Italy etc Cruise April 2019 - Menorca Page

Lovely day. Mahon is along a long but narrow inlet, a splendid natural harbour. In the afternoon, I slogged up to the town myself. It was Very Quiet but, I gathered it had had a May Day Parade in the morning. Most of the churches were closed & there was no wi-fi to be had. The cloisters of a large church had been turned into the Market, interesting idea

In the morning, however, we had been on a coach tour, up-country, largely to the North Coast which took us 1st to Addaia, a suburban seaside village of just villas, doomed if they stop holiday flying but in a great setting.

Then, to Arenal d’en Castell, which does have a few hotels, one of which is too big and prominent and due for dynamiting, as the current planning rules only allow 2 story buildings. The expat guide Bryce was very good on how the island is protecting its environment. In 2 years time, only electric vehicles will be allowed & charging points are visibly being installed.

On to Fornells, which was enchanting, if not a lot to do. There was a huge but shallow enclosed bay, a badly damaged British fort (St.Anthony) from the 18thC & a Martello tower against Napoleon.

Then, the literal high-light was up the ‘mountain’ Mal e de Diu del Toro, not much over 1,300 feet, which gave views of the whole island (35 miles long) & a had a nunnery & chapel.

The chapel being particularly interesting, because the Francoists (who were supposed to be Catholic bigots) burned it but a local farmer rescued a Virgin statue, the ‘discovery’ of which hung a tale, from the flames. (Menorca was staunchly Republican, so got nothing from the Franco regime). In 1941, the local reconstructed a Baroque-style altar piece from scrap wood but one would never guess & it has since been gilded. The tapestries were burned but they painted sackcloth &, unless you get close, they do look like tapestry.

Then, back to the ship. We sailed out along the fjord-like natural harbour.