David Shoulder - Isle of Wight: July 2024

I am behind with my diary blogs. This one relates to the beginning of June.

My youngest son Richard was born the day after my 40th birthday ! We are having a short family break in Majorca to celebrate Rich's 30th and amazingly - maybe shockingly - my 70th! Where has the time gone ? ha!

We have rented a villa near Port de Pollenca in the north of Majorca ( flew into Palma in the south and hired cars ).

The idea of our few days is to have a relaxing family time together and this is what we had. We were incredibly lucky with the weather and the villa turned out to be even more than we expected - you never know until you get there ! The main attraction of the villa is it has a decent pool - which everyone enjoys - especially my granddaughters. We go out each day but the villa in many ways offers everything we want.

This is a personal thing. I am not big on birthdays - the rest of the year - the day to day stuff is more important - not too keen on fuss for myself. But this is different. It is special and emotional to be with my family - and my 70th birthday feels for some reason more significant - more meaningful than perhaps any birthday I have had.

When I was 50 as a family we walked to the top of the Rock of Gibraltar. It was something a bit different and felt a positive thing to do. (and made the well earned beer taste even better perhaps !) On my 60th birthday I got to the top of Kilimanjaro with my brother Mike. When we were planning where to go for my 70th Majorca appealed not just because it was Majorca - the Med - the sun and sea - but it offered the possibility of a trek that I felt we all could do - to the highest accessible point on Majorca - in fact the highest point in the Balearic's - and this was the agreed plan. We packed suitable walking gear.

The highest mountain in Majorca is Puig Major standing at 1436 metres - 4711 feet above sea level. ( higher than the UK's highest point which is Ben Nevis of course (1345 metres).) However it is inaccessible because it is held for military purposes. The highest accessible summit is the nearby Puig de Massanella at 1364 metres.

During the flight to Majorca I started to have doubts about the fairness - even the wisdom of this particular trek. It was going to be at least 6 hours - likely more - and it could get very hot. The trek is graded hard. My grand daughters are 10 and 12. Consequently I looked for something more manageable and found another walk we could do which would be shorter and gentler. I subsequently explained to my family what I was thinking and while they would have gone along with it - George and Richard particularly didn't agree. They strongly felt we should stick to the original plan for 3 reasons 1) they understood deep down I wanted to get to the highest point on my 70th 2) they know when you say you are going to do something - it is unsettling - potentially creates a nagging negative when you don't do it - and 3) the family felt particularly after the recent Pen Y Fan walk that everyone could do it and wanted to do it. This very much included Phil Vic and the girls. They were up for it.

So this is what we did on my 70th birthday. An early start for the scenic drive into the Tramontana Mountains to get to our target peak. Rich and Andy took responsibility for the trail navigation which they did very accurately - it was not a straightforward trail and there were no sign posts (as it should be - ha!) The walk was strenuous - quite challenging - but any reservations I had about taking it on were quickly dissipated. Everyone bought into it. Everyone was positive. Everyone thrived on it - quite wonderful really. The route was special - pristine. No one else around. Initially we were walking through and up the cooler wooded lower slopes on a zig zag path. Eventually we broke out onto open limestone rocky terrain with spectacular views. After a few hours we are on the top. A great feeling. A special feeling to do it as a family - amazing to be there with my 2 darling granddaughters on my 70th birthday. It becomes a photo shoot - including the 70th birthday sash Vic produced for a bit of fun and Andy sets up the moneyshot ! Thank you everyone for making it happen. A wonderful memory.

Later at the villa we properly chilled around the pool. We had a wonderful dinner that everyone had a hand in sourcing and preparing - George is the barbecue king again. Later some disco dancing to granddads play list - ha!

I know I had a few tears when Vic brought out a birthday cake. Vic asked me what I was thinking at that moment. Answer in truth was many things - but in summary - and as I said - just how fortunate I am to have such a wonderful family. They really are. xxxx

Next day is Rich's birthday. Amazing our youngest is 30. He has done a lot in those thirty years Dr Rich. In a couple of months he will be taking up a Registrars position. Vic and Phil do a wonderful job again decorating the villa with birthday balloons etc. They make it even more special. Rich adjusts the planned day to be gentler - emphasis on fun to reflect yesterday's exertions. We have a few hours on the beach around the very scenic Cap de Formentor and a lovely lunch in a Pollenca restaurant. The weather is great and we enjoy what the villa has to offer - including the boys playing a doubles tennis match.

After tennis Rich has organised some pool games - including relay races - which were hilarious. Just the right thing. Later we smarten ourselves up for dinner - Rich has requested no boring Shoulder navy blue or grey - ha! It was a lovely fun evening. So all in all two tremendous days that would be hard to beat.

It was only 4 days in Majorca - but a joyous time. Everyone made it special. My granddaughters are a huge credit to Vic and Phil. Thank you to everyone for putting so much into it. All my love and appreciation - from dad and granddad xxxxx

Here are various mob photos - pooled - a bit random in order - but give a good account of what we enjoyed and how we were feeling xxxx

On the top of Puig Massanella - the highest accessible point in the Balearics

Where is James ? He loved the villa and really doesn't enjoy heights - so he was VERY happy to chill by the pool which appeared to be mainly - sun bathing and beer drinking ! He knows what he likes !