Marilyn and David's Wedding Anniversaries.
Twelfth in September 2014, on the Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club trip to Spain and Mallorca in the 1976 Daimler Double Six Avon-Stevens Convertible.
Day Nine, Friday 12th September.
The suggested runs were to the very northern tip of the island at Cap de Formentor and on the west coast to Sa Calobra. Both have very spectacular roads and breathtaking scenery. I have done the Formentor trip twice, once in 1976 in a Fiat 500 with four up (very entertaining on the steep bits!) and once in 1991. On the second occasion, we also spent the day at the wonderful Playa de Formentor, a glorious golden sandy beach. This time we decided to do the drive to Sa Calobra. We took the road along the coast through Palma, past the Cathedral and towards Inca. We then drove north to Caimari to pick up the Ma10 towards Sa Calobra. The drive is stunning and the Ma2141 road to the coast is as tortuous as any Alpine route. The top of the Col dels Reis, 682 metres, gives wonderful views out to the coast. I did this drive last in 1991 and was totally unprepared for the incredible heaving mass of people that greeted us this time. Coachloads of tourists were being disgorged all the time we were there. Very fortunately, we were able to drive right down to the bay and into a disabled slot beside the huge self-service restaurant. The setting is magic, but the atmosphere has changed so much. This is a major major tourist attraction and driving is not the pleasure it was. We continued on to Soller and back to the hotel through the new tunnel.
On the road to Sa Calobra.
The top of the Col dels Reis pass at 682 meters.
The beautiful bay at Sa Calobra.
Huge catering facilities and lots of pleasure cruisers.
Some stills from a video of the drive to Sa Calobra.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)