Stone Curlews and Torre Vella

I saw some stone curlews in the fields close to the Hotel yesterday morning.

The stone-curlew is a crow-sized bird with a large head, long yellow legs and relatively long wings and tail. Active at night, and its large yellow eyes (which give it a "reptilian", or "goggle-eyed" appearance) enable it to locate food when it is dark.

In Menorca is a common bird and in the Summer it is easy to see individuals. They join in small groups in the winter.  Should this meant that it approaches the end of summer already? I hope not as many customers are booked for October.

Despite that, the fields in the island are very dry. And the few storms we have had this summer are not enough to cover Menorca needs of water.

Some barren fields at Torre Vea. Beside Saint Phillipe castle.

Art Evening on Mahon

A large part of the group of artists who live or have chosen Menorca to create their works showed his talent on the streets of Mahon last week.

Ladies v. Men Boules Competition 2013

After nice days of very intense and passionate (there were a few cross words!) competition, both the Ladies and the Men ended up having won 49 Games -the first time in 18 years that we had such an outcome. The Men, however, did secure a higher number of both Ends and Shots. as such, they were technically the winners.

However in the true spirit of British sportsmanship, and recognizing that for an unfortunate injury to one of the Ladies they would have been soundly thrashed, the Men have agreed that the only honourable course of action is to declare the result a DRAW.

Torelló under the red sky

...that presaged the storm we have had this morning

Figs

The fig tree is one of the most characteristic trees in the island’s rural landscape. You can see it alone or in fig tree groves, in the middle of a crop field or near trails, harbouring under its branches a stray sheep or goat looking for shade in the hot, humid summer afternoons. 

Fig tree in the Hotel fields

 

The edible fig is one of the first plants that was cultivated by humans. The fig tree (Ficus carica) originated in the southeast zone of Europe, was introduced into Western Mediterranean lands at some unknown time in the past.

Yellow Figs, Paretjals

The Book of Deuteronomy specifies the fig as one of The Seven Species This is a set of seven plants indigenous to the Middle East that together can provide food all year round.

 Purple fig. Negrete.

The traditional gastronomy of Minorca has used the succulent fruits of this tree by incorporating it Mediterranean as a local ingredient many dishes, salads and soups.

 The fleshy pulp of an open fruit. 

The vast variety of names for figs proves the islanders’ love for a fruit that has nourished generations. However, the cultivation of figs started to wane as labour got more expensive and tourism arrived to the islands, the problem being that figs have to be harvested in the summertime. Even today the island landscape and culture evince the influence of this old benefactor tree.

Es Molí d'es Recó. Traditional Menorcan Cooking.

Green olives. bitter and tasty.

 "Sopes Mallorquines" Vegetable soup.

Snails. Not everyone's like them.

The Restaurant.

What those who have eaten here say...

More of the Panerai Trophy

The pictures say it all...