You know those places…. there aren’t many of them…. The places that are top of the list when somebody says to you where would you rather be? Well where I’d rather be is wandering along Pine Walk in Puerto Pollenca.
And when I find myself somewhere I wouldn’t rather be. Like stuck on the M25 in a traffic jam. Or wide awake in the middle of the night. Then I take myself on an imaginary walk.
I open the front door of my house and step out into bright sunlight. Past the red hibiscus by the side of the path, out through the gate, and I turn left and walk between whitewashed apartment buildings. Wave at Tony as I pass the little supermarket, that sells everything from lilos to local wine, cross the road and take the turning that leads down towards the Ila d’Or hotel.
But at the end I don’t turn left towards the hotel. Instead I turn right, taking the path that runs behind the old stone villa with the shady garden of pine and palm trees.
Only a matter of fifteen metres and I turn left again. And no matter how many times I do this walk, (which is a lot), I always have to stop. Because here, framed by the wall to the left of me and the stone building on my right, is the best view in the world. The blue water of Pollenca Bay, stretching out in front of me like it knew I was coming and has been waiting for me.
Pine Walk. Half a mile of pathway that meanders under the ancient pine trees, along the edge of the bay, into the centre of the port of Pollenca. I walk by the edge of water so clear I can see fish darting away from my shadow. Past the graceful old villas owned by the Spanish families who can be seen sitting out on warm nights, gossiping and laughing together, their children playing by the edge of the sea.
In recent years some of the villas have been crumbling, the paintwork on the wooden shutters cracked and fading, their balconies propped up by acros. But the past couple of years have seen a transformation – those villas that have been left to decay have had a facelift. They’ve been restored to utter gorgeousness.
When the Spanish do style they really do 
style. Elegant, understated, fabulous.
As I walk I get a stiff neck craning, trying to peer in and see what new wonders have been introduced while I’ve been away. Things might be tough in mainland Spain but you’d never think it on this island.
From where I stand the horseshoe bay seems totally enclosed, more lake than sea. The water stays shallow for metres out, tempting even as unenthusiastic a swimmer as me to paddle, sand reassuringly firm under my feet, until I take a deep breath and plunge forwards. And you know what…. it’s not cold at all. Of course it isn’t. What did I tell you? It’s blissfully wonderfully warm.
I know I’m coming to the end of Pine Walk when I reach the first of the restaurants and hotels that look out across the bay. But I don’t stop. I keep going until I get to Cappucino. The bar that opened a few years ago in the old Sis Pins hotel. Cafe con leche, (or, if it’s that time of day, Gin and Tonics so big I could swim in them), chill out jazz playing softly, and a view to die for.
To quote a couple of Irish doctors who shared the walk to Base Camp with me: ‘Where would you be?”
Old Dog. New Tricks 
Gorgeous, like being there without the flight! I just can’t wait for September to do the walk. (and lovely pics too)
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Lucky lucky you, even with warm sunshine and relaxing days with the children, I cannot wait to be in Mallorca for a glimpse of the sea and a cafe con leche! Enjoy…x
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Hi Chloe, glad to hear you’re managing to relax a bit! This weather is a gift to us all, isn’t it….. xxx
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Fab, I was there again, Annie x
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Great to get your comment Annie. It’s so nice to hear when people enjoy my posts. x
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Wonderful description of my favourite walk in the world. Judging by your initial paragraphs we are neighbours
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So nice to hear from other people who love Pine Walk! We’re in Bellresguard – chosen for it’s proximity to the bar at the Ila d’Or and Pine Walk! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. Jane
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Fabulous this brought back memories. We go to Mallorca at least twice a year, and even though we have been visiting since the late 80’s the charm never dies. When I am stressed I close my eyes and visualise the bay, beautiful, blue, and relaxing, and it seems to work. We have a villa a little inland but I adore the place and you made it come alive.
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Lovely to get your comment, Sally. Even though I’m back home now and enjoying some Majorcan weather back in the UK I still can’t wait to get out there again! Jane
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Wonderful, absolutely wonderful….I was with you every step of the way, a magical walk that I have enjoyed so often. Wish I was there now!
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So great to hear from other people who love Pine Walk. Thanks so much for making the effort to comment. Very much appreciated. Jane
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Only a person that has this place etched deep in their soul as I do could have put that into words that need nothing more. It’s a spiritual thing that very few people ever get to feel about a place. I count myself as one of the lucky ones. Thanks for putting it in print.
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What an absolutely lovely thing to say,Terry…. Thank you so much for your words of appreciation. It makes me want to keep on posting about Pollenca…. Jane
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What a wonderful description of my favourite place in the world…and my favourite walk! We must have all passed each other hundreds of times 😉
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How lovely to discover that there are so many other Pine Walk fans out there. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment. All the best, Jane
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Jane,
My eyes filled up when i read your wonderful walk.We were staying there 2 weeks ago and do the walk several times a day.A friend asks me what it is that makes us keep returning.Your blog has it to a T.Loved the garden as well.
Margaret
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So glad you enjoyed my post, Margaret. All the lovely comments I’m getting are so encouraging. Thanks for making the effort. It encourages me to keep going. Jane
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Reblogged this on trufflehound and commented:
A perfect summing up of one of my favourite places….
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I hope you don’t mind,Jane,I have shared this on my FB..you have summed up perfectly how me and my family feel about ‘our’ PP..after many years of renting apartments and villas for holidays’en famille’..Bob and I are now very happy to stay at the wonderful Hotel Miramar..looking forward to our second visit there this year,at the end of September..I am sure we must have crossed paths on the Pinewalk many times over the years..thank you for your lovely words and pictures..
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Thanks for your lovely comments Anita. I’m so pleased that so many people love Pine Walk as much as I do. Jane
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Thank you ! Just returned from Puerto Pollensa a couple of weeks ago, it was nice to be back again even for just a few minutes today thanks to your blog..
Being going there since 1981, with very few years missed, even if just for a brief visit.
No other place I’d rather be.
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Thanks Graeme, it is one of those places that once you’ve been nowhere else is quite good enough. Glad you enjoyed the post! Jane
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Very nice way to brighten up a wet morning in scotland first picture gets the exitement going second lets you know your definitely back we always stay at villa singala so you’ll know what I mean 🙂
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Hi Brian, I’m there with you on the wet morning in Scotland! Just left Pitlochry on way north to Ullapool. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Much appreciated. Jane
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