ROQUETA
03
SEPTEMBER 2024
WELCOME SEPTEMBER 2024 - ROQUETA MAGAZINE September is one of the best months to come to Menorca. The crazy Spanish tourist season is over, and you can enjoy the last of the fiestas, the evening markets, music in the streets and long days out on the water, if you are lucky enough to have a boat. This month, Vanessa Jeny takes us through the September fiestas and we talk to Dr. Paul Ridoutt, an expert in tourism development, about the best way to establish a successful tourist plan for the island – the answer – get everyone involved! On August 15th, Menorca was thrust into the spotlight when the rain fell with a vengeance, sending torrents of water racing down from Monte Toro with impressive speed. The sheer volume of rain turned Es Mercadal’s streets into a fast-flowing river, sweeping everything from tables to cars along in its wake. In Alaior, some residents had to be rescued after finding themselves trapped in their cars. The storm’s fury didn’t stop at the town limits—it charged all the way to the coast, washing away parts of roads and beaches. As we write, half of Cala en Porter’s beach has been reclaimed by the sea, and part of Son Bou remains off-limits due to compromised water quality. Our hearts go out to those affected by this extraordinary weather event.
Liz & John
IN THIS ISSUE ISLAND NEWS 04 Axopar X Agapi Boat Club, Fiesta Finale Gegants De Llucmaçanes, Isla Del Rey, Cool Classics, Dr Paul Ridoutt and Who Needs A Partner When You Have Chatgpt To Talk To?
While no serious injuries were reported in Menorca, we were saddened by the news that Dot, our beloved Roqueta pig, went missing during the storm. Rachael has spent countless hours searching the surrounding area of Hort de Llucassaldent, but so far, there’s been no sign of Dot. We continue to hope for a happy twist to this story — perhaps Dot is out there, indulging in stolen fruit from a nearby farm. Rachael, though heartbroken, wanted to publish this month’s story as she begins to come to terms with the loss. Our thoughts are with her during this time, holding onto hope.
EATING OUT & WINE
THE GREAT OUTDOORS 32 S’ullestrar, XX Copa del Rey, Purslane, Big birds and Reducing evaporation from swimming pools
Meanwhile, in Cala Llonga, a different kind of storm has been brewing — not from the skies but from the bins! A new recycling system was rolled out in June. Unfortunately, when the summer crowds arrived in July and August, the system faced a tidal wave of waste that led to piles of refuse bags filling the streets. We’ll dive deeper into this topic in a future issue, but in summary: the system was implemented to address Menorca’s low recycling rates. And, for those of us who live here year-round, it’s been working well. We have daily door-to-door collection —plastics one day, paper the next, and organic waste three times per week. If we have extra, we simply place it beside the bin. However, for visitors on holiday, leaving rubbish on the right day isn’t always an option. To address this, the town hall installed a general refuse cabin that can be accessed with a key card. The hiccup? It wasn’t emptied fast enough at first, and, to top it off, there was only one bin for bottles! As you can imagine, things got a bit messy. To make matters worse, bins were removed from the marina, and many boaters left their rubbish at the old collection points. The Cala Llonga Residents’ Association has been hard at work, and with everyone’s cooperation, the problems can be ironed out. Recycling is a team effort, after all! Only Mahón and Es Castell have adopted this new system so far. It will be interesting to see how other towns respond— whether they’ll follow suit or develop alternative strategies to meet European directives.
ART IN MENORCA
42
WELLBEING
45
CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS
49
WHAT’S ON
55
READERS CORNER
60
Cover Photo: Martorellet horse on Cala en Porter beach by Ekaterina Pustoshnaia
We hope you enjoy this edition and, until next month, wishing you “Bones Festes Tothom”. WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE ROQUETA BY POST? BUY A SUBSCRIPTION FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO LOVE MENORCA OR ORDER BACK COPIES 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.
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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
ISLAND NEWS
04
SEPTEMBER 2024
ISLAND NEWS
By Christine Brooker
FISHING PROBLEMS
MENORCAN HONEY A Royal Decree has been issued that may help local honey producers. The Menorcan honey has always been labelled to show that it is 100% from the island, but the decree means that all honey sold in Spain should be correctly labelled. A lot of honey is a mixture from different countries and now all of this information will be available for purchasers. RYANAIR DELAYS Nearly 100 passengers had to spend the night in the airport in Menorca at the beginning of August due to cancellations and delays by Ryanair. One flight to Santiago de Compostela in Spain arrived two hours late, but then the crew were out of hours and had to spend the night in a hotel. Airport authorities say that this summer the company has caused frequent delays and often because they use the air crews up to the limit of the time they are permitted to work. When the airport has to stay open, staff have to remain to provide blankets etc. and the bar has to remain open. The president of ASHOME the hotel association, Sebastià Triay Fayas, rejected the company’s explanation given to passengers that, as it was August, there were no hotel rooms available in Menorca - saying that just for one night they could have found rooms.
The ecological group Per la Mar Viva (For a living sea) boarded the fishing boat “Pare Ximo” that was legally catching Amberjack in exterior waters near to Punta Natí in Ciutadella. The fishing boat comes from Castellon and had taken 22 hours to reach the island. The fishing method used literally translates as “near”, whereby strong lights are shone in the water which makes the shoals easy to catch. This method has been prohibited for local fishermen by a decree in May that prevents them from using the system in interior Balearic waters. When approached, the Captain was very indignant as local fishermen had been arguing with him all day. He and his brother had bought the boat, and he pointed out that they are Spanish, and that they were fishing legally, adding that his grandfather used to come here to fish, and that if he can´t he might have to sell the boat. The group explained to him that although they were in exterior waters they were fishing over Maerl beds, the purple, pink hard seaweed which is protected so it is not legal to fish there. The boat had already caught 800 kilos; the group also explained that this method of fishing affects the local fishermen, professional and amateur as they are trying to build up stocks and they all fish “less aggressively”. Presumably they listened as the next day the boat was back in Castellon. Carlos Salord the president of the group says that these fishing boats come such long distances as they have depleted their own stocks.
SLEEP WALKING CAN BE DANGEROUS A man of 53 fell from a height of three metres from an apartment in Cala en Blanes and was taken to the Mateu Orfila hospital with a broken jaw, femur and hip with a diagnosis of multiple injuries. Emergency services were advised at 5.a.m. that he had lost his balance. His family reported that he suffers from sleepwalking. 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
05
SEPTEMBER 2024
IN BRIEF Inside Menorca and Inside Airbnb have found that over half of their adverts are still for illegal rentals - of the 22.573 places they offer on the island, 12.152 do not fulfil the requisites. This figure does not include other renting platforms. A rather surprising figure from Estate Agents that 10% of properties for sale in the Balearics are sold within a week; another 24% are sold between one to three months. A tourist in Cala Blanca had to catch three buses to Santo Tomàs, as no one would pick up the phone at Radio Taxi in Ciutadella. Eroski Supermarkets on the island are selling an average of 931 kilos of the local Mahón-Menorca cheese every day from ten local suppliers. Menorca Info published a complaint that a tourist was charged three Euros for some ice after paying a bill of 250 Euros for a lobster meal. The post was viewed over 70.000 times.
GOATS IN CALA TIRANT Residents at the Ses Savinas urbanisation at Cala Tirant have lost their patience as once again there are goats eating their plants and entering properties. There is a wonderful photograph of a pair of goats looking over the balcony of an apartment, reminiscent of Banksy´s latest offerings. The problem seems to get worse every year, and shooting them was an unpopular decision - authorised by the Govern and rejected by the Consell. Naturally tourists and residents complained about finding the bodies and hearing shots. Rehoming has been successful sometimes and now a company from the mainland is offering a solution, they specialise in dealing with wildlife sustainably. They have been controlling wild boars and goats in Valencia and Murcia. They use a hutch as a trap which is activated remotely, they install it in areas where the animals feed and are observed by cameras, sometimes they do this for months. Once captured, the animals are either killed humanely or adopted, always with the authorisation of the local authorities. The director of the company says the solution is ideal for an island which is a Biosphere Reserve. Unfortunately the Govern is resisting, arguing that these are wild goats and there are no owners to send them back to and that they can´t move them from one place to another...
GREEN LIGHT TO REROUTE CAMI DE CAVALLS The Consell (Island Council) has agreed to reroute the stretch of the Camí de Cavalls (Bridle path) on the road at the back of the port of Mahón going towards La Mola and Sa Mesquida beach. Hikers will be able avoid the road between kilometre 0.9 and 2.2, which is extremely dangerous as there is no hard shoulder or pavement. Most of the route (2.850 mts) belongs to the Ministry of Defence and passes by the Military Base at San Isidro. The M.O.D. has ceded the land for 75 years, which can be prolonged, an agreement dating from 2022. The Consell has agreed to invest 300.000 Euros, which last year they announced would come from European funds. They will also begin to compulsorily purchase about 2000 metres of privately owned land.
FALSE SECRETS REVEALED Google Maps can finally publish photographs of sites considered to be of “strategic” value in Menorca now that the Ministry of Defence has “uncensored” them. This despite the fact that La Mola and Monte Toro have been open to the public for years which mystified Google, even more so as bases like La Rota on the mainland which gives support to NATO and America and is considered to be far more important has been photographed for a long time. Even Guantanamo is open to Google Maps, but up until now areas of Menorca were blurred out.
THE HOTTEST DAY OF THE YEAR On 2nd August Menorca reached the highest temperature recorded this year in Cala Tirant - 43.6 degrees!!
ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
ISLAND NEWS
06
SEPTEMBER 2024
STAINED GLASS WINDOWS Antoni Vila Dèclos comes from a family of artists specialising in stained glass windows. He worked with his father on some of the glass windows in the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona for 20 years and also studied originals by Gaudí. He is an expert on Catalan Gothic and has won awards and certificates from Catalonia and the Balearic Islands. He was in charge of the restoration of the windows in the cathedral in Ciutadella in 1997. He designed the rose window at Monte Toro which many have admired. Nowadays he has moved to Menorca and has a workshop in Es Mercadal where he makes small fish to order. DISAPPEARING BEACHES The Diari has shown a series of photos of some of the island´s beaches in 1956 and 2023 which clearly show how much the water level has risen; investigators from the Spanish Oceanic Institute say 15 to 20 centimetres. Since the nineties the sea has been rising at 3 millimetres a year. The future is bleak unless gas emissions are controlled. Construction in the sea (such as the harbour arm at Ciutadella) also modifies natural dynamics. The beaches tend to move backwards but if a promenade or a road has been built this is impossible, and volume is lost.
FAMOUS VISITORS This month Michael Douglas, who spends a lot of time in Mallorca, has been spotted aboard the yacht “Perseus” off Canutells; he let some of the swimmers take photos with him. The Diari also reported that Richard Gere visited the island, but there were no details. More recently Jeff Bezos arrived by private plane to spend time on his yacht, “Koru”.
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
07
SEPTEMBER 2024
FROM NO WATER TO WATER EVERYWHERE!
The Ayuntamiento in Mahón reported on 13th August that its wells had half the normal amount of water, more is going out than coming in and watering has been temporarily suspended in various public places. Pressure has also been reduced to the 20 principal consumers of water in the municipality, to remind them of the problem and they have also been contacted by phone. Ships arriving in the port may only top up with 30 cubic metres instead of 60. The ayuntamiento has asked people to use less water when washing cars and terraces, not to keep topping up swimming pools, to control leaks, (how many pipes leak on the island that consumers know nothing about?). He says saving five litres a day per household can make a lot of difference. The extractions that Mahón take from the Es Migjorn aquifer which also affects part of Alaior is over the 27% recommended by the Balearic hydrological plan. A new well at Toraixade Sa Figuera in Es Castell is producing water but with too many nitrates, Es Castell has permission for it to be treated at the denitrification plant. Meanwhile GOB the ecological group says that six large farms are watering in bright sunlight with sprinklers going from 11 to 17 hours. They say ironically five of these farms are in Ciutadella, the municipality with the worst aquifers, but the only one with a desalination plant, adding that as a Biosphere Reserve it is not permitted to water during strong sunlight from May until October. The plan for managing water which has not been completely accepted yet, suggests that Ciutadella sinks more wells and reduces the amount of water they extract (the wells are over-exploited by 131%) and duplicate the amount of desalinated water that they buy and then distribute. The desalination plant was built 15 years ago, it didn´t start working until ten years later, and it works at under 40% capacity. The Govern has announced that they will spend one million Euros to modernise it and reduce the price of water. The historic stream at S´Aranjassa in the Algendar Valley has run dry, because of the overuse of the aquifer that supplies it. The water has always watered the plants and fruit trees managed by Caritas in the normally fertile valley. The drought is already visible in the woods and there is a risk of trees dying. Botanists say that the lack of water has prevented the Holm Oaks from producing new growth.
In July the Consell produced a plan to improve hydrological reserves using some of the 9.1 million Euros they have managed to get from the Govern from the ecotax that the tourists pay. They intend to spend the money in Canutells, Binisafua Roters, Cala Galdana, Es Plans, Cales Coves, Son Vitamina, Cala San Esteban, Fornells and Es Mercadal. A lot of improvements will be on the pipes supplying water, water cisterns and channelling water – this year they will only receive 82.000 Euros – the main amount should come in 2025. And then on the 15th of August, a national holiday in Spain, (the assumption of the Virgin Mary) we had almost biblical rain and storms. They were reported on the British and Spanish national news broadcasts so many of you may be familiar with them already. The cause was the DANA: (Depresión Aislada en Niveles Altos translated as Isolated depression at a high altitude) This occurs when exceptional warmth rises off the Mediterranean and meets the cold air which is descending, hence the deluge. The Balearic Islands were on Red Alert and Mallorca, Formentera and Ibiza had already been hit. The worst damage was in Es Mercadal, where the storm drain (torrent) completely overflowed and people in restaurants watched in horror as the water rose and furniture floated by. Later traffic was stopped when Alaior had problems and people took ages to get to their destinations. A family was airlifted out by helicopter and two boys were photographed kayaking in the water two days later. An ancient channel from the Tallis mine that has been closed for years at Son Bou reopened. The extensive damage in the countryside led to the retirement homes in Es Mercadal and Alaior being evacuated. Roads were damaged; beaches disappeared including half of Cala en Porter. The government soon declared Menorca a Catastrophic Zone. Hopefully this means more help! At the time of going to press the clearing up process is still going on. Sant Climent did manage to celebrate their fiestas on 17th and 18th of August but the jaleo for the horses was reduced in case it rained again.
GOODBYE POLICE DOG Alaior has lost its canine service. The last policeman in the service has resigned because the ayuntamiento has stopped paying expenses for the dog. In 2013 two police officers suggested forming the section. They and their dogs Max and Xica went on a training course for six months in Extremadura when the canine sections were being formed in Spain. Crime detection increased considerably especially when drugs were found - over 1000 discoveries during ten years - and they also worked a lot in schools. The officers signed an agreement where they ceded their dogs to the ayuntamiento. However in 2019 one officer resigned, reducing the capacity and the other left on June 15th because the ayuntamiento stopped paying for the dog in August 2022. The agent continued to work and claimed the money various times but his requests fell on deaf ears. Also the amount paid had not been increased since 2017 although costs for the dog were far more expensive. The officer also commented that there was no interest in replacing his colleague, and now he has given up. It seems a great shame. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
ISLAND NEWS
08
SEPTEMBER 2024
LA MOLA AND SAN FELIPE WANT TO BECOME WORLD HERITAGE SITES
3 STAR HOTELS DISAPPEARING FROM THE ISLAND In recent years most of the older hotels in Menorca have been reformed and gone up market, while trying to concentrate less on the “Sun and Beach” aspect of the island. There are more 4 and 5 star hotels on the island now, plus the boutique, rural and agricultural hotels. The number of places has been reduced as there are more suites. The Hotel Sol Milanos/Pinguinos in Son Bou is the only remaining 3 star hotel in the Meliá International group. This is because of court cases with the ecologists; Meliá has been trying since 2016/2017 to invest 60 million Euros, (presumably more now) to reduce the height of the hotels and the number of rooms; however the plans revealed it would occupy more space in the surroundings which nowadays are protected by coastal laws and this has caused all the objections. It would seem sensible for a compromise. The idea of demolishing the hotels, which has been mooted over the years would mean a huge compensation bill (the tax payers have already had to pay one in Son Bou), and also a loss of jobs in the area. A good archaeological dig financed by Meliá on the wasteland by the hotel which is close to the Paleo Christian Basilica might be a start and whatever is found could go to the Menorcan Museum, maybe...
Military Authorities in Menorca in conjunction with the Consell plan to join the initiative of the ayuntamiento in Tortosa (Tarragona) to become World Heritage Sites. The idea is to include fortifications on the Spanish Coast built between the XVI and XIX centuries and so La Mola in Mahón and San Felipe in Es Castell are hoping to be on the list and both ayuntamientos are keen. They hope to boost visits to the Military Museum in Es Castell; these have already increased thanks to an agreement with Imserso, the Spanish senior citizens who visit off season. A historian commented on the idea saying that while it is true that San Felipe (St. Phillips castle during the British rule) did play an important part in defence over the centuries, La Mola did not see any action. It was used as a prison in the XX century and from 1939 to 1945 the Franco regime executed 135 Menorcans there. He feels the candidacy is inappropriate. He did not mention that it probably acted as a deterrent in the XIX century.
GOVERNMENT SAYS O.K.TO LEGALISE BUILDINGS ON RUSTIC LAND The central government has lifted its objections to the Govern in Mallorca´s plans to legalise buildings that were constructed without planning permission, or “sheds” that became villas as the plan no longer goes against the constitutional order. It does make a small objection, properties built illegally on the equivalent of green belt land and those on urban land where planning permission could be granted must not be legalised. The Govern doesn´t think this will affect them much as they are concentrating on rustic land. It is thought that the government has stopped objecting because they realise there must be a solution to this old problem.
NO SUSBSIDIES FOR SOLAR PANELS A large majority of the solar panel parks that have been installed in Menorca through the diversification and energy saving programme (IDAE) will not receive subsidies. The entity depends on the Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition and they are refusing to pay promoters who have not completed the parks despite being granted various extensions of time. However the promoters say that the delays are due them being stuck in the bureaucratic process. Only two of the twelve involved have been able to complete on time. At least two companies have said they will take legal action. One example is Agrisolar in Es Mercadal. They completed their installations over a year ago, one of the largest in Menorca it is capable of producing 20 MW, but they have not been able to produce electricity because the Ministry insists on certain infrastructures which include enlarging the susbstation also at Es Mercadal, a project that is “is s tortuously slow” because of the “Calvary of requirements” even though the promoter paid the money needed some time ago. Agrisolar is due to lose 2.7 million Euros and they are not optimistic in view of the inflexibility of IDAE.
BINIBEQUER VELL TO INCREASE OPENING HOURS The proprietors of apartments and businesses in Binibèquer Vell have voted to increase the opening hours from 10 to 22 hours. Visitors will now have longer to explore the cobbled streets. They had a referendum, 27% voted for total closure and 73% to open for longer. Of the 165 owners 110 were present. Neighbours say the campaign not to make noise and to respect private properties has been effective and that people are quieter. Let´s hope that the aggressive people who became residents and somehow didn’t notice that Binibèquer Vell has always been a tourist attraction and was built with that intention will now also be quiet!
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
09
SEPTEMBER 2024
AXOPAR X AGAPI BOAT CLUB:
THE SMARTER WAY TO BOAT Right, imagine this: you’re in Menorca, the sun’s blazing, the sea’s a sparkling shade of blue, and you’ve got an itch to hit the water. But, and it’s a big but, you don’t fancy the faff of owning a boat—the maintenance, the mooring fees, the soul-crushing depreciation. What do you do? Enter Axopar Menorca’s new Bronze membership in the “Axopar x Agapi Boat Club.” For a not-so-eye-watering €9,995 per year (including IVA, because who doesn’t love a bit of tax), you can slide into the captain’s seat of the spanking new Axopar 29 Sun Top whenever the mood strikes. That’s right—no boat ownership required, just pure, unadulterated boating joy. You can book a “Planned Day” in advance where the boat’s yours all day long, but here’s the kicker: you can also make additional spontaneous bookings. Fancy a trip tomorrow? Book it tonight at 6pm for a 9-6pm spin around the coast. Easy peasy. Now, if you’re the type who wants to take a whole week or more for some serious boating, you can purchase extra days—these will set you back between €350 and €550, depending on the season. So, no need to worry about not getting enough time on the water. And here’s the juicy bit: come 2025, the club’s getting an upgrade with the arrival of the new Axopar 45. This beast is already causing a stir among boating enthusiasts who are keen to sign up for 2026. So, what are you waiting for? Give Axopar Menorca a bell, or better yet, drop by their headquarters in the Port of Mahon. If you’re anything like me, you’ll be signing up before you can say “full throttle.” For more information, contact Axopar Menorca – Serenity Yachting SLU, Moll de Llevant 186, Puerto de Mahon, 07701, Menorca, Spain.
Telephone: +34 971 355 101. Email: info@axoparmenorca.com. Web: www.axoparmenorca.com
ISLAND NEWS
10
SEPTEMBER 2024
SEPTEMBER’S LOCAL FIESTA FINALE by Vanessa Jeny, Menorca Blue
September marks the last month of the summer and also the final month of the traditional summer fiestas in Menorca. The season’s fiesta finale centres around the Feast of the Patron Saint of the island’s capital Mahón. ‘Festes de la Mare de Deu de Gràcia’ loosely translates to the ‘Feast of the Graceful Mother of God’, and just like the other town festivals beforehand the official and unofficial fiesta acts transpire over several days with a specific protocol of events. But during September there are traditional fiesta events on each weekend at the eastern end of the island so if you are looking to get caught up in the spirit of the local lifestyle in the most authentic Menorcan way, then the town fiestas are the way to experience it the best. Please note that although the fiestas are traditions that generally run every year in the same order on the same day at the same time approximately, the times listed are orientative so you get an idea of what time to be in what place. I do recommend visiting the town’s website to get the most up to date information and any schedule changes.
September Menorcan Fiesta Highlights: SANT LLUÏSET DE SANT LLUÏS, 1 SEPTEMBER The first weekend in September hosts the final events for the town fiestas of Sant Lluis, the Patron Saint Louis who shares the town’s name. The previous final weekend in August sees the main acts of the first whistle and drum ‘Primer Toc’, the Cavalcade of horses through the town’ Sa Colcada’, the ‘Jaleo’ with the band, music and revelry where the horses congregate with the people of the town, the Missa de Caixers, which is the official Mass and the parade of the Giants ‘Desfilada del Gegants’. The final acts on this last weekend known as Sant Lluïset (Little Saint Louis) there is another Jaleo with the horses and a musical concert on the evening of the 31st of August, followed by a paella competition on Sunday 1st of September. See the local council website for more information: https://www.ajsantlluis.org/ 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
11
SEPTEMBER 2024
FESTES DE GRACIA DE MAÓ, 1 – 9 SEPTEMBER As mentioned above the fiestas of the capital of Menorca in Maó (Mahón) start on the first of the month when there are events taking place each evening. The main protocol of events take place from the 6th – 9th September all day. Here are some of the key events: 4th September 16.30 – 17.30 – Giants in the Streets. ‘Sortida de Gegants’ The traditional giants can be found in the streets around the centre of Mahón, culminating in the Plaza des Trianon. 5th September 19.00 – 21.30h (approx) – Musical groups in the Streets. ‘Sortida dels Cantaires’ The musical groups make various stops around the centre of town starting in Bar Infanta and finishing in the square in front of the Town Hall at 9.30pm. 6th September 18.00 – 23.00 – Giants Parade, First Flute & Drum, First Outing of the Horses. 18.00 – Parade of the Giants starts ‘Passacarrers dels Gegants’ – Plaça de la Miranda – 2 hours 20.00 – Town Band Concert followed by Prayer – Plaça de la Constitució – 1h 45mins 21.45 – First Flute & Drum ‘Primer Toc’ & Hymn – Plaça de la Constitució – 15 mins 22.00 – Arrival of the Horse ‘ Sortida del Cavall’ – Plaça de la Constitució 7th September known as ‘Dissabte de Gràcia’ – Saturday or Eve of Grace 16.00 – First Flute & Drum ‘Primer Toc’ – Plaça de la Constitució Ringing of the Bells & Mascletada – Plaça de la Constitució 16.15 – Parade of the Giants starts ‘Sortida dels Gegants’ – Centre of Maó/Mahón 16.30 – Collecting of the Flag & Start of the Gathering of the Horses ‘Lliurament de la bandera’ i ‘Inici del Replec’ This will take as long as it takes (approx 45 mins) till all the horses are collected around town and file into order within the cavalcade of horses followed by a passing of the cavalcade to different points in the centre of town. 19.00 – Mass ‘Missa de Solemnes Completes’ – Ermita de Gràcia 21.00 – ‘Jaleo i Caragol’ – Plaça de la Constitució This is the main event of the day where all the horses mix with the townspeople and they loop around the main square whilst the town band plays the fiesta theme song. As with all the fiestas, maximum care is to be taken and keep your distance from the horses! 8th September known as ‘Día de Gràcia’ – Feast Day of Grace The sequence of events is similar to the previous day. Here are the highlights: 7.50 – Collecting of the Flag & Start of the Gathering of the Horses ‘Lliurament de la bandera’ i ‘Inici del Replec’ 8.20 – Start of the Cavalcade of Horses ’Sortida de la Colcada’– Plaça de la Conquesta 8.40 – Incorporation of the statue of the Graceful Mother of God in the parade ‘La Mare de Déu de Gràcia’, followed by the giants at 9.00. 11.00 – Mass ’Missa de Caixers’ – Eglésia de Santa Maria 13.00 – ‘Jaleo’ – Plaça de la Constitució 16.00 – Singing of Fiesta songs ‘Cant del Volem vi’ – Plaça de la Constitució 18.45 (approx) – Cavalcade ‘Cap es Cós’, followed by ‘Corregudes’ – Cós de Gràcia 19.15 (approx). The cavalcade laps the central area of the town in the area of Cós de Gràcia. 20.30 (approx) – Final lap of the Cavalcade in the evening ‘Darrer Caragol’ – Centre streets of Maó 21.30 (approx) – Last Flute & Drum ‘Darrer Toc de Fabiol’ 9th September ‘Segona Festa De Gràcia’ – Second Feast of Grace 19.00 – ‘Baixada al port dels Gegants’ – Ajuntament de Maó The Band of Music and the Giants leave the Town Hall and make their way down to the Port 20.00 – Music in the Port from 8pm – Passeig del Port 23.30 – Fireworks in the Port More information can be found on the council website https://www.ajmao.org/ ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
ISLAND NEWS
12
SEPTEMBER 2024
FESTA DE SANT NICOLAU ES MERCADAL, 13 – 15 SEPTEMBER The final official fiesta and event of the Menorcan summer festival season is the Feast of Saint Nicolas which is held in mid-September in Es Mercadal and culminates on the only mountain of Menorca in the very centre of the island, Monte Toro. Attending this event are riders that represent all the towns of the island. Here is a schedule of the main acts each day: 13th September 22.00 – Musical Groups – Plaça Constitució, Es Mercadal 14th September Vigília de Sant Nicolau – The Eve of Saint Nicolas In the evening from 5.00pm, the first set of protocols for the fiesta starts with the ringing of the bells of the church of Saint Martin in the centre of Es Mercadal, followed by the Giants in the streets, the first flute & drum, the gathering of the horses, the ‘Jaleo’ with the horses and the band, a mass and street celebrations. All in the centre of Es Mercadal. 17.00 – Ringing of the Bells ‘Repic de Campanes’ – Eglesia Sant Martí, Es Mercadal Giants of Es Mercadal take to the streets – Es Gegants d’s Mercadal 18.00 – First Flute & Drum ‘Primer Toc des Fabiol’ & ‘Replec’ Gathering of the Horses 19.00 – Jaleo – Plaça Constitució, Es Mercadal, followed by Mass 22.30 (approx) – Street celebrations, Es Mercadal 15th September ‘Día de Sant Nicolau’ – Day of Sant Nicolas In the final official act of the summer season of Patron Saint celebrations, on the final morning, the final first flute & drum is heard, followed by the gathering of the horses that each represent the different towns of Menorca, they then head up the only mountain in the centre of Menorca, Monte Toro, for a mass and a final ‘Jaleo’ with the band and townspeople to close the season for the year. 9.00 – First Flute & Drum ‘Primer Toc des Fabiol’ & Replec Gathering of the horses 10.00 – The cavalcade starts the climb of Monte Toro ‘Pujada al Toro’ – Monte Toro, Es Mercadal 11.00 – Mass ‘Missa de Caixers’ – Santuari Mare de Déu del Toro – Monte Toro, Es Mercadal 12.00 (approx) – The Final official ‘Jaleo’ of the festival season – Monte Toro, Es Mercadal
One final personal comment from me based on my experience: Learning about each of Menorca’s town fiestas and coming to appreciate them as the locals do is a privilege and a journey. As someone who was not born here, I have learned so much from the locals who have been generous in their sharing, as well as books and online platforms that do a fantastic ongoing job of honouring the fiestas, each in their own way, and the townspeople that play their part to make them happen year after year. Above all these, are fiestas that are held in honour of the Patron Saint and the people of each town. They are not designed and organised to be tourist attractions although they have come to be so because they are so special and memorable. On that note, I would like to acknowledge a website that is hosted and run by a team of anonymous locals from across the island who have created an incredible resource for all the fiestas of Menorca since 2008. FiestasMenorca.es is a website in Spanish that has been helpful to me in filling in the gaps of times and places for different events when I did not know the details for every event in every town. I highly recommend returning to this website specifically in the future if you would like details of dates and times for any of the fiestas that you can’t find on my blog MenorcaBlue.com. And for the final time this year, as the locals say ‘Bones Festes Tothom’, meaning ‘Happy Fiestas to All’, and ‘Fins l’any que ve, si Déu vol!’ meaning ‘Until next year if god wishes it’. See you then!
Following the final Jaleo, the cavalcade comes down the mountain, the ‘Darrer Toc’ final flute and drum is heard and in the evening there are more musical acts in Es Mercadal.
JALEO – FESTA DE CALA’N PORTER ALAIOR, 21 – 22 SEPTEMBER In addition to the traditional town fiestas that date back centuries, the coastal town of Cala’n Porter added its own celebration on the beach in the final month of the summer, starting in 1974. It is unique in the sense that apart from Fornells it is the only coastal village that hosts a fiesta, and is the only Jaleo celebrated on the beach! (Ed: As we go to press the beach has been damaged by the recent storm and so it is important to check the latest details on Facebook and in the press)
JALEO – FESTA DES CAIXERS ALAIOR, 28 – 29 SEPTEMBER
And so, as the locals say at the end of each fiesta, and finally at the end of September…
´FINS L’ANY QUI VE SI DEU VOL´, WHICH MEANS, ‘UNTIL NEXT YEAR IF GOD WISHES IT.’ THE PRIVILEGE TO PARTICIPATE LIKE A LOCAL
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For more information on either the Jaleo of Cala’n Porter or Alaior in September visit the local council’s website: https://www.visitalaior.com/es/que-hacer/ cultura-y-fiestas
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In the last celebration to farewell the summer, Alaior hosts one final ‘Jaleo’ mainly for the locals of all ages who were unable to participate in their official celebration of Saint Lawrence in the height of August. At the end of September the temperatures are more tolerable and the island less crowded, the ‘Jaleo’ of the Horserider’s Fiesta dates back to 1906 and is reminiscent of the time when Menorcan fiestas were full of mostly locals, enjoying their town, neighbourhood and traditions the way they always have.
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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
13
SEPTEMBER 2024
H ISTORY OF TH E
GEGANTS DE LLUCMAÇANES
In 1989, Joan Pons, a resident of the town of Llucmaçanes, decided to make two small giants, as toys for his son. This is how Kikus and na Kika were born . When his neighbours saw the giants, they encouraged Joan to take them to the festivities of Sant Gaietà. This is how the first ‘Gegantes” or giants on the Island of Menorca arrived at the fiesta in 1991. In 1994 Joan Pons created a second pair of bigger giants to be carried by adults and this is when Avi Perico and Grandma Aguedet premiered as a tribute to the older generation. They obtained Honorary Matriculation at the Maó Adult School in the 1997/1998 academic year. In 2001, they appeared in a collection of sugar packets that had as its theme Los Gigantes de España. In 1999, the family of giants grew with the arrival of the Princess, and then in 2001, En Toni es Saig , a giant who represents the Municipal Guard of Maó, in his gala uniform. HIs partner Tònia de la Sala arrived in 2002 as a tribute to Antònia Gomila, a resident of Sant Lluís who loved the giants. The next addition to the family was that of Abu Umar. A giant representing the last Arab Governor of the Island of Menorca who became the partner to accompany the Princess. The last giants to join the group were Joan and na Rita representing two Menorcan farmers from the 18th century, wearing typical clothing of that time. 2008 saw the arrival of En Tòfol, the first Capgròs (figure with a large papier maché head) of the Llucmaçanes Gang . He is a symbolic character, who unifies the festive elements of the Llucmaçanes festivities. This is the story of the original Giants of Llucmaçanes. However there have been 5 more created for Carnival including King Bernat and his Queen Pili, the Witch Gorguina and her servant Xisca and finally Xim, a clown. In 2010, King Gaspar was premiered during the Kings Parade in Mahón and in 2012, King Balthasar arrived as a tribute to Franklin Cousins, for his dedication and love for the tradition of the Magi in Maó More recently Abu Umar and his Princess evolved to represent Abu Umar and a sweet young woman representing Menorca, named Nura. To complete the project, and to celebrate Sant Antoni on January 17, King Alfonso III was presented on January 11, 2014. Today, there are 20 giant figures and 50 giant bearers who make up the Colla d’Amics (Gang of Friends) and Gegants de Llucmaçanes. You will see these Gegantes at many fiestas around Menorca and the giants often travel to Mallorca and Catalonia to visit other gangs following a similar tradition. Photos and information courtesy of the website:
gegantsdellucmasanes.wixsite.com ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
ISLAND NEWS
15 11
SEPTEMBER 2024 By Beverley Ward
ISLA DEL REY In Memory of Mario Cappa One of our most valued and dedicated volunteers has left us when he died peacefully in his sleep, just three weeks short of his 90th birthday. Anyone who has visited the old British hospital on Isla del Rey cannot have failed to be impressed by the model of the Italian battleship Roma, sunk during WWII, which was made by hand and with loving care by Mario. Only the propellers and the anchors could be purchased, the rest was painstakingly made by hand and appeared in time for our 300-year celebrations in 2011. The ship is the main feature of the room but all the walls are filled with photographs and information relating to the story of how it was sunk in September of 1943, taking with it the lives of some 1,300 Italian sailors; those who survived were brought to the hospital of Isla del Rey. Some had lost not only their clothes but even their skin as well, having been in a sea of fire following the explosion in the ammunition store. There are 26 who remain forever in Mahón Cemetary. Each year Mario organised a memorial service in the Cemetery, last year was especially poignant since it was the 80th anniversary of the sinking and a number of Italian military personnel were present. Amazingly, there is even a 102 year old survivor who wasn’t able to be present but had the service relayed to him onboard an Italian ship. Mario came to Menorca 34 years ago together with his wife, Valnea, and was well known in Addaya. They joined the early volunteers on Isla del Rey and after working on the Sala Roma Mario continued with the Interpretation Centre on the first floor and prepared a room dedicated to boatbuilding, complete with tools and images of the design drawings. He couldn’t stop working for us. Every Sunday he was to be found climbing up the scaffolding or ladders, even when we all trembled for him, but he was unstoppable. Our much loved “Grumpy” was determined to carry on working while he had breath in his body. Woe betide anyone who dared to borrow any of his equipment and not return it instantly and, if the electricity cut out, his exclamations (to put it politely) were to be heard echoing around the old hospital building. For Mario, Menorca was the centre of the Mediterranean, with an abundance of history and cultural influences. The saving of the shipwrecked sailors of Roma represented a symbol of peace between different peoples and cultures in difficult times, and an example of how Isla del Rey has been a haven for such a variety of people of different nationalities over the years. Mario will be sorely missed every Sunday, but his legacy remains for all to see. Rest in Peace. To visit the Isla del Rey, I recommend the 09.00 catamaran on Sundays to join up with the volunteers for some refreshments after your visit. Alternatively, you can visit on Tuesday or Thursday mornings with the 11.00 catamaran. Booking is recommended.
+ Info y Tickets: https://menorca.hauserwirth.com Fundación Hospital de la Isla del Rey - www.islahospitalmenorca.org https://www.yellowcatamarans.com/en/kings-island ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
ISLAND NEWS
16
SEPTEMBER 2024
COOL CLASSICS PAUL KILVINGTON: ELECTRIFYING MENORCA, ONE MOKE AT A TIME Brace yourself dear reader, the all-new Electric MOKE has landed in Menorca, courtesy of Paul Kilvington, a man of many talents and even more cars. Yes, you heard that right—an icon of the 1960s has been fast forwarded into the 21st century, shedding its petrol-powered past to become fully electric. And where better to enjoy this quirky, cute little buggy than on the sun-soaked shores of the Balearics?
So, Why the Electric MOKE? Well, let me paint you a picture. Imagine James Bond, Brigitte Bardot, and The Beatles rolled into one and driving a car that’s not only a slice of British motoring history but also completely electric. It’s as if Paul has taken a time machine back to the swinging ‘60s, nabbed a MOKE, and then zapped it with some futuristic wizardry. The result? A car that’s light as a feather, doesn’t need to break any speed records, and has that unmistakable aura of summer fun. It’s like driving nostalgia, but without the guilt of burning fossil fuels. And the Price Tag? If you fancy a bit of this retro-electric magic, it’ll set you back €35,496 before IVA. But wait, there’s more! Paul’s offering a BesMOKE Marine Pack (because why wouldn’t you want ‘teak’ side steps, a sailcloth bimini and cool seat covers?) for a mere €2490 extra. Plus, there’s a Care Package—maintenance, storage, and all that jazz—from €175 a month. Performance? It’ll do 80 kph, which on a small island feels like light speed, and has a range of 90 km. Charging? Four hours for the full whack, or two hours for an 80% boost—just enough time for a long lunch. Are the Balearics Going Green? Indeed they are. The local bigwigs are pushing electric vehicles like they’re the next sliced bread. By 2030, they want 70% of passenger cars and half of all rentals to be electric. Charging points are springing up like mushrooms, and they’re even considering perks like free parking in ‘Blue Zones’ and lower road taxes. Oh, and if you’re quick, you can snag a €7,000 grant for your electric MOKE, as long as you keep it in your name for two years. Simple! So, How’s the MOKE Faring? The Electric MOKE is taking off faster than a Bond villain in an ejector seat. Paul’s already sold a bunch in Formentera, Ibiza, and Mallorca, and he’s aiming to shift another 20-30 next year across the Balearics. Globally, 500 have found homes, with a waiting list of 800 eager customers. And with Nick English, co-founder of Bremont watches and MOKE’s new Executive Chairman, on board (who, by the way, has a pad in Menorca), it’s clear this car is more than just a passing fad. In places like St Barts, they’re already the coolest thing since sliced coconuts. And the MOKE isn’t just a pretty face—it’s doing its bit for the planet, partnering with the Blue Marine Foundation to save the oceans. At the 2022 Monaco Boat Show, two Electric MOKEs were auctioned off for €250k each, all for a good cause. 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 2024
What’s Paul’s Connection to Menorca? Two decades ago, Paul was tooling around the south coast of England in a Sunseeker Tomahawk, but he was craving something different and with a second cabin. He found it in Hunton Powerboats, a brand with potential that needed a serious design overhaul. Paul stepped in, revamped the boat, and then bought it. Tired of the dreary UK weather, he set his sights on Menorca—a place that combines the best of Jersey and the Cotswolds, but with guaranteed sunshine. He bought a villa in Binibeca, got introduced to Ian Levine at Clearwater, by Tonia from Menorcasa, and the rest is history. Today, Paul’s office for Cool Classics is nestled at Clearwater Marine in the Port of Mahon, where he’s been introducing, branding, and marketing all sorts of marine marvels. But Wait, There’s More… The Electric MOKE is just one of Paul’s passions. Over in Cheltenham, Kilvington Classics hand-builds classic two door Range Rovers, turning them into masterpieces of British engineering. Back in the ‘90s, Paul was involved in launching the Range Rover in the US, capturing the essence of the English country lifestyle. Now, he’s taken that same spirit and injected it into the Kilvington Classic, available in six heritage colours and designed to be the ultimate expression of the iconic Range Rover. Paul’s also still very involved with branding and design, having worked with over 350 schools on everything from rebranding to crisis management, as well as a number of corporate clients and household brands. His daughter, Emma, is now leading the team, helping with a variety of design schemes, and, of course, primarily the family’s latest additions—wonderful twins Freddie and Lily who keep things lively. And then there’s V.C.V. (Verified Classic Vehicles), joint founded with Menorca based Tim Hamilton-Fletcher. This is an online membership-based service where classic vehicle owners can digitise their documentation on a transferable multi-media matrix, preserving the history and provenance of their beloved vehicles for future generations. Paul’s childhood dream was to own an Aston Martin DB5, a Riva, and a Spitfire, inspired by the model toys his grandmother gave him. He’s nailed two out of three so far, and with his trademark moustache, you wouldn’t bet against him getting that Spitfire one day.
Paul’s Cars and Boats First Car: Morris 1000, bought for £125 First Sports Car: Red MGB Roadster First Company Car: Yellow VW Polo First Car for Own Business: Mazda RX7 Best Car Combo: Porsche 911 Targa + Range Rover Favourite Cars: Porsche 911s, 1962 Series 2 Land Rover, Aston Martin Vanquish, DB4, DB5, DB6 and DB MkIII, 1969 Jensen Interceptor, 1962 e-type Favourite Boat: Riva Olympic For more info, contact Paul Kilvington at +34 630 183 263 or paul@coolclassics.es.
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ISLAND NEWS
18
SEPTEMBER 2024
MOKES IN MENORCA
Several original Mini Mokes can be spotted driving around Menorca in sky blue, white, red and green. We spoke to two owners who love their classic cars. 1967 Green Mini Moke Owned by Sarah Folley Sarah bought her first 1965 Moke 40 years ago when she was only 22; she caught the Santander ferry and drove it across Spain to bring it to Menorca! The long, slow journey took 3 days and the car had to be unloaded off the ferry from Barcelona by crane in a net. It was perfect for island adventures but unfortunately it was later destroyed in a garage fire and had to be scrapped. Babies and children then got in the way of a replacement and Sarah did not get her current Moke until 2004 when a red 1967 version arrived at her house in Marlowe for Christmas. This time common sense won, and she shipped it to Menorca in a container. Sarah had it resprayed back to its original green and 4 years ago she changed it onto historic Spanish plates, which is another story for a future issue! Sarah says the Moke is the perfect vehicle for going to the beach where you get wet and sandy. It is also useful for transporting large items, such as a painting she bought for her apartment. She has taken the Moke along to Mehari Owners Club events in Menorca and was pleased to report that the Moke left them all for dead on the go kart track.
1989 Red Mini Moke Owned by Les and Kate Smallwood Les and Kate bought one of the last Mokes built by Austin-Rover Portugal in 1989. These cars were galvanised, which was one of the reasons Les chose it. They had looked around Barcelona and Andalucía but found this example at Supercar Garage in Marbella. It had originally been restored in France but then transferred to Spanish registration in 2020. They paid for it to be transported to Barcelona before bringing it across to their house in Son Parc. Les says it is great fun driving it around the island and it is easy to maintain as it is based on a classic mini.
Mini Moke Fun Facts • The Mini Moke was designed by Sir Alec Issigonis at the same time as the Mini Saloon. The first prototypes were offered to the military up until 1964. The lightweight vehicle could be dropped by parachute but poor ground clearance and a low-powered engine led to failure. Only the Royal Navy showed any interest, for use on the decks of aircraft carriers. • 15,000 Mini Mokes with 10” wheels were manufactured for the road between 1964 and 1968 at BMC’s Longbridge factory in Birmingham, England. 90% were exported. • The “Mk I” Mokes had a single windscreen wiper and a floor-mounted headlight dip switch, and the only colour available was “Spruce Green”. • Production switched to BMC’s factory in Sydney, Australia. Bigger wheels were introduced to suit local conditions. The Leyland Moke continued to be manufactured in Australia until early 1982. • In 1983 production restarted in Portugal by British Leyland. Under the control of Austin-Rover Portugal, this Moke continued in production until mid-1989. • In 1990, the manufacturing rights were sold to the Italian company Cagiva, which produced cosmetically enhanced Mokes in Portugal from 1991 through to early 1993, when the last Mini Moke was made. • The Moke became popular as a beach buggy rented to tourists in tropical island resorts such as Mauritius and Barbados. The car also found a market in Macau, where it became the official transport for the local police until 2006. • The Moke gained media exposure in the 1965 John Boorman film Catch Us If You Can in which it was driven by the Dave Clark Five. It appeared in The Prisoner starring Patrick McGoohan (1967–68 and features in four James Bond movies: You Only Live Twice, Live and Let Die, The Spy Who Loved Me, and Moonraker • The Beatles and the Beach Boys were photographed behind the wheel of a Moke and in the 1980s there was renewed interest when French actress and model Brigitte Bardot was pictured driving a Moke with her dogs in St. Tropez, France.
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
19 11
SEPTEMBER 2024
INTERVIEW WITH…
TOURISM DEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT DR PAUL RIDOUTT By Dr Judy Bennett With Menorca’s visitor numbers increasing, and protests taking place across the Balearics against the negative impacts of tourism on housing, living costs and the environment, our interview this month is with tourism development consultant Dr Paul Ridoutt FIBC, FMS, FTS, CMC. Paul is a very old friend I’ve known since the early ‘70s when he and his business partner, Cliff Kent, purchased one of the first villas to be built in Binixica – and they contracted me to furnish it with a princely budget of 200 GBP. Paul and Cliff went on to start two self-catering Tour Operations based in the UK: first Roding Villas, and later VillaSeekers which operated in Europe and the USA, and was sold to Nationwide Leisure in the mid-80s. Paul then concentrated on his tourism and management consultancy in the UK, working with operators such as Thomson, Thomas Cook, and British Airways, before moving overseas where he worked internationally for over 20 years as a consultant on EU and DFID projects (funded by World Bank and International Banks). There, he specialised in tourism development and the effects of tourism on fragile economies and sensitive environments, working on island nations in Australasia and the Caribbean, including Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, Montserrat, Turks & Caicos Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and St Lucia. He has also worked in France, Germany, Greece (mainland and islands), Malta, Portugal and Spain, and more recently in the Middle East. Today, Paul and his wife, Barb, are back in their home near Chichester, where Paul is much in demand as lecturer and programme co-ordinator across a range of Tourism, Aviation, Destination and Strategic Management courses at universities and colleges in London and the Southeast. He kindly agreed to a three-way WhatsApp chat with Liz and myself, providing examples of how other countries are dealing with tourism, and recommending a way forward for Menorca. Paul´s recommendation for Menorca... Every destination needs a Tourism Master Plan to show Where you are now, Where you want to be, and identifies How to get there. “If you lose control of tourism numbers, it´s like letting a genie out of the bottle. It´s VERY hard to put back.” The Plan should be made widely available to the people of Menorca in order to have their general support, and would: • Include tourism figures – historic & current – including (but not limited to) tourist numbers, sources, types, demographics, spend, trends • Establish the Carrying Capacity of Menorca
• Identify which types of tourism you want to attract – economically, socially, environmentally • Identify which types of tourism you wish to deter – economically, socially, environmentally, and • Develop strategies how to deter them WHO would pay? The EU funds teams of independent consultants who would undertake the surveys needed to establish the carrying capacity of Menorca – socially, economically, environmentally – on which the Tourism Plan would be based. This is a comprehensive document which would inform and guide tourism development in Menorca. An example of an EU funded plan, carried out by Deloitte with EU funds, is available online, and well-worth reading. Search for ´Carrying Capacity Study for Tourism in the Maltese Islands, July 2022.’ WHAT would they do? The team would normally undertake three surveys – economic, social and environmental. These would take the form of questionnaires distributed amongst a crosssection of the population, including, but not limited to, local tourism organisations, councils, tourism, chambers of commerce, environmental organisations, tour operators, transport providers, hotels and other accommodation providers, together with representative samples of other tourism and tourism-related businesses, businesses impacted by tourism, and members of the general public. WHY are these surveys important? Understanding the social, economic and environmental priorities of each destination is crucial for the development of a sustainable tourism industry. There is no ´One rule fits all´. As an example, all-inclusive hotels are generally thought to have a negative effect as the tourist spend doesn´t filter through to the local economy. However, in Jamaica, where safety is an issue, they are permitted as they keep tourists out of danger. In-depth research also informs local decision-making. Fiji used to consider backpackers ‘low-value’ tourists, until a study in the 1990s demonstrated that backpackers are a significant contributor to the local economy – they tend to stay longer in a destination, consume more locally produced goods, and the money spent spreads through the local economy rather than disappearing into the offshore bank account of an international hotel chain. The study estimated that backpackers were spending $100 per day on local goods and services which was much higher than wealthy tourists staying in 5* Boutique hotels.
ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
Tourism controlling strategies: examples from around the world Amsterdam - repackaging outlying districts as stand-alone destinations – banning new tourist shops in the city centre – diverting tourists to less busy attractions using Apps. Limiting Airbnb. Moving the cruise depot away from the city Portugal – imposing fines for noise (including music) on beaches and in residential areas Galapagos – now 97% of the land is designated as national park. Visitors are restricted to certain sites, with 14 rules in place. Spain & elsewhere – time-slot systems have been introduced for popular tourist attractions (e.g. Sagreda Familia, Barcelona - Alhambra, Granada etc.) Iceland – Airbnb restrictions – limiting time they can rent out, maximum earnings and hospitality licence required Dubrovnik – limiting cruise ship numbers and tourist numbers. As part of a “Respect the City” campaign they provide a luggage drop-off system to prevent residents being disturbed by the noise of suitcases being wheeled over cobbles Amsterdam, Paris, Rome – banning large coaches in city centres. Venice – stopped cruise ships… introduction of tourist tax Seville and elsewhere - Limiting cars in city centres with provision of low-cost hop-on hop-off buses Barbados – Height of hotels restricted to height of palm trees, and public access to all beaches enshrined in law.
ISLAND NEWS
20
SEPTEMBER 2024
WHO NEEDS A PARTNER WHEN YOU HAVE CHATGPT TO TALK TO? By Luke Miller, Isla House Coworking
OpenAI Unveils ChatGPT-4o OpenAI has just rolled out ChatGPT-4o, where “O” stands for Olive. This version packs in some impressive upgrades, making it quicker, cheaper, and smarter with information updated up to October 2023—a whole 19 months more of human data consumed by the model. Below we cover some of the features we found interesting. Another note is that Apple and OpenAI inked some major deal, which means you will see OpenAI increasingly appear across the Apple hardware and software ecosystems. Your Macbook and iPhone are going to be AI infused. Talking to AI Gets Easier A cool new feature of ChatGPT-4o is multimodal interaction. That’s a fancy way of saying you can talk to it using text, voice, and images all at once. This makes chatting with the AI feel more natural and straightforward. Imagine asking a question, describing a problem, or showing a picture, all in one go. It’s a big step toward making AI feel more like talking to a friend. Real-Time Conversations Real-time voice interaction is now open to everyone, not just paying users. You can press a button and have a live chat with ChatGPT, which makes the whole experience feel more personal and immediate. This is handy for things like customer service or just getting quick help on something. 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
21 11
Language learning -> Anytime you want An interesting use - if you have ChatGPT app on your phone, open it up and hit the headphones symbol. When you do this, you will automatically be in a real time conversation with ChatGPT. Now inform ChatGPT to ask you 3 questions in Spanish to gauge your level of language ability and to then run a 5 minute conversational lesson at your language level, about summer in Menorca, only speaking to you in Spanish….. See what happens, you have an on-demand tutor. Or how about a guide, who tells you which sites to see in Mahon on a tour, or a tutor testing you on the road rules in Spain for when you get your local licence [finally]. This can be applied to so many scenarios, and for some people it could supplant some of their social interactions. If you can have an AI real time voice chat, on any topic you want, in the tone you want, for as long as you want, would you? Some of the fear mongers out there are saying this will produce even more reclusive people who withdraw from society, as their day to day needs get met by an AI.
SEPTEMBER 2024
tell if you were talking to yourself, we might start seeing people chatting with ChatGPT in public. This could change how we think about public and private conversations. Looking Ahead: Your Laptop is next OpenAI is launching desktop apps for ChatGPT. These will bring AI right to your computer, possibly letting it handle tasks directly on your device. Why is this going to be major? Because the main owner of OpenAI is Microsoft as we discussed in previous articles. So Microsoft is going to be deeply integrating OpenAI functionality into your computer, the way Apple is going to be as well. So whether you like it or not, you are probably an Apple and/ or Microsoft customer in many elements of your life, so you are going to be seeing how OpenAI changes your tools you already use today.
The discussion normally loops back to the movie from a few years back called ‘Her’, with your favourite actor from Napoleon and Batman, Joaquin Phoenix. The plot was around Joaquin’s character forming a relationship with an AI voice. This is now plausible for anyone with the release of 4o. Speaking Multiple Languages ChatGPT-4o has also improved at understanding and responding in different languages. If you use multiple languages or if English isn’t your first language, you’ll notice it’s a lot more reliable and smooth. In the past, ChatGPT had a significant bias towards English for greater effectiveness. This improvement opens up the AI to a wider audience around the world. Always-On Audio: A New Norm? The always-on audio feature is interesting and could change social norms. Just like when wireless headphones first came out and people couldn’t
ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
FOOD & DRINK
23
SEPTEMBER 2024
EATING PRICE GUIDE € = up to €30 €€ = €30-50 €€€ = €50-80 €€€€ = €80-100 €€€€€ = Sky’s the limit!
OUT
I opted for quality rather than quantity this month! If one is going to struggle with the heat and parking challenges, then it’s worth going somewhere great! That is not to say that my local area, the lovely Calas Fonts, is to be missed. It has been relatively quiet down there at lunchtimes and don’t forget Moll den Pons, around the corner under the Hamilton, which has three really good restaurants in the shade and often with a cool breeze. Our favourite in that area still remains ANA LUISA in the capable hands of Carolina and Paco (Tel +34 649 083675). Their turbot (rodaballo) this season is particularly recommended, and they claim to offer ‘the best paella on the port’. You must book as they are very popular, mid-price and accessibility is good if you park by the Hamilton. My top award this month goes to Es Molí de Foc in San Climent. It is great to see this Grand Old Lady retaining her status as ‘One Of The Best’ in Menorca.
A few new ones I have tried this month include…
EL ROMERO €€€€ Plaza de la Conquesta 5, Mahon. 971 351780. “Sustainable restaurant with creative cuisine”. By Lorraine Ure and Annette Puttock. Two of us thought we might try something completely different for lunch on a very hot day. The restaurant is in a beautiful historic building in the big square with the statue of Alfonso III of Aragon behind the Town Hall. It is a quiet, peaceful area these days, but readily accessible to taxis. Parking is available in and around town and in the Plaça Miranda underground car park. The restaurant has been open for just four years but in that time has earned recommendations in the prestigious Repsol Guide and also Forbes magazine, amongst others.
By Lorraine Ure and Roqueta’s Team of Tasters
SEPT 2024 It is the vision of husband and wife team, Francesca and Fabio, who hail from Bologna. All their food is locally sourced and gluten-free, and they are deeply into the “slow food” movement. No meat whatsoever features on their menus! They are really close to the main market areas in Mahon, the fish market and the general market in the Plaza del Carme, from which they take their inspiration to produce their tasting menus. They offer three…..a fish or a vegetarian menu both at €70, and a more extensive menu at €90. You can mix and match, and they were very well explained by Francesca. We opted for the “Fish of the Island” menu comprising 9 (very small) courses, all beautifully presented. It comprised some “ancient grain” bread with a choice of Menorcan olive oils, followed by 3 tiny “amuse Bouche”, and then an unusually presented Calamari tartare. There followed, grilled octopus, a mackerel dish flavoured with dark chocolate and pickles, a prawn dish with a traditional pasta, then a wild fish fillet with snow peas and Hollandaise. The meal was rounded off with a variation of a Pomada dessert and Petits Fours! With a bottle of the local Binitord white wine (€33) and one glass of Cava and water, the bill came to €188, for two. So it’s not for “every day” but it was certainly a special treat and a memorable occasion. It is very much for those of you wishing for a completely new culinary experience here in Menorca, whilst knowing that everything on offer was as fresh and authentic as could possibly be achieved. Open daily for lunch and dinner (except Mondays).
ES MOLÍ DE FOC €€€ Carrer De Sant Llorenc 65, San Clement, Tel +34 971 153222. (Also home to the Graeme Pearce Beer Brewery). With 28 years of culinary excellence, in a beautiful old former 19th century mill right in the centre of San Climent, this restaurant has long been an important point of reference for the finest Menorcan cooking, and has continuously raised the bar to stay right up there with the very best the island can offer. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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RESTAURANTS If you would like to advertise your restaurant in the Eating Out section of Roqueta please contact John Davies by email: roquetajohn@gmail.com or by Whatsapp 609851186
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The original founder, Vicent Vila, retired last year, so we were keen to see if there were any changes. We visited at lunchtime on a very hot day, so dined indoors in air conditioned comfort. In more temperate times, there is a beautiful outdoor courtyard-patio also.
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I am now heading off to UK to save some money…, that’s a joke of course!!! And now from the team:
The standards were as high as ever. The restaurant was full, and there were wonderful professional waiters on hand to offer the same attentive service. The amazing Signature rice dishes were coming out of the kitchen by the barrowload! Prices for these start at 26 Euros for 2, rising to 80 Euros for half a kilo Lobster rice. My good friend swears by the “black rice”, and I shall try it next time. As it was so hot, we went for a lighter option, starting with their special House Salad, delicious, creative and fresh (21 Euros) followed by two different lamb dishes at 34 Euros. One was the baby shoulder and the other a most delicious Morrocan spice infused version, created with a very deft hand. With one glass of Cava and a bottle of the local Sa Forana Cabernet and Merlot red, the bill for two was 140 Euros including tip. Definitely a restaurant for special occasions but worth saving up for!!
BRASSERIE & BAR DOS PABLOS €€€ Carrer de la Mediterrània, 3, 07730 Cala en Porter, +34 971 377912 By A. Resident On an extremely hot and humid night in August my partner and I took a trip over to Cala en Porter to eat in one of our favourite restaurants, Dos Pablos. We were met in the wonderfully air conditioned restaurant (there is no terrace) by Paul, one of the owners, who gave us a lovely warm welcome. We ordered a predinner drink whilst sitting at the bar ready to peruse the menu. We are always spoilt for choice here as there are so many tempting dishes on offer ranging from crispy chilli beef and homemade steak and ale pie to fresh fish and slow roasted lamb with rioja mint sauce. We eventually chose, my partner opting for the baby gem lettuce filled with Cantonese pork and crispy noodles beautifully presented and with a lively kick. I chose the homemade smooth duck liver pate served with date and red chutney which was delicious. For our main courses we both opted for the pan fried calves liver with crispy bacon and a red wine sauce served with a bowl of fresh vegetables and a choice of sautéed or mash potatoes. Historic washed down with a lovely bottle of Albariño We were both too full for desserts this visit but the choice is excellent and I can recommend the dessert sharing platter and also the cheese board served with a shot of port. The whole meal, including drinks, came to 101 Euros and we were certainly well fed. If you are over that way Dos Pablos is well worth a visit and booking is advisable. The restaurant remains open 6 days a week from 7pm closed on Sundays until 12th October.
S’ATURADETA JARDINS €€ Avinguda de Josep A. Clavé, 388, 07703 Mahón +34 971960130 http://www.saturadetajardins.com/ Driving from Mahón on the road to San Lluis, S’aturadeta Jardins is before the AeroClub (and prison). Many readers will remember it as the former El Picadero! Well, after the demise some years ago of Terry and his “eat as much as you can” buffets, and then a number of reinventions, this restaurant does seem to have landed on its feet, finally!!! It’s in the very capable hands of Manel, and his team, who runs the popular S’Aturadeta in the centre of Mahón. The decor has been completely updated and the garden re-landscaped and we wish them every success. It is in a great location with good parking. Three of us enjoyed a large meal (as we over ordered!). Jamon Iberico (23.50 Euros for a generous plate), house salad, 6 small scallops (16.50 Euros), a very fine crusted tuna steak cooked to your taste (24 Euros), seafood noodles, cheesecake, a bottle of Particular Rosado, and a few more “bebidos” brought the bill for three to 170 Euros. Enjoy your late summer dining experiences, and don’t forget we welcome your reviews, from all over the Island.
SA PEDRERA D’ES PUJOL Camí des Pujol, 14, 07711 Sant Lluís, Entry at Km.6 on the road to a Punta Prima Tel: +34 971150717 Whatsapp :+34 629 642 422 pedreramenorca@gmail.com https://sapedreradespujol.com/ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay We were recommended Sa Pedrera d’es Pujol by our Colombian neighbours who were lucky enough to be trapped on the island during covid and to be honest it did take us a while to visit and get a table, but this place is magical and on par with the likes of Pan y Vino and Es Moli de Foc. Traditional Spanish dishes are created and
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served Michelin-style in a venue that is chic and hidden in the back streets of Sant Lluis on the way to Punta Prima. It is one of the longest-running restaurants in Menorca, born from a picnic area in the 1960s. In 2003 a young couple, Nuria Pendás and Daniel Mora acquired the restaurant and made it their life project. On our first visit we met Nuria, who is quite fabulous and we quickly bonded over our London Indian curries, which are her absolute favourite. She eagerly showed us her well-stocked and decorated wine cellar and around their immaculate kitchen which just highlighted her love, dedication and pride for their restaurant.
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SA PARERETA D´EN DORO Camí Binisafuet, s/n, 07710 Sant Lluís +34 971 15 03 53 €€€€ By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay I often use the shortcut airport back-road to Sant Lluis, and have driven past this place many times, always intrigued as to what it served but never stopping to find out. It wasn’t until twice in one week, I was recommended to eat here and I am pleased we did. After navigating the twisty and narrow country road you arrive at a welcoming converted farmhouse with a large garden and internal dinning area with plenty of parking. It is very near the airport and when the wind is blowing a certain way, you can hear an aircraft or two but thankfully Mahon airport isn’t super busy at night so it didn’t spoil the relaxed countryside vibe. Our group of six were warmly greeted and promptly shown our table in a pretty lit courtyard that was busy and atmospheric but not packed or drowned out by music. I noticed a bar at the back, which on reflection, is another reason I would revisit, maybe for an early evening cocktail. Anyway, back to the supper - the service, I must admit was a bit erratic, the food order taken before the drinks order and was a touch slow, but as with many family/owner-run restaurants in Menorca, they never seem to have enough staff at the right time but it didn’t spoil the atmosphere and overall the evening was very pleasant.
The food is experimental but not to the level of not understanding what you are eating. The menu is well balanced, so you’ll find something for most people’s tastes. Each dish is served with elegance and reverence. We have eaten off both menus, the tasting menu with lobster as the main dish and off the a la carte - both are wonderful and both worth visiting for. From the a la carte we chose Neptune’s Beard a thermal egg, crab, white shrimp, sea urchin and sea nettle sauce - delicate balanced flavours that just absolutely worked and mussels in a burrida sauce which was light and clean, leaving you wanting more and more. Our mains were grilled squid with Jerusalem artichoke, old sobrasada and roasted onion, which was grilled and seasoned to perfection and Formatjada Wellington de Luxe which was a beef sirloin in coca dough, baked, stuffed with mushrooms and foie, served with gravy sauce - a house speciality that’s been on the menu for 21 years - and you can absolutely see why! For dessert we shared the ‘Traditional Cake’: menjar blanc, toasted almond ice cream and Amaretto toffee - it was simply delicious and a nice ending to our wedding anniversary celebratory supper. I have to say for the quality of food, ambience and sophistication (please don’t be fooled, some people dressed up, like me, but others really didn’t, so all are welcome!) the pricing is very reasonable. We opted for a Chablis, just to give our palettes a rest from the Menorcan wine, and we spent approximately 290 euros, with a big tip. The restaurant can be booked for private functions, or they can bring their kitchen to your villa, cocktail party or wedding.
We ordered four starters to share; coca bread, tomato with Santa Catalina olive oil, which was nice; two Menorcan red shrimp tartar, lime and shrimp mayonnaise, which was very tasty with a creamy richness, and white zucchini carpaccio, tomato, cured cheese and olive oil, which was nice, but not my usual choice. They were all pleasant enough, not outstanding, but of good quality, just portion-wise, they were all a bit small, so I’d definitely recommend each person picks their own starter. For the mains we had an array of dishes; tuna tataki, which was fresh, lightly flavoured with truffle and quite bountiful; crumb covered Hake on a bed of black rice, which I think was the winner of the evening, although if you’re on a date, watch out for ‘black mouth’, and the miso seabass and eggplant, which was lovely but I didn’t taste the miso marinade, which I was hoping for. We made the same mistake for dessert, not ordering enough, but what we had was delicious - the lemon pie was fabulous, the correct amount of lemon lightness to the crumbly pie; chocolate bonbon, which was just dense and solid and rich, and a gluten free chocolate cake, which was the right side of slightly chewy sweetness. All in all it was a pleasant evening and I will go back to try some of the meat dishes as Sa Parereta d’en Doro is super local to us and offers good quality food. In total we had three bottles of wine and it cost around 150 euros per couple including tips.
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C/ Bon Aire, 26, 07701 Mahón +34 646 03 65 79 €€ By Larissa Fontenay de La Sage
OYSTERS MENORCA
One of the very first tapas bars our family ever visited on the island was a cute little place called El Rosario de la Aurora in Mahon. It was a new opening, stylishly decorated with a good wine cellar and a very good menu of tapas and big plates.
Oysters, Caviar and Champagne, the perfect trio and surprisingly available on Carrer de l’Església in Mahon! Who would have thought the simplicity of those three delights would be just what the growing crowds in Menorca wanted. Oyster Menorca is a classy but not pretentious joint offering premium seafood with a Spanish twist.
Sadly, the restaurant closed down but by pure accident while we were idly roaming the streets of Mahon during one of the not-so-fierce stormy days this year, we popped into a newly opened place on the same street, called Dolcevita only to be greeted by very familiar and friendly smiles from our past hosts at El Rosario! Dolcevita is the perfect stop off for a glass or bottle of wine (they have a very strong wine list) and fresh and well curated tapas to please everyone. Its decor gives off 1950’s cool vibes and the jazzy background music is relaxing and super chilled. We indulged in smoked cod with dried tomatoes and rocket - super tasty, salty yet perfectly paired with the tangy dried tomatoes; dried veal with almonds and rocket - I really like dried meats and fish with the crunch of nuts; tomato, garlic and olive oil bruschetta, which was utterly delicious and simple and clean and tuna and anchovies with chilli peppers, which was a surprising good combination! We sipped a bottle of wine while being served with smiles and recognition. All in all a winner for us and we will be back. Budget-wise we spent 85 euros which included tips and a nice bottle of ABAD.
By Larissa le Sage de Fontenay
Its main attraction, the oysters, are sourced from worldwide oyster farms and are carefully selected, graded and checked to ensure the finest quality. You can choose from an international array of either Grevelingen Creuse and Dutch Imperial (The Netherlands), Irish Mór (Irish), Fine de Claire (French) or Salgado (Portuguese) oysters - with each perfectly served with hand selected condiments, our favourite was the spicy vodka, which is totally homemade and something they really need to bottle and sell! Alongside the Oysters, there is their very own Caviar Benoît, which was delicate and salty and utterly divine and a selection of other delicacies such as brioche of salmon and shrimp, pasta with caviar, Camaro se, langoustines, gildas, cañaillas, salads and king crap legs. We didn’t try any of the other plates, as we over-indulged in the trio but what we saw looked totally in keeping with the standards of the dishes we tried. We were served a remarkable Spanish sparkling wine, Izar-Leku, which was dry and crisp and went perfectly with our oysters and prawns and caviar, so much so, we bought a bottle to take home and retry! The dining space is deceiving, as when you first walk in, it seems more like a seafood ‘bar’ BUT there is a stunning enclosed terrace at the back and a cave-like private dinning area as well as tables outside the front - so it can host a lot of guests. I’d imagine the vibe at night would be very welcoming and buzzy. The chef and young gentlemen that run it are very passionate and it really does come through in all they do. It seems to becoming quite a ‘French Quarter’ in that part of Mahon with French run bakeries and fabulous interior design shops opening up - all very welcome, making Oyster Menorca the perfect stop off and very in-keeping with the new neighbourhood. As you would imagine it isn’t cheap to eat such delights, but it’s a wonderful experience and we will definitely be going again. Budget wise for what we had - three selected oysters, prawns and a small portion of caviar and two glasses of sparkling Spanish wine was around 200 euro with tips (this does not include the bottle of Izar-Leku sparkling wine we bought - that was an extra 70 euros!)
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By Michael Stevenson
SUPERMARKET WINES Following on from my article in July, here is my personal view of Menorcan supermarket wines, listed on a shop-by-shop basis to help you explore the wine aisles.
ALDI This is a very welcome addition to the island. They have a very good selection of Spanish wines and those from around the world. There are a good number of Riojas, both tintos and blancos as well as Ribera del Dueros, Toros and Rias Baixas just to mention a few. They stock some Torres wines, such as the Sangre de Toro and Vina Sol, and El Coto and CUNE riojas as well as their own ranges. Look out for their D.O Utiel Requena wines which are not to be missed and the Casa de Luna.
MERCADONA They have a wide range of wines although some of their cheaper ones can be a bit lacklustre. Their Comportillo range of Riojas are extremely reasonably priced, especially the tintos. Their Crianza is very good value. Their Arteso range of Riojas is only fractionally more expensive and is again good wine. They stock CUNE and El Coto; the Coto de Imaz Reserva 2019 is an outstanding wine and not to be missed. They have a good own-label sherry range. 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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LIDL They have a wide selection of Spanish wine from the well known D.Os (denominacion de origen) and wines from around the world. They seem to have dropped the Guia Penin (Penin Guide) points that they liked to put on the wine labels which is a shame. Also fellow Menorcan wine drinkers have commented that the quality of their wines is not quite up to its old standard but it is still well worth a visit.
EROSKI They have a very good and wide range of wines especially at the larger outlets such as the Sant Lluis store. They have Riojas from all the well known estates: CUNE, Beronia, Ramon Bilbao, Campo Viejo, Marques de Caceres, Pomal and Faustino just to mention a few. They have a good range of Rosados including Las Campanas and the outstanding Principe de Viana from Navarra. They have a good range of most Torres wines. Their sherries are well chosen and their own label, Albamonte Manzanilla made for them by Hidalgo-La Gitana, is excellent and classy - seriously good value. They frequently have very good wine offers, so keep an eye out for them.
BINIPREU The main outlet on the Mahon Poligono has a very good range of wellpriced wines. Included in this is a large number of vegan and organic wines. They stock many of our Menorcan produced wines. They have a wide range of wines: Riojas,Torres, Ribera del Dueros, Rias Baixas, Priorat etc. Their wines are well presented and well worth a visit.
HIPER CENTRO This large store is on the Mahon Poligono and has expanded its wine section over the last few years and includes a comprehensive range of Mallorcan wines from the D.Os of Binisalem and Pla i Llevant. Their pricing is competitive so look out for good offers. They stock one of the best brandies in the world, Cardenal Mendoza, Solera Gran Reserva Sanchez Romate which, at 23.50€, is the cheapest price I have seen on the island.
SA BOTIGA DE S’UESTRA It is always a pleasure to shop here in one of Menorca’s best and friendliest independent supermarkets. They have a very good range of competitively priced wines. Their Riojas are very comprehensive from Marques de Riscal, CUNE, Luis Cana, Muga, El Coto, Martinez de lacuesta, La Montesa, Campo Viejo etc. They have a good selection of Albarinos, Ruedas and Penedes. Their Cava range is well chosen as are their sherries and other fortified wines including port. They also have the cheapest Gin Xoriguer on the island that I have seen at 13.75€. CHEVITTE LAS FINCAS ROSADO Pale coral pink with a floral and herby nose. Light red berry fruit, dry and elegant and lovely balance with a good finish. Good aperitif and goes well with prawns. CORDORNIU ANNA BRUT Mercadona and widely available 8 to 9€ . It is a highly recommendable Cava . Classis Cava grapes and Chardonnay, 11.5% ABV. Good bubbles and persistent mousse, gentle straw gold, citrus and tropical fruit on the nose. Lovely refreshing Cava with a rich finish . Great aperitif and with light fish dishes. CARDENAL MENDOZA, Solera Gran Reserva Sanchez Romate. It is an exceptional Brandy from Jerez, created in 1887 by the Sanchez Romate Brothers This Solera Gran Reserva is made from a selection of the best holandas de alquitaras, and aged for an average of 15 years in casks filled with Oloroso and Pedro Ximénez wines. Dark mahogany in color, very smooth, balanced aroma, clean and elegant, with marked notes of raisins and plums in a long and persistent finish.
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S’ULLESTRAR HELPING MENORCAN FARMERS TO TRANSITION THEIR FARMS TO A MORE CLIMATE RESILIENT AND ECONOMICALLY VIABLE AGRICULTURE MENORCA PRESERVADA: a 2-year free training programme on sustainable agriculture for farmers Between November 2021 and January 2024 we launched MENORCA PRESERVADA: a 2-year free training programme on Sustainable Agriculture, with technical support from The Regen Academy (former Agroassessor). This followed discussions with many farmers who were eager to implement more sustainable practices on their farms but were unsure how to get started, The training programme was made up of five modules, focusing on Farm Management, the Basis of Sustainable Production, Vegetable and Animal Production and Marketing. Through this, we were able to deliver over 1,670 hours of training, and a total of 162 people attended the courses offered.
According to the “Monitoring indicators of the Island Territorial Plan for active farms” studied by the Socioenvironmental Observatory of Menorca (OBSAM-IME), between 2010 and 2021 a total of 60 active farms and up to 918 hectares of usable agricultural land were lost, which represents a reduction of 12.8% compared to 2010.
Once the training finished, two-thirds of the participants surveyed by us confirmed that they were already applying some of the lessons learned on their farms.
At the same time, the number of farms registered in the Balearic Council for Organic Agricultural Production (CBPAE) shows a slight increase: in 2021, the surface area of organic agricultural production exceeded 7,000 hectares (+14%) and organic farming represents 15.2% of the total declared agricultural surface area. Menorca’s primary sector is the guardian of the mosaic landscape that is so characteristic of our island and, for this reason, it is at the forefront of the fight against climate change. Farmers are key as they ensure our food supply, while at the same time helping to diversify our economy and maintain our cultural traditions. This is why we at Menorca Preservation aim to help the agricultural sector to adapt to new challenges, providing them with tools that help them to make their farms more economically, socially and environmentally resilient. 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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Identifying the pilot farm: S’Ullestrar Another output of the project was getting in touch with Carme and Jordi Bosch, the daughter and son of the owners of the Finca S’Ullestrar, who are now taking over the management of the farm. They consistently attended most of the MENORCA PRESERVADA courses and later expressed to us their willingness to transition their dairy farm to Regenerative Agriculture. Finca S’Ullestrar is in Ciutadella and comprises 24 hectares of land; of which 23 hectares are used for grazing while one hectare is used for vegetable garden crops and peanut farming. The farm has 30 cows dedicated to producing milk to produce Queso de Mahón, 20 pigs, 10 sheep, 70 chickens to produce eggs, 4 goats, 20 rabbits, a horse and a duck. Regenerative agriculture has been proven to significantly increase the resilience of farms to the challenges of the climate crisis such as rising temperatures, loss of biodiversity and droughts. For example, it has been shown that for every 1% of organic matter that we increase in the soil, we manage to retain an extra 230,000 litres of water per hectare (source: The Regen academy). In this way, this project’s ultimate goal is to turn the S’Ullestrar farm into a Pilot Farm that will serve as a laboratory from which to learn which measures are most effective in supporting our primary sector in its transition towards more sustainable practices. Moreover, we aim for it to become a key example from which to raise awareness, inspire and encourage other farms in Menorca to implement regenerative practices on their farms. With this vision, Menorca Preservation initially funded a Diagnosis Study carried out by The Regen Academy in order to: • identify the objectives and opportunities of applying Regenerative Agriculture practices on the farm, and • develop a cohesive Action Plan based on: regenerating and improving the quality, health and fertility of the soil as well as the resilience of the crops; contributing to decreasing soil erosion while also increasing biodiversity, improving water retention and carbon sequestration; ensuring the economic viability of the transition of the farm towards Regenerative Agriculture. Implementing the Action Plan The Action Plan kicked off in January 2024 with hands-on support from Nuri Madeo and Sixto Cabiró, both technical consultants from The Regen Academy, and since then many amazing actions have been put in place at Finca S’Ullestrar. They have prepared the soil and grass sowings and have applied products that help to promote the mineral balance of the soil to boost soil fertility. Regarding cattle management, they installed a managed grazing system for the cows, which contributes to improving the quality of the soil whilst at the same time reducing the feeding costs. Additionally, plant corridors with woody species have been planted, and nesting boxes for bats and birds of prey have been installed in order to control pests, including an insect hotel to improve biodiversity. In addition, the irrigation system has also been improved to make better use of water resources.
Spreading technical and personalised support to other farms In parallel, and as a continuation of MENORCA PRESERVADA, we at Menorca Preservation decided to go a step further by providing hands-on consultations to those farmers who attended most of the courses offered and were committed to putting into practice some of the lessons learnt. To date, we are supporting 3 other farms, helping them to implement regenerative techniques regarding crop management and pest control.
Menorca Preservation was created and established in the island in late 2017. To date, we have awarded over 1,000,000€ to over 95 local environmental projects on the island. We exist thanks to strongly committed businesses, fabulous collaborators, wonderful local entities and individuals, like yourself, with a deep connection to Menorca and who wish to preserve its precious environment. If you feel you can support our work in whichever way, please do reach out to us! www.menorcapreservation.org ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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XX COPA DEL REY CLASSIC YACHT REGATTA As we go to press, the classic yachts are starting to arrive in Mahon for the XX Copa del Rey organised by the Club Marítimo de Mahón. The Big Boat class brings together the largest fleet of recent years: Mariska (1908), Tuiga (1909), Lady Anne (1912), Mariette (1915), Hallowe’en (1926), Viveka (1929) and Orianda (1927). The XX Copa del Rey Repsol de Barcos de Época brings together one of the largest fleets of classic sailing boats in the Mediterranean during the last weekend in August each year. 46 boats were registered this year including seven of the most spectacular “Big Boats” in the world. “It has been years since the large boat category has hosted so many boats, of such quality and so well preserved,” confesses Nacho Marra, director of the event. The coastal landscape of Menorca is very popular with vintage sailing enthusiasts making it the best attended of the six regattas that make up the Mediterranean Champions Cup circuit for classic sailing. The “Big Boats” class is reserved for boats of 24 metres or more in length. Three had not been to Mahón for some time (Tuiga, The Lady Anne and Mariette). Orianda (1937) is here for the first time. She is an impressive 26-metre schooner designed by Oscar W. Dahlstrom, built in Denmark and now sailing under the British flag. Its fascinating history includes military seizures and very diverse uses, which are common in boats that are eighty years old. However, its most famous period corresponds to the 80s, when the boat was acquired by Neil Peart, drummer of the Canadian band Rush , who in his biography says that while anchored in the Virgin Islands he was inspired to compose several songs that would later become very popular. 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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Its current owner is the Italian Iginio Angelini, who entrusts the helm to his compatriot Tommaso Crisi. The return of the Mariette (1915), with its imposing golden schooner rig and its almost 40 metres, is another of the notable additions to the event . Very few boats on the world circuit offer the presence of this colossus designed by Natahel G. Herreshoff, known as the Wizard of Bristol and considered one of the great geniuses of naval architecture of all time. The rest of the fleet is divided into four categories, according to the rules of the International Committee of the Mediterranean. Boats built before 1950 are considered vintage and grouped according to whether their rig is trapezoidal or Bermudian (triangular). From that date until the end of the 1970s, the boats are classified in the Classic division. The Spirit of Tradition boats complete the fleet. We will bring you the results and photos of the regatta next month. You can find details of all the boats on
https://www.velaclasicamenorca.com/
Above top: Mariska (1908), the oldest of the Big Boats, with all her sails unfurled. Credit: Nico Martinez/Club Maritimo de Mahon Left: Orianda 1937, once owned by Neil Peart of the Canadian band, Rush Top left: Mariette (1915) Credit: Nico Martinez/Club Maritimo de Mahon
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By Marc Moll
PURSLANE THE WILD SALAD OF THE GARDEN
Purslane, or verdolaga in Spanish, is a succulent with green and fleshy leaves, popular in many parts of the world for its slightly acidic and refreshing flavour. It is a summer herb which now grows in vegetable gardens but it is also abundant in irrigated crops where it is considered a weed. It can be fed to chickens, horses, and other animals. In times of poverty it was widely consumed. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea) has traditionally been used in medicine in raw, infused or in powder form. It has an anti-inflammatory compounds that help reduce inflammation, being useful in conditions such as arthritis. It is rich in antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene, which combat cell damage caused by free radicals. Its extracts have shown properties to combat certain bacteria and fungi. It is also contains omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health and brain function. Purslane has a mild diuretic effect, helping to eliminate retained fluids and toxins and can be used topically to help heal wounds, cuts and insect bites. Hypoglycemic, it can help regulate blood sugar levels, being beneficial for people with diabetes. It is a highly nutritious plant, rich in vitamins and minerals. It contains vitamins A, C and several B complex vitamins, as well as minerals such as magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron. Low in calories and high in fiber, it benefits digestion and intestinal health. Purslane powder concentrates the nutritional and medicinal properties of this plant. High in Omega-3: especially alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), which is beneficial for cardiovascular health and reducing inflammation. It is rich in antioxidants: Contains vitamins A, C and E, as well as beta-carotenes and other antioxidants that help combat oxidative stress and protect cells from damage. Cosmetics made with purslane take advantage of the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and regenerative properties of this plant. Thanks to its high content of vitamins A, C and E, as well as omega-3, purslane is used in products such as moisturising creams, serums and face masks to improve skin health, combat premature aging, soothe irritations and promote healing. It is also valued for its calming effects on sensitive skin or skin with conditions such as acne. 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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Recipes with Purslane Purslane can be used in soups, salads and omelettes. Here are some ideas: Purslane pesto is a variation of traditional pesto that uses purslane instead of basil: • Blend fresh purslane (cleaned and dried), garlic, walnuts or pine nuts, grated aged cheese, olive oil and salt. • Process all ingredients in a blender or food processor until you get a creamy sauce. It is ideal to accompany pasta, bread or meat. Purslane in vinegar: This is a simple preparation where fresh purslane is marinated in vinegar, similar to pickles. Purslane is generally mixed with vinegar, water, salt and garlic (or other spices to taste) and left to sit to absorb the flavors. It is used as an accompaniment to main dishes or as a refreshing appetiser. Trempó with purslane: This is a version of the Mallorcan salad “trempó”, which is a fresh salad made by mixing purslane, tomato, onion and green pepper cut into small pieces. It is dressed with olive oil, vinegar, salt. Purslane soup is made by cooking fresh purslane in a broth, which can be chicken or vegetable, along with ingredients such as onion, garlic, tomato and sometimes potatoes. It is a nutritious and comforting soup, with a slightly acidic flavour. Marc Moll @plantasmenorca
Marc Moll Marques was born in Ciutadella de Menorca. He is an environmental education guide, ethnobotanist, phytotherapist, floral therapist and forestry specialist. He has been teaching medicinal plant workshops in Menorca for many years and provides advice on gardening with native plants. He also advises on the cultivation of aromatic-medicinal plants native to Menorca for different farms on the island.
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By Rachael Adams
BIG BIRDS CHASING SMALL ONES IN A VINEYARD I´ve come to see how installing nest boxes for raptors near the precious grapes is helping to ward off pigeons, sparrows and small rodents. It´s a close kind of overcast day. Quiet, the earth seems extra red, fragrant after the rain. The low-lying vines are trained up wires away from the ground. This ensures plenty of air gets through to keep moulds away, which is especially important in our humid climate. It also provides good open hunting grounds for a common kestrel. Or, come night, a barn owl. I read about Binitord and their delicious wine in Roqueta last year, and am excited to meet Clara Salord, the manager, in person this time around. I find her ensconced in her office behind enormous silver vats and lots of shiny pipes and gauges in the tasting room. Her knowledge and passion for producing the best wine in the most environmentally friendly way impress me no end. But there´s one thing that just keeps on getting in her way – those pesky birds. Namely the sparrows, that come to peck the fruit, eating some and letting in diseases where they puncture the fruit. Just before harvest too, when the grapes are all lovely and juicy and ripe. In this manner, Clara´s vineyard had been losing between 20 and 30 percent of the crop a year.
Today I´m riding my bike up the back lane south of Ciutadella to Binitord, an award-winning vineyard. I stand up in the saddle to peek over the stone walls as I ride and see rows and rows of light green leafy vines. “Bini” is an old Arab prefix for place names and means “belonging to the sons of”, whilst “tord” refers to the thrush family which in turn contains blackbirds, ouzels and fieldfares.
Bird war is not a new thing. Humans use lasers, scarecrows, and propane guns that boom every so often to scare the birds away. Here they hang CDs to zap them with reflective sunlight. But birds evolved before we did - and quickly learn to ignore such vacant threats. On the internet they sell chemical pongs to impregnate rags to dangle along the vines, or even pigeon traps that claims to somehow kill up to 10.000 birds in one go?? Or you can buy some other expensive transparent eco-friendly and completely innocuous spray that costs a fortune and has to be sprayed all over the fruit instead.
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The bottle backs their claims up reassuringly by saying to not drink it nor let it get in contact with your eyes or skin. So, what to do? Well get yourself a couple of kestrels of course. There are plenty of them around. As a child I remember them soaring all around the sandstone quarries at what we now call the Lithica. I remember them nesting on the ledges there, and how their gorgeous russet colour blended into the dry summer grasses and parched fields. A few years ago, GOB approached Binitord with the nest box idea. A sneaky way of working with nature rather than against it, whacking a couple of raptor houses 5 metres up a telegraph pole should do the trick. And so far it has, well for the sparrows anyway... The kestrels like a south-east facing home with a nice view over their larder, and move in whenever they feel like it, usually in spring to raise a family. Kestrels hunt by hovering high in the air, pointy wings flapping in place, face to the wind and head peering down. They´re scanning the ground for mice, grasshoppers and maybe the odd sparrow if it gets too close to their Malvasia. They like wide open spaces with no trees and lots of power lines. They lay 5 to 7 eggs that take about a month to hatch, and for the first few days of their little lives it´s actually the male that will feed them. If happy with the rent, they may use the same nest box for many years. Needless to say, Clara is delighted with her new tenants and their appetites. Whilst kestrels don´t necessarily reduce the populations of hungry sparrows, they certainly displace them elsewhere. We sit in “cocarrosses”, the foldy Menorcan chairs with cloth backs and seats, and I rock back on mine as she explains her trade, fascinated. She leans in over her desk conspiratorially and tells me she asked GOB “but have you got anything for pigeons? A sea eagle, a condor perhaps??”. The quintessential bird pest, the World´s most hated horrid of things, the big woodpigeons at “Son of a Thrush” farm have acquired a fervent taste for Clara´s Premsal Blanc variety. And that´s before she infused it with a peachy finish and lively banana and pineapple undertones. Alas, even the kestrels can´t dissuade these chunky plucky clonks. So they have to put nets over that variety.
Giggling aside, I was interested in the box design per-se. So we donned nothing in particular and walked out the front door right into the vineyard. We dawdle 50 feet and she points up to a pretty unimpressive wooden box on a stick. She has three. And there´s the owl one over there next to the house – they´re to keep the rats away just in case. Ha! I go home and do some research into what is needed if I ever want to raise some baby barn owls of my own. The barn owl trust website informs me that courting owl couples look for holes to build their nests, not necessarily a building but a hole. So, the box needs to be somewhere obvious, like on the side of a wall. The owlets (3 to 5 per clutch) need a lot of space to stretch their wings as they develop, so the bigger the box the better. The most crucial point though, is that the box exit has to be at least 45cm from the bottom of the box, so that the youngsters can´t fall to the ground and get eaten by something else. Whilst they can walk at 18 days, they won’t be able to fly properly until they´re at least two months old. And while they´re practising walking and flapping they need an exercise platform outside with raised edges to grip onto. Which is also a handy vantage point while waiting for their food delivery. Before we came along and started building houses 5500 years ago in the Old Stone Age, they liked to live in holes in trees. Barn owls have velvet downy feathers on their wings and legs. The wing feathers are saw-shaped on the leading edges and soft fringed on the trailing edges. This cushions their flight to make it silent. The heart-shaped barn owl face also plays a role in prey detection. They have ultra-sensitive hearing, and one ear is higher than the other: the feathers on the left side of the face deflect sound to the lower left ear, which detects sounds from below, and on the opposite cheek, upwards to the higher ear that picks up sounds from above. Owls can therefore very accurately discern where their prey is, even in long grass. They hunt by flying low over the ground, which is why in England they´re often hit by high-sided Amazon delivery trucks. If they survive such obstacles, they´ll then swoop silently above their chosen victim, aligning their talons with the body before pouncing. Mice, shrews, birds, amphibians, bats and insects make up their menu. And they don´t twittwooo, they just screech! Binissaida des Barrancons near Es Castell has trouble with rats, mice and rabbits, so the farm entered the raptor biocontrol scheme too at the end of last year. GOB’s knowledge on how to build the boxes and recruit the occupants is largely gleaned from GREFA, an NGO on the mainland that began trialling in 2009 as an alternative to poisoning rodents around crops, a practice which has now fortunately been banned. Binissaida and Binitord are in GOB’s Custodia Agraria farm stewardship programme and S’Ullestrar now has boxes too so there is plenty of happy, positive and encouraging news on sustainable farming.
MARKET
PLACE Riva Rudy Price 25,000 euros The Rudy Super is an elegant and refined boat that embodies the classic Riva spirit and design. The boat features a timeless design with flowing and harmonious lines. The hull is made of fiberglass, while the superstructure is constructed of fine wood such as mahogany.
Bavaria 36 Avantgarde Las Sirenas Price 100,000 Euros, Tax paid Spanish Flag, Mooring in Mahon paid until 2025, 3 cabins, length 11.3 metres, Teak deck, VHF, Log, Depth, Wind Instruments, hand-held VHF, GPS, CD Radio, Chart Plotter, Autohelm, Bow Thruster, Electric Winches. Electric toilet, heating, Radar, AIS
Bavaria 38 Cruiser Sa Barca Price 70,000 Euros, Tax paid Spanish Flag, 2004, Mooring in Mahon paid until 2025 3 cabins, Length12,3 metres, VHF, Log, Depth, Wind Instruments, hand-held VHF, GPS, CD Radio, Chart Plotter, Autohelm,
Dufour 405 Grand Large Isabelle Price 120,000 Euros, Tax paid Spanish Flag, 2011, Mooring paid until 2025, 3 cabins, 2 toilets, Length 12.2m Teak deck,VHF, Log, Depth, Wind Instruments, Hand-held VHF, GPS, CD Radio, Chart Plotter, Autohelm, Bow Thruster, Electric Winches, Heating, Radar, AIS
LET JOHN SELL YOUR BOAT Associated with the industry for over 25 years, Principal of an RYA sail and power school, Yachtmaster Instructor, Yacht charter business owner for 17 years, based in Mahon, Menorca For more information or viewing email roquetajohn@gmail.com Tel: 609851186 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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By Miquel Camps, GOB
REDUCING EVAPORATION FROM SWIMMING POOLS, A DUTY OF MENORCA The latest news that has been published says that there are more than 10,000 swimming pools in Menorca. Having assumed such an enormous figure, it is necessary to address how to avoid the loss of water derived from so large a surface area subjected to evaporation from the sun and wind. A 40 square metre pool, which loses around 2 centimetres each day through evaporation, is equivalent to 800 litres of water/day. If a correction is made between dimensions and evaporation according to the month, 500 litres per day can be estimated, which is 3.5 tonnes per week for each pool. With 10,000 pools, we have a loss of 35,000 tonnes a week. If the pools are used about 5 months a year, this amounts to 22 weeks, with a loss of 770,000 tonnes of water, just for evaporation. This is practically equivalent to the annual volume consumed by the municipalities of Ferreries and Es Migjorn combined, including urbanisations. What’s more, the huge volumes derived from people emptying the pool and filling it up again are not included in the calculation. Cover pools to eliminate evaporation Since the existence of so many swimming pools is a reality, an effort must be made to reduce the water that is lost through evaporation. Among the debates that have taken place in the various municipalities in the Via Menorca campaign, the idea of covering swimming pools with manual or automatic systems has gained momentum. It is about covering the surface of the water all the hours that it is not used. This significantly reduces losses due to the effects of insolation or wind. Simple to install and effective in stopping this great loss of water, there are models on the market that work just by touching a button, or different floating covers that can be located manually. Sea water in coastal hotels The alternative idea, which is also sometimes discussed, of using sea water for swimming pools does not seem very applicable to most private swimming pools, due to the complexity of the transfer, the danger of subsequent discharges into the environment and the incompatibility which can occur with some mechanisms installed.
But it might make sense to request a gesture from the big hotels located by the sea, so that they use seawater in their swimming pools. Large buildings or hotel complexes are often among the biggest water consumers in municipalities. A large part of this consumption derives from the maintenance of swimming pools which, receiving many people every day, can make it necessary to renew a part of them daily. If a double connection with the sea were enabled, the water could be changed every day, which would mean a saving in maintenance and the use of products that are often aggressive for the environment, such as chlorine or added salt. With zero fresh water consumption. We trust that the tourist sector will reconsider its responsibility in the consumption of water on the island. Disincentive swimming pools with territorial planning The GOB has proposed on several occasions, without success, that swimming pools count as buildable volume. So you have to choose between a pool or a room, to give an example. It has also been proposed that, in order to reduce the building volume calculation, a rainwater tank, enabled during construction, with a capacity equal to or greater than the volume of the swimming pool must be provided. Currently, in Menorca, one swimming pool is allowed per property and plot, of 35m2 to 60m3. Seeing the dimension that this issue has taken on the island and considering the need to manage water resources much better, the regulation should be reconsidered to discourage new installations. Finally, mention must be made of the need to enforce existing regulations and the conditions under which projects are approved. The sadly famous case of illegal swimming pools in Alaior has not been resolved by the City Council for five years. More recently, the GOB has reported another case of Ciutadella agrotourism that has installed several swimming pools when there could only be one.
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MEN IN RCA ART
Throughout the summer there are many craft markets and exhibitions around the towns of Menorca. Here are just a few of the artisans and artists who have recently caught our eye.
Margarita Febrer and Ángeles Barber
We met Magda Triay at the PescArt Exhibition in Es Castell organised by Menorca Preservation. Her tapestries intertwine her commitment to caring for the environment and her art. She uses recycled materials such as fishing nets and thus contributes to cleaning up the seas and oceans. For years she has dedicated herself to furniture restoration and decorative and artistic painting on different objects. She participates in many art and crafts shows and exhibitions and has been running workshops and courses in Menorca and elsewhere for over 20 years. magdatriay.com/ www.pescartmenorca.org Yolanda López Segura is another artist working in the PescArt project. Yolanda was displaying her artisan frames that combine three elements: the Zentangle world, discarded fishing nets and Menorcan motifs. The paper frames are filled with fishing nets that can be seen through a small transparent window. yolanda@ yotangle.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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Magda Triay
Margarita Febrer and Ángeles Barber, are the two talented women artisans behind Ànima Complements. They make handmade bags by recycling fabrics, leathers from Menorca factories and fishing nets. Each piece is a unique blend of island inspiration and meticulous craftsmanship, bringing a touch of Menorca’s charm to your everyday style. Muyleti - We discovered Muyleti at the Moli Market in San Lluis.. We loved her bold blue animal designs. She is a graphic designer working in brand design and creativity. She can create a print based on your own dog or beloved pet. https://www.instagram.com/muyleti_/ Miguel Carretón, is a talented illustrator who calls the island of Menorca his home. His artwork is a homage to the vibrant landscapes, serene beaches, and charming daily life of this island. From the intricate details of the island’s flora and fauna to the lively scenes of local markets and festivals, Miguel brings Menorca to life on paper. His unique perspective make his illustrations not just a visual delight, but a vivid journey through Menorca’s enchanting world. Follow @mcarreton for a unique view of Menorca’s magic through his eyes. Animals are a recurring presence in the works of Albert Boada, starring in scenes designed to evoke emotions and surprise the viewer. He is a self-taught artist with a unique style, not influenced by any specific school or trend. However, he has an admiration for great masters such as Dalí, Rubens, Bougueruau, Antonio López and the figurative artists of the Renaissance. His themes range from landscapes to figures that spark the imagination or challenge reality. instagram.com/albert_boada_pintor There are many more talented artists in Menorca and we will bring you a selection with each issue. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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ALEXANDER HOPKINS AND LA GALATEA 12th edition of the Early Music Festival of Mahon 20 to 28 October 2024 By Lili Jaubert
XII Festival Early Music of Maó 2024 Sunday, October 20, 2024, 7.30pm Church of the Conception, Maó “Vivaldian Chronicles: Sonatas” Ensemble Tsaldaris
Friday, October 25, 2024, 7.30pm Athenaeum of Mahon “Vivaldian Chronicles: The life of Antonio Vivaldi” lecture (in Spanish) by Martin Llade
23 and 24 October 2024 Alexander was born in Mallorca of a British father and French mother. At the age of 14 he began to make violins but later specialised in baroque instruments. He attended Guildhall University in London to study History of music and Music technology. Before arriving in Menorca, Alexander spent 10 years living on a sailboat, first Taurus and then La Galatea, travelling to the Canary Islands, around the Atlantic, then the Mediterranean, and it was when he was in Sardinia for 2 years towards the end of his travels that he met his wife, Maria Antonietta, a singer. He carried his portable luthier’s workshop with him on his boat and when he would arrive somewhere he would find a place to rent to install his tools but most of the time he was offered a workshop: the conservatory in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, gave him a room for more than a year, and in La Graciosa in the Azores he had a corner in a power station where he made instruments.
Violin masterclasses by Midori Seiler
Sunday 27 October 2024, Teatre Principal de Maó, 7.30pm Monday 28 October 2024, Teatre des Born, Ciutadella, 7.30pm “Vivaldi Chronicles: Concerts” Midori Seiler and La Galatea
Alexander and Maria Antonietta arrived in Menorca 13 years ago on La Galatea. Alexander had been to Mahon previously and liked the port so decided to return. They sold the boat but kept the name for the music festival they founded which is now in its twelfth year. The idea at first was to bring together their many musical friends and now they invite whoever they think is best. All the musicians play instruments made by Alexander. They are assisted in the organisation of the festival by their very good Italian friend, Mario Garrau, who came to Menorca with them on his own boat, on which he is still living! Mario oversees the graphics of the posters.
The tickets for the Teatro Principal and Teatre des Born are available from the theatres. The other concerts and events are free entry, with a donation box at the end. 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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NUTRITION AND FITNESS WITH TOM AND JESS
4 DELICIOUSLY HEALTHY (& SIMPLE) SUMMER RECIPES! Feta & Sundried Tomato Bean Burgers Sourcing good quality veggie burgers that aren’t crazily processed is something that I’ve struggled to find in Menorca, so we make our own. I made the burgers again last night so I could measure the ingredients out and share the recipe with you. Originally I made these burgers with black beans, but sourcing black beans on the island can be tricky, Hiper Centro sometimes has tinned black beans in the ‘Mexican’ section where the wraps live, or S’Uestra Supermarket has them, but careful not to get the ones marinated in Mexican tomato sauce as it overpowers the flavour. You want plain beans, which is why I now use red kidney beans as you can get them everywhere. They’re great in a bun with a slice of fresh tomato, some salad, harissa ‘mayo’ (Greek yoghurt with 1 teaspoon of rose harissa mixed through) and some sunshine. If you don’t like burger buns, you can make my ‘Flaxseed Flourless Buns’ instead, recipe below, or alternatively, enjoy the burgers as part of a Mexican salad bowl-esque meal with a side of guacamole, quinoa, chopped tomato and red onion salsa, some yoghurt and stir-fried peppers. The burgers freeze really well, simply make up the burger mix, pat the burgers into their circular burger shapes, and then store in a Tupperware dish. I layer the burgers on baking paper in the Tupperware dish so they don’t stick to one another. Makes 12 burgers 2 tablespoons ghee or olive oil I hope you’re having a great summer. We’ve had a trickle of family and friends come to visit which has been brilliant. The girls are at great ages, aged 4 (Olive) and 21 months (Lola), so we’re able to be a lot more sociable this summer compared to last, and we have been loving taking the girls to beaches and having friends and family over for meals. It was Olive’s 4th birthday in August, and she fancied an ice cream party with bubbles in the garden, with a chocolate unicorn cake which I made with a glittery unicorn that I propped up on long cocktail sticks with glittery stars! It was magic, and one of those memories which we’ll cherish forever, seeing her surrounded by our family from England who were over at the time, and all her island pals. Tom’s been busy in the garden, building raised beds, and we’ve planted a whole range of veggies in them and can’t wait to see which ones take off! We’re very much at the beginning of our veggie growing journey, but it’s exciting, and the thought of being able to head out to the garden and pick our own veggies and share the overflow with friends, neighbours and clients feels so special. With summer, and hosting, having a few additional steadfast recipes to add to your repertoire can be most welcome. I’ve pulled together four recipes that I make on repeat, so you can give them a go. I hope you love them!
1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, pressed or grated 570g jar of cooked kidney beans or black beans, rinsed (I used a 570g jar, rinsed net weight 400g) 100g flour, wholemeal, plain or buckwheat 2 teaspoons dried thyme or oregano 190g sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped a handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped small pinch of dried chilli flakes or you could use 1 tablespoon chopped jalapeño peppers or fresh chillies 150g feta, chopped into small cubes sea salt 1. Preheat the oven to fan 180°C/Gas mark 6. 2. Heat the ghee or oil in a pan over a medium heat and fry the onion until softened but not coloured. Stir in the garlic and cook for a few minutes before adding the drained cooked beans. 3. Mash the beans roughly with the back of a wooden spoon so that their excess moisture evaporates in the heat of the pan. 4. Add the dried herbs, chilli flakes and sundried tomatoes and allow the flavours to cook together for a couple of minutes. 5. Transfer the bean mix to a bowl then stir in the flour, mix well to combine everything together.
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6. Gently fold in the rest of the feta and parsley and check for seasoning, adding a little salt and black pepper, if needed, or more jalapeños or chillies, if you like. 7. When the mixture is cool enough to handle, form the mixture into 12 burgers using your hands to shape them. 8. Lay the burgers on a baking tray lined with parchment paper then flatten each burger so that they are about 2 cm thick. 9. Bake the burgers in the oven for about 30-40 minutes until crisp on the outside and golden brown, turning them over halfway through the cooking time.
SEPTEMBER 2024
3. Take 4-5 tablespoons of batter and shape into a bun with your hands. Place on the prepared baking tray and use wet hands to shape/smooth the top and to press down lightly so that the bun is approximately 1 cm thick. Repeat with the rest of the batter, sprinkling the tops with sesame seeds (if using), gently pressing them in. 4. Bake in the oven for 20-22 minutes until the buns spring back to touch. 5. Remove from the oven, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 6. When you’re ready to enjoy them, slice each bun with a sharp knife and pop your fillings inside.
Mango + Avocado Salsa/Salad A delicious fruity salad, great as a bbq accompaniment and popped into gem lettuce leaves or wraps with some bbq’d prawns or pulled chicken. If you can’t get fresh mango, or they’re too expensive, frozen mango works great and can be purchased from Gross Mercat or Eroski. Just remove a handful of chopped mango from the bag and allow to defrost, discarding the water before mixing in with the salad so the salad flavours don’t get diluted. Serves 2 1 mango, finely diced 1 avocado, finely diced ½ red onion, finely diced 1 tbsp lime juice 1 tbsp red wine vinegar 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp finely chopped mint Salt, tabasco 1. Combine mango, avocado, onion, chilli, lime juice, vinegar, oil + mint. Add salt + tabasco to taste. 2. Cover and let stand for ideally 30 mins at room temp to allow flavours to blend. It can be made up to 6 hours before and refrigerated if need be. 3. To prevent discoloration, store in a covered bowl to prevent contact with air.
The Best (Flourless) Flaxseed Buns Amazing served with soup, or as an alternative to typical burger buns, if you want to be grain free or simply enjoy a more nutrient-packed bread alternative. The ground-up flaxseeds are the ‘flour’ in the recipe, so they take the nutritional value up incredibly high compared to a typical bread bun.
4. Serve in little gem lettuce leaves, or popped on top of chicken or bbq’d prawns for a different flavour hit.
Makes 6 buns 150g flaxseeds, ground (I buy whole flaxseeds/linseeds and then grind them into a powder in a Nutribullet to create ‘ground flax) 1 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda ½ teaspoon sea salt pinch black pepper 3 eggs, beaten ½ tablespoon maple syrup 2 tablespoons lemon juice (you can also use apple cider vinegar) 3 tablespoons butter, melted (you can also use melted coconut oil) 3 tablespoons water ½ teaspoon dried herbs (such as thyme, bruised fennel or caraway seeds) 1 tablespoons white sesame seeds, for sprinkling (optional) 1. Preheat the oven to fan 180ºC/350ºF/Gas Mark 6 and line a baking tray with baking parchment. 2. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl using a fork. Beat in the remaining ingredients (except the optional sesame seeds) and leave the batter to rest for 5 minutes to thicken up. 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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3. Tip the now colour popping onions, along with their pink lime juices over the salad in the bowl, add in the olives and olive oil, then using your hands toss the salad very gently so that the feta and melon don’t crumble and lose their shape. 4. Add some black pepper and taste to see whether the dressing needs more lime depending how juicy the limes are. I hope one of the above takes your fancy and inspires you to welcome in a new recipe into your household. If you’re on social media, feel free to tag me in your recipe @jessleedyer on Instagram so I can see your recreation or email me your feedback on hello@jessntom.com with any other types of recipes you’d like me to share in a future Roqueta article. See you next month, until then, happy cooking! Personal Training - Nutrition Support - Qi Gong - Yoga - Island Hikes Cooking Workshops www.jessntom.com
Watermelon & Limed Onion ‘Greek’ Salad This is such a simple, quick, yet stunning salad. It’s visually beautiful and turns a Greek salad into something a little bit different to the classic Greek salad you typically find. The magic ingredient in this recipe is the limed onion; it’s a process that is so simple and can be easily transferred into other salad recipes. Soaking thinly sliced red onions in lime juice will transform the onions into a beautiful fluorescent pink colour and remove the sharp flavour from the onions. If you have juicy limes then 2 would likely suffice, but I’ve put 4 in the ingredients in case you pick ones up that are disappointingly dry.
Serves 8 1 small red onion 4 limes 1½ kilograms watermelon (sweet and ripe) 250 grams feta cheese 1 bunch fresh flat leaf parsley (roughly chopped) 1 bunch fresh mint (chopped) 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 100 grams pitted black olives black pepper
1. Peel and halve the red onion and cut into very fine half-moons and put in a small bowl filled with the juice of the 4 limes. Leave to soak for at least 20 minutes. 2. Cut the watermelon into 1 ½ cm bite size cubes by slicing the watermelon into 1 ½ width slices and then creating your ‘squares’. Don’t worry if you’ve got a few different shapes and it’s not all even. Cut the feta into similar sized pieces and transfer both the watermelon and feta into a large, wide shallow bowl. Roughly chop the parsley and add to the bowl along with the chopped mint. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
WELLBEING
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TURNING STRESS INTO VITALITY
If having more energy, better mobility and less stress in your life is of interest to you, then this 3-minute read could transform your life. Maintaining our well-being becomes increasingly important, particularly as we age. Many of us who spend time here in Menorca are already healthaware and have chosen a calmer rhythm of living, and we recognise the importance of looking after the health of our body and mind.
water, exercise, and a good philosophy on life all help significantly with prevention. Qi Gong can be the icing on the cake.
One powerful, yet gentle practice that can make a significant difference to our day-to-day energy and health is Qi Gong.
Energy levels can sometimes ebb and flow. Qi Gong helps naturally replenish and sustain energy throughout the day, reducing feelings of fatigue and helping you maintain a consistent level of vitality.
As we embrace the path of life’s journey, let’s adopt practices that help us stay vibrant, focused, and balanced. A small investment of time in Qi Gong can lead to profound benefits for your health and well-being. Experience the tranquillity and vitality that Qi Gong can bring into your life.
Improved Focus and Cognitive Clarity:
Roqueta Special Offer
It’s not uncommon to experience moments of forgetfulness or mental fog. Qi Gong helps clear the mind, promoting sharper thinking and better mental clarity, which can benefit many areas of life.
I have a special offer for all keen readers of the Roqueta! I am offering you a month’s membership of Qi Gong with me. That equates to 4 different sessions to try out on me. These are online sessions.
Effective Stress Management:
There is no commitment to continue after the offer ends, and no need to enter any payment details.
In ancient Chinese tradition, Qi Gong focuses on cultivating and balancing the body’s vital energy, known as “Qi” through simple, flowing movements and controlled breathing. Qi Gong offers an accessible and highly effective way to enhance overall health, and the best part? It only takes 15 - 20 minutes a few times a week, or once a week when you’re first getting started. It took me a personal health challenge seven years ago to discover Qi Gong’s benefits. It certainly helped with my recovery and my subsequent health to this day. Unbeknown to me, I had a small arterial-venous malformation (AVM) in my brain, which developed when I was a foetus. One in 5,000 people have these, and in one in 10,000 unlucky cases, they rupture. I was one of the unlucky. The AVM caused a brain haemorrhage/stroke! However, I was lucky that I recovered very well. I then discovered Qi Gong, or it found me, and it became one of my most valued tools in my healing toolkit. I am not alone, Qi Gong has been a huge helping hand to so many people around the world in helping them regain their health after a health challenge, or to feel better after years of feeling like they wanted more, more energy, more vibrancy. As life goes on, many of us face health challenges in one sense or another. Prevention is the best cure, whenever possible. Good nutrition, adequate clean
Why Qi Gong? The Key Benefits: Sustainable Energy Boost:
Life’s stresses can take on many forms. Whether it’s daily responsibilities, family matters, or the pace of modern life, Qi Gong offers a peaceful respite. Its calming movements and focused breathing are excellent for reducing stress, lowering blood pressure, and promoting a sense of inner calm. Enhancing Balance in Life: Qi Gong is not just about physical movement but also mental and emotional harmony. By practising regularly, you may notice a more balanced mood, making it easier to enjoy life’s simple pleasures. This balance is vital to sustaining long-term wellbeing. Getting Started: One of the wonderful aspects of Qi Gong is its simplicity. You don’t need any special equipment, and it can be practised almost anywhere – whether in the comfort of your home, in a quiet outdoor space, or even surrounded by Menorca’s stunning landscapes.
For those curious about Qi Gong and its benefits, I invite you to explore it further with Qi Gong with Tom, where you can find tailored advice and guidance on integrating this practice into your daily life.
I want to give back to those communities that I feel connected to, and Roqueta is one such community. I hope my no-strings-attached offer gives you an initial stepping stone to giving QiGong a go and brings value to your life as well as many other Roqueta readers! Both Liz and John (the editors of Roqueta) are Qi Gong fans and practise weekly with me on my online sessions and love it. To get your complimentary month on me, all you have to do is email me on tom@qigongwithtom. com with the Title ‘Roqueta Qi Gong’ and I will set things up for you. This offer is limited to the first 50 responses, so act fast and see you soon. Yours in health and happiness. Tom Personal Training - Nutrition Support - Qi Gong - Yoga - Island Hikes - Cooking Workshops www.jessntom.com
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CLUBS AND ASSOCIATIONS At Age Concern Menorca we strive to improve the lives of our ‘senior citizens’. We can only do this with your help. Volunteers work in our shop and run other services and, of course, we need your donations of goods or money to raise the funds we need. In July we were approached by Jane Warner, who had the brilliant idea of asking for donations rather than gifts for her 70th birthday celebrations, suggesting 10€ a head. She raised 800€ in total which we were very grateful to receive. A huge “Thank you” Jane.
SEPTEMBER 2024
NEWS
Our medical equipment short-term loan service is available to residents or visitors of any age who need to borrow mobility or hygiene equipment. Again, help is available at your fingertips. Contact: acmenorcamedequip@gmail.com +34 629 016 307 Our social activities are open to anyone but provide an opportunity for people to socialise in a friendly and inclusive environment. We normally hold two lunches every month, fish and chips at Bar Pons, Cala en Porter on the first Thursday of the month and a menu del dia at Can Avelino 23, Mahon on the third Thursday of the month. Bar Pons, Thursday September 5th, 1.00 for 1.30pm Please contact Sandy on 650 729 430 Can Avelino, Thursday September 19th, 1.30pm Please contact Chris on 669 949 370 Everyone is welcome - visitors, guests, members of all ages but you need to book. Our Es Castell ‘Drop in’ is in the Jubilado Centre on the Esplanade every Monday morning between about 10.30 and 12.00. Our Cala en Porter ‘Drop in’ is at Bar Pons, currently on every Tuesday morning between about 10.30 and 12.00. Feel free to just ‘drop in’, chat and make new friends! News from the shop:
At the time of writing, we still have a 2€ (or less) clothes sale. This will continue until we have run out of clothes or until the end of summer – whichever happens first! Come along and stock up! A reminder too that we have a huge stock of various greeting cards for all sorts of occasions. A huge thank you to everyone who donates goods for sale and to the volunteers. We couldn’t do anything without you! Membership You can become a Member of Age Concern by paying 12€ to our Membership Secretary, Shelley. You can also donate through the DONATE page on our website. Jane Warner presents 800€ to Tony Rickwood, Vice President of Age Concern Menorca.
Services we offer Lifeline is our confidential service geared towards helping individuals who have various types of problems - help and support is just a phone call or email away. lifelineminac@gmail.com +34 676 904 487.
Shop: menorca@ageconcern.org.es 971 156 110 Manager: 636 347 286 Opening hours: Monday-Saturday, 9.45 – 13.15. For the latest information and current offers follow us on Facebook: Age Concern Menorca 2015 or visit our website www.ageconcernmenorca.com
ORANGE OPEN Golf Son Parc Menorca 15 September 2024 Golfers around Menorca will be wearing orange polos on 15th September in order to take part in the 2nd Orange Open and win one of the many prizes on offer. The event is sponsored by Pedro’s Boat - Menorca iNNat GIN, GLOP gin, Oysters Menorca, Golf Square, Quaysport Menorca and Engel & Volkers. Rachel Poulis first organised a Dutch Open in May 23 to celebrate Kings Day in the Netherlands. It was so successful that she started the Orange Open in September last year inviting all nationalities, and now it is a popular annual event. This event is open to all – you just have to wear orange to be eligible to win the raffle prizes which include two orange golf bags from Engel & Volkers and a threehour boat trip for 6 people with Quaysport Menorca. The inscription is €20 plus a green fee of 55€. If you would like more information, contact: info@menorcagolf.es ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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TICKS IN DOGS: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW by ROQUETA’s VET Caroline Langlois
Phone or WhatsApp: +34 685753292 Email: vetmenorca@gmail.com C/Santa Victoria 30, 07701 Mahon
Tiny, numerous and more harmful than they appear, these parasites can cause major health problems if we don’t intervene in time. Let’s find out more about them, discover the types of ticks that are common around us and how we can protect dogs against them. What are ticks and what do they look like?
• Common tick (Ixodes ricinus)
Ticks are members of the acarid family, not insects. Exceptionally long-lived for arthropods, they can live for up to four years in some cases. With global warming, their spectrum of activity has become wider over the course of a year. The Mediterranean area, with its mild climate combined with the presence of suitable vegetation, offers optimal habitat and biotic conditions for various tick species.
Predominantly found in tall grass, bushes and damp forests, but can also be found in other regions, including urban areas. It is hard-bodied, with dark reddish and brownish shades.
Ticks spend most of their lives outdoors, in wooded areas, forest edges and fields. When they are not in the wild, ticks are attached to a host from which they suck blood to feed and survive. It is during these blood meals, through bites, that they can transmit micro-organisms responsible for diseases (viruses, bacteria, protozoa and other infectious pathogens). Around 900 species of ticks have been described on the planet, around twenty of which have a strong presence in Spain. Here are four of the best known and most widespread:
Its favourite habitat is the Mediterranean basin. Even if it probably does not exist in the Balearic Islands, it can ‘travel’ on the back of a migratory bird.
• Ornate dog tick (Dermacentor reticulatus)
Are ticks dangerous for dogs?
It is one of the types of ticks that prefer cold climates, being located in the north of the country, as opposed to the Mediterranean areas. Its distinctive features are its hardened carapace and the pattern that adorns it with red, brown and black colouring.
Dogs are more likely to be bitten by ticks than humans. This is hardly surprising, since our fourlegged companions generally prefer to spend their walks exploring the surrounding area rather than sticking to marked paths. So, on their outings, dogs regularly pass through tick-infested areas and ticks are most easily detected after outings in grassy areas.
• Brown dog tick (Rhipicephalus sanguineus)
In most cases, ticks do not suck enough blood to endanger dogs. Even when a dog is attacked by several ticks at once, the amount of blood sucked is often small. Only a massive attack can cause significant and potentially fatal blood loss. However, dogs can suffer from infections following a bite as ticks are vectors for various pathogens.
Brown in colour with reddish-brown legs, it most commonly parasitises dogs. It is sensitive to cold, spreading in warm areas.
• Mediterranean tick (Hyalomma marginatum)
Dogs are more likely to suffer from tick-borne disease than cats.
Species recognisable by its reddish shades and yellowish bands on the legs, tiny eyes and for being very active in the summer months.
The length of time a tick remains attached to a dog’s skin depends on a number of factors, including the species of tick, its stage of development and the
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time it takes to feed on blood. In general, a tick can remain attached to a dog’s skin for several days to a few weeks to feed on blood. Once it has had its fill, it detaches itself and usually falls off the animal. However, it is important to remove the tick as soon as possible to reduce the risk of disease transmission.
How do you remove a tick from your pet’s skin? Use a tick remover specially designed to remove ticks. Grasp the tick as close as possible to the animal’s skin, taking care not to crush its body, turn it with the device until its head comes off. Above all, do not pull the tick, otherwise its head may get stuck under the skin.
What are the main diseases transmitted by ticks to dogs in Spain?
Once removed, clean the bite area with soap and water, then disinfect with an antiseptic.
• Ehrlichiosis It is caused by the bacterium Ehrlichia canis, usually transmitted by Rhipicephalus sanguineus. The main symptoms of this disease include fever, weight loss, fatigue and loss of appetite. Other symptoms may include laboured breathing or dyspnoea and stiffness of the limbs. It is also a very serious disease, which can be acute or chronic, and can lead to death. The disease is distributed throughout Spain, including the Canary and Balearic Islands.
• Canine babesiosis It is caused by a blood parasite Babesia canis, usually transmitted by Dermacentor reticulatus that destroys red blood cells.
How to prevent tick bites?
The clinical picture is usually acute and presents with 2-3 days of anorexia, despondency, sometimes with vomiting, and high fever. The most characteristic symptom of the disease is dark urine, due to red blood cell destruction, and yellowing of the mucous membranes due to increased bilirubin.
There are several anti-parasite treatment options to protect your dog. Your vet will be able to advise you on a protocol suited to your dog’s lifestyle.
Early diagnosis is important in order to cure the dog. Some dogs are immune to the disease and others are susceptible.
Collars: These collars are designed to repel ticks. They release active substances that spread over the animal’s coat for prolonged protection, often lasting several months.
A tick does not inoculate the infection until it has been feeding on the dog for 48-72 hours, which is important for antiparasitic treatment to take effect. In other words, an antiparasitic treatment that is effective against ticks kills them before they can inoculate the disease. • Lyme disease (Borreliosis) It is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi, usually transmitted in Europe by Ixodes ricinus. This disease is often associated with a variety of symptoms and can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Clinical signs of Lyme disease in dogs can include lameness, joint pain, fever, lethargy and loss of appetite.
Spot-on: These products are applied directly to the dog’s skin, usually between the shoulder blades, and provide protection against ticks for several weeks.
Tablets: These oral treatments are administered at regular intervals and work by killing the ticks that feed on the dog. Other means of prevention: Regular monitoring: Inspect your dog’s coat regularly for ticks when you return from a walk. Concentrate particularly on warm, moist areas of the body such as the inside of the ears, the groin, the armpits and between the toes. Avoid infested areas: If possible, avoid walking your dog in areas where ticks are particularly abundant, such as undergrowth or tall grass. Grooming: Keep your dog’s coat short, especially in the warmer months, to reduce the places where ticks can hide and make tick detection and removal easier.
Because the pathogens are bacteria, Lyme disease can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
In conclusion, ticks are very common external parasites in dogs, which can transmit diseases to pets as well as to humans, which is why it is so important to protect your pet properly.
Geographical distribution in Europe: mainly Southern and Central Europe, to the Baltic
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SEPTEMBER 2024
LADIES LUNCHEON CLUB
By Christine Brooker
It was another hot August day and a few ladies didn´t attend because of the heat, but it was great to see some back including Maggie Hatch, one of our ex-presidents, who had spent some time in Australia with her family. On a very sad note, our president Jayne told us that her sister, Susan Margaret Carter, had died on the morning of the luncheon after a short illness. Susan moved to Menorca in 2019 after her husband died, she attended Ladies Lunch and Probus and lived life to the full. The boy under the bath marries rugby league queen Our speaker was the wonderful Audrey Penn a magistrate who decided to tell us how to survive 65 years of marriage, very happily as we found out. She delivered a wonderfully entertaining talk about how she and her husband Lawrence first met when he delivered a bath to her house (he was underneath carrying it up the stairs). She was studying for her O levels at the time but eventually they went to rugby matches together and then to dances. Audrey was unimpressed at the first one when the lads disappeared halfway through to go for a pint across the road. Audrey went to teacher training college on the Isle of Wight and then taught in Cleethorpes. Lawrence was suddenly sent to Hong Kong for 2 years for national service and so they arranged to get married immediately on his return. Initially the vicar refused to read the wedding banns until they took a suitcase of Lawrence´s clothes to the church to establish residence. Audrey said she found it quite surreal to be marrying a man she had not seen for 2 years, but it helped that he was suntanned and very handsome. She proudly displayed her wedding photograph and marriage certificate. She wore a beautiful dress made from material Lawrence had shipped to her from Hong Kong, sewn with orchids. Also on display was the card from the Queen celebrating their 50th anniversary, and shortly she will be receiving one from King Charles for the 65th. Alison Truelove is taking bookings for our trip to Ciutadella on 16th October. Email: ladiesluncheonclubofmenorca@hotmail.com
LADIES PROBUS
By Janet Quayle
It is with sadness that we inform you of the passing of Susan Carter, our Probus Club secretary. Susan passed away after a short illness and she will be missed by all. Our thoughts are with her sister Jayne and family. Our August lunch was at Can Avelino. The lunch was delicious; for my starter I had stuffed Aubergine filled with minced beef in sauce, it was so tasty! After lunch we had a very interesting speaker, Sarah Jane Bayliss a serving police officer from Scotland. She now works as an advanced driving instructor for the police.The castle in the photo is Tulliallan Castle which is part of the Scottish Police College, not a bad place to go to work! She spoke about her experiences throughout her career which had us enthralled. Many thanks to Sarah. In September we are meeting at Asiatico on the port. See you at the next lunch! Email: probusmenorca@gmail.com
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SEPTEMBER 2024
TREBALUGER EQUINE RESCUE CENTRE By Samantha Lake
Humans and animals alike have been suffering with this intense heat. We have four horses that wait every evening when we are re-filling the water containers and stand close to be showered. One in particular, if you don’t hose him straight away, stands on the pipe and gives you a nudge!! This month I have re-homed two donkeys from an owner that could no longer care for them. They are now at the farm Subaida living with other equines. This all takes a lot of time and organisation which I am providing free as there is still no help from town halls on the island. I am happy to do this for the animals but unfortunally there are many more that I cannot help. I have re-homed numerous animals over the years and always stay in contact with the owners to see how they are and check everything is ok. An update on Alfie from last month, he is such a happy donkey and very settled now, however quite vocal when he hears you coming with food. I apologise to any of our neighbours! We have been trying lots of different options re flies on the horses and donkeys this year. Most traditional and natural sprays only last a few hours and it is impossible to spray all 35 every few hours, and most won’t let you anyway as they don’t like the spraying noise so it needs to be applied with a sponge! So we have been adding garlic granules to their feed which seems to work at the moment. The problem is when neighbouring horses aren’t treated it is an ongoing battle to keep the flies away, and it’s the nasty biting ones that are the problem. Also with the donkeys, some suffer very badly with flies biting into their legs, but the best solution we have found is applying lots of Sudacrem onto the wounds which not only soothes but also acts as a barrier for a few days at least. Simple but effective remedies. They do look a bit odd walking around with white legs but it doesn’t matter. J We use as many natural products as possible and it is always trial and error but the best long term anti-inflammatory for our oldies is Boswellia. It helps with mobility issues and appears to have no side effects in the long term. Probiotics are also great for many. Most have digestive issues due to the poor conditions in which they arrive so we have to monitor and be very careful with their diet. Each of our equines has an individual menu!! A 31 year old is not going to need the same food as a five year old, which is harder work for us but very important in their care and recovery. We have a poorly ex-fiesta horse at the moment; he becomes aggressive when he feels threatened or thinks anything is going to be done to him so he is a challenge to say the least. The vet is coming but these cases are never easy, especially when you don’t know what has happened to them previously and just experience their reaction. I will keep you updated on his progress. Please visit and come and see the beautiful, happy and relaxed animals we have at the centre. We are open every morning between 09.30 and 12.30. There are chickens, ducks, cats, a pig and a dog that we are helping. The chickens are a bit of an issue if I have to be honest so if anyone can offer some a safe and caring home you’d be very welcome to take them! We also have a small shop offering many items generously donated and made for us by local people and artists on the island, 100% of the profit goes back into the centre. Whatsapp +34 689802108. We look forward to meeting you.
“All the Lonely People” Stella Lyons on Edward Hopper – 19th September The Arts Society Menorca presents our expert lecturer this month, Stella Lyons. She has a Master’s degree in Art History, runs her own art history lectures and is a regular lecturer in the UK and Europe for The Arts Society. She is also a part-time lecturer for the University of South Wales. Stella’s article on Norwegian art was recently featured on the front cover of the Arts Society Magazine. We are looking forward to welcoming her to the AeroClub San Lluís on Thursday 19th September. The work of American Realist, Edward Hopper (1882-1967) is the topic of her lecture entitled, “All the Lonely People”. An apt title when Hopper’s paintings are studied. Hopper portrays a changing America and the isolation of an individual in the modern city. His imagery of figures within urban settings goes well beyond their role as modern cityscapes, exposing the underbelly of the human experience. So, while his work officially falls within the genre of Realism, it offers a far more evocative look at life between the World Wars. There is a minimum of action, which strips away almost any sign of life or mobility. By leaving many clues but no specific answers, he forces us to complete the narrative. See the example of his famous piece, “The Nighthawks” (1942) included here. There is still time to join the Arts Society Menorca. Your membership is good for a year of lectures, and we would love to welcome you as a new member or as a guest (guests will be provided with a free drink coupon sponsored by Santa Margarita Anglican Church in Menorca). These Individual tickets, as well as new memberships, are available for Stella’s lecture by contacting Malcolm at: menorca@theartssociety. org Thank you to our sponsors Blevins Franks, AeroClub San Lluís, and Santa Margarita, Anglican Church in Menorca. Also a big thank you to Jorge Fernandez for the use of his artwork in our logo! We hope to see you on 19 September. Doors open at 7:30; lecture begins at 8pm. Please be sure to check in with Clive at the door when you arrive. The Committee: Victoria, Malcolm, Clive and Kate
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SEPTEMBER 2024
SPIRITUAL WELLBEING
By Rev Paul Strudwick
family. In fact one of the enduring images of American self-understanding is that of a Thanksgiving table, where people celebrate abundance, serve one another, and make sure all are fed. It is, arguably, the most important festival celebrated in that country - more so than Christmas, because it embraces those of all faiths and none. It is a custom in many households to begin the Thanksgiving meal by giving each person an opportunity to mention something for which they are thankful - which is rather a good idea. It focuses attention on the idea of thankfulness and gratitude. Verbalising gratitude helps to imbed it into our way of life. The American Thanksgiving table is also an iconic representation of the higher ideals by which we are to live. People give with no expectation of return, and joy replaces obligation. There exists no deal, no quid pro quo around the table. This vision of gratitude is truly virtuous, sustains the common good, ensures a circle of equality, and strengthens community. Sharing the exuberance of a sporting event. (What the vicar does on holiday!) The opportunity to bless a pregnant mother
Expressions of gratitude can be public, as when incorporated into communal worship, or they can be private. Thankfulness can be a profoundly personal spiritual practice. Of course, the moment we talk about gratitude in public, it invariably becomes debatable and even political. The problem isn’t social expression of gratitude. The problem is how we understand the structure of gratitude. Is gratitude a demand or obligation? Is it entwined with privilege and power or is it an expression of humility and grace? The writer Diana Butler Bass has suggested that, ‘Jesus himself was an ingrate. He was not grateful to or for the Roman structure of gratitude! Indeed, much of the New Testament demonstrates his alternative vision of gratitude - as a subversive practice of thankfulness that demolishes boundaries between people and establishes a community of solidarity around a table of God’s gifts.’ The Christian faith insists that there is only one Benefactor, the divine Creator, and all of us are the beneficiaries of the sacred gift of life and life’s good gifts. The principal act of worship in the Christian church is the sacrament of Holy Communion, which we also call the Eucharist - a word derived from the Greek term for thanksgiving. Those gathered around the Communion table recognise our common state, and with humble hearts, freely give thanks for the Giver, for those sitting with us, and for the gifts themselves. We pass those gifts freely as well. Around this table, all can find a place, and all will be fed, equally. No one owns the gifts shared in communion. Every one of us receives. And every one of us is invited to give thanks. The expression of thankfulness can expand beyond particular items of thanks whether it is the sunrise over the mouth of the harbour in Es Castell, or the beauty of a sunset, or the sight of a mother gently nursing her infant child, or the feeling of shared exuberance at a sports event, or a good glass of wine, or the wonder of two people finding that they were made for each other. It can extend to the recognition that life itself is something for which we can and should be thankful. If we consciously notice that life is a gift, it cultivates gratitude, which helps us sense the generosity that surrounds us: in the people who came before us who made the world we take for granted, in the invisible people across this world who produce the food and clothes and gadgets upon which we rely, in the visible people with whom we work and live, those who illuminate our lives with kindness or patience or loyalty or trust. And above all, the generosity abundantly bestowed upon us in creation.
Crazy grandchildren, for whom we are grateful
The mediaeval philosopher and theologian, Meister Eckhart, captured it all rather well when he said, ‘If the only prayer you ever pray is “thanks,” that will be enough.’
GRATITUDE During 24 years of ordained ministry I have served in a number of churches in the United States, Canada and Spain. Almost every church has a list of prayer requests - for example, for people who need healing of some sort - which are included in the prayers every Sunday - and maybe more often. It has struck me on several occasions that most of the prayer requests are intercessions, in other words asking for something. Relatively few are prayers of thanksgiving - or appreciation for blessings received. Three years ago I touched briefly upon the idea of being intentionally thankful, concluding with the suggestion that we should: ‘every once in a while, when something good happens to us … reflect with wonder, and ask, “Why me?”’ Because we are more inclined to ask the same question, whether out of a genuine sense of disappointment or hurt, or based upon a petulant sense of entitlement, when something bad happens to us. It is all too easy to take the good things of life for granted and then to grumble when things don’t go our way. Wouldn’t it be better if our standard practice was to try to recognise daily how many good things we receive in life, and give thanks for them? Having lived for nearly twenty years in the USA, I’m familiar with the importance of the holiday of Thanksgiving. For many people, it is an opportunity to gather as a
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 Friday. Santa Margarita continues to offer worship online, to respect the needs of those unable to worship in person at the church. And there will be an opportunity to share gratitude on 20 October, when we will celebrate Harvest Thanksgiving in the church (and in our recorded worship online)! Golfers may like to note that the annual Santa Margarita golf tournament, organised this year in conjunction with the Menorca Cricket Club, will take place on Friday, 27 September. Please contact the church, or Golf Son Parc Menorca (https://golfsonparcmenorca.com/en/) for more details, or to register. The church web site will continue to be the place to seek up-to-date news and information about online worship. Our new web site can be found at https://www.anglicanchurchmenorca.net .
The phone number for the chaplain, Paul, is +34 617222382 and his e-mail is chaplain@anglicanchurchmenorca.com (which remains the same).
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WHAT’S ON
WHAT’S
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FOSQUETS DE LÍTHICA Every summer an arts festival takes place in Líthica quarries, on the outskirts of Ciutadella. Tickets available from www.fosquetsdelithica.com
ON
1 September: Day of the Labyrinth, from 5pm onwards.
SEPTEMBER 2024
11 September: Pau Marquès (cello), 7pm.
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
5 September: Na Clara, performed by Clara Gorrias, 8pm.
SUMMER EVENINGS IN LÍTHICA Quietud Musical en el Jardín Medieval: Live music played in the medieval garden of Líthica, Pedreres de S’Hostal, Ciutadella www.fosquetsdelithica.com/fr/programacio-2024 4 September: Joan Mercadal (guitar), 7pm. 18 September: Elena Armenteros (harp), 7pm.
NIGHTS OUT: Cova den Xoroi: sunset and night sessions. Guest DJs. Tickets from https://www.covadenxoroi.com/
ES CLAUSTRE
GASTRO FAIR 21-22 September: Fira Arrels, the gastronomic event of the year, will be held in the Recinto Firal, in Es Mercadal. Local produce and Menorcan cooking.
MOSTRA DE CUINA MENORQUINA 20 September-6 October: restaurants across the island will be serving traditional Menorcan dishes with a twist, using seasonal local produce. See website for participating restaurants http://www.mostradecuinamenorquina.com/
The courtyard in Es Claustre, by Iglesia del Carmen in Mahón town centre is the scene of many live concerts; over seventy have been scheduled throughout the summer until October. https://www.esclaustre.com/es/agenda/
JAZZBAH Located in the port of Ciutadella, jazzbah regularly holds live concerts throughout the summer. Check online for more information on https:// jazzbah.es/
KARAOKE NIGHTS IN ALAIOR
STREET ART CIUTADELLA Another edition of street art in Ciutadella. Local artists have created temporary works of street art in the town centre, to be seen 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 click on the word campañas.
Every Monday night: karaoke singing in Sa Plaça, Alaior, 8.30-10.30pm, until 16 September.
MUSIC FESTIVALS CRANC FESTIVAL 2024 25-28 September The Cranc Festival is happening in Cala Figuera, port of Mahón, with live bands, food trucks and markets. More info and tickets from www.crancfestival.com
PEDRA VIVA Music and scenic arts festival in beautiful locations across the island. Full programme, location of concerts, and tickets from www. pedravivamenorca.com/ 5 September: Yarin, Kukai Dantza, Hauser & Wirth (Isla del Rey), 7.15pm. 22 September: Cadira, Pep Aymerich, Hauser & Wirth (Isla del Rey), 12.30pm. ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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TEATRE DES BORN PLAÇA DES BORN, CIUTADELLA Ciutadella’s theatre puts on a full programme of events, listed on the website https://www.teatredesborn.com/ Tickets available online and from the ticket office, which is open Tuesdays 11.30am to 1pm, Thursdays 7 to 8.30pm, also one hour before the start of the performance. 4 September: Cançons de xerxa, Cris Juanico in concert, 9pm. 13 September: Zloty, clown show performed by Pau Palaus, at 8pm and 10pm. 14 September: Liberdade, concert performed by Sara Correia, 8.30pm. 21 September: Chiara Oliver in concert, 8.30pm. 22 September: Chiara Oliver in concert, 7.30pm.
TEATRE DE CIUTADELLA (TEATRE DE CALÓS)
OUTDOOR FILMS SCREENING ALAIOR
Carrer de María Auxiliadora 38, Ciutadella.
Cinema a la fresca films shown in the original language, in Pati de sa Lluna (convent de Sant Diego) at 9.30pm. 3 September: Vasil, by Avelina Prat, 2022.
Tickets available from https://www.ukalarimenorcaevents.com/ 14 September: Comedy Vaya pack de vasc@s, 10pm. 21 September: Aladdin Tribute show, 7pm. 22 September: Comedy No me toques el cuento, 7pm.
OUTDOOR FILMS SCREENING CALA EN PORTER
19 October: Brothers in Band, the Dire Straits tribute show, 8.30pm.
Cinema a la fresca films shown in the original language, on Cala’n Porter beach at 9.30pm. 13 September: Oppenheimer. (Check before you go on the Ajuntament website or Facebook as this may be cancelled or relocated due to the storm damage)
TEATRE PRINCIPAL
MENORCA DOC FEST
Carrer d’en Deià 40, Mahón
4 October – 1 November: Documentary festival https://www.menorcadocfest.com/
This is the oldest opera house in Spain, dating from 1829, with a wide programme of shows and concerts. See website for full programme. Tickets available online or from the box office.
GUIDED TOURS
5 October: T-Rex El musical, Jurassic Park tribute, 6pm. 12 October: Magic show with Santi Marcilla, 8pm.
Guided tours on Wednesdays until 25 September at 12 noon (45 mins) in Spanish, Catalan, English and Italian. Price: 8€. Bookings on telephone 971355602 or email principal@teatremao.com
Teatro Principal (Mahón): Guided tours on Wednesdays until 25 September at 12 noon (45 mins) in Spanish, Catalan, English and Italian. Price: 8€. Bookings on telephone 971355602 or email principal@ teatremao.com
Box office open mornings Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am to 1.30pm. Afternoons: Thursday and Friday 6.30 to 8.30pm. Also, one hour before the start of the performance.
Sant Francesc church bell tower, Mahón. The bell tower is open to visits on Saturdays 10am-1pm and Sundays 11am-1pm, until 29 September. Donation: 1€.
https://www.taquilla.com/mahon/teatre-principal-de-mao
Torre d’en Galmés: Sundays at 10am (in English). Tickets online
OCIMAX CINEMA MAHÓN:
https://www.menorca.es/es/Visitas _ guiadas _ al _ poblado _ de _ Torre _ den _ Galmes/15447
https://www.aficine.com/cine/ocimaxmahon/
Cova de s’Aigua, in Cala Blanca: guided tours in English daily at 9.30am and 3pm.
Cineclub films shown in the original language on Thursdays.
https://www.menorca.es/es/Visitas _ guiadas _ la _ Cova _ de _ sAigua/14052
CINEMES MOIX NEGRE CIUTADELLA http://www.cinesmoixnegre.org/ Films shown in the original language most Tuesdays. Cineclub films screened every Tuesday and Thursday at 8.30pm.
OPERA AT THE CINEMA http://www.cinesmoixnegre.org/ 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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SPORTS EVENTS
TALAYOTIC MENORCA GUIDED VISITS:
MCC Menorca Cricket Club: Match Days 12:30pm Start
These tours are in Catalan and are free of charge: you just need to sign up for them. Tel: 689 33 28 88.
Sun 01 Sept LAS BOLAS DORADAS Sat/Sun 8/9th Sept DITCHLING CC Sat/Sun 14/15th Sept LANGLEY MANOR Wed 18th Sept LANGLEY MANOR T20 Sat/Sun 21st 22nd Sept GLADE WANDERERS Sat/Sun 28th 29th Sept WEST HAGLEY
21 September: Talatí de Dalt 20 October: Trepucó 17 November: Es Grau – Torre de Rambla. 14 December: Rituals in talayotic times, Museum of Menorca.
Sun 15th Sept Orange Open, Golf Son Parc Menorca Contact Golf Son Parc info@menorcagolf.es Fri 27th Sept Annual Santa Margarita Golf Tournament, in conjunction with the Menorca Cricket Club. Contact Golf Son Parc info@menorcagolf.es or the Church
ARTS SOCIETY MENORCA Thursday 19th September at 8PM Aeroclub San Lluís
28 September: The Trail Nocturna, night run https://traildelsfars.com/nocturna
STELLA LYONS lecture:
6 October: Artiem Half Menorca Triathlon www.artiemhalfmenorca.com
“All the Lonely People: The Work of American Realist, Edward Hopper”
11-13 October: Mountain bike tour of Menorca www.menorcabtt.com
Thursday 24th October at 8PM Aeroclub San Lluís
18-20October: International Cycling Tour www.menorcacicloturista.com
ANDREW PRINCE lecture:
21 October: The October Trail run https://illadelstrails.com/programa-october-trail/
“From Downton to Gatsby: Jewellery and Fashion 1890 to 1929” For ticket information or to make a reservation contact Malcolm at:
MENORCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE
menorca@theartssociety.org
Guided visits on different aspects of the Biosphere Reserve. Visits are in Catalan and free of charge. Places are limited and are to be booked in advance on www.menorcabiosfera.org or by WhatsApp to 699 824 897 22 September: Una bassa d’oli, 10am to 1.30pm. 26 November: Una guarderia al mig del mar, 10am to 1.30pm. 16 December: De la pesca de l’anguila a la gestió de l’aigua, at 9.30am then again at 11.30am.
EXHIBITIONS Cossos, diàlegs amb Matías Quetglas, by Carles Jiménez, at El Roser exhibition hall at Carrer Roser 11, Ciutadella. Open Monday to Saturday 11am to 1pm and 6 to 9pm. Until 2 November. 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€. Sculptures by Carlos Albert in Alaior town centre. Outdoor exhibition of art by Madrid sculptor in central locations around the town centre, until 15 September.
NEW ART GALLERIES ALBARRÁN BOURDAIS This new gallery has opened this year on Carrer d’en Deià 51 in Mahón (opposite the Teatro Principal), with an exhibition by Swiss artist Felice Varini. Open Tuesday to Saturday 5-9pm, until 26 October. Admission free.
Menorcan House museum: 18th century Menorcan house turned museum. Calle Isabel II 4, Mahón. Open Monday to Saturday 10am1.30pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays 7-9pm. Admission: 3€ (for the charity Manos Unidas).
GALLERIA NICOLA QUADRI For my Pleasure: This new gallery has opened with an exhibition of artwork by Nathalia Edenmont at calle Josep Maria Quadrado 58, in Mahón, until October.
CENTRO NUMA. https://www.numamenorca.com/ A new cultural centre has opened in the Sa Quintana area of Ciutadella, located on the corner of carrer Santa Barbara and carrer Marino Benejam (on the northern side of the port, just up the hill from the bridge). Run by the Fundación Numa, the centre is opening with the Inner Voice exhibition of 30 sculptures by Dutch artist Caspar Berger. Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday 9.30am to 12.30pm. Also Tuesday to Saturday 4 to 9pm. Admission 15€. Guided tours in English every Tuesday at 11.30am.
HAUSER & WIRTH Contemporary art exhibitions on Illa del Rei. The gallery is open until 27 October, showing works by Roni Horn and Eduardo Chillida. Admission free. Several activities (tours, concerts, workshops, etc) are organised throughout the summer. https://menorca.hauserwirth.com/en/home ROQ U E TA M AGA ZI N E . N E T
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MARKETS FARMERS’ MARKETS Ciutadella: Wednesdays and Saturdays 8am to 2pm in Plaza de la Libertad (by the fish market). 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. Ferreries: Saturdays, 9am to 1pm in Plaza España (main square). Fornells: 12 June to end September, Mondays, Carrer Major and Plaça Esglesia, 7 to 11pm
STREET MARKETS Mahón: Tuesday and Saturday 7am to 3pm in the Plaça 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: Saturdays 9am to 1pm in Plaça Espanya.
CRAFT MARKETS Mahón: June to September, Tuesdays and Saturdays, Plaça del Carme, 9am to 2pm.
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. 12 October: Spain’s National Day
Ciutadella: 1 June to 15 September, Mondays and Fridays (also Wednesdays in July and August), in Plaça des Born 7pm to midnight. Ciutadella: 1 June to 30 September, daily, on the steps down to the 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, 6 to 11pm.
1 November: All Saints’ Day
Alayor: 6 June to 11 September in the town centre, Wednesday evenings, 7 to 11pm.
6 December: Constitution Day
Es Mercadal: July to end September, Thursdays, in the town centre, 7 to 11pm.
8 December: Day of the Immaculate Conception.
Es Mercadal: October to end May, Thursdays, Carrer Nou, 10am to 1pm.
25 December: Christmas Day.
Ferreries: July to September, Fridays, 6 to 11pm in the old part of town.
LOCAL FIESTAS DATES SUMMER 2024:
GETTING AROUND THE ISLAND
Mahón: Mare de Deu de Gracia 7-9 September
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.
Es Mercadal: Sant Nicolau 14-15 September Cala en Porter: 21-22 September Festa de Caixes Alaior: 28-29th September
GUIDED TOURS NAVAL HOSPITAL ISLA DEL REY Guided visits around the Hospital on the Isla del Rey in English: Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:20. In French: Wednesdays at 11:20. In Spanish: Monday to Saturday at 11:15 and 19:15. Sundays in all languages departing on the Catamaran at 9am CATAMARAN SUMMER SCHEDULE – Departures from Mahón from 11:00 to 21:00 Return from the Island from 12:30 to 23:30.
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. Torres also operates the line from Mahón town centre to the airport. 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.
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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 SANTA MARGARITA ANGLICAN CHURCH +34 617222382 e-mail chaplain@anglicanchurchmenorca.com
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PIG TALES
By Rachael Adams
DOT’S FAVOURITE FOOD & OTHER LESS-FORTUNATE PIGS’ DIETS. Y Young pigs have 28 milk teeth, the same as humans, but b 44 as adults whereas adult humans only have 32. O Omnivores like us, pigs have big molars for grinding, a sharp canine tusks for slashing predators and and t tearing up prey. Dot’s are mini because she’s a female, t though razor-sharp nonetheless. In the wild, pigs are m mostly vegetarian but they also find grubs, insects, small s rodents and reptiles. They scavenge carcasses. Hogs H in America are apparently capable of chasing and a eating chickens, or even Hannibal Lecter if need b be! I worried Dot was lacking protein in her diet because s wasn’t eating much meat. she S as a piglet, we tried her with all different foods and So, s very quickly compiled us a list of her favourites: she
When I first got my pot-bellied pig Dot 12 years ago, it was hard to know what to feed a non-commercial piglet, and quite how much exactly. The guy at the small holding where I picked her up from as a screaming baby fed her horse meal. So, we did too. After her tiny pot of meal for breakfast, she’d spend all day grazing the grass or eating dates and wild olives from our trees. She’d eat anything she could get her trotters on, from leftovers to “hogging” the dog food. At teatime she’d get another tiny pot of horse feed. Her condition was perfect and for the first year, she just grew and grew. But after that, she got fatter and fatter, appetite undiminished. I didn’t want to give her real pig food as it’s designed for fattening —which was the last thing we needed.
Likes: in order of preference, her most favourite f food in the whole wide world is, unsurprisingly, that elusive rarity; meat. Feed her leftover T-bones from a barbecue, or a chicken carcass and her eyes squeeze s with pleasure. She does excited barks just before shut diving in. See a video of her having her first treat as a piglet on he her Instag Instagram account @dottytrotters. In second place would be the dog food; I think this is probably where she gets her protein from and saves her from having to chase wild chickens about. Next in line would be fruit and nuts, melons and watermelons, even the skins. We were fortunate to live in a house with many fruit trees for most of Dot’s life. She likes her fruits sweet, nisperos or Japanese loquats especially. Once she’s eaten all the fallen ones she’ll come and oink at us to follow her to the tree to knock down some more! Almonds too please: while I shell mine with a hammer, she stands behind me helping herself daintily to the ones of her choice from the bucket. With a swift crack of her mighty jaws and some dextrous triage with her long tongue, she has shelled and eaten the best ones long before I’ve finished pummelling my thumbs full of blood blisters. Then she gets parky: her carrots have to be cooked; pears and bananas only if she’s starving; cooking oil from the bottle - only if there’s a carpet nearby she can smear it on. Because of their food craze, it’s easy to train a pig to sit. All I had to do was back Dot into a corner, then put the treat in front of her nose and get her to follow it backwards until her bum hits the wall. Now, if she wants what you’re eating she comes and sits in front of you and waves her mouth about in the air to ask for it. “Look! Look! Look at me I’m sitting down!”she seems to be saying. Very briefly, there are but two things I’ve found so far that she won’t eat: citrus fruits and Smint mints. Apart from being delightful, having a pig is also a sure way to avoid food waste. All of our leftovers go to Dot and are then spread on our garden for free when they come out the other end, building soil fertility to boot. Hardly a novelty in most parts of the world, during the Second World War there were up to 7000 “pig clubs” in the UK – groups of people that would invest in buying a shared pig and a place to put it.
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They’d then collectively feed it up in the hope of a decent meal many months down the line. Housewives had four recycling bins, one for tins to build tanks and planes, one for paper to make shell cases, one for bones to grind into glycerine to make explosives, and one for the pig. Things are very different now of course. We’ve lost the closed cycle, no waste, local eating completely. Commercially bred pigs in the West are mostly fed on a diet of soybean meal imported from South America– the growth of which causes mass deforestation. Even organic pigs in Britain live on imported soy, grass and some hay. After the outbreak of Mad Cow disease in the 80s, the UK banned feeding animal products (Processed Animal Protein feeds, or PAPs) to pigs in 1996. Catering leftovers and swill were banned in 2001 after the horrific foot and mouth outbreaks. Even though foot and mouth “most likely travelled to the UK from Asia via South Africa in either catering waste or illegally imported meat”. In 2021, the EU overturned this rule but for Brexit pigs, it’s still soy all the way. I bet Dot would probably like it tho’. However, Animal Aid charity campaigners argue that the root problem lies in the intensification of farming and the weakening of animals in the face of stress and disease, plus the ease of viruses spreading because of global markets and increased travel - and that by changing the pigs’ diet rather than treating our animals better we may be missing the point entirely. Lowering meat consumption and the vast disgusting amount of it that goes to waste in richer societies would be a way to revert to more animal-friendly, extensive rearing practices. Yet there’s always hope: Helen Browning, the head of UK charity the Soil Association, has planted nut trees on her organic farm to try to produce a local source of protein for her pigs. There is also talk of soy strains that could fare better in UK climates, especially as the Northern Hemisphere gets warmer.
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Spain, on the other hand, is Europe’s largest consumer of meat and pork, with the average person putting away 94 and 44 kilos per person per year respectively. They are the largest pork exporter too. A trip along the A2 from Lleida to Barcelona readily confirms this as wagonloads of intensively-reared pink bottoms line the motorway come day, come night. Spain also produces the famous Jamon Ibérico de Bellota, or Iberian Acorn-fed Ham. And it seems like these pigs do fare a bit better. A sturdy old breed closely related to wild boar, they are a black/brown colour with distinctive dark trotters, that also go by the name “black-footed”, or “de pata negra”. Sometimes crossed with American Duroc, these pigs are famously stuffed full of up to 12 kilos of acorns a day for the last few months of their lives. They are said to be born in corrugated iron shelters in fields, and the piglets encouraged to move to build up their muscles to be able to sustain the weight gain later in life. After weaning, they eat grain and cereal and whatever they may find foraging in their fields. In autumn, once the acorns are out, they are sent for “finishing” in La Dehesa, the vast holm, cork and Portuguese oak woods of southwest Spain. This fattening phase is known as “la montañera”, or loosely as the mountainy bit. Though each farm does it slightly differently, a “vareador” (a man with a stick) takes his pigs to the furthest tree and knocks down the acorns, gradually fetching the increasingly heavier pigs closer back to the farmyard. In this way their bulging bodies aren’t likely to lose that much weight waddling back. On other farms they are brought back in at night, also to restrict movement and retain calories. While the taste is undoubtedly delicious, marketing campaigners often leave out the full technicalities behind these mostly happier pigs, telling us they have eaten only acorns for their whole lives. In order of better for the pig and worse for the purse, each prize ham comes with a coloured label draped limply around the trotter: black means it’s from a 100% purebred, free-range Iberian pig and had only acorns for the last few months predeath. Red means it was free-range and acorn-fed but crossed with a Duroc. Green is a pure or cross breed, free-range but grain fed, and a grey label is from a “more intensively reared and cereal and compound feed fattened”, likely crossbred pig. In some instances, if the acorns didn’t do the trick, the pig was topped up with grain and sold cheaper, in a nutshell. My Dot certainly loves her acorns but thank God she’s too old and tough by now for any of this! In the end, to keep her trim she barely gets any grain at all and I try to keep her out of the dog biscuits.
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YOUNG AND OLD
Part 6 by Ann Port
Gradually, more British families bought properties in the village and it became a closelyknit community but still well integrated with the locals. When the pig-killing took place it was a privilege to be invited and to be offered the chance to learn the skills of making sobrasada. Around this time, my father took up the post of unofficial aid to the Honorary Vice Consul and also became an inaugural member of the Association of Neighbours for the village as well as writing occasional articles for “Roqueta” under the name of John Port (the founder of his old school). Life in the village was great for young children as it retained its infant school and mothers were generally around, working at home. The cheese factory (now Llucmaçanes Gran, an agroturismo) provided jobs. One chap was put on the night shift after his wife gave birth to their 22nd child. The children had their own playground next to the church and as there was no TV they played outdoors all the time. There were no swimming pools at that time, just a handful of irrigation tanks. For comparison, there are now more than 70 swimming pools in the village. Shopping was an entirely different experience. In Sant Lluís we had to peer through the metal chain strips to see what was being sold inside as there was no indication on the outside of the shop. Most shopping was done in Mahón at the indoor market and I remember the live chickens on sale just beyond the top of the steps. Butchery was different in those days too with most cuts being unrecognisable to us. Apart from the market and of course the fish market which had to be visited early and separately so the fish arrived home fresh and cool, there were dozens of “colmados”. These were little grocery shops combined with greengrocers who, prior to EU regulations, displayed many of their wares in boxes outside on the street. Before the advent of supermarkets these were our main sources for food, although there was one rather splendid shop on Hannover called La Palma where the hand sliced Jamon York was superb. Grains and other dried goods were often weighed out from the sacks they had been delivered in. A new shop opened in the village run by mother’s friend Aguedita and her stock expanded well beyond comestibles. Both my daughters learned to write their alphabet and learned joined-up writing from the series of little pale green “cuadernos” which she sold with traceable letters. My mother loved entertaining and there were always children around to play. She would give impromptu “birthday” parties with cake and jelly, and liberal amounts of Coca Cola were dispensed which was a bit of a novelty then. Of course the older generation were not left out as this was the era of evening cocktail parties with delicious canapés and there were at least three a week to attend in the summer. Then there were the summer visitors, many of whom returned year after year. They usually hired Jeeps to deal with the terrain and it was customary to go to “Los Bucaneros” at Binibeca and share a paella and hear Santiago and his father ring the bell when a tip was given. We met many interesting people and entertained a group of visiting ex-pilots who had been badly injured during the 2nd World War and came to Menorca for rest and recuperation, one of whom I remember whose nickname was Flash. The local fiesta of San Cayetano/Sant Gaietà at the beginning of August would see the village really come alive with a funfair and stalls, bunting set up and people congregating in the square outside the church, to which my mother would lend her silver candlesticks for the occasion. After the religious ceremony which was so colourful there was the singing of the Himno de Llucmaçanes which I loved. Then there would follow the “colcada” which included decorated carts, one of which was owned by Gabriel the carpenter, and then the decorated horses in the cavalcade. A little bar was set up in the schoolroom and the final evening culminated with music and dancing in the square. One year my mother’s friend Aguedita, who used to write lovely little poems, was chosen to be the “Pregonera” - a great honour. This goes back to at least medieval times and can be compared to the post of Town Crier giving local people important information and acting as a commentator of noteworthy news. The tradition has been carried forward to the present day. This was accompanied by the performing of “galoses”, another traditional art of commentaries, sometimes spontaneous and delivered in a melodious way. As a glosadora she included anecdotes, sometimes in rhyme sometimes not, but an integral and important part of the fiestas for the locals which date back to the 1600s. For a period they were somewhat suppressed under Franco but now very much revived. My daughter’s friends would dress for the parade in their Menorca costumes either handed down or home-made. The following morning the streets would remain eerily silent apart from the crowing of the cockerel and the braying of the donkey. 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