Fornells holiday apartment: FORNELLS

LOCAL FACILITIES

The small Spar shop next to the café/bar in Tramontana I (across the road and up the hill), has been converted into a children’s play area for 2008. The owner is now operating the next door café/bar which opens for breakfast at 9am. He is also stocking a very limited range of “essentials” such as freshly baked bread, milk, water, washing-up liquid, etc. Bulk shopping can be done in the larger supermarkets either by the Country Club or along the road from the top of the hill at the back of Tramontana I at the T-junction – close to “Es Cactus” restaurant. For more exotic items, the Spar supermarket on the Es Mercadel ring-road is worth a visit despite its apparent lack of size! The nearest cash machines to the apartment are in Es Mercadel or Fornells and dispense 20 and 50 euro notes. There are several bars and restaurants nearby and we warn you off none! The quality and choice at “Es Cactus” was higher than most while remaining good value – worth a try!

EATING OUT

If one is not available in the apartment, a good buy is the monthly “Roqueta” magazine (for the English in Menorca), which has trustworthy reviews of restaurants across the island. It’s well worth reading the centre spread for up-to-date “Island Information” which includes things you may not know about driving in Spain but really ought to!! A copy of “Restaurants off the Beaten Track” may be found in the apartment. None of our choices from it have disappointed us, though some are more expensive than others!! Fornells town is famous for its fish restaurants, one of which (Es Pla) is a favourite of the Spanish king, yet good value. There is an infrequent bus service from Fornells to Mao, which serves the estate. The timetable and pickup points are on the road outside the Country Club or at the top of the hill at the back of Tramontana I at the T-junction.

BEACH AND BUSES

Access to the large beach is via the path by the side of the Country Club, and during the height of the season surfboards, small dinghies, sailboards and pedllows can be hired. The beach immediately below the apartment is wonderful for snorkelling and spotting fish but tends to have weed washed up by storms. Pool facilities are available at two nearby locations to the apartment within two or three minutes walk - see details in the information folder in the apartment, which also contains brochures on other things you may like to do while in Menorca. There are miles of stunning coast to explore if you have a car or are willing to walk or cycle - again see folder. Beaches belong to the people in Spain but some are tricky to get to unless by car. Menorca has more stunning beaches than Majorca and Ibiza put together. Fornells provides sailing and surf-boarding facilities and diving and boat hire. Plenty of other activities on offer on the island are outlined in the brochures.

NIGHT LIFE AND ISLAND INFORMATION

The Spanish have adapted to their hot summers by having a siesta in the 1 - 3 pm part of the day and then go out late to eat and party. With children this can provide the family with great opportunity to enjoy Spanish life. Children are welcome everywhere. There are shows just over the hill in the village or further afield in Calla Galdana and in Mahon. Again the brochures in the apartment will fill you in. On the whole this is a family oriented holiday island and although our teenagers have found plenty to do it is not Ibiza and the locals do not like under dressing in the towns! Shirts and tops on! However they have no problem with nudity on the beach! There are many places to buy the local speciality (apart from fish and gin) leather goods! These are extremely well made and fashionable but in cash strapped times look out for sale signs. At the end of your stay please bring in the cushions and loungers and close all the shutters and windows to secure the apartment.

APARTMENT INFORMATION

The washing machine and tumble drier are in the larger of the two bathrooms. The drier is only takes a small load so divide a full washing machine into two loads (only for use when not blistfully hot and sunny)! Please do not dry washing on the balcony because it may blow away and it’s against local covenants on the use of the buildings. Drying should be hung out on the “clothes horse” at the front of the apartment. The “horse” should be found behind the front door and the pegs are under the kitchen sink. An ironing board and iron should be with the brooms etc in the middle-sized bedroom. If you have any trouble with the machines or water heater in the bathroom, turn off the electricity at the mains and the water tap(s) behind them before investigating. You should not use the two-pin plugs when you’re wet. The circuits other than for large appliances (eg cooker, washing machine) have a 2Kw limit, so do not have too many things on at once or you’ll trip the relevant switch.

FURTHER PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Please do not stand on the beds for any reason – the wooden slats used to support the mattress are not as resilient as good old English bedsprings. Being next to the sea anything metal is impractical. Please place towels over sun loungers and upholstered chairs to save them from suntan grease and thus help to keep them fresh. Rubbish should be taken out as late at night as possible to prevent it from attracting flies in the heat of the day. Large communal bins are in the car park area diagonally across from the apartment and are emptied nightly around 11.15pm. Also, ensure the large stones provided by each door are used to prop them open – the wind can pick up very quickly in Menorca and this prevents unnecessary banging, and potential damage. However, please move these stones quietly if you need to as otherwise they cause a loud noise in the apartment below. Shutters should always be secured either open when in or closed when out to prevent damage and noise.