Doonie's Farm & Coastal Trail

After our trip to Mallorca, we needed a quick wind down and lazy day, so we took Stella to a small farm in Aberdeen along the coastline.  Doonie's Farm has "rare breeds" but since I can't tell you what they are we'll just call them, horses, chickens, pigs, sheep, and cows. The highlight, of course, is always the sheep (they remind me of Clyde).  However, I've got to say that this is by far the farm with the best views I've ever visited. (Haven't really visited many farms though to begin with.) Afterwards we crossed the road and the railway to the coastal trail and walked along some farmland (you can do that here without getting shot.) that curved around to the sea edge along some awesome vistas.

Some Clydesdales along the coastal path

For some reason this horsey saw me and made his way straight to me.

Big Fella

"Darn! No food. Laters."

Nice little cove along the path

Found us a new lovely picnic spot

Mallorca!

We finally took our first family vacation (as in just to relax only) or so we thought, to Alcudia in Mallorca.  The whole thing was booked through a travel agency which we have NEVER used.  The resort was hugely linked to the agency and even the plane was run by the agency!!  It was our first all-inclusive, which had its own pros and cons, mainly lots of food aimed at kids and families, which on the whole is not the healthiest (or freshest).  So we learn for the next time.  We learned quite a bit of other things.  Mainly, stella hates sand and water, and Nordics/Scandinavians/yes, I'm lumping everyone in here, allow their kids to let EVERYTHING hang out until about age 10.  Not really what I want to see poolside. NEKED kids everywhere!!  But the biggest lesson learned: that no matter how good your child, how well behaved, how low maintenance-family vacations are HARD work and no "vacation" really for mom and dad.

Eating some last minute grapes before our flight.

No idea how much of a daddy's girl she is!

Still not excited about swimming.

Getting a little pumped up about her Baby [Ray]Bans though.

Needing lots of coaxing.

Still hating it!

Finally dry land!

Hating the sand!

"Changed my mind. Love the sand!"

Slightly more comfortable after her obligatory 10  minutes of crying upon entering the pool.

Didn't help that the pool water was colder than the sea!

"helping" fix Da's sand castle.

"If I just don't move then the sand's not so bad."

In old town having some biscotti.

Old town

She's got a handle on the sand now.

Flying home.  Apparently vacation is hard work for Stella too.