Mallorca Day 52 - Tramuntana Tours Cuber Reservoir Walk

I had stopped in at Tramuntana Tours earlier this week and been told that there were no walks going out but they would let me know if that changed. I got an e-mail last night about one today so joined the group at the store front at 10am this morning. There were 7 of us ((3 German, 3 British and the token Canadian) as well as 2 guides. We were driven the 35minutes up to the Cuber Reservoir (where Chris, Chris and I walked a couple of weeks back)

On the map by the parking lot, Vincente pointed out that we would follow the red line below the lake and then to Col de l'Ofre and then walk up to the small pond up by the road at the top of the map. We would climb about 200 metres and the highest point would be 760metres above sea level.

It was cool and occasionally windy but mostly sunny. A day for putting jackets on and off.

The reservoir serves Palma and after passing along the edge

we started heading up to the pass, through pines,  with

steep rocks on each side.

This part of the walk was part of the GR221 which is the main Tramuntana trail from one end to the other.

A cross marks the pass,

on one side you can see Soller and the sea and

on the other, the reservoir and the highest peak with the radar installation on top.

There was a herd of horses at the top but only the donkey and mule were really pushy about their begging behaviour.

The goats stayed well clear.

From here we headed up a less well defined path, marked periodically by stone cairns.

At times it was a bit of a scramble but it was nice to be away for the more popular main trail and

the views

all around

were impressive.

This doesn't look that steep but we were mountain goats coming down here

into a valley between two rocky ridges.

No sound but the wind whistling and the sheep bells tinkling.

It wasn't all stark, craggy rock. This is wild rosemary in bloom and it smelled wonderful if you stepped on some,

and this is Blackthorn in bloom.

Further down the valley we were surrounded by oak trees.

A natural water source protected by stone.

A stone circle where oak wood was converted to charcoal.

Finally the small reservoir, used now by the military base, next to the road and tunnel. From here we were driven home.

We left the store front at 10 and were back by about 3. We had covered 9 kms. The hike had been easy for most of that distance, just a few scrambles and the views had been fantastic.

Wisteria, in abundant bloom, in Port.

Today is Mum's birthday so we went out to dinner at the Kingfisher restaurant at the bottom of our stairs. It was cool and rain in the forecast, so Dad had reserved a table inside (as there only are a few).

Mum started with jumbo shrimp

Dad with potato and leek cream soup

and I had tuna ceviche. We all thoroughly enjoyed our starters.

Mum and Dad both had the grilled fish of the day (sea bream), Dad had fries with his.

I had the Kingfisher salad (greens, julienned apple, walnuts, blue cheese, grilled apple slices, ham crisps and blue cheese dressing) with 2 jumbo shrimp on the side.

Of course there was wine, water, coffee, Mum and I had creme brulee and Dad had tiramisu. Great meal and then the waitstaff sang happy birthday to Mum and everyone in the restaurant applauded.