Fira i Firo en Soller. Time to get your snails

Snails for Es Fira i Firo

With only 12 days to go until the main festival of the year in Soller, Es Firo, Fira i Firo, it is now time that you should have collected your snails.

The locals in Soller are opposite to snails. They do not come out in the rain. However, you may have noticed some walking around these days in the rain with buckets or of a night time with torches in certain Olivars and mountain areas.

In Es Fira i Firo it is traditional to eat snails. A lot of snails. Each family may collect between 5 and 10 kilos, fattening them up on bread and keeping them in cages in the lead up to Es Firo.

But how do you get them to stay in the bucket whilst collecting them? Here is one of my locals tips. Simply put some lemon and salt around the rim of the bucket. This deters them from escaping.

So, if you see snails as tapas in a bar, now is a great time to try them as they are not good to eat all year round, and only readily available now.

They are cooked in a stew with ham and potatoes, and served with 'Aioli', a strong garlic mayonnaise.

The Sun should return on Wednesday in The Valley of Oranges

After six days of rain and overcast, low heavy cloud clover, you will be pleased to here that the sun is due to return on Wednesday in The Valley of Oranges.

Due to it's micro climate, sometimes when the weather in Soller sets in the valley, it seems like the clouds are there for good.

Temperatures are due to rise mid week and the spring weather will return.

Hotel Rocamar Still Standing

Well as first impressions go, Hotel Rocamar certainly sets very low standards for Soller. As you leave the main road to the Port and take the back way to 'Can Repic' beach the first thing you notice is this old derelict, graffitied eyesore. Abandoned, smashed windows and old fashioned.

A friend of mine died sleeping rough in this waste plot last year. Many will remember him.

So, it has been planned for some time that the eyesore will be demolished. But guess what? It doesn't seem to matter what the tourists impressions of the area are. Louis Rullán, the president of the hotels association has stated that it is delayed due to administration complications and not wanting to affect the tourist industry. Well done, I guess the whole of winter wasn't long enough to complete the work.

The Mayor of Soller, Charles Simarro, also agreed, so I guess the tourists and locals will be delighted to see this historical structure live on for another year or two.

Es Firo, 18 days to go

If you do not know what 'Es Firo' is and will be in Soller on the 13th May you must read my page on the right.

The towns biggest party and celebration starts on the 9th May with the main event being on the 13th. The Moors will attack Soller, firstly entering the port by boat then a whole day of battles will lead them to end up in the square.

There are hundreds of guns, thousands of fireworks and bangs, and thousands of people dressed up. They will be drinking and reenacting the battle and history of the day which took place on the 11th May 1561. They will also paint anything that moves with sticky black shoe type polish, including women and children. This starts at around 3.30pm in the port.

So, do not wear your good clothes and beware if you have young children as there is no escaping this festival. It's takes over the whole town and port.

Most hotels in the port will advise that their clients stay inside this day at least until the port is cleared, but don't get me wrong it is excellent fun and something that will never be seen anywhere else.

A full timetable of 'Es Firo' will be posted shortly.

Image: Capitan Joan Angelats in Facebook by Llucia Lopez

The first forest fire of the year.

The first forest fire of the year has been controlled and extinguished by the Emergency Services, the Fire Brigade and the Civil Protection.

The fire took place in the finca 'Sa Casa Nova' which is just off 'Carretera de Deia', the main road leading from Soller to Deia.

Pine trees were burnt and conditions were made difficult to bring the blaze under control due to high winds and a difficult location. The fire burnt through the night and could still be seen smoldering in the morning. The Emergency services stayed on the scene to make sure that the fire would not be revived.

The Production company 'Palma Pictures' is filming in the Port

The Port of Soller is host to the production company 'Palma Pictures' for a few days, who are filming an advertisement for Coca-Cola.

A crew of one hundred staff and extras are working around the area of Hotel Marina. The advertisement will be broadcast over the internet in France.

The Port of Soller has been the setting for some big productions in the past. Last year filming took place for the blockbuster film 'Cloud Atlas' staring Tom Hanks and Halle Berry.

Image: Tom Hanks chair in the port by peterb6001

The nice weather has started but may only last until Friday.

These last few days have seen some lovely weather in Soller bringing sunbathers to the beaches of Can Repic in the Port and the first few brave people (mainly tourists) are trying the sea.

Temperatures have soared to 30 degrees in the middle of the day but may only last until Friday, when temperatures are predicted to drop, then with possible rain on Saturday.

So, if you are only there for a short time take advantage of the nice weather whilst you can.

Image: Child chancing the water by peterb6001