September 18th. Happy Birthday!

Epic Trail Menorca 360. 2018

A 185KM legend

The Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls (TMCdC) is an ultra distance event consisting of flip Menorca for coastal path originally drawn by the British over 300 years ago and whose main purpose was to defend the island.

This is a race of 185 kilometers that has a positive slope of 2863 meters in which each rider will discover their limits and enjoy the idyllic scenery in this wonderful lost corner of the Mediterranean sea, full of dreamy beaches, impossible cliffs, magical views and local cusine with which to celebrate that life is a race in which you score goals and experiences.

To overcome the challenge, each rider has 40 hours to finish an adventure with taste of an adventure. Also the organization provide 15 aid stations on the route with water, sports drinks, fruits, nuts, energy bars, among others products, or foods with the same caloric intake.

The start was last Friday, May, 18th 2018, and definitely a part in the life of any runner who took part of one of the longest non-stop test and no doubt pretty trailrunning european landscape.

Good days are coming

Fishing in Alcaufar in a glorious end of Season morning.

Rainy day...and hoopoes

The rain, which started in the morning, has not stopped falling throughout the day. At times it fell hard and other times it was very light, almost imperceptible.
 

And it is in those moments when you can see some movement among the small animals of the field. The hoopoes, which are insectivorous, taking advantage when the ground is wet to peck worms and slugs.

Hoopoe

 

Rock Samphire inflorescence, near Binidali.

Apple of Sodom, Solanum sodomeum.

Solanum sodomaeum - Apple of Sodom - (Solanaceae)

This relative of the deadly nightshade is a poisonous plant, and is found occasionally in many Mediterranean countries. Apple of Sodom is a member of the nightshade family, Solaneaceae, and it has attractive flowers but also vicious thorns.

 Flowers in May

 Group of plants in flower in Sant Lluis

All parts of this plant are poisonous, but the yellow fruits are extremely dangerous

Binigemor.

The beautiful estate called Binigemor under a sky that portends a threatening storm.

Binissafúller

Over the years the traditional menorcan farms transformed not only the way they produce and cultivate the land but also the types of its buildings.

 

Binissafúller is an example of a building with a clear influence by distinct ornamental style Catalan farmhouses.

Summer is here to stay.

 Es Lloc d'en Caules at Sant Lluis. 

One of the richest agricultural estates in Menorca during the nineteenth century

Gonepteryx cleopatra is a medium sized butterfly with a wingspan of about 50-70 mm (2.0-2.8 inch). It is a sexually dimorphic species - the female has pale yellow or greenish wings, the male is darker yellow with an orange patch on the forewing. Both sexes have a forewing apical hook and brown dots in the center of each wing, and the underside of wings is light greenish yellow. The greenish colour, the shape and the pronounced venation on the hindwings give to these butterflies a good camouflage, making them resemble just leaves.

 The Cleopatra butterfly inhabits open woodland and scrub. The flight period is from May to August in most parts of its range, except Spain, where it is double-brooded and may fly almost all year. The adult hibernates in evergreen trees and shrubs.

 The first apricots we have collected this year.

Punta Prima and "Es Camp Sarc"

 Windy, but sunny and pleasant morning at Punta Prima. A few tourist and a windsurfer enjoying the beach.

The beautiful property named "Es Camp Sarc" in the South side of Sant Lluis. Picture was taken from the prehistoric site at Sa Pedrera des Pujol.

More Menorcan flowers. Hedysarum Coronarium.

Hedysarum coronarium  is a perennial herb native to Malta, Northern Africa Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, cultivated for animal fodder and hay, and for honey production. It is shown in all its glory in Menorca during the month of May. Although it may seem for its abundance, that it is a plant native to Menorca but was imported as forage in the mid 1800s. In Spain it is only located in Menorca and Cadiz.

Conducted tour of Collingwood House for Hotel guests. Every Tuesday 10.30 by Paco Montanari, the owner.

Es Castell Council has purchased the old mill next to the entrance of the village

A group of neighbours from Es Castell have volunteered to work on the restoration and clean up the surrounding area. The aim of the Council is recovering and restoring this old building for cultural purposes.

The Sant Lluis fully restored, traditional windmill which is now a museum open to the public, and the role model for other interesting buildings.

Conciertos de Villa Jardín

As in previous years Hotel del Almirante collaborates with the "Villa Jardín Concert".

Every July the house Villa Jardín in Sant Lluis, hosts some bright evening concerts of classical music within the delicious framework of its garden.

Ivan Martin, who has confirmed their attendance is recognized by both critics and the public as one of the most acclaimed pianists of his generation.