Issuu

ROQUETA

SEPTEMBER 2023

WELCOME SEPTEMBER 2023 - ROQUETA MAGAZINE It has been a busy summer season, especially on the water and at the beaches. With budgets tight, many visitors have been stocking up at the supermarkets and enjoying the great outdoors to the full. The roads have become more congested and car parks overflowing, a situation not helped as the selfie generation travel between the virgin beaches and the island’s iconic backdrops to capture the perfect pictures for Instagram. Scooters provide a convenient and economical means of transport to find parking and reach out of the way places and this year the rental fleet has increased fourfold. In this issue we have concentrated more on places and activities where we can still enjoy some quiet moments, away from the crowds, to recharge the batteries and reconnect with nature. This is the Menorca we all love, it is not Mallorca or Ibiza, it is an island of understatement and unspoilt beauty. However busy the beaches become there is always a lesser known spot on the rocks from which to swim. Rachael explains this month how submerging our bodies in water returns our psyche to the feelings of quietness, peace and security we felt in the womb. Yet, while our minds are drawn to water for relaxation, our bodies also undergo physical adaptations. In our Big Interview Benedicta from Son Blanc Farmhouse shares with us the journey of restoring a hitherto rundown finca to create a superlative country hotel and working farmstead based on the principle of sustainability. The aim was to foster the connection with nature, which she and her husband worried was being lost in modern society. Son Blanc offers guests and visitors a variety of relaxing and invigorating activities onsite, providing the opportunity to experience the holistic healing properties of their hotel and its magical surroundings. The Rev Paul also worries about people not being connected to nature these days. He suggests we need to immerse ourselves in the non-human parts of creation – animal, vegetal and mineral. He has much to say about the power of pets and open spaces, including a few things about parrots! Marga from the Protectora in Mao also tells us about the emotional benefits of volunteering, whether it be walking dogs or keeping cats entertained at the animal centre. Ali and Siobhan combine food, minerals and yoga to maximise the beneficial effects on our bodies. They share with us some of their favourite crystals and how they can be used for holistic wellbeing. Chrysocolla can inspire creativity, Turquoise instils inner calm and Rose quartz is good for mid-life crises and relationships. Don’t be surprised if you see me adorned with all three when we next meet! For any sceptics out there ‘thoughts become things’ so remember Ted Lasso, have only positive thoughts and BELIEVE… Last but not least, John has started a monthly “Out and About” page. In August he was relaxing on the water but expect a ‘wheels and keels’ theme in future issues as he explores his favourite topics of cars, bikes, boats and all things electric. He is using the law of attraction to visualise himself in a BMW I3. Cover Photo: Caroline Pinnell

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 The Publisher reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication.

All prices quoted were correct at the time of going to press No articles may be reproduced without written permission from the Publisher For Editorial contact info@roquetamagazine.net For Advertising contact roquetajohn@gmail.com For Subscriptions contact roquetajohn@gmail.com

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

Liz Parr

John Davies

IN THIS ISSUE ISLAND NEWS

FOOD AND DRINK

ART IN MENORCA

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

GRAPEVINE

WELLBEING

LOCAL NEWS

WHAT’S ON

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

ISLAND NEWS

By Christine Brooker

S’ALGAR RESIDENTS UP IN ARMS The local residents association in SÁlgar is not happy with the “invasion” of sun beds for hire in front of the Hotel SÁlgar AluaSoul swimming pool. They say this area is part of the “Passeig Marítim” (promenade) that provides access to the sea and that the parasols and sun beds (which have doubled in number from ten to twenty and are much larger than the original ones) make it difficult for bathers who have to negotiate their way through to reach the steps to the water. The sun beds have been installed by the luxury Purobeach Club. The association wants the common areas to be shared fairly. They say they are treated like second class citizens because they are not paying the high prices charged by the hotel. The beach club has permission from costas (coastal authorities), which the residents fear has turned a public zone into a private one. The mayor of Sant Lluis, Loles Tronch, says that she has not received a formal complaint but confirmed that the hotel chain in SÁlgar who run the beach club has permission for the sun beds but that the area must also be shared with the public. SANTO TOMÀS There have been similar problems on the beach at Santo Tomàs, where the entertainment team from the Globales apartments had been offering guests games on the beach. They installed a volleyball net that occupied a lot of the sand and they also used loudspeakers which disturbed those enjoying the beach. Residents had appealed to the management and staff in vain; hence they opted to formally advise the ayuntamiento in Es Migjorn and ASHOME the hotel association. The alcaldesa advised Globales that legal action would be taken and now the nets have disappeared. NEW ARCHAEOLOGICAL DIG ON THE ISLA D’EN COLOM A seventh archaeological dig has taken place this summer on the Sa Mitja Lluna (Half Moon) copper mine on the Isla d’en Colom. This Bronze Age copper mine is one of the few mining sites of its kind in southern Europe, as the absence of subsequent relevant mining works has allowed for the excellent preservation of the prehistoric mine. Its exceptional nature has made it a key element in the UNESCO World Heritage candidacy. This dig concentrated on the southern part of the mine where the workings were covered by bushes. It has been calculated that the mine was operative between 1800 and 900 B.C. Therefore, certain prehistoric communities in Menorca extracted copper minerals (malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite) from the mine for around 900 years. It is believed that Menorca provided raw materials for the other Balearic islands and it is likely that there were other mines on Menorca. A trench has been excavated with similar remains found to excavations on the north side, but with far more ceramics. Evidence of fires and animal remains indicate that miners cooked their food on site. No traces of dwellings have been found and it is believed that small groups of people travelled to the island on a seasonal basis. Evidence shows that metals mined there were used in funeral rituals in Menorca. Amongst the many tools found were two large miner’s mallets weighing about 15 kilos. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

ELON MUSK Elon Musk visited Menorca to meet up with Martin Varsavsky the Argentine entrepreneur, who invited him to his farm at Binisegarra in Alaior. Varsavsky is a great fan of Menorca and spends a lot of time here. He posted pictures of the visit on Instagram but the post was quickly removed...

MORE SCOOTERS AND MOTORBIKES FOR HIRE This year there are far more scooters and motorbikes for hire and the number of accidents involving them has increased significantly. Many people are inexperienced in driving them and they can often be young, newly qualified car drivers. In many cases people still want to spend their holidays in Menorca but can´t afford to hire a car. Also the international car hire companies who previously were not interested in this market have now started investing as they had problems finding stocks of new cars. Prices to hire the scooters are attractive and they provide easy access to remote coves etc. In August a scooter cost 80 Euros a week and for a supplement the hire company transported suitcases to the rider’s accommodation. This price works out at a third of prices charged for cars with supplements for petrol and extra insurance. In Spain, in order to rent a scooter all you need is a current driving licence even if you have never driven a motorbike before, and often the staff don´t have time to check if you have the ability to drive it. The Guardía Civil are urging people to think seriously before hiring them if they don´t have experience. There have already been two serious accidents involving scooters this year with people being transferred to the Son Espases hospital in Palma. One couple who were seriously injured had just collected their scooter in the airport, their holiday over before they had begun.

MELONS WITH MENORCAN DNI The botanist Pere Fraga has given a talk in Ferreries about the history of melons in Menorca. There are three groups from dry land which he says is interesting as they don´t use resources and taste better than those that are irrigated. The first group are round, dark green and these do not last long. The second group ripen around October and November and last until Christmas, these can be round and white, or oval and yellow. The third ones are available all the year round and vary in colour and shape. Pere says the north coast, buffeted by the Tramontana wind is ideal for some melons, though these are not so tasty and are used to make jam and soups. He is sure the Menorcans created other uses in the past, but these have been forgotten. The melons were introduced during the Moorish period between 1100 and 1200 A.D. and came from the Andalusian culture. Many Menorcan varieties have disappeared as the commercial sector has promoted the piel de sapo “toad skin” and marina varieties. The Moors also introduced long ones shaped like marrows.

THE BLUE LADY STILL REIGNS

ARRESTS

The “blue lady” that many readers will be familiar with has been with us for 30 years. Marc Jesus, the artist, exhibits his creations in the Vidart Gallery in Ciutadella every year, and his new collection is called “Con...secuences” (Con... sequences). Over the years the lady has become a small icon for Menorca and Marc feels so close to his creation that he has a tattoo of her on his arm. He says he always looks for friendliness and positivity in his work and this year shows images of her that are more fragmented, but she is still a hedonist. The exhibition is on until 9th September.

A Lithuanian man, 25, was arrested when a ferry from Barcelona arrived at Ciutadella. A police officer on board who was checking identification documents and searching for drugs noticed the passenger was behaving suspiciously and found there was an international warrant for his arrest, for robbery with violence, fraud, belonging to criminal gang and falsifying documents. He is now in prison in Menorca awaiting extradition to his country.

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

EXPENSIVE WATER A passenger was scandalised by the price of a 75cl bottle of water at the airport, which cost 3.60 Euros. AENA, the airport authority, answered the complaint saying that they do not interfere with the prices of the companies with concessions. Presumably they have never heard of “the buck stops here”. (Bottles of water sold in the vending machines at the airport are cheaper or you can take an empty bottle with you and fill it at a drinking fountain).

EXOTIC DANCER COMMITTED FRAUD A woman with the initials V.J.S. in charge of the Cultural Association Baladi, which specialises in oriental dance in Menorca, has admitted in court in Palma that she presented 80.000 Euros worth of false bills in order to receive subsidies from the Balearic Institute of Studies (28.000 Euros) and the Consell Insular in Menorca (50.000 Euros). It has now emerged that in total she received 95.995 Euros between 2016 and 2020. She was supposed to organise a Belly Dancing festival which never took place. The new Councillor for Culture in the Consell, Joan Pons Torres (PP), has announced that the Consell will be employing a lawyer to accuse the previous Consell of “doing absolutely nothing” to defend the interests of the island institution and although the new Consell is now involved it is too late to present new evidence. Més per Menorca who were previously in charge later denied their lack of action. Other cultural associations had complained at the time, saying that the events she organised cost very little to produce and there was never an “international” aspect. SENDING A WHATSAPP CAN BE EXPENSIVE The route by ferry from Barcelona to Mahón is shared by two companies GNV and Trasmed. A Menorcan resident in Barcelona who frequently travels this way boarded the GNV service to Mahón on 25th July. He was surprised to receive a message from his provider - after sending two whatsapps and receiving an email – to the effect that he had activated roaming and had spent 60 Euros, while on board. His wife and children received the same message, despite the fact that one child had no battery power and his phone was switched off. An employee on board said that many people were complaining and suggested he took the matter up with his provider. Trasmed offer a free wifi service but GNV do not, and sometimes the ferries connect to satellites. It has been suggested that the safest way to avoid the charges is to activate the airplane mode or to deactivate data apps during the voyage. THE YEAR THERE WAS NO SUMMER Menorca has suffered from climate change in the past. In April 1815 Mount Tambora in Indonesia, then part of the Dutch East Indies, had the largest volcanic eruption ever recorded. Lower temperatures were noted in Menorca but the real effects were felt in 1816, known as the year with no summer. The merchant navy captain, Joan Roca y Vinent, kept records for 50 years between 1776 and his death in 1826. These diaries are now part of Mahón´s historic archive. He records that in February 1816 a fierce Tramontana wind delayed the arrival of British and Dutch Frigates into the Port of Mahón. He notes that the Tramontana was fiercer than many had ever seen it and later he reports that it started raining in June for days on end. 1817 also had strange weather with a heavy fall of snow, however by Easter there was drought and processions to pray for rain were organised from Alaior, Mercadal and Monte Toro. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

MENORCA, A FAVOURITE SPOT FOR EGYPTIAN VULTURES Menorca has a dense population of Egyptian Vultures (Neophron Percnopterus), and is second only to the Socotra Island in Yemen, so statistics published by the Biosphere Reserve and the Consell have confirmed. They are the smallest of the European Vultures. The study started in 1998 and is renewed every five years. Most are concentrated in Ferreries and Ciutadella and in 2018 52 pairs were registered, and there are also a few in Mallorca. Menorca is the only place in Europe where they are sedentary in the winter, in most other places they migrate to warmer climes. Genetic studies have revealed a Balearic sub-species that varies slightly from the continental as it has a larger beak. ROBBERY IN MAHÓN On 13th August, over 50.000 Euros worth of the latest I-phones and Samsung models were stolen in the early hours of the morning in a daring robbery in the Orange shop located on Ses Moreres street in Mahón. Thieves crashed an Audi A3 into the shop front and finished by smashing it with a cosh, then they loaded up boxes of phones. Much of the incident was captured on CCTV in the area and someone filmed the incident. The thieves made their escape driving at great speed through the Cos de Gracia street. The whole robbery took five minutes. It is thought that the thieves knew the shop well. Later, police discovered the car partially hidden by bushes in the fork in the road between Arenal d´en Castell and Addaia. FREE EDUCATION FOR TODDLERS The Govern Balear is preparing a new law whereby toddlers from 0 to 3 years will have free education for four hours a day from September until June. This programme existed in both state and subsidised schools last year but only for those aged 2 to 3 years old. The new law involves the ayuntamientos who will have to modify their rules. Now they are waiting to see if the Consell Insular will subsidise July as they have done this year.

BALEARIC SHEARWATER

MENORCA A PARADISE FOR SPERM WHALES A whale spotting campaign called Moby Mummy organised by the Tursiops organisation has been taking place this summer and has seen four pods of sperm whales in the north of Menorca; a total of 36, nine of them newly born, the largest group registered in the Balearics since 2003. Txema Brotons, Doctor in Biology leads the group and they have asked for the area to become a “Marine Protected Area” (AMP), to minimise accidents with boats (for more information see page 37)

A study organised by Birdlife International is demonstrating the danger of plastic rubbish to bird life. The Balearic Shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus) endemic to the islands is in danger of extinction. Plastics tend to accumulate in certain zones because of ocean currents. The birds tend to follow their prey and are influenced by the winds. The study concentrated on shearwaters and petrels as they are endangered and are distributed throughout the world’s seas. The study of over 7000 birds from 77 species has discovered that two of the most dangerous zones are the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Many of the Balearic Shearwaters ingest plastics regularly as they mistake them for their prey.

THIEF TRIED TO SELL STOLEN BIKE TO OWNER The National Police in Ciutadella were able to arrest a Spanish man, 33, who hours earlier had stolen an electric bicycle. The victim noticed the bike for sale on the internet. He arranged a meeting, but the police went instead; it transpired that the individual concerned was also wanted for other robberies. The owner was able to start the bike with his key and fortunately it was returned to him immediately. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

SEASONAL JEWELS OF THE

MEDITERRANEAN

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by Vanessa Jeny, Menorca Blue

One of the aspects I love most about living here is that prioritising pursuits of pleasure is a fundamental aspect of the local lifestyle. Even during the intense summer months, having the freedom to enjoy what matters most to you is not sacrificed entirely for work. September marks a seasonal shift on the island in many ways as the weather and schedules change, so too do the fruit, vegetables and fish that are ‘in season’ at this time of year. Both commercial and recreational fishing are controlled quite heavily in an attempt to respect and maintain the quality and population of the sealife that surrounds the island. It’s a delicate balance between protecting the ecosystem with sustainable fishing practices and supporting the livelihood of the locals who fish for a living and have to deal with the inconsistency of the occupation and weather conditions. Keeping a balance between these two factors is not always easy. However, as Menorca is a biosphere reserve, it’s important above all to support the rich and unique underwater world of the Balearic Sea, one that gives us both the shades of Menorca blue that we love and the exquisite seafood dishes that form a part of the island’s cuisine. The practice of ‘Catch & Release’ fishing is also increasingly popular amongst the locals who enjoy recreational fishing with friends to catch the larger breeds but then return the fish live back to the sea. The annual cyclical nature of seasonal fishing means that different fish and shellfish are allowed to be caught at different times of the year. There are also size specifications to ensure that species reach maturity and breed during their time to do so. Two of the most in-demand jewels of the Mediterranean treasure chest are Lobster, as the soup ‘Caldereta de Langosta’ is the signature dish of the island, and Pearly Razorfish, known locally as Raó. The 31st of August signals the end of Lobster season, and the 1st of September signals the start of the fishing season for ‘Raó’. Fishing ‘Raó’ is a highlight of the year due to the very limited season when you are permitted to catch them, and also the challenge of mastering the technique. Like many of the different species you also need to go offshore and know where to find them. These small, bright pink, flat fish are found in the Mediterranean Sea and in parts of the Atlantic Ocean. The vast majority are pink which is the female, the males are larger and have a light blue colour. Raó are a hermaphroditic species; all fish are born female and change to male in adult life when they reach a length of 17cm. The blue-toned males have a maximum length of 30cm and can live up to 7 -8 years if they are lucky not to be caught by a skilled local fisherman! These Pearly Razorfish live not too far offshore, in a sandy seabed free of rocks and plants with a maximum depth of 40m. This is because when threatened they dive into the sand to protect themselves. As attractive as they are, they are aggressive fish with a fine set of vampire-style fangs who wrestle and put up quite a fight. A mighty little fish with a strength that resembles one much larger, which is why it’s a fisher’s conquest. Due to the scarcity of Raó and the limited fishing season, the price of the fish can vary greatly depending on its availability and can be priced up to €100/kg. Easy to clean, cook and eat as they don’t need descaling, Raó are best enjoyed on their own lightly fried in sunflower oil. There are many other species found around the island and a variety of traditional and modern local dishes to discover and enjoy. As a lover of both ‘Marisc’ i Mar’ (Seafood and the sea), like the locals I am as passionate about protecting sea life as I am about occasionally snorkelling and savouring a fresh catch of the day for lunch. TIPS FOR FINDING AND EATING LOCAL FISH & FISHING IN MENORCA • The two main fish markets in Menorca are in the centre of the historic centres of Mahon and Ciutadella. They are open only in the mornings, usually until around 1.30pm and the earlier you get there the more choice there is of fish and sellers from the different local boats that go out each day. Buying fish at these markets, and the surrounding speciality shops and cafes support local businesses which is vital for island life. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS • As a second option, some local fish and shellfish can be bought at supermarkets and are usually marked with either the location where it was caught or the purple, yellow & red Balearic Flag so you know it’s local. The general standard across the whole island is excellent. • Local fishing businesses also supply restaurants. Again, the general standard across the island is excellent and there are fantastic restaurants specialising in local dishes in each town. Check online reviews based on your location; one of our family favourites is Mr Jaume in Cala Bosch Marina for fish and seafood platters and tapas.

SEPTEMBER 2023

FESTIVAL LAZARETO 2023

• Anyone over 14 needs a permit for recreational fishing which can be obtained from CIME, el Consell Insular de Menorca. Fishing is only permitted on the rocks of the coastline or offshore. • There are two large coastal areas that are restricted Marine Reserves. Within these reserves, fishing is restricted or prohibited, yet they make for fantastic snorkelling spots as the fish are much larger and varied, and the Posidonia seagrass and other plant life are thriving. The northern reserve starts in the west just after Algaiarens/ La Vall and continues East encompassing the coast and including the bay of Fornells. The South Eastern reserve spans from the southern tip of the Port of Mahón, encompasses the Isla d’Aire and ends in the west towards Binibèquer. • For serious enthusiasts, fishing excursions are available from all three Ports on the island in Ciutadella, Fornells and Mahón with local fishermen. Like boat hire they are subject to weather and fishing conditions of the season. Searching online for ‘Excursions de Pesca’ o ‘Pesca Turismo’ will bring up some location-based results with information and contact details. September is the perfect time to go out on a local sea-faring adventure. The water is still warm for snorkelling if fishing isn’t your thing… remember you can also find the best catch back at a restaurant table waiting for you. ‘Sort i bona ventura!’, means good luck and enjoy the adventure!

Festival Lazareto

The Lazareto Music & Gastro Festival 2023 was attended by 19,000 people over the twelve nights of concerts. This year it took place in the Castell de Sant Felip, near to Es Castell. We watched from our garden as a giant seating stand was erected at the mouth of Mahon Harbour and tables were laid out in food areas, arranged amongst the old buildings of the Fort with views out to sea. There was also the option to book a meal prepared by a 4* Michelin Chef hidden from view, in the inner courtyard. Tables could be booked at 7:30pm before the concert or 3am after the show. Only in Spain! The artists were Anastacia, Taburete, Gipsy Kings, Ainhoa Arteta, Village People, Earth Wind & Fire, Boney M, Sara Baras, Rigoletto, The Christians and Tony Hadley. Some of these are not so well known in Spain, attracting smaller audiences, but they were enjoyed by their loyal groups of fans and we hope they made plenty of new ones. The final concert of the Lazareto Festival was a double performance by Chambao and Antonio Orozco, with a full capacity. We went along to the Gipsy Kings, which was one of the sell-out nights. On arrival we were blown away by the performance of Gigi Macfarlane who was the early act on the stage in the street food area. Gigi grew up in Menorca and is now based in Barcelona. She has the most amazing voice, and she also enthralled the crowd with her energy, stepping onto her stool in heels higher than those worn by Princess Catherine and defying gravity with backward bends which would look at home as part of an Olympic gymnastic floor routine. Have a look at her Facebook page and make sure you go along next time she performs in Menorca. At 10pm we moved into the main area and were soon caught up in the dancing crowd as the Gipsy Kings went through a set of their most loved songs such as ‘Bambaleo’ which we remember playing in the UK when it was a hit back in 1988!. Since then they have sold nearly 20 million records. I must mention (for Ismael) that despite the flamenco image the Gipsy Kings were actually French but with a Catalan heritage and that ‘Bambaleo’ is a reworking of a Venezuelan cowboy song. Back to the concert, we were seated in the VIP floor area (thanks to Lucy) and were able to make the most of the extra space for dancing as well as being served with buckets full of iced drinks without having to leave our seats. The Festival is set to return next year in an expanded format. Miriam Mateu the founder said “Our objective is to continue working for cultural promotion and to preserve the historical legacy of this island. We will return in 2024 with even more daring proposals, always seeking the quality and exclusivity that represents us..” The promoters are considering dates from July 26 to August 11, and they are in talks with representatives of Menorcan Institutions to explore all the options for holding other types of more intimate events.

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

THE

SEPTEMBER 2023

BIG

INTERVIEW WITH

BENEDICTA LINARES PEARCE

Benedicta was born and grew up in Trebaluger, Menorca, with an English mother, Ashlee Pearce, and a Menorcan father, Gaspar Linares. While at University in Barcelona she went to Holland on an Erasmus exchange programme where she met her French husband, Benoît Pellegrini. They finished their studies together in Bordeaux before moving to start work in Paris. Benedicta worked as a Commercial Manager in fashion and Benoît in International banking. At the time of the financial crisis in 2008, Benoît took the opportunity to set up his own investment fund and the couple moved to London where they still live today. In 2017 they took the decision to make a long-term investment in Menorca and bought two fincas with tourist licences. Working together they have transformed the properties into luxury country hotels, Es Bec d’Aguila near Es Migjorn Gran, and Son Blanc Farmhouse close to Torre Soli Nou. We met up with Benedicta at Son Blanc Farmhouse, where they have created the most exquisite country property in a magical setting. Set high on a hill, the property overlooks two barrancs (ravines) and their own oak forests which create the middle ground to spectacular views of the sea.

Benedicta Linares Pearce

Tell me why you chose these two rural properties in particular Benoît is from a small village in France and we both reached an age where we had a yearning to return to the countryside and spend time there with our family. Eight years ago, there were many properties falling to pieces on Menorca, with not much interest from buyers. We were attracted to the two properties for very different reasons. Es Bec d’Aguila is an 1890’s merchant house with noble features and tiled floors. We put in plans and had a great time doing up the property. It has 11 double bedrooms with ensuites, and we rent it out as a complete house, but we can also enjoy time there with our families and friends. Son Blanc Farmhouse was a much bigger undertaking. We chose it because of the position and outlook but there was little left of the house with only cows and goats roaming the land. You have rebuilt Son Blanc to have the least possible environmental impact Yes, with Son Blanc Farmhouse we wanted to be more Eco Conscious and to build a sustainable hotel with the smallest possible carbon footprint. We have children of 14, 11 and 8 and we wanted to ‘do it right’ for their future. The building was restored according to bioclimatic architecture. We used Atelier du Pont Studio architects from Paris, Nando Pons from ARU Arquitectura in Mahon, and Spanish and French engineers but we were ultimately responsible for the project management ourselves. The original house was virtually in ruins and we were able to preserve the original structure and enhance the existing arches and vaults. The walls were rebuilt using marés stone with cork inside for insulation. The organic and newly built staircase forms a link with the contemporary bedrooms. We did not want any air conditioning machines in the Farmhouse and we found a company with a ‘copyright’ passive/active energy system which uses heating/cooling ceiling panels. We have 9 geothermic wells within the grounds and they regulate the temperature in the rooms using a combination of underfloor heating and a centralised inertia system. We employed the only specialised engineer on the island to design the grey and black water filtering system and the rain harvesting system. Rainwater is collected from the roof and the runoff from the terraces is channelled into underground collection tanks through gaps in the stone slabs. We have a zero waste and zero plastic policy; no single use packaging or tableware and our food is sourced from our own grounds whenever possible. We also employ a state-of-the art composting system called GRETA. All our waste food is fed into the machine and a live culture transforms it into compost in 24 hours and this is returned to enrich the land. Our aim is to be carbon neutral by 2030.

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

From where did you find the inspiration for your hotels? My mother ran a villa rental company in Menorca with Ann Branton. They had some great villas but furnished with the most basic furniture and ‘buzzy’ fridges. At Es Bec d’Aguila I thought it would be wonderful to create a property where visitors could appreciate the charm of the island and fall in love with it for what it is. The French have a lot of good taste and we wanted to meet the highest of expectations in terms of comfort and wellbeing. At Son Blanc, our travels, values and passions inspired us. Decoration and design are our hobbies. At Es Bec d’Aguila, Benoît and I sourced everything ourselves. At Son Blanc, the studio Atelier du Pont did the large part of designing and sourcing furniture and the bespoke pieces. We commissioned artists in Menorca, Catalunya and France. For example, Isaac Femenias from Mahon handmade our ceramics and the wall hangings are made from macramé by Mariona Canadas and Pedro Murua. My brother followed my father into the carpentry business. He wasn’t too keen to start with, but he then discovered a more artistic side to his work at Carpintería Gavila and excelled. He has created many of the beautiful bespoke tables and chairs throughout the house and made doors from wood sourced by Benoît from the old buildings. He also worked to install the beautiful beams in the ceiling of the restaurant which is located in the Farmhouse’s former boyera (cowshed). You opened in April this year. Looking back has it been a difficult project? We bought the property with an Agrotourism licence, but it was very hard to meet all the requirements. It took much longer than expected to get our ideas through the planning process. There were many aspects to consider: renovating the houses abandoned years ago, recovering the non-existent agricultural activity and looking for ways to reduce as much as possible the ecological footprint of the tourist activity. For example, we wanted to move the swimming pool to a more discreet location. On the plans it was situated directly in front of the Farmhouse, but we wanted to move it to a lower level to maintain an unspoilt view of the countryside. It took 3 years to get permission and before we could start the construction. It took 7 years of hard work with us moving on site to push for the finish. However, it is now very rewarding to see guests enjoying the result. We have 14 guest rooms spread across the main house and some of the outbuildings. We are operating as a hotel in the summer months of July and August but only rent the house as a whole during the other months of the year. We have a wonderful team led by Laura and Alejo from Quitapenas. We have 3 hosts who welcome the clients and 4 chefs working in the restaurant in the evenings, plus Gustavo who is based at the pool bar where he is an expert on the charcoal grill.

We have been particularly busy in the restaurant where we are delighted to welcome non-residents as well as our hotel guests. Our concept is a farmhouse table with a season-inspired set meal. For us, the products from our farm are the main event. Our menu is devised from the olive and almond trees, the chickens and sheep and the garden of medicinal, aromatic and fruit plants, which are cultivated in permaculture. Our neighbour can provide us with Wagyu beef when required but for environmental reasons it is important for us to limit the amount of meat on the menu. We can hold events for up to 90 guests provided all the food is prepared on site. You offer Yoga Experiences and other Activities Yes, we want to foster the connection with nature and give local people the opportunity to experience the holistic healing properties of Son Blanc. We are worried that the younger generation are not experiencing these connections. We have a varied programme of daily Yoga classes taking place in the indoor studio or on the outdoor yoga platform, surrounded by our orchards and woods. These are complimentary for guests and nonresidents are also welcome to join at a cost of 20€. The experience of Forest Bathing is a mindful walk through our grounds with Emily, opening all your senses to the surrounding nature. The more energetic can run wild with Tom on a Cross Country Fitness course combining fast hiking, running and exercises to leave them feeling empowered and dynamic. We also offer watercolour and pottery workshops in the early evenings. On weekends in September and October you can combine a morning yoga class with a nutritious lunch in our restaurant. If you would like to visit Son Blanc Farmhouse for an experience or one of the special dining events there is a programme published each week on the website https://sonblancmenorca.com/experiences-events/ contact@sonblancmenorca.com (+34) 624 171 408

You have featured in many prestigious publications. Have you been pleased with your first season so far? Yes, we have been delighted with the articles in the Sunday Times, Le Monde, and magazines such as Condé Nast Traveller and Spanish Vogue. We lovingly created a website and social media pages but you are never sure if your potential customers will find these. Of course, in Menorca, word of mouth can count for a great deal.

Images Courtesy Son Blanc Farmhouse Menorca, Maria Missaglia, Karel Balas

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

PROPE RT Y

NEWS NEW DEVELOPMENT IN THE BAY OF FORNELLS Bonnin Sanso is advertising Fornells Bay, a unique new development in the town on the north coast. The first phase of the project incorporates terraced houses in two blocks with communal areas, each with their own roof-top pool with a panoramic view over the bay and out to sea. They describe them as picturesque white buildings carefully designed to blend with the surroundings, using traditional features and materials including olive wood gates, natural stone and native vegetation. The houses are distributed over four levels. A basement garage with utility area, the day area is on the ground floor with kitchen, living room and terrace. The first floor houses the master suite, two double bedrooms and two bathrooms and the upper floor is a leisure area with solarium of between 280m² and 300m² . There are some units with a study and a fourth bathroom, some with lift access. Prices start at €683,000 A second development is due to start during the first quarter of 2024. This project incorporates 67 apartments with varying sizes and layouts. Communal areas with swimming pools, as well as some properties with their own roof top plunge pools with a panoramic view of Fornells bay and out to sea. The apartments range between 73m² and 170m² metres, two bedrooms with a terrace, three bedrooms over two floors and two storey penthouses with roof top solarium and private pool. Attractive, private communal areas including swimming pools for adults and children, garden with indigenous vegetation, gym, parking spaces and storage room (optional, +25.000 euros). Prices start at €255,000.

was paralysed and was waiting the final approval of Costas. The Borras brothers started the restaurant in 1954 and it became the place to go for family celebrations and special meals, being mentioned more than once in our series of articles on the 70’s. When the brothers retired it closed its doors in 1997 and has been empty ever since. Now the property is up for sale for €2.700,000 with Home Menorca with permission to build a hotel or apartment style housing. They say that the emblematic building has a great façade and is shallow in depth allowing all the rooms and apartments to have a sea view. There is also the possibility of installing a floating pontoon for the exclusive and private use of the owners of the same building. The plot is 632,08 m2, with a current surface built of 1335,37 m2.

MESÓN DEL PUERTO CONVERTED TO A LUXURY HOME Another well known restaurant in the Port of Mahon, the Meson del Puerto, is being converted into a private home. The restaurant was well known for Basque cuisine, wines and tapas but has been closed for many years. Now it is for sale through Bonnin Sanso who describe it as a incredible project converting a splendid building that dates back to the early 20th century into an elegant home. The building work is due for completion and handover during the second quarter of 2024.

STATELY HOME IN SANT LLUIS If you are looking for something with a history away from the port, Casasenmenorca are advertising an impressive manor house from 1907 located in the town of Sant LLuis with romantic-style gardens. The unique property is full of original features and has been well preserved, with authentic stucco walls, precious hydraulic tiled floors, and a majestic historical façade. With 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms it is situated on a plot of about 1,000 m2, just a few steps from the centre of the town of Sant Lluis. The price is €1.700,000.

The project includes a large house with 5 bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms, as well as large terraces, a patio and a pool. Three of the bedrooms will have views of the port and two of the interior patio. There will also be a garage for 4 cars, a library and living room, an American kitchen and separate dining room. An aerothermal system will be implemented for underfloor heating on the ground floor and radiators on the rest of the floors. The price is €2.500,000

ROCAMAR FOR SALE AS A HOTEL OR APARTMENT-STYLE HOUSING In February it was reported that any investment in the building of the old Rocamar restaurant, in the Fonduco area of the port of Maó and Es Castell, ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

ISLA DEL REY THE SUMMER MONTHS

Since the last article in June’s edition of Roqueta, we have moved into the summer timetable and numbers of visitors. We must be getting famous in the paparazzi world - the fashion designer Agatha Ruiz de la Prada as well as the television presenter Norma Duval have been among the more illustrious visitors recently and from the medical profession there have been more and more international doctors and nurses who have heard of the huge amount of old medical equipment we have amassed on display. You may think it strange that I’ve included a photograph of the toilets, but we do actually have some unusually attractive toilets beside the Anglican Church which I couldn’t resist photographing. Just another example of the abilities of our multi-talented volunteer team, in this case Susi and Robin are responsible!. These spectacular toilets by the way are suitable for handicapped people and have been installed thanks to our wonderful sponsors George and Kirsty Anson, who also made possible many years ago the restoration of the Anglican Chapel. Another outstanding skill comes from Mari Paz who has over the years created the most beautiful stained-glass windows which embellish the Anglican Chapel, the Church Hall, the Catholic Chapel and even the small but charming Nun’s Chapel on the first floor. These have been made for us with loving care and even include her personal signature which is a tiny turtle partly hidden in the design. Don’t forget to look carefully next time you visit!

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

17 11

SEPTEMBER 2023

THE RED ARROWS Some Background Information Before The Show By Beverley Ward

Recently there has been an especially popular cleaning up job - on the beach by the nun’s jetty where several volunteers have been moving back the stones that have been washed away from the defence walls. The big ferries or cruise ships pass by several times a day in the summer and create waves that directly hit the little beach and the stone walls built to protect it. When the volunteers arrive on a Sunday morning, they often don’t know where they will be most needed, and in this heat it’s a great place to be on Sunday morning. The collection of Camomile and the preparing of it, has also been consuming a lot of volunteer time, but thanks to this we have bags of delicious and healthy camomile for sale in our shop. Don’t forget to pop in there on your next visit, there are plenty of interesting things for sale and all for the benefit of the ongoing work for the Foundation. Due to a rather large debt having accumulated in particular to our very supportive builder Conrado, we have been on a special campaign to raise funds to pay him back with an initial target of 100,000 euros. In three months we have managed to raise a little over 94,000 euros which is hugely encouraging, but we still need to wait before embarking on more projects. If anyone or company or organization would like to collaborate with us, please get in contact (tel. 639631250) and we will be most grateful for any help. The model of volunteers working to restore historical buildings and raising funds to pay for material and professional work has begun to capture the imagination of other entities around Spain who also find themselves stuck with some immense historical building but without funds or knowing quite what to do with it. The General, Luis Alejandre is receiving requests regularly to hold conferences all over Spain to explain how to assemble and keep a group of volunteers motivated and working over many years, in our case here in Menorca a very international and intercultural team as well! Being a volunteer is certainly an activity which develops a sense of purpose as well as the pleasure of social interaction with everyone united in a common purpose. Perhaps the greatest reward comes from the satisfaction of seeing the island evolving as an important centre of culture and of history for our children and future generations to maintain and enjoy.

As the time draws near for the Red Arrows display on 26th September, the expectation begins to grow, and the planning and organisation becomes more intense. They cannot avoid creating huge excitement wherever they go and this will be one of the best “free” aerobatic shows you will ever see. But many are curious to know more about the world-famous Red Arrows, who are they? how does the team work? Since their first display in 1965, there have been over 4,900 shows in the United Kingdom and overseas, where the Red Arrows team are outstanding national ambassadors for their country. This season, of 2023, they will carry out 60 displays to delight people of all ages and backgrounds, some of whom will be inspired to become pilots or take up engineering or other support roles for aircraft in the Royal Air Force. Until late 2022 they were based at RAF Scampton, but their new base is now RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire where much of the winter training has taken place combined with overseas training in the more stable weather conditions of Croatia and Greece, where they have been flying up to three times a day. Following a final assessment by the RAF Commanding Officer nº1 group, Air Vice-Marshall Mark Flewin CBE, the training period came to an end and the pilots changed into their famous red flying suits and the support team into their blue suits “The Reds” and “The Blues”. During the display it will be Red 1 in the lead of 8 Hawk aircraft, piloted by Sqn Ldr Tom Bould who is a former Typhoon pilot and is responsible for the training programme and choreography. Following him are the other 7 pilots who each have been specially selected for what is normally a three-year duty with the display team. Each have at least 1500 flying hours, have completed a frontline operational tour and show above average skills in flying roles. There is also Red 10, Sqn Ldr Graeme Muscat, who will fly down the spare jet, he is the safety supervisor and is the commentator at shows where loudspeakers are available. Last, but not least, is the Commanding Officer of The Reds, Wg Cdr Adam Collins, also a former Tornado Pilot. He has Charge and overall responsibility, the only member of the team who was here last time in 2018. Included in “The Blues”, who can number more than 110 personnel, are the engineers, publicity team, managers etc., all dedicated professionals who take great pride in their work and are enjoying some of the most sought-after jobs in the RAF. The “Circus” is made up of 9 technicians plus a photographer. They are the really lucky ones who get to travel in the passenger seat of the jets when displaying away from home and each is allotted a specific plane to service before and after every display. The logistics team has spare parts ready to send anywhere in the world and they are responsible for a fleet of 18 vehicles as well as loading on planes when necessary. Three photographers are also in the general team who have to record by video every single manoeuvre both in training and during displays, on this occasion just one will travel with Red 10. The vapour trails, which form such a visual impact for those of us on the ground and make more evident the heart, the rollbacks and the carousels, also have to be checked and refilled with the appropriate mixture of 75% diesel and 25% dye to be sent through the hot exhaust pipes at the appropriate moment. This is also an aid for Red 1 to judge wind speed and direction and for the pilots to locate each other more easily at distance. As I write, the precise timetable has yet to be confirmed but it is expected to take place around lunchtime. They will arrive the same morning and after a short rest and briefing, they will prepare for the display. The following day will be a rest day and then off they go again to continue their tour. On 26th September I have no doubt that all of us will be thrilled to see the incredible Red Arrows here again and our hearts will swell with pride for the RAF and what they represent for Great Britain. Our deepest thanks to the sponsors who have made this possible and to all those who are working hard to make it a memorable day.

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

MENORCA

Graham Capel–The Nelson Society 2023

THE NELSON TRAIL Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson only visited the island of Minorca, as it was then known, once. He arrived in HMS Foudroyant, a 50 gun two deck Ship of the Line, as battleships were known then, on Sunday 13th October 1799. He had come from Palermo, Sicily where Sir William Hamilton was the British Diplomat with his wife, the beautiful Emma Hamilton. Nelson had been sent to Minorca to ask General James St Claire Erskine, who was in charge of some 18,000 British soldiers garrisoned on Minorca, for troops to relieve Malta which had been captured by Napoleon Boneparte on his way to conquer Egypt in 1798, and was still occupied by the French. HMS Foudroyant would have been sighted approaching along the North coast of Minorca from the Naval Watch Tower on top of Monte Toro (not Toro as the Spanish Bull, but Al Tor from Arabic centuries before, when the island was under Moorish control). The Signal Telegraph would have signalled the British Naval Base on the hill behind the Isla Pinto in Mahon Harbour. HMS Foudroyant would have arrived at the harbour entrance, and if the wind was unfavourable, she would have been towed or warped - pulled by ropes from the ship to old cannon buried into the harbour shoreline or cut-out warping rocks in the harbour edge. There are still plenty along the side of the Isla Plana in the harbour which you can see from the harbour tour boats, and also carved-out roping points in front of the Rey Carlos Hotel on the point at Cala Corb. HMS Foudroyant would have anchored off Fonduco, or Collingwood House, now The Hotel Almirante, on the headland beyond Cala Figuera - well worth another visit for Admiral Collingwood memorabilia. He was Nelson’s No 2 at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and took over command of the British Mediterranean Fleet after Nelson was killed at Trafalgar.

Warping Rock

British military in Minorca

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

ISLAND NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

On the hills opposite is San Antoni, the magnificent house on the North side of the harbour. This was, and still is, known as ‘Golden Farm’ for its once golden wheat fields stretching down to the harbour edge. For centuries visiting ships used this as a marker point to drop anchor just in front of the Isla del Rey with its 1711 built British Naval Hospital – also worth a visit.

Nelson coming ashore at Cala Corb from HMS Foudroyant October 1799

On Monday 14th October Nelson went ashore to meet General Erskine in his headquarters in Georgetown (Es Castell). This was in the present Es Castell Town Hall on the North side of the impressive British built Parade Ground Square and army barracks. The town was founded by the British in 1771 during their 2nd occupation of the island from 1763 – 1782. It was designed by Scottish Engineer, Col Patrick McKeller. Then the town was known as Georgetown, after our King at the time, and when taken back by the Spanish, it was called Villacarlos, after their king at the time! Nelson would have been rowed ashore from Foudroyant. He probably landed in Cala Corb - the cove of bodies as they washed up there! He would then have marched up to the Parade Ground Square with an escort from the boat crew all fully armed with Pikes and Muskets Alternatively, he may have been rowed up the harbour to the Military Landing Stage where the Hotel Hamilton now stands. Lady Hamilton never visited Minorca despite rumours which you may hear! His meeting with General Erskine would have been cordial and respectful, but it was inconclusive. The General would not make a decision. He invited Nelson back on Wednesday 16th after he had held discussions with other senior officers. Isla pinto from the cliff top walk

On Tuesday 15th October Admiral Nelson stayed on board Foudroyant writing his memoirs for John M’arthur for The Naval Chronicle. These were published and copies are available in historic documents and are dated MAHON October 15 1799. (The Library on the Isla del Rey have a copy). In the Museo Militar on the opposite side of the Parade Ground Square, with a huge bronze cannon outside, in one of the rooms there is a model made by Menorca historian Jim Maps of Nelson writing his memoirs. There are displays of many military artifacts and pictures including a Nelson letter. It is well worth a visit. On Wednesday 16th October Nelson returned to the Military Headquarters at Georgetown (Es Castell) for a further meeting with General Erskine. This was also inconclusive. The General would not make a decision as he was awaiting the arrival of Governor Fox who was on his way from England. Nelson returned to HMS Foudroyant. On Thursday 17th October it is recorded that Nelson visited the British Naval Base on Isla Pinto opposite the walled city of Mahon and above Port Mahon. He would have been rowed down Port Mahon Harbour from Foudroyant, past all the warehouses where the harbour front bars and restaurant now stand, to the Isla Pinto. There he met lieutenant Philip Lamb the British resident Naval agent. There is a good view of the Isla Pinto from the cliff top harbour walk. Note the octagonal design of the island to accommodate ships alongside, and the cannon pointing towards the town!

Town Hall / Military headquarters Golden Farm and Isla del Rey

On Friday 18th October, HMS Foudroyant sailed to return to Palermo. HMS Foudroyant would have turned North (left) as she left Port Mahon Harbour passing the demolished remains of Fort Saint Felipe on the right, but bare cliffs on the left where La Mola now stands. This was not built until the late 1880s Foudroyant would have followed the North coast past Es Grau and the Isla Colom where French prisoners were interred later, and back to Sicily and Lady Hamilton, where he arrived on 22nd October 1799. Menorca was British 3 times in its history. 1708 – 1756, 1763 – 1782, 1798-1802 mostly in the Georgian period of British history. Look for all the Bow and Bay windows around Mahon. Enjoy Menorca.

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

FOOD & DRINK

SEPTEMBER 2023

EATING

OUT

By Lorraine Ure and the team

PRICE GUIDE: € up to €20 €€ €20-€30 €€€ €30-€40 €€€€ €40-€50 €€€€€ Sky’s the limit!

Tapas and small portions start at €5.90 for fresh sardines, which were highly praised. A large portion of grilled prawns (always expensive in summer) could set you back €19.90, but you will not be disappointed. A good selection of starters and salads to follow perhaps... ideal for sharing. Hamburgers are available of course plus other grilled meat. The fish on offer include two types of ceviche, a tartar of salmon and avocado, grilled sea bass and cod with a purée of young garlic, all at under €20.00. Paella is always a great choice for a beach lunch, and there are five on offer, plus a selection of ¨Gourmet sandwiches¨ and pizzas. There is a separate children’s menu with six dishes all at €7.00 It really ticks all the boxes for a great holiday beach day for the family.

PUNTA PRIMA

ES CASTELL

RESTAURANT AIRE Carrer Major 22, Punta Prima Tel. 971 200467. €€ By Lorraine

EL POMODORO ROJO Carrer Sant Josep 7, Es Castell. Tel. 971 351853. € By Lorraine

The ultimate beach bar, offering something for everyone, from delicious cocktails, fresh fruit juices, milkshakes, eleven ways with coffee, through a comprehensive wine list, and a choice of dishes to suit every pocket and palate! Better still, it is right opposite the huge free car park, and opens out directly onto the excellent safe and sandy beach of Punta Prima, at the quieter end, away from the umbrellas and loungers. What’s more, it opens at 09:00 and closes at 23:00 every single day of the week during the season. The decor is ¨cool New England vibe”, with extensive seating inside and out. The staff work really hard to offer a warm welcome and smart service to all comers. This is a perfect choice for large family groups of mixed ages and tastes.

RESTAURANT ANA LUISA Carrer Moll d’en Pons (directly below the Hamilton Hotel) Es Castell. Tel 649 083675. €€€ By Lorraine

This is something you won’t find on the NHS! A hospital car park which transforms itself into a restaurant after dark! There was I having a consultation in the morning and munching on Pizza and glugging wine in the evening! Only in Menorca! Well, I think the NHS could reduce some of its debt by adopting this policy, rather than charging their own staff lots of money for the privilege of parking at their place of work. OK, rant over! Pomodoro Rojo (Red tomato) opens at 7.30pm. It has a few seats indoors, but most people choose the Health Centre seating! Pizza is the name of the game here, although other Italian dishes are also available. The menu offers about 30 different pizza choices, plus you can customise your own. They say that all their pasta is homemade and the pizza dough is allowed to mature for 24 hours before cooking. The service is charming, which make such a difference to the overall dining experience. It is good value for money, and they do a steady take away business too. Pizzas vary in price between €11.30 and €14.00. It’s handy for the two excellent ice cream parlours to round off your meal, if you can resist the homemade desserts on offer in the restaurant. House wine is €3.00 per glass or €13.50 per bottle. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

Caroline, together with her partner, Paco, runs this very popular restaurant right on the water’s edge. Caroline epitomises all you would expect (but don’t always find) from a “Front of House” person. Prompt welcome, with a warm smile, menus at the ready and your drinks on order seconds after arrival. She never forgets a face! No wonder they have been ‘chartered’ several times by visiting yacht race crews! They claim to serve “the best paella on the port”. Well, I wouldn’t dispute that! I am very picky as to where I order this ubiquitous dish, as it can often disappoint. They specialise in top quality fresh fish, and in addition to their regular menu, they have a daily handwritten list of “Specials”. For a change, and as it was a Sunday, we chose a delicious baby shoulder of lamb to share. We preceded this with fresh sardines and garlic prawns, both of excellent quality. With a bottle of house Rosado the total bill came to €68. Excellent value for money! It’s a small restaurant with an equally “cosy” kitchen, so I was amazed to be shown their “Licores” menu. A massive selection of every known brand! Not just liqueurs but Brandies (13 varieties), more than 50 Gins, four full double pages of Whiskies, more than 150 Rums …..the list goes on… Most are priced around the €7 mark for a “Spanish-sized” measure. But they have some very rare old brands too. How about a 30-year-old Glenfarclas Highland Single Malt at €1,500 a bottle!

FOOD & DRINK

SEPTEMBER 2023

SANT CLIMENT

ALAIOR

CA’N BERNAT Carretera Maó - Cala en Porter km 8, 07730. Tel: 971 37 72 94 €€€ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay

HOTEL AMAGATAY Finca Torralba Gran, Carretera Alaior a Calan Porter s/n, 07730 Alaior, Tel: 871027157 €€€€€ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay

Priced as you would expect from a new boutique hotel restaurant with a Chef with an already established restaurant in Madrid, but not ridiculous. We were pleasantly surprised with the bill - €220 for 4 people including a nice bottle of Chablis! It doesn’t quite have the vibe yet of Hotel Experimental or the poise of Torralbenc but I think it was rather lovely and I would venture back, especially for those mussels! I wish I’d walked around and checked out the hotel a little more, but the combination of the heat, wine and over consumption saw us seeking an air-conditioned car and the pool. Next time and at night! HOTEL EXPERIMENTAL Camí de Llucalari, 07730, Tel 971 31 44 14 €€€€€ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay

If you crave good simple flame-grilled food, cooked to perfection, and a big old portion at that, I strongly recommend Ca’n Bernat just outside Sant Climent on your way to Cala en Porter. Whispered to us by some native British, this place has become one of our favourite ‘go to’ places when we need to press pause on all the Spanish food. It doesn’t just do grilled meat and fish, of course paella and mussels and croquettes are all on the menu, and delicious they are too, but Ca’n Bernat is famous for its large open oven charcoal grill, that’s constantly on the go. The restaurant is family run with all its members on hand; if not tending the vegetable garden and showing you the succulent tomatoes they’ve just picked for your salad, they are serving you or running around giggling. It has a countryside view and it literally feels like you’re sitting on the family’s terrace, which of course you are. It is unpretentious, yet professionally run and super friendly. All the food feels and tastes homegrown or homemade, which I think it mostly is. Our Icelandic family visited and one member actually took on the 900g ribeye and came back the next week for more. It’s a hidden treasure, just off a main road, but don’t be fooled, you’ll leave feeling totally satisfied and smug that you’ve found a gem of a place. All the meat dishes come with vegetables and potatoes, which of course you can swap for chips or salad. A range of sauces to accompany your meal are difficult to choose from, so we do often go with more than one sauce per dish. We’ve only ever eaten the meat dishes, but as avid and quite judgmental barbecuers ourselves (we do barbecue all year, whatever the weather) we can honestly say, this place does grilled meat well. Our youngest daughter, who drools at the thought of going to Ca’n Bernat, always has the lamb, and this simply slips off the bone. Their meaty burgers are amazing too. It’s not going to win any awards, but the menu is well priced, and we always return. The decor makes you feel at home rather than taking your breath away and you really are served with a smile. So, if you fancy steak or burger and chips, this is one of the best places, that sits confidently side-by-side with El Grill (by the airport) and the beautiful Es Forn de Torre Soli Nou (tucked up the hill near Son Bou).

I’ve been dying to try out the cuisine at Hotel Amagatay ever since I drove past its iron gates back in April. Perfectly sited next to Ciutat Talaiòtica de Torralba, this quaint rustic hotel is super inviting. We were greeted by a charming young Spanish man, who told us all about living in Eastbourne in the South of England and being a champion rugby player - this was a good start to what became a very pleasant luncheon. Obviously brand spanking new with the dust only just settling, the Hotel Amagatay is utterly in keeping with the elegant boutique hotels popping up all over the island. We were warmly welcomed into the fan-cooled restaurant overlooking the pretty gardens and told all about Chef Juanjo López’s vision of serving local cuisine, individually and without any more ‘fireworks’ than Menorca offers. We were intrigued. At first glance the dishes do indeed seem simple, yet as you work down the menu, which is more extensive then we had hoped, the combinations feel developed and flavoursome. We ordered anchovies and bread with tomato, which is always a good staple dish to test the quality of the establishment. It passed with flying colours, the right balance of tomato and crunch and quantity of anchovies. Next, natural clams were unusually de-shelled and uniformly lined up but super clean and tasty. Cured seafood with Marcona almonds was fatty, with dry and salty, perfectly cured tuna. The homemade chicken croquettes were delicious, although my daughter would have preferred a touch more chicken and the fried shrimp was just that, cooked whole, crispy and salty - I loved them. The dish that stole the show was the most delicious Menorcan mussels served with a sweet vermouth sauce, that I would travel miles for alone! We all fought for the sauce-soaked bread we used to mop up! Our last main was rice with squid and sobrasada sausage with a perfect socarrat thin and crispy bottom. If all that wasn’t enough the apple tartlet was ordered and arrived more akin to Portuguese pasties de nata, and we were more than overjoyed. I would love to go back for supper as I think the gardens at night, romantically lit, would add the ambience needed to further heighten the delicacies on offer.

I first spotted Hotel Experimental on the pages of The Sunday Times. Delighted to see more stylish additions to the island, as soon as its doors were open we visited and tasted the cuisine. Now a few years on, this is one place as a family or when friends visit to which we always return. It has that French laid back but understated glamorous chic that we all crave to emulate. The Hotel itself is serene and carved from an old 19th century farmhouse with over 30 hectares of land, some of which is now being cultivated for wine making. The restaurant itself personifies its surroundings, it’s charming, pretty and romantically set in the back garden of the farmhouse. The menu is quite extensive yet not over complicated and is of course made for sharing and exploring. The farm-to-table phenomenon is executed to a very high standard by Chef Alexander Larrea, with quantities of servings precisely in keeping with the ingredients. As much as they can make fresh on site they do, and with great confidence and results. We ordered big as we were more than peckish when we arrived. So, we started with Iberian ham croquettes, which I believe could be the best on the island; with pizzetta, stracciatella and Cantarian anchovies, which is like a mini pizza, smothered with stracciatella and decorated with anchovies; red tuna tiradito, tomato and cucumber ponzu, so sublime we ordered another; and red shrimp aguachile, mango and hazelnuts - which was absolutely spot on! They have an incredible selection of vegetable dishes, all grown on their land, so we opted for watermelon, feta cheese, preserved lemon and macadamia nuts (one of my all-time favourites) beetroot aguachile, labneh and wasabi cream, Granny Smith and cucumber, a winning combination - all stand-alone delicious dishes. We added the tenderest and delightfully spicy lamb chops with smoked yogurt and jalapeño pesto and steak tartar on braised bone marrow that held the perfect blend of spices and herbs.

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FOOD & DRINK

We did have room for one shared dessert, the chocolate mousse, buckwheat and cornflake ice cream that was so refreshingly light with a delicate crunch, making it an ideal finale to our gastronomical experience. You don’t have to be experimental to eat at Hotel Experimental. It’s a confident and chic choice for dining and entertaining. The cocktail menu is also taken very seriously, with signature blends making a fabulous aperitif. Priced as you would expect but not so shocking you’d need a brandy pick-meup. Booking is a must, especially during July and August, as it really is a repeat destination for those who have already uncovered it.

PORT OF MAHON RESTAURANT EL PUERTO ASIÁTICO Moll de Llevant 298, Port of Mahon. Tel. 971 351140. € By Lorraine So many people have mentioned how they miss Restaurant Way this year. Well, here is a really good (possibly better) alternative! Very close to the old behemoth too. Nicely decorated, with tables inside and on the terrace, and very friendly helpful service. You will recognise some of the staff, either from WAY or SUSHI ES CASTELL (still going strong in Calas Fonts). As you would expect from a Chinese restaurant, there are a mere 110 choices on the Menu, also available to take away! Delighted to find some old favourites from Way, such as the chicken and mango roll. There are also some Thai and Japanese specialities, plus a large range of Sushi! One great idea which El Puerto Asiático has reintroduced is the really good value midweek lunchtime ¨Menus¨…. Chinese at €14.95, Japanese at €16.95 and a Special Menu at €17.50, offering four special Wok dishes. These menus include noodles or rice, and a drink and dessert. We wish them well. Way is a hard act to follow, but not impossible! RESTAURANT PIZZERIA CASANOVA Moll de Ponent, 15, 07701 Maó Tel: 971 35 41 69 €€ John’s little Nibbles

After a hard day, or what constitutes a hard day in Menorca, we often call in to Casanova Pizza restaurant in the port of Mahon. They have an extensive menu of delicious pizzas at very good prices, or you can choose from pastas, salads or meat dishes. You can always be sure to be greeted with a friendly smile, and after a small beer or glass of the house red wine, your pizza arrives straight from the oven, just as you finish off the last complimentary bread stick.

SEPTEMBER 2023

My favourite is salami picante €10 with additional garlic, perfect with a bottle of Peroni. Liz’s favourite is Braccio di Ferro €10 con ajo which is tomato, mozzarella and spinach with an egg on top (with added garlic). If you are in the mood for pasta there is a delicious selection from 9 to 14 Euros or our friend Nicki always chooses the chicken with Taleggio cheese sauce and rosemary. Pizzas can also be ordered to take away and while I have been waiting I have noticed a very large selection of Grappas behind the bar. Not something I enjoy but my brother loves a glass or two. SA LLIGA Moll de Llevant, 292, 07702 Mao Tel 871 53 84 37 €€ John’s little Nibbles Morning coffee for me is a must, an institution that must not be missed. Sa Lliga, located beneath the Club Maritimo in Mao, is a perfect place for this ‘ritual’ (as Liz calls it). It has comfy seats, a daily paper (for Liz), a thick sun awning (for Liz, the one next door lets through too much heat) and a perfect view of the port. You are often greeted by Tom, a jovial multi-lingual waiter who always has a smile and plenty of chat. Tom’s café con leche (or milky coffee as he likes to call it) is creamy, perfectly poured and the croissants are fresh, warm and dusted with icing sugar. I can highly recommend it as a relaxed place for friends or for business meetings. Sa Lliga also offers an English cooked breakfast, eggs benedict and an interesting selection of bagels and loaded toast options (personally, the goat cheese, guacamole, poached egg and citrus mayonnaise combination is not for me but you might enjoy it). Members of the Club Maritimo qualify for a ‘socio’ discount.

MAHON SA BOTIGA GASTRO BAR Plaça del Carme, 6, 07701 Maó Tel: 971 14 37 95 €€ John’s little Nibbles

BINIANCOLLA EN CARAGOL Carrer de s’Oronella, 45, 07711 Biniancolla Tel: 871 87 26 76 €€€€€ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay We’ve lunched and dined at En Caragol since it opened and through all the months of its short season and on the whole it is very very good. The restaurant sits proudly on its own, right on the seafront towards Punta Prima, The quality of ingredients is exceptional, you can really tell the chef cares about absolutely everything that is sent from the kitchen. It hosts a full and satisfying menu with something for everyone but for me, it’s their fish I return for, beautifully cooked and smothered in roasted garlic and oil, just the way I like it! Of course you don’t have to have the slightly chewy garlic morsels, you can opt for plainly grilled, which is equally delicious. We started with marinated salmon with dill and smoked butter, as we were curious, being an Icelandic/English family how the Menorcan’s would tackle one of our national dishes, and actually it was rather good. Well cured, although we would suggest a softer toasted bread to accompany the smoked butter, which was indeed smoked. To accompany, we had the special of razor clams, which quite frankly were the best we had tasted on the island, gently cooked and dressed, alongside some succulently steamed Menorcan mussels and the traditional crusty tomato bread which had the perfect shallow crunch and salty tomato topping we love. We’ve tried a few things on the menu over time and I can tell you that the garden tomato salads are divine and the meat is always perfectly cooked and super tasty and the little treats you get before you even start, like the grilled ‘chorizo criollo’ with chimichurri sauce is a total game changer and a great way to start your gastronomic experience.

Tuesday night in Mao in summer is music night, along with a craft market in Plaça d’Espanya. We chose to start early one evening at Sa Botega Gastro Bar, before the sun disappeared behind Santa Maria. This is the perfect place for people watching and some very tasty tapas. We chose the cod fritters €6,30 which lived up to the description of ‘una explosion de mar en boca’ and huevos rotos con jamon iberico €8,98 (the local version of egg and chips with ham). For our third choice we asked (as suggested) what their favourite grandmother was cooking that day and it was meatballs in onion gravy and garlic €8,10. They were delicious. Sa Botiga is conveniently placed next to Es Claustre and Esglesia del Carme if you are going to a concert or a guitar recital, and you can’t help but smile when you hear the squeals of laughter from young children on the pedal-powered carousel.

This time we opted for sea bass for two and the black rice with cuttlefish and prawns for our mains. The sea bass, as requested was served with garlic and lightly crisped around the outside and was plenty even for three! It came with potatoes (chips, as we did have teenagers with us) and a choice of salad or vegetables. We choose asparagus that had the perfect bite. The black rice with cuttlefish and prawns was rich, salty and slightly crispy and utterly moorish, you just couldn’t stop eating it!

We are thinking of starting a ¨Roqueta Sushi Club¨ for aficionados of really good sushi! It’s a bit like Marmite I find… people either love it or hate it. It would be fun to meet with fellow sushi lovers to share our passion from time to time and explore the various outlets. Interested? Email us at info@roquetamagazine.net heading your message ¨Sushi Club¨!

However, there is one downside and for me that is the service. Out of the busy season, it is better, but during it, you can at times either be completely ignored or spoken to in such a rushed and rude manner, that it can take a while to settle into your meal. En Caragol is one of those places that is always fully booked, and the reason is simple, it proudly serves really great food alongside a really great view.

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

Unbelievably, we had room for dessert, a light, thin, crispy apple tart with vanilla ice-cream, the ultimate send off! We ordered a bottle of Menorcan rose, a couple of sodas and water and all in the bill was around €280, which might be considered pricey but I think worth it.

FOOD & DRINK

SEPTEMBER 2023

By Michael Stevenson

THE WINES OF

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ÀHUFHO\ FRPPLWWHG WR HOHYDWLQJ WKH VWDWLRQ RI 0RQWVDQW Around 94% of Montsant’s wine production is red, made mostly from the Garnacha (Grenache) Carinena (Carignan) varieties. The small amount of white is made from white Garnacha and Macabeo varieties. There are also even smaller amounts of rosado, sweet and Rancio styled wines. Curiously, Montsant is one of the few areas of Spain where Kosher wines are made. Montsant takes its name from the Montsant mountain range at the foothills on which the vines grow. The vineyards are planted on a variety of soils ranging from the llicorella (slate and granitic sand) to limestone and clay. They lie between 200 700 metres above sea level. Montsant covers over twelve communes comprising over sixteen different villages. The region can be divided into different subregions where to the west the climate is more continental than the east which is more Mediterranean. The vast majority of Montsants 1012 hectares of vines are found in the two most south westerly zones surrounding the villages of El Mas Roig, Darmos and El Molar. This is where Montsant opens up via a slew of terraces to the lower Ebro valley, which is less than 10 kilometres away. These are also the warmest areas of the Montsant zone.

The other four Montant zones offer a clear contrast to the two southern zones. Both Cornudella, where you will find the valley of silence, and the beautiful high sited wild garrigue country around La Figuera are in general cooler with limestone soils. The town of Falset confusingly has wine producers of both Montsant and Priorat as it is on the borders of the two DOs. It must be said, though, that the Montsant wines from Falset will represent much better value than the Priorat wines. Certainly since Montsant was created a DO, its reputation has grown enormously. The influx of dynamic winemakers and the comparative favourable price differential with Priorat has led to a real interest in their wine. In just twenty years it has put itself in the forefront of up and coming new Spanish wine regions. Now 62% of Montsants wine is exported which illustrates how far its reputation is growing. The topography of Montsant is highly varied with the most prized vineyards located on terraces on steeply sloping sites, often interspersed with pine, almond and olive trees. The south of the region has the Ebro River Vallley and is very scenic. Some leading wine producers of Montsant are as follows: CELLER MAS ROIG Celler Mas Roig has been a wine producer for over 100 years. They use Carignan as the foundation for all their wine. CO-OPERATIVA FALSET MARCA This is the result of the fruitful merger of the co-operatives of the towns of Falset and Marca and is one of the largest in the region. They produce a staggering 900,000 bottles a year. CAL BESSO This producer opened in 2015 and is a joint venture between the Castellvi Figuerola family and Jaume Valles. They currently produce 25,000 bottles per year and plan to reach 50,000 in a few years. BELL CROSS WINERY Owned by Swedish entrepreneurs Peter and Ann Skoglund, who have put together a talented team of local wine enthusiasts headed by the famous winemaker Joan Asens. They produce 50,000 bottles per annum of red, white and rosado. VENUS LA UNIVERSAL This was founded by Rene Barbier and Sara Perez in 2004 and they produce award winning wines. CELLER DE CAPCANES Founded in 1933, the Capcanes co-operative is one of the most important wineries of Montsant, producing one million bottles per annum. Their wines are of very high quality and are exported around the world. Other good producers include: VINES DOMENECH, VINS DE SILENCI, COCO I FITO AND SYNDICAT DE FIGUERA. Montsant is definitely an up and coming wine region. Whilst it is not, to my knowledge, found in Menorcan supermarkets it is stocked by our leading wine merchants, such as De Vins, Enrique Penalver and Catchot.

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FOOD & DRINK

SEPTEMBER 2023

TINTO

HERE ARE MY SEPTEMBER RECOMMENDATIONS:

BLANCO MAS PICOSA BLANC DE NEGRES 2021, GARNACHA TINTA, CELLER DE CAPCANES, MONTSANT, 13% ABV. CATCHOT (MAHON POLIGONO) 8.20€ Very pale but after opening develops a slightly pinkish shade. Pure, crisp refreshing nose. Good crispness with a delicate balance, light and satisfying with a lovely finish. Good as an aperitif and with shellfish and light fish dishes. (If you want to taste this wine it is available at Trebol Restaurant, Calas Fonts, Es Castell.) MARMELLANS BLANC 2019 GARNACHA BLANCA AND MACABEO, CELLER DE CAPCANES, MONTSANT, 13% ABV. DE VINS 5.60€ Pale straw with a developed floral nose. Quite mature but very quaffable, nice fruit, good balance and acidity. Drink over next six months. Good aperitif and with fish tapas. ULTREA, GODELLO BIERZO 2020, RAUL PEREZ, 13.5% ABV. DE VINS 16.90€ Pale straw/parchment with a citrus nose and with spicy and savoury notes. Taste is classy and quite full Godello with a fine structure and balance. Still young but quite layered and will develop even more complexity with time. Lovely long finish. Excellent wine from Raul Perez. Good with really special fish.

ROJALET, GARNACHA AND SAMSO(CARINENA), MONTSANT 2022, VINICOLA DEL PRIORAT, 13% ABV. DE VINS 6.30€ Intense red with a fruity, toasty nose. Ripe young fruit with a good balance and tannicity. A hint of vanilla and very drinkable. Good with meaty and vegetable tapas and grilled meat. QUA TINTO, 3 LITRE BAG IN A BOX, CARINENA, GARNACHA AND SYRAH, MONTSANT, NV, 13.5% ABV. DE VINS 13.95€ Dark red with an honest fruity nose. Really good value and works out to less than 3.5€ a bottle. Very pleasant quaffing wine, medium full red, nice balance. Good with meat or stews. DIDO 2021, VENUS LA UNIVERSAL, CABERNET SAUVIGNON, GARNACHA, SYRAH, AND MERLOT, MONTSANT, 14% ABV, 16.18€ TO 18.50€ DE VINS AND ENRIQUE PENALVER. Intense, cherry red with a complex fruity nose and mineral and floral notes. Fruity, layered and still young but fresh and well balanced with a lovely long finish. Good with roast red meat and mixed grills. Enjoy Montsant!

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

FOOD & DRINK

SEPTEMBER 2023

ROQUETA RECIPES Sieve the flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the butter and using your fingertips combine the ingredients together until it looks like breadcrumbs.

CHEESE

Break the egg into the milk and whisk lightly with a fork. Using a tablespoon take out approximately 25ml / 2 tablespoon of this mixture and set to one side to use as an egg wash.

SCONES

Add 75g of the grated cheese into the flour mixture keeping 25g to one side. Now add all remaining ingredients to the flour; milk and egg mixture, mustard, salt and pepper. Using your hands again bring all the ingredients together to form a slightly sticky dough.

Ingredients:

250g self-raising flour 1 heaped tablespoon grain mustard 60g butter (cubed & chilled) 100g Curado Maó cheese (grated) 1 medium egg 150ml milk ½ teaspoon salt Good twist of black pepper Pre-heat oven at 180’C.

Dust a little flour onto a cool work surface and turn the dough out. Pat together and press out with the palm of your hand until approximately 3cm thick. Now sprinkle the reserved grated cheese on top and lightly pat into the dough. Use a cookie cutter to make traditionally shaped rounds. Using a 6cm cutter will make around 1618 scones. Place on a lined baking tray and using the reserved milk and egg mixture, brush a little on the top of each scone. Turn the oven down to 170’C and bake for 25-minues. Delicious with just a knob of butter but here they are shown with a balsamic onion relish, cream cheese and Palma ham.

2 TONE GRAPE SORBET The season for deliciously ripe plump grapes is nearly upon us. As we make the most of the late summer days, this colourful and tangy sorbet is the perfect way to complete a meal or simply enjoy as a refreshing treat. Ingredients:

Green Grape Sorbet 500g large seedless green grapes 1/2 juice lime 2 tablespoons water Red Grape Sorbet 500g large seedless red grapes 2 tablespoons redcurrant cordial 1 tablespoon water

The method for making each sorbet is simply the same. Pick the grapes from the stems and rinse in cold water. Pat dry and place in a container suitable for freezing. Freeze the fruit for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight. Using a food processor and the metal chopping blade, place the frozen green grapes and lime juice in the blender. Using the pulse button, begin to blend - this will be very noisy until the grapes begin to breakdown. Add the water and blend until smooth. Scoop the iced fruit back into a container and freeze again while you repeat the same process with the red grapes and redcurrant. The sorbet will be ready to use straight away but for a firmer texture, freeze for a further hour. Use an ice cream scoop or melon baller to form a fun 2 tone dish. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ART IN MENORCA

SEPTEMBER 2023

By Heather Colbert

MENORCAN STYLE

Evoke the aromas, tastes and colours of the beautiful island of Menorca with its friendly laid-back lifestyle. Create relaxed designs using the core elements of the island such as ancient olive wood, terracotta and rustic textures. The island’s turquoise waters and white sandy beaches with the sparkling sunshine are typically reflected in traditional furnishings and fabrics. Lighting and chandeliers are often constructed of iron or natural wood or even for the outside area use the delicate branches of a palm branch for the pergola at night using eco friendly solar lights delicately interwoven into the branch. Particularly interesting is the centuries-old tradition of wood craftsmanship that is still present in numerous workshops throughout Menorca. Below is a photograph of a beautiful bespoke dining table designed by myself, skillfully produced and engineered by a talented local craftsman in Ciutadella. Door furniture using original brass or iron latches adds typical traditional character - and don’t forget the unique Menorcan gates, made from olive in a very particular design which has been carried out by generations and generations of local artisans, typically mounted into the dip of the upside down sunken champagne-bottle located at the hinge side ……where else can we find such quirky traditions? Driftwood from the north coast winter storms can be found washed up on the white beach shores in early spring and used to create natural elements to your living space.

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ART IN MENORCA

SEPTEMBER 2023

ENJOY

CIUTADELLA The tourist department of the Ajuntamiento de Ciutadella organises an annual programme of leisure activities, open to everyone. These include a range of guided tours in Spanish, English and French. The guided walks this summer have included: • Discover the coast - Sa Caleta • Night route, guided tour of Pont ‘n’ Gil, Cales Piques • Creative route, guided tour of the historic centre of Ciutadella • Discover the coast in Son Xoriguer

RUTA CREATIVA I signed up for the Creative route around the centre of Ciutadella. I received several emails letting me know the meeting time and place and even one the day before saying I might need to bring an umbrella! A group of us including locals, Spanish, a French couple and 2 German friends, met our guide in the Plaza Alfonso III. Here is a quick summary of the route in case you want to try it yourself. We set off around the Contramurada to visit the workshop of gate maker, S’Arader. We learnt how olive wood was left to dry for 2 years before being made into gates. We also spotted a plough which had come in for repair. Our next stop was the Abarca workshop of the Borras family, who have been dedicated to making Menorcan sandals for 3 decades. You can choose from a wide range of designs, including those hand painted by Evelin Borrás or you can have a bespoke pair made to order. Next, we went to the bakery of Forn Curniola where we were treated to a local delicacy, a light spongy apricot coca. We were also given the recipe! Walking through Ses Voltes we passed the handbag shop Ansa per Ansa made famous by the Queen of Spain. We were on our way to the Carrer des Seminari, a pretty, narrow street in the old centre of town which is now filled with artisan workshops and galleries. Sometimes these can be a bit intimidating to enter and so it was lovely to be welcomed into each one by the artists and to be free to explore. Aglaya, is a shop and workshop with designs by four different jewellery makers, who also offer courses for beginners to professionals Gallery Pedrin is a gallery run by the daughter of internationally renowned sculptor Pedro Rodríguez “Pedrín” who is based in Malaga. One of his works of art can be spotted in the film Night at the Museum 2. Iñaki Sampedro has been designing handbags, wallets, jewelry, and other exclusive items, such as collection boxes and iron sculptures for decades. His shop has been in Ciutadella since 1983. Our last visit was to the Espai Rovellart gallery formed by Àngels Verdaguer (Barcelona) and Fred Purnell (Melbourne). They are sculptors working with recycled iron which is brought to life by the painting of Àngels. They are inspired by the seabed and the awareness of endangered species. These tours and others can be booked on the website https://www.ajciutadella.org/. Look out for the latest calendar of events on their Facebook page. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

ART IN MENORCA

SEPTEMBER 2023

JONATHAN DAIFUKU Architect and Product Designer I would say that your column stands at the cross-road of art, architecture and artisanal work. Would the technique only be applicable to a square column? The waves and rocks on our square column wrap around, in a continuum, from one face to the adjacent one. It’s all entirely handmade, so on a round column it would be, so to speak, seamless. But you could apply the technique to a wall surface, or even on a portable, aluminum backing. A bas-relief painting. Like lots of good things, this isn’t a fast technique. The column took me six working days. Is this the first time you’ve been involved in a custom-made creation?

Jonathan, you’re an American architect. What brought you to Menorca?

It’s the first time I’ve worked with this material and this theme. But it’s not the first time I’ve built or assembled a limited collection with my own hands. A few years ago, I reinterpreted the concept of a flower vase, typically round, as a flat surface. These vases were made to order, and could be as small as a hand high, or as, in the photo, 30x90cm. The etched motif on top side is a sprouting seed.

Liz, American, yes. I was born in Boston, lived in France as a child and returned to the US to attend college at the Rhode Island School of Design and later, at Columbia University. I stayed in Manhattan for a decade until I met my wife, who’s a Catalana. I lived in Catalunya for a number of decades, practicing as an architect and product designer. My wife is a former fashion model; she studied jewellery design at Parsons. Two years back, switching our main residence to the island looked like a hop. My wife had fond memories of Menorca; she lived here for a number of years as a young adult. I was taken by its impressive coast, particularly the wilder, north one. It was also thought of as a move away from the large metropolis of Barcelona while not being isolated. Menorca is well connected – some might say, too well connected – to the rest of the world. I should say, though, that paradise came at a cost. We decided on a complete renovation of the penthouse we bought in Ciutadella – something that I expected to be a six-month undertaking - unaware of the local bureaucratic hurdles and the sluggish response of a saturated construction sector, both of which we were to battle with in the following sixteen months.

Flat flower vase

Kitchen and entrance hall under construction.

You’ve created a special flat. In your words, what would you say sets it apart? What gives the space its special character is due, in part, to the creative resolution of its conflictive aspects. For example, our living room isn’t square, its main wall runs on a 45° diagonal. That was what we had to work with, so we set the kitchen enclosure, the dining table and the living room layout on 45° angles too, therefore creating an original, harmonious whole. The mainly glass enclosed kitchen doesn’t just give it a generous sense of space, when cooking, you’ve got a view of the sea beyond. With our new layout, a column, formerly embedded in the kitchen wall now stood in the entrance hall; a bothersome presence. I’ve always liked building things, including doing so with my hands. My wife suggested that I sculpt a bas-relief motif on two sides of the column, inspired by Menorca’s waves. As I worked on this, I added references to the island’s lunar-like rocky coast and even embedded island stones. We’re very happy with the finished result. We enjoy how the morning light plays on the bas-relief surface. We like the visual opposition between the two, sculpted surfaces and the flat ones which look like a knife-cut through the waves and rocky coast. So, rather than a disturbance, the column has become a plus in space. It’s made with a technical material containing resins which has proven to be very sturdy. Under the right circumstances, I’d be happy to create a waves & rocks bas-relief for others on Menorca.

Finished kitchen and entrance hall.

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ART IN MENORCA

SEPTEMBER 2023

of a welcome desk is the front counter, which one typically leans on when addressing the receptionist. This, I designed as a huge belt that whips out of the floor, twists around and heads back from where it came. It’s made like a giant competition ski: a foam core in a carbon fiber casing. The backlit flower on the rear panel, a Vuitton icon, is made of fiberglass. I think you mentioned you’re also a product designer. Just as an example, what sort of products did you work on? Chairs for home and contract applications, storage units, bath room appliances… And lighting. Dozens of lighting projects. The examples I’ll provide are designs produced by famed Fontana Arte (Milano, Italy) under their Candle brand. Do you plan to work as an architect on the island? I’ve found, first hand, that right now there just aren’t enough qualified carpenters, plumbers, electrician, and, especially, masons, to go around. Of course, island-born architects who’ve known local qualified workers and contractors since they attended kindergarten together have an inside track when it comes to deciding which job site will get preferential treatment. So, although I’ve worked with construction crews and carpenters all my life, I wouldn’t get involved in a project that requires that I take charge of its construction on the island. Experience has shown me that great projects are born when client and designer are on the same wavelength. This is not an act of will, it’s not something that can be forced. Contact: Jonathan@daifukudesigns.com +34 652 909 975

Is the main body of your work in the commercial area? Have you worked on private residences? From my BCN office I designed office spaces, a restaurant and even a travelling exhibit for the Barcelona Science Museum. But, yes, also residences. A number in Barcelona’s Pedralbes district. One of my favorite residential renovations corresponds to a recent commission in Paris – I speak fluent French. For this, the bedroom’s inner wall is made of switchable, so called, smart glass. With the flick of a switch, polaraized micro elements align is such a way that the glass is either transparent or opaque. Opaque when one retires to bed. Transparent upon waking, the bedroom becomes one huge space; part of the living room. My client wanted the adjoining bathroom to be a ludic space. It contains a large, round tub. The sinuous bathroom wall is shaped like a concert piano in plan view and entirely sheathed with white, river stones. I love the contrast between the roughness of the stone and perfect planimetry of the glass.

Me2’s is part of the Fontana Arte’s contract collection. The borosilicate glass can be rotated, to send rays up, down or to the side.

In Barcelona, are there other projects you worked on that you’d like to mention? I’ve been fortunate to have collaborated with many interesting people. For five years, I worked for the Louis Vuitton factories located in Barcelona’s Vallés region. Five years of collaboration adds up to a number of projects. One I’m particularly happy with, is the design of one of the factory’s welcome desks. This particular production unit makes all the belts LV sells worldwide. The most visible part ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

Mowgli’s design suggests a person huddling under an umbrella. Its lighting intensity as well as its coverage are adjustable.

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2023

SWIMMING FOR SANITY

By Rachael Adams

For most of us being in water feels great. I grew up jumping off cliffs at Cala’n Brut, near Ciutadella. Humans are adapted to spending time in water: our lungs, hearts and sensors around our mouths are all prepared. We can hold our breaths and have webbed palms. The Aquatic Ape Theory suggests our ancestors climbed down from trees and got straight into the sea to forage. Instead of running across the Serengeti to hunt. This could explain our sense of deep calm and belonging in water. The sea around Menorca is nutrient, and therefore algae poor. This is what makes the water so clear. The red rocks, yellow sands and green seagrass stand out vivid and powerful when snorkelling. Topside, when the Sun is low in the sky, its light reflects across the water in a shimmery pillar called a “Glitter Path”. On a recent camping trip, I watched the Moon make a haunting one over the Illa den Tosqueta. A still night. A balm for the soul. And yet living in Menorca, I ended up taking it for granted, this healing force available on the doorstep all year round. According to Professor Luigi Odone, a clinical psychologist from Genova University, submerging our bodies in water returns our psyche to the feelings of quietness, peace and security we felt in the womb. Yet, while our minds are drawn to water for relaxation, our bodies also share physical adaptations to submersion with aquatic mammals. The Mammalian dive reflex is brought on by putting our faces in water. The heartbeat and metabolism slow down, peripheral blood vessels constrict to concentrate blood in the vital organs, blood pressure drops and muscles relax. These are all adaptations to preserve oxygen, and thus life, just like diving porpoises, sea lions and killer whales. Because water stimulates skin sensors around our mouths to kick in the reflex, it’s much harder to hold our breath on land than in water - don’t try this at home. Like seals, humans also undergo a “blood shift”; where blood, as an incompressible liquid, is shunted to our lungs to offset the increasing pressure during a dive. This means that our lungs can be compressed on dives to over 100m without imploding, as they would do if they were filled with air alone. Like the unfortunate vessel Titan. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

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SEPTEMBER 2023

Interestingly, we may well have evolved in water, a lot more recently than previously thought. Alistair Morgan was watching whales being butchered in the Antarctic in the ‘20s when it first dawned on him that humans had blubber too. Thus, he developed his Aquatic Ape theory. He proposed that between 9 and 3.5 million years ago, hominids in the northeast of Africa, then underwater, went into the sea to gather mussels and clams. Spending up to 6 hours a day foraging, with water holding our bodies vertical, we gradually evolved to stand on two legs. Humans are most different to the rest of primates. Unlike scrawny ape infants, our babies are too fat to have hung around their naked mother’s necks while she dangled from a tree. Plus, furless, they wouldn’t have had much to hold onto. Rather, blubber-coated human babies are buoyant and insulated for life in water. When born they float like dolphin calves. Top tip: a separate study showed that water-born babies were more optimistic at the age of 10 than those who had a traditional land-based birth. Alistair thought the hair we did retain on our heads could be an anchor for floating infants to grab onto while their mother collected sea cucumbers, clasping them between her big toe. Always the more fortunate of the sexes, pregnant women actually grow more and thicker hair, whilst men are more likely to go bald. Even as adults, subcutaneous fat rounds off our bodies – streamlining us for swimming. Handy excuse! Our long noses prevent water from getting up our nostrils when diving. The theory likens our dextrous hands to those of raccoons that also forage by streams. The list of human oddities when compared to the rest of primates is endless: gruesomely, humans don’t eat placentas - because they would have sunk away from predators anyway. We cry, like distressed mother seals when separated from their young. And we are the only ones to have webbing between our thumb and forefinger. They say that if you throw a baby in a pool before the age of six months it will know how to swim. My baby cousin Adam fell in the water and he instinctively knew to shut his mouth. His big blue eyes smiled back at me as he lay on his on his back under water, mouth tight shut and looking quite at home. I fished him out and he didn’t even cry. Homo aquaticus indeed. People have sent the sick to the coast to cure illness for centuries, whether it be consumption, eczema or asthma. Human blood and seawater are made of the same stuff: our plasma contains a high concentration of salts, chlorine and trace elements vital for our health. It’s said we imbibe these from seawater through our skin while swimming, redressing our biochemical balance. To prove the similarities, a French scientist conducted an experiment in the early 1900s to replace his dog’s blood with seawater - and it lived. https://oceanrescuespa.com/ pages/body-ocean-relationship. So maybe all this explains why we need the sea, to be able to hear and smell it. Why we feel unwell when away from it, and seek it out to heal us in times of need? Fortunately for most Menorcans, the glittery clear sea is but a short walk from our homes. We try to do a “calada”- or a quick splash during our lunch breaks – as often as possible. Even when the tourist masses push us out of our beaches, we meet on the rocks in the evening for a beer and a plunge. Heaven...

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PEDRO’S BOAT S U M M E R BOAT S H OW 2023 At Pedro’s Boat Summer 2023, we witnessed an evening dedicated to discovering the sophistication of nautical design. The evening started with an air of anticipation on the terrace of the Casino Maritim, where nautical sector enthusiasts and fun lovers gathered to celebrate the fascinating world of luxury boats. The most prominent brands in the industry, such as Sea Ray, Rodman, Sessa Marine, Solaris Power, and Aquila, stood out as stars at the event. Elegant lines, meticulous comfort, intricate luxury, and captivating power defined these dreamlike vessels. But best of all: we had the opportunity to step on board and explore them firsthand! From the smooth finish of the cabins to the innovative navigation systems, each detail on these vessels was a testament to excellence in design and functionality. Attendees immersed themselves in a world of possibilities as they toured the exquisitely decorated interiors and admired the impressive exteriors. The evening continued on the terrace of the Casino Maritim, where we enjoyed a small cocktail and tapas served by S’Algar Catering, satisfying all the senses. With panoramic views of the sea and the wonderful vessels, each sip and bite became more delicious and memorable. Good company, laughter, and conversation flowed, creating a truly warm and welcoming atmosphere. But that wasn’t all! The spirit of the night soared even higher when the time came to try our luck with the “Pedro’s Boat” casino chips. The gaming corner brought together adventurous individuals willing to bet in an exciting nautical atmosphere. The excitement was in the air as the roulette wheels spun and the cards were dealt, taking the fun to a whole new level. In summary, Pedro’s Boat Summer 2023 was a celebration of elegant vessels in a festive atmosphere. We’re eager to see what the next edition has in store!

S E PTE MB E R E V E NTS OR A N G E OPE N Next on the calendar is the ORANGE OPEN with Pedro’s Boat as the sponsor! They invite everyone to join them in this Individual Stableford event, which will take place on Sunday, September 17th at Golf Son Parc. The tournament promises a day filled with competition and fun as players showcase their skills on the course. In addition to the excitement of the competition, Pedro’s Boat has prepared a range of prizes and awards that will make this day truly unforgettable. From awards for the best golfers in various categories to special recognitions for outstanding achievements on the course, there’s something for everyone. Sign up for a day of golf, excitement, and prizes at the ORANGE OPEN (more information on page 45)

I NTE R N ATI O N AL BOAT S H OWS With the arrival of September, the major nautical shows begin and Pedro’s Boat will be at Cannes (September 12-17), Southampton (September 15-24), and Barcelona (October 11-15). These prestigious nautical events are a showcase of the latest innovations and trends in the marine industry. Pedro’s Boat invite you to join them at these events. Stay tuned for updates in the next issue. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2023

FESTIVAL PEDRA VIVA

RUFUS WAINWRIGHT Pedra Viva is a very special music and performing arts Festival that has run for the last 12 years in Menorca, during the summer months of June to September. It is organised by Artistic Director Joan Taltavull from Menorca, who each year chooses new, unique and magical settings for music, theatre, visuals and dance. Each event is designed to be in tune with the architecture of the surroundings and it is a chance to see artists from all over the world in stunning outdoor settings. Joan graduated in contemporary dance from the Institut del Teatre de Barcelona and he has put together a first class team who pay attention to the finest details. On 27th July we were privileged to attend the concert of Rufus Wainwright at the country house setting of Torre Saura, 8 km from Ciutadella close to Son Saura. It was a meticulously well-planned event with excellent organisation of parking, seating and refreshments. The house of Torre Saura was a wonderful backdrop for the exquisite vocals of the world-renowned artist, as he performed songs from his latest album Folkocracy along with songs from an unpublished album reflecting his time on the road. Rufus is a Canadian/American singer and song writer, son of the folk singers Loudon Wainwright III and Kate McGarrigle. His Album Folkocracy was released in June and it features many guest artists including John Legend, Sheryl Crow, David Byrne and Nicol Scherzinger. For the show in Menorca he brought along his half-sister Lucy Wainwright Roach and the singer and violinist Petra Haden. We were blown away by the quality of their voices along with the performances of the rest of the musicians. Rufus kept us entertained with a witty description of each song, from morose Scottish folksongs to violent ballads, and he coped well with the competition from the cicadas and night owls. To be fair they couldn’t compete. FRANCESCO TRISTANO AT HAUSER & WIRTH - 10 SEPTEMBER There is still time to book the final performance of the Festival which is taking place against the backdrop of the Isla del Rey on 10th September. Francesco Tristano from Luxembourg, on keyboards, has put together a new programme of baroque and ancient music in six original compositions. The stage of the Isla del Rey will be elevated visually by video artist Paul Schumacher, aka Melting Pol, also from Luxembourg, providing an immersive experience along with sound engineer Edoardo Pietrogrande The first performance of the summer brought together dance with sculpture at Hauser & Wirth, and this final performance will relate music to a spectacle of lights and images. Tickets are available on the website of Festival Pedra Viva and you need to book a boat separately on the website of Hauser & Wirth. https://www.pedravivamenorca.com/omac-/francesco-tristano

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SEPTEMBER 2023

COPA DEL REY

CLASSIC REGATTA The Copa del Rey Repsol Classic yacht regatta is the most important regatta for classic and vintage boats in Spain and it takes place here in Mahon every year. This year over 50 sailing boats are taking part from 29th August to 2nd September The regatta is organised by the Club Marítimo de Mahón. For the first time in history, there are four days of competition, one more than in previous editions. This change was due to the express wish of the owners of the boats, for whom the stay in Mahón “was too short”, according to Nacho Marra, director of the Club Marítimo and Copa del Rey Repsol. “There are legendary sailboats taking part from 22 countries and many of them over a century old”, says Nacho. The boats Viveka (1929), Spartan (1913), Varuna (1939) and Calima (1970) are defending the title obtained in the 2022 edition. Other outstanding boats are the Hallowe’en (1926), The Mariska (1908), the Fjord III (1947) and the Galvana (1974). There are usually a few celebrities around. Look out for well-known Welsh actor, writer and TV presenter ‘Griff’ Rhys Jones who owns Argyll (1948), and you may spot Matthew Meacham from Sa Punta on his West Solent, Winnie Marie. In previous years we have seen Pete Townsend and one year Griff brought along his friend Robbie Coltrane, sadly no longer with us. The Copa del Rey is part, for the second year, of The Mediterranean Champions Cup circuit together with Les Régates Royales, Vele d’Epoca di Imperia, Argentario Sailing Week and Les Voiles d’Antibes. As in most of all these events, the fleet is divided into five categories, according to the rules of the International Committee for the Mediterranean. Vessels built before 1950 are considered Vintage and grouped according to whether their rig is Cangreja (trapezoidal) or Bermudiano (Triangular). From that date until the end of the ‘70s, the boats fit into the Classics division. The Spirit of Tradition and Big Boats, very long sailboats, complete the fleet.

PROGRAMME The races start at 12:30pm, from August 30th to September 2nd. This last day, at 7:30pm, the official trophy ceremony will take place. If you read this in time, I urge you to go down to the harbour to see the boats before they set off for the racing or watch them return. It is a spectacle not to be missed! Look out for more photos and the results of the races in our October issue. Photos: Nico Martinez Club Maritimo Mahon and Caroline Pinnell

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THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2023

2023 CAMPAIGN TO PROTECT SPERM WHALES OFF MENORCA

MARINA PORT MAHON INVITED US TO THE LAUNCH OF THE MOBY MUMMY 23 CAMPAIGN OF THE TURSIOPS ASSOCIATION WHICH PROTECTS THE SPERM WHALE NURSERY IN THE WATERS NORTH OF 0(125&$ :,7+ 7+,6 1(: &$03$,*1 7+( $662&,$7,21 :$176 72 '(),1( $ 1(: 0$5,1( 3527(&7(' $5($ 03$ The 12 metre Beneteau sailing yacht Irifi, used by the Tursiops team to carry out research, berthed at Marina Port Mahón on 15th August to share its findings. The six-strong team have sailed more than seven hundred nautical miles aboard Irifi to search for and track sperm whales off the northern Menorca coast. They recently located four groups of sperm whales, formed by thirty-six individuals of which nine were calves, the highest number ever recorded since 2003 in the Balearic Islands. One of the pods consisted of eighteen whales. This data provided by Tursiops confirms that the area is of vital importance for the species. In addition to sperm whales, the team made seventeen sightings of other species of macrofauna: eight striped dolphins, three groups of Risso’s dolphins, one common dolphin, three loggerhead turtles, and one manta ray. “In the last 5 years we have seen more calves here than in any other area of the Mediterranean” says Txema Brotons, PhD in Biology and founder of Tursiops. Sperm whales are very long-lived and a slow-reproducing species. “That’s why the young ones are a natural treasure”, comments oceanographer Marga Cerdà, also a member of the expedition “The little ones don’t dive down with their mother to eat, they stay on the surface. This is why they are much more vulnerable. It is important to know where they are located so that people can be careful. The team use a drone and a hydrophone to locate the whales. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Mediterranean population of the sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) as “Endangered with extinction”, with collisions with boats being one of its main survival problems. The waters of the Balearic Islands are a unique enclave in the Mediterranean for this species, which is why an Important Marine Mammal Area (IMMA) has been declared on the Balearic Island Shelf in the eastern part of the archipelago. This area has a low intensity of navigation, far from the main maritime traffic routes of large ships, and makes it a region of the first order for the conservation of this species. However, another recent proposal for the creation of a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) could put this area in jeopardy. The area defined by France, Italy and Spain for the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) to regulate the passage and speed of vessels, does not include the north of Menorca in its current proposal. This decision could cause the diversion of maritime traffic to this region and increase traffic pressure and the exposure of females and calves to collisions. That is why Tursiops has created the Moby Mummy 23 campaign, to gather more information and to ask that this area be protected, since it is of vital importance for the preservation of the species. Menorca Lines and Marina Port Mahón have signed up to this project which is also supported by the Menorca Island Council, Prezer-Adalmo, and Menorca Preservation. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2023

HOMEWARD BOUND The biggest and most expensive Menorquin ever built, Big Jac undertook an epic voyage from Scotland to her spiritual home of Menorca in the Balearic Islands Words Xanthe Marmion Photos Rollo Marmion

)RU *HRII DQG 3LHUV OLIHORQJ IULHQGV DQG EXVLQHVV SDUWQHUV ZKR ERWK KDG KRXVHV LQ 0HQRUFD DQG D VKDUHG ORYH RI WKH ZDWHU RZQLQJ D ORFDOO\ EXLOW 0HQRUTXLQ ZDV WKH REYLRXV QH[W VWHS ,Q 3LHUV·V YLHZ WKH\ ZHUH ERWK ZHUH ZHOO VXLWHG WR WKLV W\SH RI MRLQW YHQWXUH DV KH·G DOZD\V GUHDPW XS WKH PRVW LPSUDFWLFDO RI LGHDV DQG *HRII ZDV JLIWHG DW À[LQJ WKHP Geoff took a little more convincing; as a passionate and experienced yachtsman he was initially dismissive of going down the motor boat route, but in mid 2016 even he was finally bewitched by the sturdy honesty and ageless style of the Menorquin range. The hunt was on. Timing was also spurred by significant birthdays for them both and the suggestion by one friend that they should call their prospective boat, Twenty Summers Left. Made in small numbers on the island of Menorca by a family firm for over 100-years, and drawing on a lineage of small, tough, sail-powered fishing boats, the ‘yachts’ gradually evolved into the bigger semi-displacement motor craft they are today. Menorquins are not to everyone’s taste but those who like their traditional lines, hefty build, wood-rich interiors and time-honed but fashiondismissive style are just charmed by them. Menorquins of all sorts, ages and sizes scatter the pontoons of Mahon harbour. Few attract envious glances from tourists but they raise a knowing smile from a particular tribe. Some are tired and pleasantly grubby, used for fishing trips or family picnics; others are well-fettled and even chic. All seem much loved. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

They have a select but passionate following beyond the Balearics too, mostly in Italy but some find their way to Turkey, even as far afield as Canada or the Great Lakes, and one found her way to Glasgow. Big Jac was laid down in 2006 and launched in 2007, reputedly the most expensive craft ever to leave the San Lluis factory. She was one of the last made before the recession that not only gripped the world, but also finally sunk the by then private equity-owned Menorquin. It’s tempting to question whether the company, which had weathered the First World War, The Great Depression, the Spanish Civil War and the Second World War, would not still be going strong if the family had not sold out in 2006. Thankfully, the brand has now been reinvented as Sasga. Big Jac (now renamed ORCA) is a bespoke-build 180 Fly, at the time the biggest model in the Menorquin range and one of only 11 made. She’s really a swan song; one of the factory’s last hurrahs. Whitehulled, with a bespoke solid teak interior, she’s fitted to ‘owner’s configuration’, meaning two large ensuite cabins and a twin crew cabin forward. She’s semi-displacement, powered by twin Volvo Penta 675’s, air-conditioned, teak-decked, festooned in wood and a hefty 37 tons dry. This includes washing and drying machines in a utility room, a dressing room in the master cabin, a 40hp Zodiac perched under the aft passerelle, and extended twin fuel tanks good for 600 miles. But what on earth was she doing in Glasgow? Lifelong sailors Blair and Christina Nugent from Scotland cruised the Mediterranean with their family and then on into retirement. They had a succession of grand sailing yachts based out of Palma for many years and always had the idea that once sailing became too demanding they would buy a Menorquin. So, in 2012 they bought Big Jac.

SEPTEMBER 2023

After a couple of years enjoying her in the Balearics they asked Iain Hunter, an experienced skipper from Arran, to deliver her to Troon, close to their home, with the plan of using her to cruise the Hebridean waters. And Scotland is where Geoff and Piers found her in 2017. She had been fastidiously maintained with no expense spared. She had not had much use in the previous two years with only 600 hours clocked and an engine room that still looked factory fresh. Following a first inspection in October 2017 and some hull work to eradicate localised osmosis, they finally acquired her in May 2018. That just left the small issue of how to get her back from Troon to Mahon – a distance of 2,300nm. What follows is the story of their own epic delivery cruise as told by Piers.

THE VOYAGE Given that Iain had already completed the same passage in the other direction two years previously, we engaged him to undertake the first part of the delivery run from Troon to Brest while we got to know our new boat. Iain and Geoff left Troon that same evening within hours of the bank transfers clearing – serviced, fuelled and with plenty of spares. Iain relayed his love of the boat and shared his knowledge, while they made passage through a foggy Irish Sea using careful radar work and stopping once in Dublin to refuel her twin 1,900-litre tanks before making land in France 30 hours after departure. On 2 June, I joined the boat in Brest with an extra crewmember, Stephen, leaving Iain and Bill, the watchkeeper for the Brest delivery run, to return home. With Stephen helping out Geoff and I were confident of completing the rest of our voyage without bringing in another professional skipper. When delivering Big Jac for the Nugents Iain had done the journey from Mallorca to Scotland in a breakneck six days and eight hours, cruising at a steady 12 knots with three short refuelling stops. Us being made of lesser stuff and with the odd work commitment to factor into the equation, we decided to do it in stages, heading first from Brest to La Coruna and then across or around the Bay of Biscay, dependent on the weather. With conditions looking settled we opted for the direct route and for 10 hours made passage on a gentle swell, the boat quiet and firmly planted. Under way it has the reassuring solidity of a 4x4 vehicle but perched on a green button-back leather captain’s chair in the teak-lined wheelhouse, it also feels incongruously like a gentleman’s club. We set three-hour watches. After our first meal on board when the hotplate blew the generator circuit breaker, one of remarkably few gremlins, we settled into our new home and the rhythm of our passage. We woke to a different rhythm altogether, a low sun under an ominously inky sky. The temperature had dropped, the wind on the starboard bow had picked up and the wipers were already fighting against a growing amount of spray. Geoff had the slightly hollow eyes of a long, stressful watch. As the sun dipped, everything was accentuated. The waves grew to 4m with the wind whipping trails of spray off the curling white tops. Soon Big Jac was plunging her nose into the waves, the wheelhouse was locked down and water smacked the screens.

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS She dug into the waves rather than slamming against them and kept up a steady 11 knots. Developing our core muscles with the pitch and yaw, we settled in for 20 hours of shift work by the glow of the instruments. This involved hourly engine inspections down the hatch with ear defenders, log updates and snatches of interrupted sleep.

VILLAINOUS Critics of Menorquins like to say that these boats roll, and they certainly can. At 37 tonnes, the 180 is less susceptible than most but this weather would have tested any boat. She rolled and pitched and corkscrewed, but the sensation was of her punching through the waves rather than being pushed about by them, her deep keel and sheer weight keeping her mostly on the rails. It was reassuring to realise she was far tougher than we were. Her wheelhouse may look like a village cricket pavilion but there’s no doubting her remarkably assured seaworthiness. After 20 hours of this treatment we knew we hadn’t just bought a Mediterranean bathing platform, but a seriously resilient vessel with a hull appropriately rated for the Atlantic. She never missed a beat. While La Coruna seemed to take a very long time to emerge from a radar patch into view, when we finally berthed we felt a certain elation at the crossing of such a villainous patch of water. After a restorative beer, Geoff ran for a plane while we hosed down the boat, ate fabulous tapas in the old town and fell into the deepest of sleeps before heading for the airport ourselves, leaving Big Jac to slumber. Ten days later we were back armed with fresh crew in the shape of my son Rollo and his friend Tom. We flew out on June 14 and early next morning were first on the fuel berth, heading once again to the open sea. The weather was unseasonably cold and wet, heavily overcast and with no hint of summer warmth. It felt like October. However, by lunchtime the sun was lancing through the clouds even if we were still more concerned with the three-metre swell, which had swung directly onto our stern. Thankfully, Big Jac seemed to be enjoying the ride, surfing down the waves and accelerating up to 17 knots. We couldn’t raise Baiona marina on its VHF channel at 8pm but in the small, pretty harbour right on the Spanish Portuguese border, we found a berth next to a gleaming new Fleming 72. We brought her in, with me at the helm for my first close manoeuvre, struggling a bit with Big Jac’s momentum and the rapid power surge of her big props. We washed her and ourselves down and then walked into the old town for sustenance and a Spain Portugal football match. Over dinner, we decided to make Menorca in four days, and Piers booked a flight to London accordingly. That meant two night-passages, the first that night. We left the restaurant and headed back to sea. Geoff set course for Figueira some 130 miles down the Portuguese coast. No moon, plenty of swell, lots of clutter on the radar, and the wheelhouse washed only by the red night light. Ahead of us lay a fair length of Portugal – to Lisbon, around Cap St Vincent at Europe’s south-west edge, on to Gibraltar for a tax-light refuel and then 540 miles to Menorca. Easy! By 9am we were moving past the huge empty beaches of the Figueira peninsula and by 10am we were threading through the harbour entrance and up the substantial channels past ore depositories, massive cranes and dozens of weekend fishermen perched high on the walls. We berthed at the fuel station in the small marina, taking on sufficient fuel to get to Gibraltar with a safe margin, almost 1,000 litres, before getting permission to secure her for a couple of hours while we bought provisions. We walked into the old town, intrigued that it describes itself as ‘The Venice of Portugal’. We weren’t convinced that there had been many competing for this title, but Figueira does have something appealing about it. Most striking is the way it faces and embraces the sea, with vast stone paved promenades overlooking the most expansive beaches any of us had seen. They fringe the town and dominate almost every view. Posters illustrated that Figueira had been connected to Patagonia [in Argentina and

SEPTEMBER 2023

Chile] before the earth’s tectonic plates had shifted. This might explain the far away feel of the place. It also explains the 1,200-metre deep Nazaré canyon off the coast. It is said that this fault on the ocean floor creates waves of 100ft, so it was with some trepidation that we set out to sea again, following the coast ten or so miles out as evening drew in. Once again the sky clouded over and the weather report of bright sun and 29° in Lisbon seemed otherworldly. Soon the swell grew, overlaid with an uncomfortable chop. Really big waves closed the rearward view as they bore down on us and Big Jac twisted, slowed to 8 knots with her prow high in the air before accelerating to 16 knots down the face of the wave.

CHANGED PLANS Supper was abandoned in favour of hurried sandwiches, though some crew were afflicted with queasiness. We all looked forward to calmer waters further south. The worst moment came as the heavy sea pinched through the channel between the Berlengas islands and the Lisbon coast. For three hours huge rollers pushed on our beam, twisting our passage, and we lost headway, slowing twice for container ships sharing the same corridor. But we made it and were soon tracking around the coast of southern Spain before closing in on our goal of the Balearics. We stopped at a small port 40 miles south of Cartagena to buy fuel but were turned away. Apparently we’d had the temerity to dock at the commercial fuel berth as the one for pleasure craft sat in only two metres of water and was too small for Big Jac. We made the decision to set sail for Cartagena, running on fumes. We arrived in the early evening and left Geoff to argue with the automated bowser at the fuel station. Tom and Rollo headed into the old city with Geoff ’s demand for beer and bananas ringing in their ears. They duly returned to the boat with the aforementioned and we enjoyed a fried fish dinner at the yacht club before we set sail again. We rounded the headland as the sun went down and took a heading that led us close to Benidorm. We could almost smell the stale beer and found ourselves craving a full English breakfast. Rollo took the next watch as the sun came up, revealing Formentera in the distance, the smallest of the Balearics located on the southern skirts of Ibiza. The plan was to stop for a swim and get the tender running but as we had made such good headway we decided to press on to Mallorca. However, as evening approached, the plan changed again. With the bit between our teeth, we decided to keep going and make landfall in Menorca in time for a late beer. Decision made, our spirits were high as we left Mallorca behind us. However, the next few hours seemed to take an age as we crawled towards our destination, which sat stubbornly on the horizon as the day faded into night. A welcoming party had been arranged for us at Bar Paupa in Binibequer, a favourite watering hole. We snaked our way through the mooring buoys and picked up the one closest to the bar. The tender was dropped into the water and after some coaxing the belaboured outboard coughed into life. We chugged through the inky calm waters towards our impromptu welcoming party and several well-earned beers. The next thing anyone remembers was a cacophony of alarms going off far too early. The boat had to be lifted out for a survey a few hours later. We were underway once again. With slightly bleary heads but with a great sense of achievement, we passed the marker buoys and arrived in Mahon at about 9am. Mission accomplished.

Big Jac was renamed Orca to reflect her size and is available for charter out of Mahon with Skipper Giles. Contact via Facebook or Email:info@orcamenorca.com Tel: +34 653 26 45 20 or +44 (0)7584 311855

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

SEPTEMBER 2023

OUT AND ABOUT WITH JOHN 2XW DQG DERXW LV QRW DOZD\V RQ GU\ ODQG DQG ZKHQ ZH UHFHLYHG DQ RIIHU IRU D GD\ RXW ZLWK -RKQ 'DYLHV \HV DQRWKHU RQH DQG KLV ORYHO\ ZLIH /X RQ WKHLU EHDXWLIXO 1LPEXV ERDW ZH MXPSHG DW WKH FKDQFH -RLQHG E\ RXU JRRG IULHQGV 0LNH DQG 6X]LH ZH PHW RQ WKH SRQWRRQ LQ IURQW RI &OXE 0DULWLPR -RKQ DQG /X ZHUH ORRNLQJ UDWKHU KRW DQG ZKHQ VDZ WKH FRYHUV WKH\ KDG MXVW UHPRYHG ZH FRXOG VHH ZK\ 6RPHWLPHV WKDW H[WUD WLPH SDUNLQJ WKH FDU FDQ EH D OLIHVDYHU With all the food and drink stowed in the two impressive draw fridges we cast the lines, dropped the bow line and off we went. After 15 years running a sailing school and yacht charter business it’s hard to get used to just sitting back with a cold drink and watching someone else do all the running around. They were like a well-oiled machine, jobs done, fenders away and decision time, North or South. Let’s see when we get to the harbour entrance. With elbows out we made our way to the entrance to the Port. There were boats of every shape and size: powerboats with beautiful young people lying on the huge sunbeds up front (I always wondered if they could make bikinis with velcro to help them stick in choppy waters), elegant sailing yachts, small Llauts, and ribs, all thinking the same thing, “Must get to Colom and get a good mooring”. It’s like a nautical version of Wacky Races. Now I am showing my age. I like to see myself as Peter Perfect, but others probably liken me to Dick Dastardly. Google it all you young people if you are perplexed by the reference. Once clear of the entrance, Mike, now assuming the role of skipper, was able to open up the 2 x 300 HP outboard engines. It was a surprise to discover how quiet they were and that conversation could continue. Burn rate and auto tabs amongst other things were discussed, but I will leave the technical stuff for another day. We quickly passed Mesquida, then Es Grau and looking at how busy Colom was, it was decided (by Mike the skipper) that Son Saura was the place for us. “It’s a bit far isn’t it?”, I piped up from my Estrella, thinking of the sweeping beach just east of Cala’n Bosch. Apparently, the correct name for Son Parc beach is Son Saura. Well, who would have thunked that. Once there, we chose a spot in front of a boat sporting a Bear flag and a disturbingly lifelike Parrot on the flybridge (twoz just a replica, don’t fret folks). Lu masterfully lowered the anchor and, once secured, John unfolded the rather wonderful teak table, used his remote to extend the sun awning (very cool) and it was out with the lunch. Egg mayonnaise sandwiches, tuna rolls, Lidl pasties and lots of salad. This is the life. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

THE GREAT OUTDOORS

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After lunch and a few more beers it was time for a swim. The water was gorgeous and from the sea you could really appreciate the lines of the Nimbus’ stepped hull (sorry tech stuff later). Once John (the other one) was in the water I could see why his boat was so pristine. A small sponge was passed down and he proceeded to clean the water line. That’s the bit you see just above the water (hence the name) which tends to get a little grubby from the sea life, heat and no antifoul (see tech stuff). Once clean it was back on board for more refreshments and conversation on varied subjects like motorbikes, Keith Richards and general music from our era (for those who Googled Wacky Races, take note of date, google rock bands of that date and educate yourself on quality music). We watched the young and fit jump from the rocks on the shore and enjoyed the varied way people chose to anchor. Small boats came and went, big boats came and stayed and eventually we decided to leave as John (the other one) and Lu had to get back to Mahon as they were leaving for the UK in the morning. Brexit raised its ugly head and talk of 90 days and Visas, but we shall leave that for another day. I assumed the role of skipper on the way back and really enjoyed helming (driving to you landlubbers) back to Mahon. On route we passed Orca (180 Llaut) with Skipper Giles high up on the flybridge. After what can only be described as a shocking display hidden from his charterers on deck below (I will leave it to your imagination), it was throttles forward and we sped away. The Nimbus really was very responsive and we were soon back at La Mola. The speed limit in the harbour is 3 knots (nautical miles, Google it) and can seem very slow when you are decelerating from speed. Others around us also found it frustrating, so much so they chose to ignore it. It is 3 knots for a reason. The swell from boats going faster causes irreparable damage to the shore and makes smaller craft roll dangerously. A friend who was swimming with friends in Cala Corb witnessed such a craft speeding down the harbour and the wash pushed her friends onto the rocks. It is a miracle no one was hurt. Back on the pontoon it was all hands to the task of putting the covers back on. We couldn’t leave it to John (the other one) and Lu to struggle. What a great day, enjoyable on so many levels. I still can’t believe I live in this beautiful place and have such a wide group of friends to share it with. Where next to be out and about with John? (this one, not the other one).

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

GRAPEVINE

SEPTEMBER 2023

GRAPEVINE

RACHEL POULUS Rachel Poulus is from Holland and she has been living on Menorca on and off since 1989. I caught up with her at her villa in Torre Soli Nou on the south coast of Menorca to talk about art, golf and her involvement in the Island Games which this year took place in Guernsey. Rachel first came to Menorca in 1989 when she was working for Sol Meliá as an entertainer at the Sol Falco Hotel in Cala’n Bosch. She organised the sporting activities in the daytime and took to the stage in the evening along with 20 other entertainers. In the winters she worked in the Canary Islands. From the Sol Falco she moved to the Sol Elite Condores which is now Villa Le Blanc Gran Meliá in Santo Tomás. Rachel’s next career move was to Viatges Magon where she worked for a German tour operator guiding for the Dutch, German and Spanish visitors and those arriving on the cruise ships. She remembers that each nationality had different expectations, some wanting exact historical dates while others enjoyed a more entertaining tour, singing along as she taught them Fiesta songs. Rachel then took up a double life, working for Tui Holland and other agencies during the day and for a Clown and Magic show at night. Her friend was a magician and they started to put on shows for private parties at some of the top houses on the island.

Menorca Royal In 2012 Rachel decided the time had come to put all her expertise into starting a concierge company with her former partner, which they called Menorca Royal. “We went out on our boat to meet the big yachts arriving in the Port of Mahon, giving them our business card and offering them a personalised welcome package for the island.” After some initial success they soon realised they would need an office and when the bar of the Club Marítimo became available they took it on, despite having no experience in catering! They put posters in the windows to advertise the concierge packages for yachts. After a couple of successful years running the large bar (formerly Cappuccino Bar) Rachel was given only 6 months’ notice to leave when the Casino was moved to the ground floor. She moved from the huge space to the tiny 11 m2 bar adjoined to the new Casino called La Terraza del Casino. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

GRAPEVINE

SEPTEMBER 2023

The International Island Games Once every two years, thousands of athletes from islands around the world — from Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, the North Atlantic to the Caribbean — get together to compete in the NatWest International Island Games. Some of the world’s finest sportsmen and women began their careers as Games competitors, such as the cyclist Mark Cavendish MBE (Isle of Man) and the heptathlete and 400m runner Kelly Sotherton (Isle of Wight). The games are not all about scoreboards and medals. They are a chance for thousands of young people from islands across the world to explore new places and cultures, share unforgettable experiences and form lasting friendships. Menorca won gold and silver medals in cycling, athletics, shooting, tennis, basketball, sailing and badminton with competitors also taking part in archery, football, golf, swimming, and tennis. The Womens Basketball team won a team gold and individual gold medals were won by Nuria Bosch Picó in Mountain Biking, Nicolas Vila Iglesias in the Triple Jump, Juan Manuel Bagur Bosch in the Shooting – Olympic Trap, Alexander and Oscar Mesquida Berg in the men’s tennis doubles and Borja Torres Florit in the ICLA 6 sailing class. Full results can be found on the website https://guernsey2023.gg/

This is where we first met Rachel when we were working close by in the Port of Mahon and our sailing instructor Heidi made it her satellite office. It was a very popular bar for cocktails and tapas with a great location but after 3 years the Casino did not renew the rental contract. However, there was a happy ending to the story as it was through the bar that she met her husband John, who was a frequent visitor to Menorca from Holland. Rachel moved back to Holland working as a PA and in sales for a printing company. However, she then became a recruitment consultant and was able to work from home in both Holland and Menorca. Together with John she bought and renovated a beautiful villa that she had often noticed on her walks along the coast. This has now become their primary holiday home. Having been diagnosed with ADHD during COVID. Rachel started to paint and discovered a new talent. She has a studio in the house and enjoys a more relaxed lifestyle based around painting on canvas, furniture and decorative objects. Rachel says, “I started to paint objects around the house in the colours I love. I then transferred these ideas onto canvas and added plaster for texture. People liked my creations and I set up my own website https://www. art-by-r.com and have taken commissions. Last year I had four of my paintings displayed in the Flat Gallery in Mahon.”

Golf and the International Island Games Rachel and John became involved at Son Parc Golf Club 4 years ago in 2019, the year they got married. Friends told them about a tournament for charity called Heart to Beat. It sounded great fun with something to do at every hole, such as whisky tasting. Rachel already played but John was a beginner and took 10 lessons at the club, to be ready to take part. He was soon hooked and now they are regulars at the Son Parc Club. There is a tournament every Saturday in August when many Spanish visitors come to play. In May/June and September/October there are more residents playing, including three local groups from Son Parc, the Green Village Apartments, and the Elite Group from the South of the island. In July, a team from Menorca went to play golf at the Nat West International Island Games in Guernsey. Rachel went along as one of the delegates for the 80 men and women representing Menorca in many different sports, from basketball and football to athletics and sailing. “It was a wonderful experience, 1000’s of people lined the streets and shook our hands to welcome us to Guernsey.” In May, Rachel organised a Dutch Open tournament for Kings Day and the golf course was festooned with orange flags. It was such a success that Rachel is organising the Orange Open on Sunday 17th September sponsored by Pedro’s Boat. This event is open to all players of all nationalities – you just have to wear orange to take part. The inscription is €15 and includes a welcome surprise, the green fee is €65, and a buggy is €35,70. If you would like more information contact info@menorcagolf.es ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

WELLBEING

SEPTEMBER 2023

NUTRITION AND FITNESS WITH TOM AND JESS

YOUR BODY IS YOUR BUSINESS I was talking to someone the other day, and they said it’s easy for me to stay in shape because ‘my body is my business’. I am 50 now, and I have worked in health and fitness for 30-plus years. I started exercising/working out at the age of 17 - and honestly, it was purely ego-driven! I was an average-looking teenager just looking to stand out a little. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Jean-Claude Van Damme and Sylvester Stallone were the ‘big’ influencer stars of the day, and I got well and truly influenced. As I mentioned above, it started out all about me, and I did ok. I was featured in Men’s Fitness magazine many times and did some modelling and TV commercials. This satisfied specific goals then, which was cool for a young lad with little responsibility. However, as time passed, one of my grandfathers became increasingly muddled and confused, which led to the discovery that he had Alzheimer’s disease. Things changed after that. I saw what that disease did to my once strong and amazing grandfather, but even more so, I saw the effects on my dear grandmother, my dad, my auntie and uncle and all of us in the family. A disease does not just affect one person if you have family and friends. Family and friends can help someone recover, but it was tough on everyone involved. At the time of Grandad’s case, people didn’t properly understand his form of dementia; things have come a long way since then. I realised that weight training can be so much more than ‘looking good’. It can be a preventative measure against degenerate disease and to enable staying healthier and mobile for longer. I then made it my mission to start by helping myself by educating myself, which led to my passion for helping others in their quests for health. Note - looking better is a nice side effect of being healthier. Not the other way around. Writing for magazines followed in such publications as Men’s Health, Men’s Fitness, Outdoor Fitness, and here in Menorca’s very own Roqueta, to name a few, rather than just having pictures of me in the magazines. Talking at different health conferences around Europe and the Americas has been a privilege, and meeting Jess ten years ago while giving a health talk was naturally a high. Our daughters Olive and Lola will one day be thankful that we met :-) So, yes, my body is my business! This statement is true for everybody! What body or what person is not better if they are healthier? What body is not better if it is stronger? If someone is ‘in shape’, and I mean in a healthy way, then all the areas from being in shape point towards feeling and looking better. If there are some injuries from the past, those injuries will be looked after that much better when someone makes it their business to be ‘in shape’. Energy increase? Yes, invariably that is improved too, and all-round mood. You’re feeling better in the mornings, getting up more energised, and sleeping well. So basically, it is everybody’s business to be the best version of themselves. Making your body your business because it’s your business to look after yourself, not just for you, but for everybody around you as well, because you’re their burden if you’re not healthy. It does not need to be radical, either. Just start by doing a little more than what you are doing now. Move a little more and eat more in line with long-term health goals. You may want to do more when you feel the benefits of doing a little, as getting into action in the first place is usually the most challenging step. I am here if you need help with that step. Anyway, lots of love, just a thought, and have a great day. Tom Nutrition Support - Personal Training - Yoga - Island Hikes - Cooking Workshops www.jessntom.com D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

WELLBEING

SEPTEMBER 2023

5 SIMPLE THINGS YOU CAN IMPLEMENT TODAY TO UP YOUR HEALTH WHILST HOLIDAYING OR LIVING IN MENORCA Tom and I have lived full-time in Menorca for six years, the first three as a married couple, the second three with Olive, and now Lola. In that time, we’ve learnt a thing or two about how to healthily enjoy the island, and so I thought it would be helpful to share 5 of them. 1. BYO or DIY your snacks! Healthy grab-and-go snacks are one of the trickiest things to find in the shops here on the island. In the UK, you are spoilt for choice with all sorts of deliciously healthy snack bars, bliss balls and ready-packaged fresh fruit/veg and nut butter or hummus combinations, but I have yet to find these options here; they just don’t exist, which means you have to be organised on the snackfront as the alternative option is a croissant, ensaïmada or pastry of some kind. So if you’re visiting the island on holiday, I’d BYO (bring your own), so that you have a stash of your favourites. The kinds of snacks we go for in our house are as follows: • Fresh fruit and a handful of nuts • A homemade nut and dried fruit blend, cut into squares or rolled into balls and stored in the freezer • A homemade muffin or slice of banana bread (I make batches of these, slice them up and store them in the freezer) • Olives • Rice cake with nut butter Toddlers and snacks go hand-in-hand, and leaving the house without some kind of snack is dangerous territory and one that I am not keen on exploring, so I’m always prepared! 2. An easy tip to keep your fruit and veg cold and intact If you enjoy walking or beaching and like to enjoy some fresh fruit or chopped veg as part of a picnic or a snack, then I’d highly recommend investing in a ‘Chilly’s Food Pot’ which is a stainless steel double walled (leak-proof), food container which keeps food hot or cold for up to 6 hours. The food pot eliminates the chance of having a squished, warm piece of fruit and ensures when you sit on the beach or are on a hike pit-stop, and you tuck into your fruit/ veg, it’s refreshingly cold. I use a pink Chilly’s Pot for Olive’s nursery fruit snack every day, and it always comes back empty, which is a great sign. Top tip: Pop your Chilly’s Food Pot in the freezer for an hour or two with the lid off so that the inside goes nice and cold, and then add your chopped fruit or veg to it and pop the lid on. Alternatively, if you don’t have time to cool your food pot down, add some crushed ice or an ice cube with a little water and transfer your fresh fruit/veg in there to keep it cool. This tip is totally worth the seconds of prep time and having this storage container at hand. 3. Keep your liquids cold Invest in a stainless-steel water bottle if you haven’t got one already, and you’ll use it daily. I have one in my bag and in my car to keep my water refreshingly cold when I’m out and about, and I purposefully don’t drink from plastic bottles as I don’t know the journey they’ve been on before arriving at the shop shelves. Warm water just doesn’t quench your thirst in the same way as room temperature or cold water, and water that’s been stored in a plastic bottle and sat in the car in the heat or in your bag on the beach runs the risk of certain chemicals such as bisphenol A (BPA) leaching into the water which has proven adverse health effects. We have multiple Chilly bottles at home and always have one in our sports bag or handbag and Olive has one in her car seat as well. When we travel abroad, we take them with us on the plane, go through security with it empty, and fill it up from the water fountains on the other side. There’s also the environmental benefit of investing in a reusable bottle versus plastic.

Invest in a pack of ice lolly moulds and either buy a bottle of freshly pressed juice or blend whole fruit into a blender to make your juice and pour the liquid into the moulds. Freeze and transfer the lollies into a zip lock bag so that your lolly moulds are free to make another batch with. Repeat until you have a good freezer stash full. Combinations I love: • Strawberry and yoghurt • Watermelon and fresh mint • Pineapple and fresh mint • Pineapple, mango and yoghurt • Mango and yoghurt Top tip: the more ripe the fruit, the sweeter the lolly. You can add a little local honey if you want to add additional sweetness, but I deliberately pick fruits that are in season where possible to avoid the need to add any sweetness. 5. Smoothie Unless you go to one of the brunch spots I mentioned in my article last month, healthy breakfasts are hard to stumble across here on the island. The options are typically: croissants, ensaïmada or pan con tomate, with a cortado or café con leche, which is tasty as a treat, but this combination doesn’t offer a huge amount of nutritional value. We make a smoothie in the mornings, pop it in an insulated container and off we go. Having the Chilly Food Pot, like I recommended in my second tip, and a Chilly bottle or stainless steel bottle for fluids is a game changer. The alternative is a warm smoothie which I would do once and then never again, so it really does make the difference between doing something once or it becoming a daily habit. Invest in your health and get yourself set up for living or holidaying on a Mediterranean island with the appropriate storage vessels for the climate. I hope the above has been helpful :-). In my next article, I will share some snack and lolly recipes as I think that would be helpful and fun for you to recreate in your homes! If you need any support or guidance when it comes to your health, especially what food choices you could make to optimise your health, then from September I am taking on nutrition clients again. I have a Nutrition Clinic waiting list to which you can add yourself by emailing hello@TheOnlineNutritionClinic.com or hello@jessntom.com. All my very best, Jess Nutrition Support - Personal Training - Yoga - Island Hikes - Cooking Workshops www.jessntom.com

4. Make your own lollies There’s something about kids and ice lollies; they LOVE them! Shop-bought ones tend to be filled with all sorts of colourings, flavourings and added sugar, so we like to make our own in the Dyer household, that way we know exactly what’s gone into them. I can guarantee they’ll taste delicious, and it’s such a cost saving too! Each lolly can be made for 20-30 céntimos versus 2€-3€, and over the summer that cost difference, not to mention the nutritional difference, mounts up. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

WELLBEING

SEPTEMBER 2023

HEALING WITH CRYSTALS & YOGA HEAL AND RESTORE WITH SIOBHAN & ALLI We all love vibrant sapphires and emeralds, but did you know that you can get beautiful jewellery made of crystals which are incredibly healing, containing esoteric properties. As far back as the Stone Age men and women have adorned themselves with crystal jewellery! For healing purposes, they are often placed or worn upon the chakras in our bodies. We have many chakras but the main seven chakras run down the centre of the body, starting at the top of the head and finishing at the base of the spine. They are an important part of our energy systems and need maintenance and care. Each chakra represents certain organs, emotions, and feelings and if blocked or stagnant this can lead to disturbances in both physical and mental health. Yoga is a popular way to maintain health in your physical, emotional and energetic bodies as many asanas are designed to release blockages in the chakras as well as muscular tension. You can enhance your practice by using crystals and placing them around your yoga mat or even directly onto your chakras. If you take this even further by introducing certain medicinal foods into your diet that are designed to heal from the inside out, you can start in the direction of what we like to call holistic wellness. We would love to share with you some of our favourite crystals, how they work and how you can use them in combination with yoga poses and super foods to promote and sustain a healthy mind, body and soul.

CHRYSOCOLLA Chrysocolla is a beautiful semi-precious stone. It is known to calm, cleanse and re-energise, while promoting inner balance, self-awareness, motivation, confidence and sensitivity. It can also inspire creativity, reduce fears and ward off negative energy. Healing Benefits Emotional Body: This is a great little stone that helps reduce any mental pressures, restores joy from feeling guilt and shame and helps you keep a cool head. Physical Body: A good one to keep in your pocket as it treats arthritis, bone disease, muscle spasms, lung issues, blood disorders, ulcers and the digestive tract. It also helps to reoxygenate the blood and cellular structure of the lungs helping with breathing, and helps regenerate the pancreas, regulates insulin, strengthens muscles and alleviates cramping. With its cooling action it helps heal infection, especially in the throat and tonsils, lowers blood pressure and helps with arthritic pain, thyroid, metabolism and treats PMS! Boost your crystal with Yoga You can enhance the effectiveness of Chrysocolla with a reverse plank pose (purvottanasana) placing the crystal either on your solar plexus, heart, throat or third eye chakra. Physically this

pose builds strength in the arms, shoulders, and core muscles. It also helps to improve posture, increase flexibility and reduce back pain as it stretches out your front body and strengthens your back body. Additionally, purvottanasana can help to calm the mind and relieve stress.

TURQUOISE Turquoise has been used for centuries for healing and making the most stunning jewellery. Turquoise is a purification stone, it clears negative energy, balances and aligns spiritual to physical, while harmonising male and female energies. Healing Benefits Emotional Body: Turquoise aids communication and creative expression, strengthens the mind, instils inner calm and strengthens the energy fields and meridians in the body. It is a great promoter of self-realisation, assists in creative problem solving whilst calming the nerves especially for public speaking. This stone protects and helps with exhaustion, depression or panic attacks. It also stimulates your romantic life! Physical Body: It helps regenerate tissue, the immune system, eye health, alleviates pollution and viral infections. It is good for the whole body benefiting gout, rheumatism, the stomach, detoxification and helps with inflammation. What a powerful little stone!

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

WELLBEING

SEPTEMBER 2023

Yoga Poses: 1. Cat Pose 2. Cow Pose 3. Reverse Plank Pose 4. Sphinx Pose 5. Twisted Pose

Boost your crystal with Yoga This crystal aids our throat chakra (Vishuddha) allowing us to speak our truth and be heard. In yoga, that means doing poses that open this chakra. Cat-Cow stretches are a wonderful way to do this and they also introduce movement into your entire spine. As you move through Cow to Cat and back again, you’re articulating each joint along your spine from neck to tail and literally lubricating them, improving blood circulation between the vertebrae of your spine and helping in relieving back pain and stress. This wonderful movement also powers up your brain and improves focus, coordination and mental stability.

ROSE QUARTZ We all love Rose quartz; it is the stone of unconditional love! It represents the heart chakra and attracts love and peace into your life. It is a pretty pink stone and looks good wherever you place it. If you want to attract love, put it in your bedroom or in the relationship corner of your home, it will instantly draw love towards you. In relationships it can restore trust and harmony, encouraging unconditional love.

And last, but not least, we have a powerful little cluster of crystals that work beautifully together to help support a healthy weight and metabolism. Blue Apatite: is considered a hunger suppressant and may help curb cravings.

Healing benefits

Sodalite: thought to help enhance metabolism and help to stop cravings.

Emotional body: Rose quartz releases negativity and replaces it with loving vibes strengthening empathy and sensitivity, helping with any necessary change. This stone is good for a mid-life crisis, and it enhances your receptivity to beauty.

Sunstone: helps willpower, determination and may increase metabolism.

Physical body: Rose quartz strengthens your heart and blood circulation, helping release impurities and toxins from your system. Placing this stone on your heart chakra and thymus will help the lungs and chest. It aids healing of the kidneys and adrenals and is said to alleviate vertigo. The stone or elixir soothes burns, blisters and soothes the complexion. It is helpful with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia. Boost your crystal with Yoga A powerful yoga pose to stimulate your heart chakra is Sphinx pose (Salamba Bhujangasana). This is a gentle back bend that strengthens the spine, stretches the chest, lungs, shoulders and belly, forms the buttocks, stimulates digestion, improves spinal mobility and alleviates stress.

Amethyst: breaks bad habits, balances metabolism & hormones, helps motivation. Lolite: increases energy and vitality and is said to reduce fatty deposits. Aids in understanding and releasing the causes of addiction. Carnelian: thought to reduce hunger, stop cravings and help to detox. Any yoga poses that involve twists can hugely benefit your digestive health. A twist is a pose involving a rotation of the spine and torso, this penetrates deep into the core of the body to wring out toxins in the internal organs, providing them with fresh, oxygenated blood If you would like to learn more about crystals, or invest in your own, you can find some beautiful pieces in Marybola in Sant Lluis

YOGA GALLERY FESTIVAL, LAZARETO If you would like to start feeling the amazing benefits of an ongoing yoga practice, then you are more than welcome to get in touch with Siobhan regarding weekly group or private yoga and pilates classes on the Island. Or why not attend this year’s edition of the Yoga Gallery Festival on Lazareto to be held 28th September to 1st October. Pick and choose from a full program of activities, catering to all styles and levels of yoga, as well as exploring the realms of meditation, thoughtful discussions, enjoying daily concerts, finding some inner peace within the enchanting surroundings of the island and sampling local artisan food. Chrysocolla from Marybola

Contact Siobhan for more information or you can visit the website. +44 7775583835 yogagallerymenorca.com

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LOCAL NEWS

MARYBOLA & MARYNELIS

SEPTEMBER 2023

CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS LADIES PROBUS Probus invited Jocelyn Dow to speak at last month’s lunch about her hobby and passion for upcycling furniture. Before moving to Menorca, Jocelyn ran her own recruitment agency in Dubai, having lived there for over 22 years. She relocated here 6 years ago, after selling her business, along with her husband Markus and their two daughters, to enjoy a new pace and quality of life that this beautiful island offers. When they purchased their home in Trebaluger, as is customary here on the island, they inherited some furniture pieces with the house. Although beautifully made and much of it very solid and of good quality, the majority wasn’t in keeping with their taste and liking. So rather than banish them to landfill or replace them at significant expense, Jocelyn set about painting and upcycling thus creating new and unique looks to work with their style of decor. She painted bed heads, tallboys, chests of drawers and blanket boxes to complement furniture that they already owned, and, over time, she gained a reputation with friends for upcycling and transforming unloved or tired pieces. She has since become a go-to for those who need help in creating some beautiful and unique looks for their items as well as doing their bit for the environment. She has upcycled all manner of items from mirrors, sewing tables, and drawers to creating new coastal looks for summer holiday homes and villas. Jocelyn brought some examples of her work to the lunch and shared with us some of the various techniques she uses to upcycle, such as decoupage, stenciling, gold leafing, wood bleaching, and finishing styles. It was truly inspiring to hear about her passion and how she has been able to give new life to old furniture! Examples of her furniture transformations can be seen on www.facebook.com/recicladoconamormenorca and Instagram as recicladoconamor. menorca.

Gloria Gomila, from Menorca is the designer and owner of the beautiful Marybola jewellery shop in Sant Lluis. In a few years, Gloria went from selling macrame bracelets in a Menorcan craft market to stepping on the most important fashion catwalk in Spain, the MBFW Catwalk in Madrid. Gloria, says that her jewelry has the ability to contain feelings , as well as enhancing the pure and natural beauty of the stones . All the jewels are designed and manufactured in Menorca by Gloria and her team of professionals In each of her collections, minerals are the protagonists. Over the years, this interest in the mineral world has led her to create Marynelis, a mineral store born from Gloria’s passion and Iván’s eagerness to learn. On the website you can learn about the physical properties of minerals, how they are formed, and how they can help balance the body, mind, and emotions. Gloria attends the most important mineral and gem fairs in the world, obtaining the pieces directly from the mines in order to offer quality and beauty stones. Gloria, carefully cleans the stones, a process that requires time and dedication allowing her to enjoy and appreciate each unique piece. Marybola Shop, Carrer Sant Lluís 52, 07710 Sant Lluís, Menorca Teléfono/ Whatsapp: +34 681 181 256 Email: hola@marynelis.com www.marybola.com https://marynelis.com D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

LADIES CANCER SUPPORT LUNCHEON CLUB IN MENORCA

Over 30 of us met for lunch at the Samoa in Cala en Porter in August. We were fewer than usual as some were booked for the Earth Wind and Fire concert at San Felipe that evening, some were away and some just don´t feel they can make it in August because of the heat. The food was good, and there was a varied selection of raffle prizes. A pleasant surprise was that we had a speaker, Chiara Torres, a lawyer who practises law in the Basque Country; she is half Menorcan and half English and her mother, Debbie Bayley, is a member of the club. Chiara has a side line where she promotes essential oils in which she is a firm believer. She suffers from asthma and no longer uses her inhaler thanks to the oils; she explained how the oils are very concentrated and can be mixed with water to be used as sprays. We had a “blind” smell test - most of us could identify lavender and peppermint but some other smells were more elusive. Essential oils can also be mixed with vinegar and used as cleaning products! Chiara gave Elizabeth a great foot massage and passed on a lot of handy hints. If any of you are interested in learning more Chiara can be contacted through the club or Debbie. Our next luncheon will be at the Casino in Sant Climent on 6th September and we shall look forward to seeing members and guests then.

Even though our official name is Associacio Cancer Support Mallorca, we are happy to offer help to our Menorcan neighbours. If you have to come to Mallorca for tests or treatment, please let us know, we are happy to help you with transport, we can send a translator to help you, or even just someone to be with you while you wait, and if you need to extend your stay and are struggling with accommodation we can put you in touch with different associations that can help. Many of the services we offer in Mallorca, such as Counselling and Nutritional advice are available to you in Menorca too, via video or phone call. And if you would like help such as transport, translations, hospital visits, home visits, help with shopping etc. Please reach out to us so we can arrange this with the other associations we work with as well as our own small team of volunteers. Our aim is that nobody has to go through cancer alone, we want to be there for you!

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LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

GENERAL CAT CARE IN MENORCA by ROQUETA’s VET Caroline Langlois

Phone or WhatsApp: +34 685753292 Email: vetmenorca@gmail.com C/Santa Victoria 30, 07701 Mahon

Because prevention is better than cure, today we’re going to look at the preventive care recommended for your beloved cats, with the aim of keeping them as healthy as possible for as long as possible. Vaccination Recent advances in veterinary medical science have resulted in an increase in vaccines available for cats. Improvements are continuously being made in vaccine safety and effectiveness. Vaccination is the most appropriate preventive method to avoid the occurrence of various diseases even if the cat doesn’t have access to the outdoors, as some diseases can be transmitted without direct cat-to-cat contact.

WSAVA (World Small Animals Veterinary Association) recommends the following protocol: • At 8-9 weeks, first injection of trivalent (herpes virus, calicivirus and panleukopenia virus) or tetravalent vaccine (idem + leukaemia virus), depending on the cat’s future lifestyle), followed by: • Booster at 12 weeks of age • Booster at 16 weeks of age • Annual booster when the cat is one year old

And what should you vaccinate against?

• Then, again depending on the cat’s lifestyle and the diseases it is vaccinated against, a booster every year or every three years is recommended.

• For indoor cats, it is advisable to use trivalent vaccine, that provides them with defences against:

For more information and sources: https://wsava.org/wp-content/ uploads/2020/01/WSAVA-Vaccination-Guidelines-2015.pdf

• Cat flu or coryza is caused by feline herpes virus and feline calicivirus. It is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes colds and conjunctivitis, leading to sneezing, watery eyes and coughing. It can also be accompanied by a drop in appetite and can sometimes cause mouth sores and ulcers and ocular after-effects. This disease is very common, accounting for around 90% of respiratory illnesses in cats. Cats of all ages and breeds are affected, regardless of sex. Even if the cat recovers from the symptoms, it can remain a carrier of the viruses and continue to infect other cats.

Your vet is your best ally in supporting and advising you throughout your cat’s life, so don’t hesitate to solicitate him or her!

• Feline infectious enteritis caused by feline panleukopenia virus. It is a contagious disease resulting in severe gastroenteritis (vomiting and diarrhoea), and death in kittens in 90% of cases. The disease is very easily transmitted, as the virus is highly resistant in the external environment. • For outdoor cats that may meet unfamiliar cats, it is also advisable to vaccinate against feline leukaemia. This disease is caused by a retrovirus, Feline Leukaemia Virus (FeLV), which leads to the appearance of tumours and gradual immunodepression. Cats can be infected through saliva (by biting or licking), shared litter trays, nose-to-nose contact and through the mother’s milk when the kittens are being suckled. Transmission can also occur during gestation. Wrongly called “cat AIDS”, the disease cannot be transmitted to humans. There are very simple blood tests that can be carried out to check whether a cat is infected with the virus. Cat AIDS is caused by another retrovirus, Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV), closely related to FelV. FIV cannot be transmitted to humans. As with humans, there is currently no vaccine to prevent this disease. The virus is transmitted mainly by bite, during fights. As with FelV, your vet can perform simple blood tests to detect FIV infection. D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

TREBALUGER EQUINE RESCUE CENTRE Simon Rees

Tony Rawlins

SEPTEMBER AND OCTOBER SPEAKERS It is hard to believe that The Arts Society Menorca has only two more speakers in our 2023 season! Both of them have been with us before, and have been asked to return by popular demand. On Thursday the 21st of September, we welcome back Simon Rees speaking on Bizet’s opera “Carmen”. Some may remember the stunning production of “Carmen” performed locally at the Teatro Principal in Mahon a few years ago. Simon was with us in 2019 talking about opera and design. From 1989 to 2012 he was at the Welsh National Opera in Cardiff serving as a Dramaturg: an expert in the study of plays, opera and musicals. It is the job of a Dramaturg to provide the cast and crew with vital knowledge, research, and interpretation about the theatrical work in question so that they are—in turn—better equipped to do their jobs. He now shares his knowledge as a freelance writer and lecturer. In August we had a visitor to the rescue center, Raj Bizram and his wife Sue. Raj has been coming to the island for many years and is know for his appearances in most UK antique programmes such as Antiques Road Trip, Flog It!, Four Rooms, Posh Pawn, and Bargain Hunt. He co-founded Bentley’s Fine Art and Antiques Auction House in Cranbrook, Kent They spent the morning looking around the centre, asking about the animals and the work we do. They were interested in the community activities and the social services on the island which work alongside equine therapy. He gave advice and suggestions on how we may be able to reach out to more sponsors and widen our follower base. It was lovely to meet them both and we hope to see them again soon.

Tony Rawlins, our October speaker, started his career in advertising in 1965 as a mail boy at J. Walter Thompson. His expertise and experience in advertising through the years made for an informative and entertaining evening when he spoke in April 2022. This trip promises to be entertaining as well. His topic will be “ Mad Men and Artists: How the Advertising Industry Exploited Fine Art.” There are always individual tickets available at the door as well as guest tickets for friends which come with a free drink voucher, thanks to the Anglican Church in Menorca. Our lectures provide a venue to hear and see experts live, sharing their specialist knowledge about differing aspects of the arts. Our Program Secretary, Victoria, spends hours looking at videos of lecturers, or reading their resumes to choose THE FIVE speakers, out of 300, that will be interesting and entertaining to our local members. She gets to see how they present themselves, their topic, as well as how they project themselves. Lectures take place at the AeroClub San Lluís where our events provide the venue to hear and see these experts live. Jorge our host at the AeroClub has tapas and your favourite beverage for purchase. It’s very simple to join the Arts Society Menorca: send an email to Malcolm at menorca@theartssociety.org. He will send you information, and an application form. You are also invited to follow us on our FaceBook page and keep up to date on our web page. None of this would be possible without the sponsorship and support of Blevins Franks. The Committee wishes to thank all of our sponsors, and thank you, our members, and invite everyone to attend the evening lectures on 21 September and 19 October. We’d love to welcome you! Your Committee: Victoria Dowie, Malcolm Price, Carles Jiménez, Clive Dowie, and Kate Strudwick.

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LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

AGE CONCERN MENORCA New Volunteer This month’s main article is written by Lee, our Shop Manager, who begins by introducing a new volunteer: I am delighted to welcome a new volunteer to Age Concern. Ratan Alexander, a practising consultant anaesthetist in the NHS who has owned a house in Menorca for over 20 years. Ratan has recently joined us, helping with donation collections from all over the island. In his words “I have always wanted to be able to contribute something to the island and my plan of working in a professional capacity at the Mateu Orfila Hospital when on the island was put to rest by Brexit. I was delighted to find an alternative opportunity with Age Concern. After signing up I now assist Lee once a week when I come over, collecting donations. It doesn’t require a knowledge of Spanish (mine is still poor but working on it) as Lee is very much the communicator. I would encourage anyone who would like to contribute to the island to contact Lee. It is not only extremely satisfying to help but a great way of making new friends”. I would like to invite anyone wishing to volunteer in any capacity to contact me. We are based in the Poligono in Mahon close to Binipreu supermarket. You don’t have to be a resident in Menorca or commit to giving a regular amount of time. We would be delighted to see you - even for a day - when you are visiting like Ratan does. It is not essential to speak Spanish when helping with collections but useful if volunteering in the shop. There is plenty of scope, however, to use your generous donation of time in the shop that doesn’t require fluent Spanish. I look forward to hearing from you. Other news: The Shop is still very busy and really well stocked. Thank you for your donations and custom! A very big thank you also to all our volunteers who work so hard at making our shop such a welcoming centre to visit. We are still in need of more volunteers. Even if you are only available one morning a month, or during only a few weeks every year, we’d love to hear from you. Watch out for Lee, our Shop Manager, putting his regular Shop Video Tour on Facebook, under Age Concern Menorca 2015. Our Lifeline service, offering confidential help to those in need and consisting of a team of volunteers led by Carol, is still very busy supporting individuals in different ways. We help people of all nationalities and often act as a vital bridge between them and the local social services. If anyone you know needs our help, please get in touch. If you would like to join our Lifeline team, please contact Carol. The medical equipment short-term loan service is also still busy. Please make an appointment with Jan (essential!) if you need a wheelchair, crutches, walking frame etc. (Deposit required. No rental fee but we do ask for a donation when the equipment is returned and you get your deposit back. You can collect from us or we can deliver anywhere on the island. Loans for up to 3 months). It’s been wonderful to have our social activities up and running again. We hold a fish and chip lunch at Bar Pons, Cala en Porter on the first Thursday of every month. Our second monthly lunch, held on the third Thursday of every month is at Can Avelino 23 in Mahon. Sandy and Chris are organising these. Phone numbers for both are provided just below in our information section

Ratan and our Age Concern Van

KEY INFORMATION: Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday, 09.45 – 13.15. (Closed Afternoons) For the latest information and current offers follow us on facebook or visit our website. General Email: Visit Our Website: Follow Us On Facebook: Social Secretary: Membership Lifeline:

Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es Www.ageconcernmenorca.com Age Concern Menorca 2015 Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es Sandy: 699 901 777 or 650 729 439 Chris: 669 949 370 Secretary:menorca@Ageconcern.org.es 620 017 437 Lifelineminac@Gmail.com 676 904 487

Medical & Mobility Equipment Loan By Appointment Only: Acmenorcamedequip@Gmail.com 629 016 307 Shop: Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es 971 156 110 Shop Manager:

Menorca@Ageconcern.org.es 636 347 286

THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Bar Pons – Thursday September 7th ( Sandy); Can Avelino – Thursday September 21st (Christine) Both our weekly ‘drop-in’ sessions are up and running. Every Monday from 11.0012.30 at the Jubilado Centre on the Esplanada in Es Castell and every Tuesday from 10.00-12.00 at Bar Pons, Cala en Porter. Just come along and make new friends or meet current ones. The Tuesday ‘drop-in’ has been running for many years and is well supported. The Monday club, at Es Castell, is going from strength to strength thanks to Roy and Elaine. Keep your eyes open for more news, visit our website or Facebook page, email us for the latest information or just ‘drop-in’ on a Monday or Tuesday. Our membership numbers are very healthy. Membership not only means you are supporting us but also entitles you to discounts at all our social events. Please contact our Membership Secretary, Shelley, if you would like to support our work by donating 12€ a year and becoming a Friend of Age Concern. You can pay at the shop; at our lunches; or by bank transfer via our website. Thank you all for your continued support through donations, purchases, membership or as a volunteer. We couldn’t do any of this without you! D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

MENORCA CRICKET CLUB

SEPTEMBER 2023 Summer Cricket (see pictures) is now over, and The Menorca Cricket Club (“MCC”) is welcoming touring sides during the months of September and October offering a competitive village standard of cricket. Since it’s inception the Club has played host to more than 350 visiting teams from the UK, Holland, Spain, Andorra, Singapore and Canada. For further details on our upcoming fixtures please see https://www.menorcacricketclub.com/ You can also access the new Play Cricket site containing fixtures, results and statistics by clicking on https://menorca.play-cricket.com/home HERE IS THE FIXTURE LIST MATCHES START 12:30PM 02/09/2023 TREPTOWER KNOCKERS BERLIN 03/09/2023 TREPTOWER KNOCKERS BERLIN 09/09/2023 LAS BOLAS DORADAS 10/09/2023 LAS BOLAS DORADAS 16/09/2023 GLADE WANDERERS 17/09/2023 GLADE WANDERERS 23/09/2023 TRENGILLY WARTHA 24/09/2023 TRENGILLY WARTHA 30/09/2023 MAD HATTERS CC 01/10/2023 MAD HATTERS CC 06/10/2023 BINSTEAD VS ARUNDEL 07/10/2023 RAMPSIDE VILLAGE 08/10/2023 RAMPSIDE VILLAGE 09/10/2023 SENIORS TOURNAMENT (GAMES TBC) 10/10/2023 SENIORS TOURNAMENT (GAMES TBC) 11/10/2023 SENIORS TOURNAMENT (GAMES TBC) 12/10/2023 SENIORS TOURNAMENT (GAMES TBC) 13/10/2023 SENIORS TOURNAMENT (GAMES TBC) 14/10/2023 TOURING CAVALIERS 15/10/2023 TOURING CAVALIERS 21/10/2023 ROMANY CC 22/10/2023 ROMANY CC 28/10/2023 ZAMBUCA TIGERS 29/10/2023 ZAMBUCA TIGERS 04/11/2023 BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL 05/11/2023 BARCELONA INTERNATIONAL

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LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

MENORCA PRESERVATION GALA RAISES OVER €60,000

Menorca Preservation held their Summer Fundraising Gala at La Mola at the end of July and they were delighted with all the support. As we went to press they were still working on the final numbers, but could say they had raised over €60,000 The money will be used to continue supporting vital projects for the island such as the 3rd Moby Mummy campaign, the 0 Plastic campaign and the Plastic- free Menorca alliance. In addition, the money goes to help the MENORCA PRESERVADA training programme. This offers support, training, and tools to local farmers so that they can develop more sustainable practices in their farms with Agroassessor’s technical support. The Charity Gala has quickly become a meeting place for philanthropists, who love the island, local environmental heroes, who work so hard to develop vital projects for the preservation of Menorca and businesses, who understand the value of protecting and preserving this island.

TO MAKE A DONATION SCAN THE QR CODE D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

SPIRITUAL WELLBEING

By Rev Paul Strudwick

It gives us an opportunity to spend a month contemplating our relationship with the world around us, and the way in which we exercise stewardship of it. At the end of July, I was invited to speak at an ecumenical forum organised by the Roman Catholic diocese of Menorca focusing on Laudato Sí, the Pope’s Encyclical Letter of 2015 on the ‘care of our common home’. I mentioned that while we often make decisions based upon economic considerations, our understanding of the word ‘economy’ belies its Greek origins as a word meaning ‘household’. Economy is not only about money, but about the well-being of the whole home - the home of humanity: doing the right thing for our neighbours, or for the planet itself, for the common good. The American ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic’ includes these words: ‘As he died to make men holy, let us live to set them free.’ The Canadian poet Leonard Cohen, in one of his songs, rewrote those words: ’As he died to make men holy, let us die to make things cheap.’ Is that the economy that we really want? Creation is for us to care for, not to exploit.

I was going to write something about artificial intelligence from a spiritual, theological, or philosophical point of view. But then a parrot died (not mine, and, no, this is not going to be a reference to Monty Python) and drew my thoughts elsewhere, more towards natural intelligence. In the case of a parrot, there is more often than not a lot of intelligence. And having lived with our cat for 15 years, I can attest to the rather specialised form of feline intelligence that is aimed at making humans feel like inferior and inadequate servants. Outside the home, we are fortunate in Menorca to find ourselves easily away from urban settings, where we can come across tortoises, snakes, rabbits, amongst others, and abundant avian life, including my beloved hoopoes (paput in Menorquín). The pets that we keep in our homes and the creatures that we encounter in the wild all help us to connect to a part of the created order that is not human. They also give us a taste of mortality - but let’s set that aside for now. Connecting to something outside of ourselves actually helps us to define what it means to be human, and helps us to understand that we are part of something larger than ourselves: a rich, created universe, in which life is manifest in many different forms. Which ought to teach us that ‘intelligence’ is something that rather depends upon the circumstances in which it is applied. For example, there is a book called The Hidden Life of Trees, which includes a description of the way in which trees communicate, using scent and electrical impulses, together with what the author describes as a ‘wood wide web’ of soil fungi that connects vegetation in an intimate network that can convey information and goods. And, as he writes, the reason that trees communicate is that they need each other. So do we. We need each other - and we need the trees, but we don’t seem to be very good at communicating with them, other than by cutting them down. Although I have been known to talk to the plants on our terraza, to encourage their growth! I once saw a quote from Tracy Snell, who is Garden Manager – Ecology & Woodland, for RHS Bridgewater, who wrote this: ’People aren’t as connected these days to nature and it’s so important. When you go out into those open spaces you feel your stress levels decrease, you can take time out.’ We really do need to find ways to immerse ourselves in the non-human parts of creation - animal, vegetable and mineral. The month of September is, in many churches, a time to celebrate ‘the season of creation’. The Ecumenical Patriarch Dimitrios I proclaimed 1 September as a day of prayer for creation for the Orthodox churches in 1989; the Orthodox church year starts on that day with a commemoration of how God created the world. Following the leadership of the Patriarch and the World Council of Churches, Christians worldwide have come to embrace the season as part of their annual calendar.

So, what about mortality? We have a cat who is 15 years old. The parrot who died had been with his owner for 20 years. Even though parrots have long life expectancies, they quite often pre-decease us. The hamsters, rats, guinea pigs, even cats and dogs, whom I have taken for a one-way trip to the vet are many. We live in a culture that eschews mention of death, which is why we have so many euphemisms for it (such as ‘one way trip to the vet!’). This might lead me back into Monty Python dead parrot territory, but that is a temptation to be resisted. At least life with our pets gives us an insight into life’s temporary nature, and perhaps allows us to open ourselves to questions about our own mortality and the way it might connect to eternity - and how pets fit into that picture. There was a man in my first parish in Carmel, California, who grumbled about my preaching, which seemed to him too radical. But after one Sunday in October, when the celebration of Saint Francis offered an opportunity to bless animals, he heard me say that I could not envisage any reason why our pets should not be a part of resurrection, or eternal life, as extensions of our own personalities. Basically, quoting C.S. Lewis, he heard me say that dogs do go to heaven. He came up to me afterwards and told me that his opinion of my preaching had suddenly improved drastically (he loved his dogs). I feel sad for those who for various reasons are unable or unwilling to share their life with a non-human creature, because there is an aspect of sensitivity that develops through our non-verbal communication with our pets. Or, in the case of our cat, or the recently deceased parrot, communication with a decidedly verbal nature! I do believe that it is true that our relationship with all of the world around us, but especially those animals who come to share our lives and homes intimately, enriches us, and gives a deeper dimension to human intelligence. As for artificial intelligence - well, that will have to wait for another time.

CHURCH NEWS Worship in the church of Santa Margarita takes place on Sunday mornings at 9am and 11am, as well as at 11am every Wednesday and morning prayer with a focus on healing at 11am on Friday (also on Zoom). Santa Margarita continues to offer worship online, to respect the needs of those unable to worship in person at the church. As part of the Season of Creation, we will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 17 September this year. We customarily have a lunch afterwards, to which all are welcome, although we do request that people let us know beforehand, so that we can be sure to accommodate all. The church web site will continue to be the place to seek up-to-date news and information about online worship: anglicanchurchmenorca.com.

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

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

LOCAL NEWS

SEPTEMBER 2023

WHY VOLUNTEER WITH A PROTECTORA? There is a team of volunteers at the Protectora with a variety of roles. You can help walk the dogs or visit the cats to improve their social skills to prepare them for a new home. There are several British and other English-speaking members of the team to introduce you to the work and provide initial training so don’t be afraid to get in touch. The Protectora d’Animals Maó is a non-profit association that has been working for many years to improve the well-being of abandoned dogs and cats in the villages of Menorca, except Ciutadella and Ferreries, which are managed by the Protectora d’Animals Ciutadella. No animal protection association could carry out their activities if it were not for the selfless dedication of the volunteers who invest their time to achieve its objectives in different areas. Volunteering is an act of solidarity that implies a commitment to existing needs, in this case, abandoned dogs and cats. It is also an altruistic activity that positively influences the physical and mental health of the volunteer. The benefits of volunteering are many. Participating as a volunteer in a shelter provides great value for the animals, but also for oneself. Through volunteering, we help ourselves while helping the animals. Volunteering increases self-confidence, self-esteem, and satisfaction. Selflessly doing something that is beneficial to animals makes you feel better about yourself and have a more positive outlook on life. Also, volunteering keeps you in regular contact with animals that are more sociable in the human environment and will protect you against sadness. Studies have concluded that volunteering helps reduce chronic pain symptoms and the likelihood of developing high blood pressure. They have also discovered that volunteering improves depressive symptoms and that it can be an excellent stress buffer. As the Dalai Lama said, “only by being able to reduce the scope of our egotistical instincts and develop a little more concern for others before we die, we can already say that we have taken advantage of this life.” The Protectora d’Animals Maó could not function without the help of the 150 volunteers who participate annually and are distributed among various volunteer programs. Our volunteering includes people of all ages, as long as they are over 18 years of age.

The activities of the most relevant volunteer programs are explained below: 1. Dog and/or cat volunteer at the Maó animal shelter: since January 2022, the Protectora has managed the animal shelter, thanks to an agreement signed with the Island Council, since it is a public centre, not a private shelter. From the beginning of our management, all our efforts have been focused on improving the conditions of the dogs and cats housed in the centre. The volunteers make it possible for the animals to have human contact and games, and to get out of their cages to play or run. The volunteers apply beneficial therapies for the animals such as environmental enrichment, consisting of introducing different objects or smells with the aim of obtaining the animal’s concentration and stress reduction. This task is very important to help the adaptation of the animals in their future homes. In most cases, the signs of anxiety are fully visible, adding to the abandonment syndrome. The volunteers of the centre receive prior training, of about 3 hours in which the different techniques used and the operation of the centre are explained. The minimum frequency of the volunteer is a weekly visit. 2. Dog walker at the Maó animal shelter: in May 2019 the “PASSEJA CANS” project was launched through which volunteers take dogs outside the centre for a walk. This project has attracted the interest of many volunteers, it has been very well received by the population and, most importantly, it has helped a lot to reduce the degree of stress in the dogs and this has been positively noted in their degree of anxiety. The minimum frequency of volunteering is one walk per week. 3. Foster home: the Protectora needs foster homes for those animals in vulnerable situations in which it is not recommended that they remain in the centre, for example: puppies, seniors, sick animals, etc. The foster homes not only provide them with a roof and care, but also prepare them to live in a family by showing them the basic rules of education and, in the cases of traumatized animals, help them trust humans again. During the reception, which lasts until the animal is adopted, the Protectora is in charge of veterinary and food expenses. 4. Volunteers from the dog adoption group: these volunteers evaluate the houses interested in adopting an animal to verify if they are suitable and verify that it will be the ideal animal for that home, according to the energy, character, and needs of each animal. The volunteer monitors the adaptation of the animal to the new home for a few months, makes sure that the conditions signed in the adoption contract are met, and verifies that it receives good treatment and that the animal is happy. For this group, the volunteer must have the capacity for teamwork, good treatment, and experience with dogs. 5. Cat colony volunteer: in this program, volunteers are dedicated to maintaining the colonies, supplying them with food, water, and veterinary care, basic necessities to guarantee the health and wellbeing that an animal deserves. The volunteers control the number of specimens so that they can all be sterilized and dewormed. 6. Volunteers for the fairs and markets: the volunteers take care of organizing everything necessary for the assembly of the stalls, transport of the material, and the collection of the stall. If you are over 18 years old, have some free time and like animals, visit the “Colabora” section of our website and fill out the form with your personal information and your interests as a volunteer and we will contact you. We invite you to be part of the solution and not the problem. Contact: WhastApp: 699 202 898 Telegram: https://t.me/protectoramao Email: protectoramao@gmail.com

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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, but some are open on Saturdays. Shop Opening Hours 09.00 – 13.30 and 16.30/17.00 – 20.30 Larger supermarkets Monday to Saturday 09.00 – 21.00 Sunday mornings in summer Banks Monday to Friday 08.15 – 14.00 If hiring a car, you are required to keep with you: Hire documents, driving licence and a photocopy of your passport. NB: Seat belts are compulsory, and children must be in the back of the vehicle For a comprehensive list of all bus times on the Island, please visit www.tmsa.es Internal flights in Spain from Menorca: Iberia – www.vueling.com, www.iberia. com POST OFFICES Carrer de Ciutadella, 76, 07701 Maó Plaça des Born, 9, 07760 Ciutadella de Menorca Carrer Llevant, 5-7, 07720 Es Castell Carrer Lepanto, 43, 07740 Es Mercadal Carrer de sa Lluna, 13 (antes, Carrer de Sant Esteve, 14), 07710 Sant Lluís HOSPITALS WITH 24 HR EMERGENCIES MAHON Hospital Mateo Orfila Rda. de Malbúger, 1, 07703 Mahón, Phone: 971 48 70 00

CIUTADELLA Canal Salat C/ Sant Antoni Maria Claret, s/n 07760 Ciutadella Tel: 971 480 112 PRIVATE CLINICS CLINICA JUANEDA Avenida Vives Llull, 6 07703 Mahón Tel. 971 351 115 info.menorca@juaneda.es CLINICA JUANEDA Jose Delfin Serra, 10, 07760 Ciutadella Tel. 971 480 505 info.menorca@juaneda.es POLICLINICA VIRGEN DE GRACIA Av Vives Llull 6, 07003, Mahon Tel: 971351115 RED CROSS CREU ROJA MAÓ C/ Josep Anselm Clavé, 162 ·07703 Tel.: 971 36 11 80 Creu Roja Ciutadella c/ de la Creu, 2 07760 Tel.: 971 38 19 93 CREU ROJA FERRERIES Av. Jaume Mascaró, 66, 07750 Tel.: 971 37 31 39 Creu Roja Es Mercadal C/ Veterinaris Gomila, 12, 07740 Tel.: 971 37 53 00 CREU ROJA ALAIOR C/ Orient, 39 · 07703 Tel.: 971 37 12 38

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

D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

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WHAT’S

ON SEPTEMBER 2023

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

MARKETS

Mahon: Sundays 9am to 2pm, in Carrer de s’Arravaleta and Carrer Nou (by the American bar). Mahón Tapas by the fish market: Monday to Saturday, 11am to 11.30pm. Also open Sundays in July and August. Ferreries: Saturdays, 9am to 1pm in Plaza España (main square).

Mahón: 20 June to 12 September, Tuesday evenings, in the streets of the town centre, 8 to 11pm.

Es Mercadal: Sant Nicolau 9-10 September

Mahón: 15 June to 31 August also 9 September, Thursday evenings along the Moll de Llevant, in the port, 8 to 11.30pm.

Cala’n Porter: 16-17 September

Ciutadella: 1 June to 15 September, Mondays and Fridays (also Wednesdays in July and August), in Plaça des Born 7pm to midnight.

BANK HOLIDAYS Everything closed, although in the summer months, many shops tend to stay open. All shops and businesses remain closed during the respective local fiestas.

25 December: Christmas Day.

TORRES www.bus.e-torres.net 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.

Mahón: 3 June to 30 September, Tuesdays and Saturdays, Plaça del Carme, 9am to 2pm.

Mahón: Mare de Deu de Gracia 7-9 September

8 December: Day of the Immaculate Conception.

If you prefer using public transport as an alternative to taking the car, there are three bus companies covering different parts of the island. Buses are very punctual, although bear in mind timetables vary greatly depending on the time of year. Up to date bus timetables can be checked online.

CRAFT MARKETS

Sant Lluis: Sant Lluiset 2-3 September

6 December: Constitution Day

GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND

Ciutadella: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am to 2pm in Plaza de la Libertad (by the fish market).

LOCAL FIESTAS DATES

1 November: All Saints’ Day

SEPTEMBER 2023

FARMERS’ MARKETS

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

12 October: Spain’s National Day

Ciutadella: 1 June to 30 September, daily, on the steps down to the port, 7pm to midnight. Ciutadella: 1 June to 30 September, daily, in Portal de la Mar (slope down to port), 7pm to midnight. Es Castell: 15 June to 15 September, daily, in Cales Fonts, 7.30pm to 1am. Es Migjorn Gran: July, August and September, Tuesday evenings in the town centre, 7.30 to 11pm. Alayor: 1 June to 15 September in the town centre, Wednesday evenings, 7 to 11pm. Es Mercadal: July to end September, Thursday evenings, in the town centre, 7 to 11pm. Es Mercadal: October to end May, Thursday mornings, Carrer Nou, 10am to 1pm. Ferreries: Saturdays in Plaça Espanya, 9am to1pm. Fornells: 12 June to end September, Mondays, Carrer Major and Plaça Esglesia, 7 to 11pm. Sant Lluis: 15 June to 15 September, Friday evenings in town centre, 7 to 11pm.

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STREET MARKETS Mahón: Tuesday and Saturday 7am to 3pm in the Plaza Esplanada. Mahón: Daily, Pla de Baixamar, 10am to 8pm. Ciutadella: Monday and Friday 8.30am to 3pm in the Plaza Borne. Alayor: Thursday morning in town centre. Fornells: Wednesdays, 9am to 2pm in Carrer de la Mar. Sant Lluis: Mondays and Wednesdays, 10am to 1pm in Pla de sa Creu. Es Castell: Mondays and Wednesdays, 8am to 2pm in Plaza Esplanada. Ferreries: Fridays 9am to 1pm in Plaça Espanya.

TEATRE DES BORN https://www.teatredesborn.com/ Tickets can be obtained online or from the ticket office in the theatre (open Tuesdays 11.30am to 1pm and Thursdays 7 to 8.30pm, as well as one hour before the start of the show). 15 September: Tragi-comedy for children Gran Final | Bucráa Circus, 7pm.

TEATRE PRINCIPAL This is the oldest opera house in Spain, dating from 1829, with a wide programme of shows and concerts. Address: Carrer d’en Deià 40, Mahón Guided tours in Spanish on Thursdays at 12 noon. See website for full programme. Tickets available online or from the box office. Box office open mornings Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am to 1.30pm. Afternoons: Thursday and Friday 6.30 to 8.30pm. www.teatremao.com 22, 23, 29 and 30 September: Cartografies sonores: Maó. Ciutat submergida. 24 September: Flamenco Rocío Marquez + Bronquio, 1pm. 5 November: Concert performed by the Orquesta Sinfónica de las Islas Baleares with Xabier Anduaga and Susana Markova, time to be advised.

FOSQUETS DE LÍTHICA Festival taking place in Líthica quarries, on the outskirts of Ciutadella. Tickets available from www.fosquetsdelithica.com 2 September: Quimera, dance performed by Art en Moviment, 8.30pm. 10 September: Guiem Soldevila performing Intimari, 8pm.

CRANC FESTIVAL 2023 21 September: Nada Surf. The Cicely Satellite, Es Claustre, Mahón. 22 September: Belako/La Paloma. Por las Noches. Black Sea Deluge. Barrera, at Bar Akelarre (port of Mahón). 24 September: Rocío Marquez. Bronquio/Tercer Cielo, at Teatro Principal, Mahón. More info and tickets from www.crancfestival.com

MENORCA GROOVE FESTIVAL 15 -17 September in Es Claustre, Mahón. http://www.menorcagroove.com/ D O N ’ T M I S S A N E D I T I O N , S U B S C R I B E T O D AY ! V I S I T: R O Q U E TA M A G A Z I N E . N E T

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FESTIVAL PEDRA VIVA

LIVE MUSIC AT JAZZBAH

Music and Scenic arts festival in beautiful locations

Located in the port of Ciutadella, jazzbah regularly holds live concerts. See full programme on https://jazzbah.es/

10 September Francesco Tristano at Hauser & Wirth The stage of the Isla del Rey will be elevated visually by video artist Paul Schumacher, aka Melting Pol, also from Luxembourg, providing an immersive experience along with sound engineer Edoardo Pietrogrande. https://www.pedravivamenorca.com/omac-/francesco-tristano

QUIETUD MUSICAL Held in Lithica’s Medieval Garden every Wednesday during the summer at 7pm. Tickets available from www.fosquetsdelithica.com

LIVE MUSIC AT ES CLAUSTRE

NIGHTS OUT:

The courtyard in Es Claustre, by Iglesia del Carmen in Mahón town centre is the scene of many live concerts, including jazz concerts every Sunday evening until 1st October. Free concerts on Tuesday evenings in summer. https://www.esclaustre.com/es/agenda/

La Terraza Discoteca Menorca: DJs nightly from 9.30pm to 4am until September. More info re guest DJs on Instagram: laterraza _ discoteca.

LIVE MUSIC EVENTS

SAVE THE DATE

2 September: Balls a la fresca, public dance 10pm to midnight, in Plaça Constitució, Es Mercadal

9 September: Festa al Port, with live music and fireworks on the harbour front.

2 September: Mediterranean pop concert with Antonia Font, 7pm in Es Freginal park, centre of Mahón.

26 September: The Red Arrows are coming back to Menorca, in celebration of the 20 years of volunteer work at the Isla del Rey. The display will take place along the southeastern coastline, between Biniancollla and Cala Torret.

9 September: Balls a la fresca, public dance 10pm to midnight, in Plaça Constitució, Es Mercadal

Cova den Xoroi: sunset and night sessions. Guest DJs. Tickets from https://www.covadenxoroi.com/

21 October: Concert performed by Menorcan band Pèl de Gall, 9pm in the Casino !7 de Gener (Avinguda de la Constitució 18, Ciutadella).

11 October-10 November: Menorca Doc Fest. Documentary film and photograph event. See website for more details. https://www.menorcadocfest.com/

Jam sessions: every Wednesday in Plaça de Sant Climent, 8.30 to 11pm.

20-22 October: Cheese festival to be held in Plaça Esplanada, Mahón.

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FILM AND CINEMA EROTIC FILM FESTIVAL 2 - 8 October: 7th International Short Film Festival – Theme Erotica. Café Mirador, Es Claustre, Mahon. Website: https://filmmakers. festhome.com/es/festival/la-boca-erotica

OCIMAX CINEMA MAHÓN: https://www.aficine.com/cine/ocimaxmahon/ Open Wednesday to Sunday, 4.30 to 9.30pm.

VISIT THE 18TH CENTURY HOSPITAL ON THE

Cineclub films shown in the original language on Thursdays at 8.30pm.

ISLA DEL REY

CINEMES MOIX NEGRE CIUTADELLA http://www.cinesmoixnegre.org/ Films shown in the original language occasionally on Wednesdays at 8.30pm. Cineclub films screened every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.30pm.

Guided tours in English on Sundays at 9:15 and Thursdays at 11:15 Guided tours in Spanish every day

Tickets can be obtained online or bought on arrival

10€ per adult Children up to 18 free

YOGA GALLERY FESTIVAL LAZARETO

Catamaran 10€ for adults and 3€ for children from 3 years to 18 years old.

28th September to 1st October.

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Contact Siobhan for more information or you can visit the website. +44 7775583835 yogagallerymenorca.com

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STAR GAZING IN CIUTADELLA The Astronomy club of Ciutadella is organising star gazing sessions from the astronomical observatory in Ciutadella on 21 and 22 September. Tickets are 4€ and can be booked on the town hall website www.ajciutadella.org. Once on the website, click on English in the top right-hand corner. Then click on Culture, and then on Tickets.

STAR GAZING AND SUNSET TOURS AT LA MOLA FORTRESS Star gazing: Wednesday evenings at 9.30pm. Sunset guided tours: Friday evenings at 7.30pm in August, and at 7pm in September. Information and bookings: info@fortalesalamola.com, also phone numbers: 686 659 400 / 971 364 040.

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EXHIBITIONS

SPORTS EVENTS

NanoCosmos: microscope photographs by Michael Benson, along the Passeig Maritim by Plaça Almirall Farragut, Ciutadella, until 4 September. La pintura táctil: art exhibition by Jaume Fedelich, in El Roser, Calle Roser 11, Ciutadella. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 1pm and 6 to 9pm. Until 16 September. Admission free Con… secuencias, by Marc Jesus, in Galería Vidrart, Carrer del Roser 8, Ciutadella. Until 9 September. Open 10.30am to 2pm and 5.30 to 10.30pm. Deux ex petra, photographs by Carlos Permuy at Can Victori, Camí des Castell 28, Mahón. Open Monday to Friday 9am to 1pm, also Tuesdays and Thursdays 5 to 8pm. Until 10 September. Gestos, diálogos, presencia, by Jorge Varas, in Capella de Gràcia, Carrer des Coll des Palmer 2, Alaior, open 6.30 to 8.30pm, until 1st October. Admission free. Sklerotergum by Pere Llopart Lluch at Sala Sant Antoni, carrer s’Arraval 32, Mahón. Open Monday to Saturday 6 to 9pm. Also Saturday mornings 11am to 2pm. Until 7 October. Admission free. Photographs, Menorca Doc Fest at Sala Sant Antoni, carrer s’Arraval 32, Mahón. Open Monday to Saturday 6 to 9pm. Also Saturday mornings 11am to 2pm. 13 November to 2 December. Admission free. Joan Miró at the Galería Cayón. Open Mondays: 6 to 9pm. Tuesday to Saturday: 10.30am to 2pm and 6 to 9pm. Open until 9 September. Carrer de Sant Roc 24, Mahón. Admission free. LÔAC: Contemporary art gallery located at Calle Santiago Pons Quintana 56, Alaior. Open Tuesday to Sunday 5 to 8pm, also Saturdays and Sundays 10am to 1.30pm. Admission 5€. Menorca i la llum del Nord: Can Oliver. Calle d’Anuncivay 2, Mahón. Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 1.30pm and 6 to 8pm and Sundays 10am to 1.30pm. Until 24 September. Admission 5€. Menorcan House museum: Calle Isabel II 4, Mahón. Open Tuesdays and Thursdays 10am to 1pm.

29 August- 2 September: 19th Copa Del Rey Classic Yachts sailing regatta. www.velaclasicamenorca.com 16 September: The Trail Fars Nocturn, night run, consisting of two races, setting off from Favaritx lighthouse (23km) and Es Grau (13km). https://traildelsfars.com/nocturna 24 September: Artiem Half Menorca Triathlon. www.artiemhalfmenorca.com 24 September Elite Chip Nordic Walking competition being held in Menorca with a course of 12 km around the military land of San Isidro. 13-15 October: Mountain bike tour of Menorca. www.menorcabtt.com 20-22 October: International cycling tour. www.menorcacicloturista.com 3-5 November: Epic Camí de Cavalls 360º Trail running and Mountain bike race. There are three events: Trail Run (186 km), Mountain Bike race (187 km) and Experience Trail Run (93 km). epic.camidecavalls360.com

Street Art Ciutadella: Another edition of street art in Ciutadella. Artists have created temporary works of street art in the town centre, which will be left up until the end of September. For a map of the art works and more details about the artists, go onto the website www.ciutadellaantiga.es, then in the column on the left-hand side, click on Street Art Intervenciones and Street Art Mapa Interactivo.

HAUSER & WIRTH

GUIDED TOURS Fort Marlborough: Fridays at 10am (in English). Tickets online https://www.menorca.es/en/ Visitas_guiadas_al_Fort_de_ Marlborough/16037 Torre d’en Galmés: Sundays at 10am (in English). Tickets online https://www.menorca.es/es/Visitas_guiadas_al_poblado_de_ Torre_den_Galmes/15447 Es Castell guided tours in Spanish and English of the town centre every Saturday at 7pm, from 17 June to 9 September. Departing from the tourist information centre in the windmill Molí de sa Creu, Plaça s’Arraval vella, Es Castell. Free. Cova de s’Aigua, in Cala Blanca: guided tours in English daily at 9am and 3pm. https://www.menorca.es/es/Visitas_guiadas_la_ Cova_de_sAigua/14052 Lazareto Quarantine Island: Guided tours in English on Thursdays at 5pm. Departure from Cales Fonts, Es Castell. Tickets from tourist information offices and from nanventura.es

LÍTHICA Guided tours in Spanish of the quarries Pedreres de s’Hostal every second Sunday of the month at 11am. Stone cutting workshops held every Saturday at 9.30am. https://lithica.es/en/lithica/

Contemporary art exhibitions on Illa del Rei. Admission free. After the Mediterranean, curated by curator, writer and art researcher Oriol Fontdevila, until 29 October. Exhibition: Come in from an Endless Place Christina Quarles until 29 October. Several activities (tours, concerts, workshops, etc) are organised throughout the summer. Please see website for more information. https://menorca.hauserwirth.com/en/home

WINE TASTING Binitord is a small family run bodega located just south of Ciutadella. Guided tours in English with wine tasting on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 5pm, and Wednesdays at 10am. Bookings and more information on the website https://www.binitord.com Wine Tasting Tours at Binifadet - You can visit the vineyard and taste the wine every day with tours in English at 11:30am and 5.30pm price 12 Euros. Book online on the website https://www.binifadet.com/visitas ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T