Great fun but no fair on my legs!

Three fairs in one morning in Palma? Could it be done? It's a busy time of year in the run–up to Christmas and here at The Daily Bulletin, we like to keep abreast of everything happening in the community. So, one reporter, one camera and the challenge was on. The task was to cover the Anglican Church Fair at Nunez de Balboa, the Swedish Church Christmas Market on Joan Miro and the Nuevo Futuro Charity Bazaar at Pueblo Espanol. All in one morning... and not be bankrupt by midday. Up early, the sun and I struggled to wake. Should I drive into Palma or use public transport? It can be a nightmare to find parking on busy days so I opted for the easy way out – the bus. A quick drive to Illetas (you rarely have to wait for more than 12 minutes for a bus to Palma here) and on to the no. 3. All three fairs were quite near to each other, but the timings were a bit different. One started at 10am another at 11am and one at noon. Ok, the intention to cover all in a MORNING was a bit of a cheat. Being the earliest start, I chose the Anglican Christmas Church Fair in Son Armadans as the first stop. As I walked down Nunez Balboa all was quiet but as I got closer the buzz was evident. I saw the chaplain Robert Ellis and a parishioner fiddling with a digital camera out in the street obviously eager to record the event for posterity. They looked very serious. The courtyard just outside the church was festively decorated with red and green balloons, crepe paper chains and tinsel. It was already heaving with people just 45 minutes after the start. The smell of mulled wine was pungent in the air mixed with the odour of hot dogs and fried onions. The ladies in short red skirts offering gentlemen one of their delicious hotdogs was a saucy touch. Giving over my 100 ptas entrance fee, I saw the courtyard filled with various activities – face painting for the kids, a plant stall, various competitions, a bottle tombola and a stall selling knick-knacks. It was small and compact and I thought rather sweet, but it would take me two minutes to get round. It was not until I immersed myself in the mini–throng that I noticed there were also activities upstairs and downstairs and not just in the courtyard. Down the stairs the hall was decorated with snowmen and flakes, all the stall holders were dressed up from full outfits to touches of tinsel and glitter and it felt very festive. I adore village fairs and fetes. It's a matter of taste of course, but I really enjoyed this one.