Palma...Walking, Eating, and Discovering

After touring the cathedral we left with a sense of peace that seemed to permeate the rest of our day. We immediately discovered a fantastic historic garden behind the cathedral and were entertained there by a harpist, an artist painting en plain air, and a beautiful space that included ornamental and edible plantings.

Wandering further we found a labyrinth of ancient alleyways fronted by grand homes, many with glassed in balconies, a feature we have noticed throughout the cities we've traveled to. A stop for lunch includes a pitcher of Sangria (yum!) and the boys found a fun perch overlooking the street. Post lunch includes a candy stop for Ian and the best gelato of the trip for Noah and I (more yum!). We head to the modern art museum through winding shopping streets, and later find our way along the waterfront. A spectacular promenade of Date Palms leads back toward the car park, but not before discovering a beautiful market hall that replaced an older version wiped out by torrential floods several hundred years ago. All in all, a wonderful time in a beautiful part of this city.

Deia...Robert Graves Home Sweet Home

On the morning of our last full day on Mallorca, Cynthia and Noah stuck around the house and Ian and I visited the Home of the English poet and author Robert Graves who owned the home for fifty-two years. On a bend in the road between Deia and Soller, the hunble stone home sits proudly with views to the ocean and terraced Olive fields below.

The visit started with a fourteen minute film (in English!) that was the perfect introduction to understand the role the house played on his life and work. It also helped shed light on the turmoil that enveloped all of Spain during the Spanish Civil War and the overthrow of Franco...unrest that, coupled with World War II, forced Graves to vacate the house from 1936-1946. He returned with his third wife with whom he'd had three young children...a fourth child followed. Aside from parenting he was a prolific writer. He also hosted a variety of friends in the home and a study for visiting scholars was set up within the main house.

The gardens today reflect the domestic life of the family including a vegetable garden, roses for cutting, herbs and other flowering plants adapted to the Mediterranean region. A simple trellis of grape, a common sight, anchors one corner of the home...sheltering the journey to the front door. Within are simple yet beautiful rooms furnished just as they were left. His study remains as if he were still alive and working...it feels as though we are invited guests...a wonderful way to experience such a special place.