Fun in the Sun: Club del Sol, Puerto Pollensa
by Nick Smalley, Editor, CanDo Magazine
Following our enjoyable autumn visit to Palma Nova last year as part of a group of 26; we headed off to Majorca again in July, this time for a two week family holiday at Club Del Sol near Puerto Pollensa.
Just three days before our departure date, we were alarmed to watch news footage of the terrorist attack on Glasgow Airport. As well as the obvious danger the attack posed to people who were in or near the terminal when the attack took place, on a more selfish level we wondered what knock-on effect this would have on us personally.
We had booked the car into the secure airport parking at Linwood and wondered how far away from the terminal the transfer bus would drop us.
We were concerned about the problems we may encounter - with three suitcases, three holdalls and a wheelchair - if this were some distance away.
Happily, our worries were unfounded; there was a slight change to the drop off point, but nothing that caused any inconvenience. On entering the airport we noticed a huge increase in the number of police and airport staff on view, but our check in went smoothly and we departed on time and even reached Palma a few minutes ahead of schedule. Much credit is due to the staff and the police at Glasgow Airport for the calm and professional way they refused to let this situation cause any ongoing major disruption.
When we arrived at Palma, a large fleet of buses were waiting to ferry passengers to different resorts; Club del Sol was the last drop off for our coach so we had to endure a two-and-a-half hour long journey whilst passengers disembarked at various destinations. This lengthy transfer was tiring for us all.
Eventually arriving at Club del Sol - and having breathed a sigh of relief that our cases and the wheelchair were there too - we found ourselves in a pleasant air-conditioned reception area which was reached by steps or a ramp and contained a wheelchair accessible toilet. The friendly receptionist welcomed us and explained that although we’d requested a ground floor apartment, these had a big step at the front and may cause us difficulties, so they had allocated us one on the top floor as these were accessed by a lift.
We had booked a self-catering apartment but had upgraded this to include breakfast and dinner. We’d also paid extra for ‘self catering plus’ which gave inclusive drinks - plus crisps and ice creams for ‘children’ which included our 16 year old son, John. We were given wristbands - blue ones for May and myself and a yellow one for John - then a photo of May and I was taken for our pass card, which needed to be shown when one of us used the bars for anything other than water.
This proved to be something that niggled us throughout the holiday because, as you know, teenagers don’t want to be hanging round with Mum and Dad all day. We offered to pay for an additional card but it was made clear that it was ‘one card per family’ and this wasn’t open to negotiation. A similar situation existed with the keys for the door and air conditioning as both were fixed to the same keyring.
The apartment was absolutely fine. As already mentioned it was accessed by a lift and a walkway leading to the front door through which a wheelchair just fitted. It comprised of a double bedroom, living area with a kitchenette, table and chairs and two sofabeds. It had a clean, functional bathroom, although the shower over the bath would be difficult for someone with little mobility.
The balcony looked over one of the pools and the sea, offering a decent enough view (see photo on right) whilst the view from the back walkway overlooked Puerto Pollensa and the mountains... it also proved a good vantage point to watch a fireworks display held in the town the night before we left!
Club del Sol is located a 10 minute drive from Puerto Pollensa and there is nothing between the complex and the town. To be honest, the main road isn’t ideal for walking along - especially pushing a wheelchair - as there is no pavement, however, there is a bus service during the day from just outside Club del Sol which costs €1 each way or a taxi costs €6 each way.Puerto Pollensa is a busy and attractive place.
The pathways are, on the whole, flat but made up mainly of crazy paving style slabs which, whilst they are easy enough to manouvre a wheelchair along, can prove a bit of a bumpy ride for the user.
Along the promenade you will find mainly gift shops, restaurants and cafes and some of these serve meals on little stone jetties that jut out towards the sea. The port itself is full of yachts and boats and along the water’s edge the work of sand artists can be seen. Some of these sand sculptures are tremendous; when we were there we saw dragons, flowers, animals and even Disneyland castles, all of which had been created from sand.
Wednesday in Puerto Pollensa is market day. This is held in the town square from early morning until lunchtime and a huge number of stalls and vendors congregate, selling everything from local produce to souvenirs. A word of caution to anyone thinking of taking a wheelchair into the town on market day... it is extremely busy and the crowds can be quite overwhelming even to those who are on foot.
However, returning to the subject of Club del Sol; the resort is predominantly for visitors who book through First Choice Holidays and they have a large team of reps on site. Some of the reps deal with day to day matters whilst others run the entertainments and ‘Kids Club’ for younger children.
The daily entertainment schedule includes killer pool, table tennis or skittles contests in the morning and sports such as football and water polo in the afternoon. The evening entertainment begins with a ‘Mini-Disco’ for younger children; this is followed by a Champagne Quiz and a single game of Bingo (both of which our family won on one occasion). In turn these are followed by either an interactive game hosted by the reps or a ‘professional’ show.
All in all it’s good fun and the entertainment reps work hard, but don’t expect to see star acts... think along the lines of performing parrots, guitar cover versions, comedians and Robbie Williams impressionists and you won’t go far wrong!
There are four swimming pools in the complex. The main pool - which has a snack bar adjacent - is used by families and is the busiest of these.
Alongside this is a kiddies pool; whilst a short distance away are two smaller, less busy, pools.
The site supermarket offers a basic range of grocery items and inflatable toys, but it is open only for three hours in the morning and another three in the late afternoon after the siesta period.
The complex boasts two bars; the aforementioned poolside snack bar open from (10-30am - midnight) and the main bar, which doesn’t open until 5pm and closes at 12-30. There is also ‘The New Jules Bar’ , an independently run bar and restaurant a couple of minutes walk from the reception area.
We found this to be a friendly place which, as well as serving drinks and meal incorporated a pool table, large screen TV, a shop and even a kids play area.
So did we enjoy our stay at Club del Sol?
Yes, we did.
Would we go back?
Yes, if the circumstances were right... our 16 year old son thoroughly enjoyed himself but is looking to go away with his friends next time and whilst Club del Sol may appeal to some couples or singles, it is really geared towards families with smaller children.
Port Selma - Benderloch
In our autumn edition last year, we offered a prize of a holiday in a luxury, wheelchair accessible pine lodge at Port Selma in Benderloch; courtesy of the owners Jan and Willie Orr. The prize was won by Mrs Isa Cumisky who, along with her family, took her holiday in March this year. Below, Isa and her son, Bryce, give their views on winning the prize and the holiday; the reports are accompanied by some great photos taken by Bryce.
Isa says:
What a pleasant surprise! I was watching the television one night when the phone rang. It was May Smalley calling from CanDo Magazine to tell me that I had won a holiday in a lodge at at Port Selma in Benderloch near Oban.
At first I thought it was a wind up, but May assured me it was genuine. I wouldn't say that I'm lucky - the last time I won anything was at a dance in 1972; my brother-in-law and I won a set of crystal brandy glasses!
May gave me the phone number for Jan and Willie Orr, who own the lodges, and asked me to phone to arrange a suitable date, which I did, picking the last week in March.
A week before the holiday I phoned Jan to check what I would need to bring, her reply was “just yourselves”. She was so right. Everything you thought you would need was there. Having stayed in lodges before I could make comparisons and Port Selma has far superior accommodation.
We were very fortunate with a good spell of weather so were out every day exploring the beautiful countryside. So if you want to get away from it all for a while, where the local people greet you like a friend, give it a try.
Bryce says:
Not only was the lodge a lovely place to stay, with all the home comforts you could wish for, the countryside around was beautiful. We visited some places that were recommended to us. Places like the Oban Rare Breeds Centre. The first thing to say is that the Rare Breeds Centre isn’t wheelchair friendly, but if you can get around then it is definitely worth seeing.
My Nephew Adam was very interested in Ashley the peacock. “That isn’t a peacocks name” said Adam. I took his word for it. He also liked the goats, sheep and ducks. Though be aware that the Llamas are very curious.
There is a beach just past the lodge where you can sit and see some beautiful sunsets, but this part of the beach is all pebbles.
Further along the beach there is a long stretch of sand with plenty of space for Adam to play, run around and play football with his gran.
It was a lovely holiday and I could have happily stayed longer.
More about Port Selma Lodges:
The lodges are fairly secluded and look out over an idyllic landscape of mountains, trees and sheep grazing in the fields. Nearby, there’s a path leading to a shingle beach at the edge of Loch Linnhe.
Both pine lodges - which are named Iona and Mull - are thoughtfully kitted out so that they are suitable for disabled people yet they do not look clinical in any way. Being built from solid pine, the lodges have a natural roof and walls and one of the first things you notice is the lovely aroma of wood.
A gentle ramp at the entrance leads into the kitchen and living area and these are well laid out, with a fully fitted kitchen containing everything
you could wish for. For mealtimes you will find a cooker, fridge, microwave, toaster and all the equipment you will need to create culinary masterpieces...or just knock up a sandwich. The dining table easily seats four and when you’ve eaten, there’s even a dishwasher to take care of the washing up! If you need to do any laundry, there’s a washing machine and tumble drier too.
The seating area has a sofa and two comfortable chairs placed around a coffee table. For entertainment, there’s a television with DVD player or, if you prefer, there is a selection of board games in each lodge.
You may wish to spend an hour or so watching the sun go down, and a good sized verandah - with chairs and a table - provides an ideal place to do just that. On the subject of sunsets, this region boasts some of the most spectacular in Scotland!
A Crystal Clear View at Waterford
by Carolyn McIsaac
On a holiday in Southern Ireland three years ago I visited the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. I enjoy seeing real craftsmen and craftswomen at work. At Waterford you will see glass blowing, cutting, engraving and the works of the sculptors. It is a five-year apprenticeship to become a blower or engraver. After a further 5 years an engraver may earn the title Master Engraver.
The arts of glassblowing and engraving are dying out in Scotland because goods can be cheaply imported from abroad. Local to my area of Ayrshire there is still a company, which engraves crystal, but it is one of the few independent firms left. Burns Crystal is lucky to have an engraver trained in this dying art.
The highlight of my holiday was a visit to the Waterford Crystal factory, two miles from the centre of Waterford City. The Visitor Centre offer tours lasting one hour at set times during the day. Wheelchairs are available on loan and the staff are very willing to help those of us who are less mobile. Back then
I could walk short distances with a walking stick, but I knew that if I wanted to fully enjoy the experience I would need the use of a wheelchair. I was not about to miss out on such a treat just for the sake of a bit of pride!
My fifteen year-old daughter did the honours. We boarded a bus to go to
the starting point; the vehicle was fitted to take at least one wheelchair. When the tour started the guide made sure I was right at the front of the group. I didn’t miss a thing.
As we moved round from the glassblowing, cutting and engraving the tour guide kept making sure I had a good view of all the processes. I would go
so far as to say I felt singled out for special treatment. As we stood near the cutters, some stopped their work to answer questions.
At the end of the tour we were shown some of the work of the sculptors.
It was magnificent. I was relieved to be sitting down when I had a piece of crystal passed to me worth £900!
Of course, at the end of the tour you go through the gift shop. With my
poor balance the wheelchair was a blessing. I spent ages browsing and
didn’t need to look for a seat.
Naturally I couldn’t resist buying myself a small piece to remind me of
my visit. You can also send a postcard home by putting it in a
“crystal” letterbox. Finally we had a reviving coffee and cake in the restaurant before leaving... oh, I forgot to say... I did return the wheelchair!
I hope to make a return visit to Waterford soon. My view from the wheelchair was definitely the best!
