Soller village gets ready for the Orange fair

Soller village gets ready for the Orange fair. | A.B.

Shirley RobertsSoller05/04/2024 15:49
TW
0

As you read this, the first glimpse of our summer lives will be over. A two-week holiday for many, over the ‘early’ Easter, has come to an end and they return to school and work. Their departure leaves Soller in introspective mood. The hotel occupancy predicted did not live up to expectations, but the day trippers made up for the numbers. The implications of this are still being talked of, as they bring very different considerations to the fore. Those that stay in hotels or rental accommodation in the Soller Valley are more likely to be the ones who have dinner in the evening, in local restaurants. Those who arrive for a day trip are more likely to eat at lunch time and return from whence they came for dinner. The bistro concept of all day dining and the possibility of an early dinner is a decision for some. Commercial decisions have to react to reality, and are constantly changing.

The day trippers arriving by car fight for spaces, and some have been known to give up altogether and head back out through the tunnel. The winners are those who arrive by bus and train and continue their journey to the Port by tram. The car parking debates will not go away and are nowhere near solved. This subject is on the top of the list for resolutions this week. We have a few weeks before full season clicks in from May to October to make a few decisions on the short-term answer. Every suggestion possible has been suggested but so far, there is always a reason why the ideas can’t become reality.

The Soller Valley is famous for its oranges and citrus fruits. The fields are full of oranges and are part of the fabric of our lives. The sale of Soller oranges to France was part of the wealth making enterprises of days gone by. To celebrate our affinity with the orange a festival is held every year. This consists of a weekend of celebrations, tastings, music and fun together with special orange menus at participating restaurants. The Orange Fira takes place on April 13th & 14th 2024. The list of participating restaurants is available now. Soller and Fornalutx are at the heart of the celebrations and awards are given in Fornalutx for the Citrus Farmer of the Year. This is a very happy time of year, and oranges usually adorn the central fountain in Soller Placa in artistic displays.

The lighter spring evenings change the habits of Sollerics. There is more inclination towards those walks by the sea and lingering to watch the sunset. The Northwest of Mallorca is a brilliant sunset hotspot, and many of us love nature’s light show when the cloud doesn’t interfere. This often combines a glass of wine and a chat with whichever friends are about. Altogether more hospitable than the evenings in with the TV when it is chilly and dark. Some locations become party central for sunset cocktails especially around the weekends.

The others who love the lighter evening are the runners and walkers of our town. Early mornings and evenings see them out pounding their steps and seeking the fitness for the next competition. Then there are those who just want to walk and enjoy the evening. Dogs get longer walks at this time of year and chatter develops. The young children of Soller have few places to play, but in the lighter months the schools open their ‘patios’ on a rota basis. This allows impromptu football and cycling around in safety. This has proved a very popular decision for children and their carers. The newly refurbished playgrounds will also be a popular this year. The children have waited a very long time for these.

There is nothing like forming opinions on what you actually see. Walking from town to port is a common walk. Most come back with an opinion on the cycle lanes, street lighting and the parking problem. The words of politicians are also a talking point when you walk past an unfulfilled promise or a pothole ready to do yet more damage to tyres. Out of sight can be out of mind but not so on the early evening walks of the Spring.