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15 May 2019 Banyalbufar - Navigational Nightmares!!

Having agreed to meet at 8.30 for breakfast there was no sign of David and Alex. A quick tap on the door revealed the reason - they were still asleep! When they finally turned up, Alex sporting sunglasses, we heard about how they had met up with some locals last night, after we had gone to bed of course!, and the rest is history.


In fairness this did not stop them embracing the planned walk for the day. A more simple and straightforward one, with less ascent and descent, just following the path along the side of the mountain from here to Port Des Canonge. The walking book we are using had us start at a car park a mile or so out of town, but walking along the main road that winds its way along with no pavement did not seem a good idea. It didn’t seem to matter as the map had a couple of options with paths from the village that linked up with where we wanted to be.


We set off just after 10 and headed down a very steep road to the harbour. There was only one problem when we got to the bottom……




We just needed to cross over to near where the boats were and walk back up and we would be on our way, but we obeyed the signs and walked all the way back up the steep hill. There then followed some earnest map reading, googling etc to try and find another way to where we needed to be that avoided the main road, and we did. Success!!






The problem was, when we got to where we should have been, at the top of the path that came up from the boats, we couldn’t find a clear path that related to the instructions in the book. Ahead of us were 4 Dutch people who were also trying to do the same as us and doubted that the tiny overgrown path we were on was going where we wanted it to. We decided to turn back and told them that was what we were doing, and they obviously did the same as later on we saw them again.


As we retraced our steps we met a German couple looking for the path and so warned them of the potential difficulty but they decided to try anyway. We saw them a bit later too! What now?



A flash of inspiration! Use a GPS signal! Yes! We know where we are and we can see that we are only a short distance from where we need to be. Straight up the side of the hill. OK, I can scramble on all fours and grab at tree roots as long as I don’t have to come down the same way. Oh no, what’s that? The Dutch, oh and the Germans too, all still looking!!! I’m standing still and not moving any more until I know we are heading for the right path. At this point the Dutch give up and decide to go back and get their car and start at the car park. David decides to head off with the Germans to see if they can sort the way as the GPS still says we are so close. The rest of us wait, and wait, so Geoff goes off to see if he can find them. Alex and I carry on waiting!




Geoff then comes back saying he can’t find David or the others anywhere, and can’t raise David on the phone. OK, perhaps we had better move and try and find them. More scrambling uphill and then out of the trees pops David with the good news that they have found the path. It is now midday and we should have been having lunch at our destination, but never mind we will press on and have a late lunch.


Its all a bit tame after that. A clear, waymarked path, exactly as the book said and with some beautiful views.






We stopped for a snack on our way to keep us going.




Upon reaching our destination it was tapas time. We had deserved it. Whilst there we saw both the German couple and the Dutch group, all of whom had finally made it too!!


And then the route back. Suffice to say it took about a third of the time and we followed the road from the car park, which wasn’t actually very busy!!! A route that should have been about 9km was actually 15km so we have had a good workout today.


We stopped at the terrace bar where we sat in the sunshine and enjoyed a much deserved beer. Then it was siesta time! or for some it was!! Then out for a meal later, late, long and leisurely in typical Spanish style that finished off our week here in Mallorca. Tomorrow it‘s one last walk before we head for the airport and home.


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