Tramontana

In an extremely windy day in which a power failure has left most of the village of Es Castell without electricity, it well worth going out to get some fresh air ...

The Tramontana is a katabatic wind, which is a wind that blows off a mountain system due to the cool denser air at altitude in the mountains sinking, and funnelling off into the coast. Tramontana winds rush down the Pyrenees and crosses the Mediterranean and so, the Balearics. Menorca is particullarly exposed to that wind.

Although these winds are mainly in winter, sometimes they occur in spring and even summer. For those who we like them it is a real spectacle, approaching to the coast to perceive their strength. 

Sa Mesquida

Cala Tirant

 Brave surfers cant resist the call of the waves.

Cap de Cavallería, on the Horizon.

Winter colours in Mahon harbour.

Although being a rather temperate winter evenings are a little cooler. Mahon harbor was deserted yesterday afternoon, just a few strollers or boats owners repairing a fault. Most sadly closed bars and restaurants. The tourist season seems so far away ...

Almond trees

Encouraged by the temperate Mediterranean climate, the first variety of the island's more than 7,000,000 almond trees timidly begin to bud in late January, a foretaste of the exquisite fields blanketed by white, delicate flowers that burst into bloom between late January and mid-February. Be it in a lone specimen or a riot of flowers, this surprising and omnipresent forerunner of spring is a special treat for visitors.

A closer look at this man-made display of nature reveals in detail the colours of these flowers, which range from the purest white to pink. A unique and guaranteed opportunity for photography lovers to take an unforgettable memory back home with them.

The almond tree is highly revered in some cultures. The tree originated in the Middle East, and is mentioned numerous times in the  Bible.

Althought it is known there were almond trees in Menorca during the muslim period, 900 years ago, the cultivation of almond trees was introduced en masse after phylloxera devastated the Islands' vineyards in the late eighteenth century. Their fruit can be sampled as is, toasted or as part of the island' typical dishes, especially pastries.

Binicodrell Nou

Nowadays there are a few farms under the name "Binicodrell" because all of them are formed by lands that belonged to the primal farm Binicodrell, one of the oldest and most extensive landowner properties of Menorca, during the feudal era.

 According to ancient texts, Binicodrell was a large Talayotic period settlement (1000-700 B.C.). Today, only two talayots remain, of which the northern one is in a better condition; it has a zigzag shaped access ramp leading inside, although researchers disagree on whether it was built at the same time as the talayot. The southern talayot, on the other hand, is quite dilapidated.
You can still find fragments of pottery on the ground, dating from various eras: Talayotic, late Punic, Roman and Islamic. Inside the protected area of the site there is a necropolis.

 Making New Friends