We were asked this week to write about why we love Majorca for the papers special Valentines edition. I started writing and unfortunately then completely forgot so I thought I’d quickly add what I’d already written to this weeks column.
Having moved here in 1990 I still get asked, do you like living in Majorca? Daft question really but to someone whose never lived here they don’t know any different. I’ve been lucky enough to travel around the World but for me nothing beats this Island. It definitely is an island of contrast and different people fall in love with different parts of the island. The Capital Palma has become one of the most popular weekend break cities with amazing architecture, boutique hotels, shopping, amazing food, and trendy bars and clubs. The mountains of the West are without doubt the most spectacular you’ll ever see. The beautiful bays of the North gives the Caribbean a run for their money and the caves and coves of the east coast make it a total island of contrast. Do I love Majorca? Totally!
I’m at the end of week 2 of my fitness regime. Last Friday I walked into the gym expecting an easy session as we’d worked hard all week. Paul says we’re going out today Richie. A nice leisurely stroll I thought until we reached the Santa Ponsa steps. For those of you not familiar with said steps, there are 600 of them and they run from the beach right to the top of the hill. Let’s just say it’s tough and just when you think you’ve got to the top there’s another level. Coming back down wasn’t easy either and I can’t say I’m looking forward to the next time.
All the hotel associations of Mallorca, Menorca Ibiza and Formentera have called for the Tourist Tax to be scrapped. So interesting to see that Edinburgh is one step closer to becoming the first city in the UK to introduce a tourist tax after the move was approved by councillors.
Plans for the transient visitor levy(Posh name)include a £2 per night room charge, an exemption for campsites, a cap of seven consecutive nights and investing an estimated £14.6 million every year.
Edinburgh would follow in the footsteps of European cities such as Paris and Barcelona and us here in the Balearics, while Bath and Oxford councils have also called for powers to charge visitors.
A recent public consultation indicated 51% of accommodation providers and 91% of residents supported the introduction of TVL.
The council estimates the proposals could raise between £11.6 million and £14.6 million per year. It doesn’t say as where the money raised will be spent as that is something that is questionable here but it’s an interesting development.
Reddit the American social news website has asked its users to come up with the 20 best names for fantasy football teams this season and there’s some good ones here.
• Chicken Tikka Mo Salah
• NoIngsMeeNoAyew . . . Zaha!
• Me, My Delph And I
• Show Me Da Mane
• Ctrl Alt De Laet
• Neville Wears Prada
• HuttonDressedAsLahm
• Michu At De Gea Ba
• You Petr Cech Yourself
• When Harry Met Alli
• Ospina Colada
• Men Behaving Chadli
• Obi-Wan Iwobi
• Willian Dollar Baby
• One Flew Over Lukaku’s Nest
• Game Of Throw-ins
• The Wizard Of Ozil
• Gylfi Pleasure
• Boom Xhakalaka
• Flying Without Ings
In our predictor league the best name in my opinion is 1-F-in-Fulham.
Real Mallorca continued their poor away form with a 2-0 loss versus top of the table Albacete last weekend. They are in 9th place in La Liga 123 just 2 points from the play-offs and they have a home game this weekend against 18th placed Lugo. Kick-off is on Sunday at 12 midday. I must mention our other island based professional team Atlético Baleares who are currently in 2nd place in Segunda B just 1 point off of the top. They currently have 2 players on loan from the Premier League and the Championship. Sam Shashoua is a 20yr old attacking midfielder who joined Baleares last summer on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and 19yr old forward Ody Alfa joined from QPR in the January transfer window. It’s great to see these younger players over here.
Another mixed bag for my boys this week, Jude my youngest got beat 4-1 but I must give a shoutout to my eldest Jake. You may remember last week I said Dad Taxi had an early start on Sunday to be in Manacor by 08.45. In fact it was still dark when we left and we knew we were in for a tough game against a team 15 points above us in the league. We were awarded a free-kick on the right hand side of the penalty area and as Jake is left footed the coach asked him to take it. He looked like he was shaping for a cross and I was shouting at him to have a shot. What transpired was a truly delightful strike that beat the keeper at the near post causing wild celebrations and earning us a 1-1 draw. He said to me afterwards that he was actually aiming for the other corner but to be honest you’d never had known. Luckily one of the Dads had recorded it and I shared it on social media. To date it has been viewed over 1300 times! Jude has a weekend off but Jake has a derby game against the other San Francisco team on Sunday so that will be an interesting one.
Enjoy your weekend!
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone, Android, The Tunein Radio App and on the Spanish TDT TV service. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.
Dad Taxi Mallorca 