Airport at 8:30 am and arriving back in England at 9:00 pm. You ‘just had to do it’!

Once my parents had settled in Menorca, my dad decided to take legal action. He discovered that the plot he had ‘purchased’ had been sold to two other buyers and that this had happened to 66 other people. The whole mess finished up in the London courts. The so-called company was owned by a Spanish woman who was the business partner of a Mr. Dick Heller, and he was ‘not responsible’. The salesman, Robert Teers, had crossed out the name at the top of the contract and substituted his own. Scotland Yard came to Menorca to arrest him – I was in the Andalusia Bar in Mahón when I was asked to step outside and identify him. I took him by the collar and would have hit him had the police not pulled me away, advising me not to do anything. In the end, he was sentenced to five years in Her Majesty’s prison, and my dad, along with everyone else, was awarded one penny in the pound as the company was declared bankrupt.

This time I went with my parents and a couple of my friends, and we arrived in glorious sunshine. We were taken to a place called Son Vitamina del Mar. I do not remember many others being there, although I suppose there must have been. Either way, we were not too bothered as it was warm, and the sun was shining.

I remember my lady friend going into the bar and impressing me by ordering “cervezas” and returning with San Miguels, which were just terrific. We were outside a wonderful building called the Almirante Nelson Bar/Restaurant. The bar front was the side of an old-style sailing ship, supposedly the Victory, with cannons sticking out. It did look pretty good.

We sat outside, admiring the view and listening to the chat. There was a big hole in the garden of the bar, ready for a swimming pool, and all around there were newly planted palm trees, street lighting, and semimade-up roads. I remember being driven around to see various empty plots plus a couple with unfinished houses. Later, we were taken to Mahón

My parents lived in Menorca until their deaths when they took up residence in Mahón´s Cemetery.

As an anecdote: some time later, I was in Scandals Restaurant when I came across Dick Heller strolling around the tables playing a violin.

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