Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau

Our last day in Menorca and we've come to the Parc Natural de s'Albufera des Grau which is a protected area of the coast which has a number of well marked walking trails to follow


The fishing village of es GrauAddress:
 

Today's beach - we only walked on this one though!

 

A beautiful view across the lagoon
 

We met this chap wandering around wild.
 

 

The Natural Park

Up the Mountain and Down the Quarry

This morning we've driven up to the top of Monte Toro, which, at 358metres is the highest hill in Menorca.
 

The views from here are stunning - here we can see the bay of Fornells which we visited earlier this week.
 

Tourists blocking the view...
 

This afternoon we're in the Quarry at Lithica.This view is looking down into the modern quarry.
 

The older quarry has been planted with hundered of trees and shrubs. Once down inside it is an oasis of calm.
 

Em catching a few rays in the quarry.
 

One of the machines used to cut the stone.
 

 

Well you didn't expect us to miss out on a beach today - here we're at Cala en Turqueta.

Ancient Ruins and Yet Another Beautiful Beach

Menorca is covered in megalithic monuments from 2,000 years BC.These extraordinary standing stones and ancient settlements are from the Talaiotic culture.
 

The Taula – ( table in Catalan) – two massive pieces of stone in the form of a high freestanding table or altar
 

More old things...
 

Ancient burial chamber thingy... Naveta – large burial chambers made of blocks of stone which resemble the hulls of large upturned ships.
 

These rocky coves are just to the West of our apartment.
 

 

Don't you just want to jump straight in - we did and it was as good as it looked!

Dramatic Scenery and a Waterspout

This afternoon we're come to the most Northerly point to see the lighthouse and the dramatic scenery on this part of the island.
 

The North is very different - slate rather than the limestone of the south.
 

A Waterspout - at one point it was coming towards us but then veered off out to sea again!
 

On our way back to our apartment we stopped at Punta Prima on the South coast for a walk. This is the pretty little village of Cala d'Alcaufar.
 

 

A Spanish tower - the soft limestone rocks underneath have been severely eroded by the sea.

Mahon

This morning we're in Mahon which took over from Ciutadella as the island's capital.
 

Not so Spanish looking, this could be any European city
 

 

Emma meets the Copenhagen mermaid who's here on holiday too.
 

Sign of the Day

 

Suggestions Please???

Fornells

Today we've come to Fornells which is set within a large natural harbour on the North Coast of the island.
 

Sheltered water = good sailing conditions.
Just out of sight in this picture is Menorca Sailing's base.
 

The narrow entrance to the protected natural harbour
 

Time for a rest?
 

 

Another afternoon, another beach - Em's tan is coming along nicely! 

Ciutadella

Day two started with heavy rain which lasted until 10am.
 

The harbour in Ciutadella
 

The pretty houses leading up from the harbour
 

Lunch of Tapas and Paella eaten alfresco in the Town Square
 

Old warehouses by the harbour
 

 

It would've been wrong to spend all day in Ciutadella so we headed to another deserted beach this afternoon.

Our Apartment

 

We had the Penthouse Apartment - lovely view from here to the sea.

Menorca for some Late Sun

It's October and we're already fed-up with the UK weather!
We're now on a last-minute break to Menorca.

Cala Mitjana - The Island has lots of beautiful, secluded coves and beaches.
 

The  Camí de Cavalls (bridle path) used for centuries by smugglers and Revenue guards runs around the perimeter of the island and gives access to beaches which are inaccessible by car.
 

Cala Trebalúger - We had the whole beach to ourselves!

 

 

The Beaulieu National Motor Museum

Today we're visiting the National Motor Museum at Beaulieu in the New Forest.


AC Shelby Cobra 427 - Seven Litre V8 - what a beast!
 

Em's car is blue (it's a TVR Vixen S3 by the way)
 

Slightly used Aston Martin DBS - one careful Mr Bond owner!
 

A real racing car - Graham Hill's Lotus 49
 

Now I've flown in a few things but I draw the line at this Top Gear contraption.
 

On the monorail
 

 

This one needs lots of TLC.