Letter from Addaia

In Addaia it is the season for people to fetch their boats out of the water and move them into winter storage, itself quite an industry on this island. For those who prefer to leave their craft in the sea and who use them when the opportunity arises in winter, there is the need to check and replace mooring ropes and chains before the onset of the Tramontanas. This year has been particularly notable for the number of days of Tramontana winds that we have had through the summer months.

Whatever the weather brings us "la crisis" continues to have as much, or more, effect upon us. Even to the extent of ousting the weather from its usual prominent place in conversations. Building projects stand unfinished, with cranes hovering idle, broken windows adding to the melancholy appearance. Restaurants and bars that once throbbed with life in October are now closed; victims of the epidemic of all inclusive holidays.

Properties stand forlorn behind "se vende" signs - many of them carrying price tags that were set long before the apparent 30% drop in their values. The estate agents continue to assure us from their advertising hoardings that property has always been the best investment and will continue to be so. They also continue to charge 4 and 5% commission at a time when perhaps some leaning towards the more competitive instincts, exhibited in the UK, might be considered a good idea and could encourage vendors to price their houses more realistically.

With unemployment running high and mortgages extremely difficult to come by it would be easy to soak up the doom and gloom and become thoroughly depressed. However as a friend says each morning upon looking at a clear blue sky: "another beautiful day on Paradise Island". Better to be living through a crisis in our environment than in many others that readily come to mind.

It is not just the natural environment with its beautiful scenery, but also the human interaction with such friendly local people that helps to cheer one up. My wife and I love Mercadal and its inhabitants; it is such a friendly place. Even our bank manager is always light-hearted and cheerful. We love the way people are always so willing to say hello and pass the time of day. This aspect of Menorca, in which people have time to spend talking and generally reflecting, is one that should never be underestimated. It is easy to take the tranquility that is so much a part of island life for granted. Not only are the people charming but so is the town, a place that is just passed by many visitors, and indeed residents, travelling along the Me-1.

The pedestrianisation of the central area of Mercadal, which has started in the last few weeks, will be a great opportunity to enjoy the architecture and ambience of the town centre. It will enable the bars and restaurants to extend their outside areas and of course will banish the noise and accompanying pollution of motor transport. I find the sound of the motor cycles, so loved by the island's youths, a real intrusion. I cannot understand how they get away with their modifications to the bikes' silencers. They really spoil the atmosphere in the island's streets.

Many of the buildings in the centre of Mercadal can still be seen to have the old metal rings attached to their walls - rings that were used for hitching the horses and mules onto, whilst traders were doing business. In springtime the characteristic overhanging stone eaves provide shelter to a multitude of house martins, whose shrill cries resound around the narrow streets.

In the centre of town is the primary school. A major feature of which is the loud music that accompanies breaktime. "Trains" of nursery-aged children can often be seen walking around town clinging onto a rope as they progress from a greeting from one grandparent to another.

The town is dominated by Monte Toro and from most streets there is at least a glimpse of the island's highest point. With its central position it is not surprising that the town became a market centre - a function from which its name is derived.

Despite the poor economic situation in Menorca there are major building works ongoing to improve the island's infrastructure: the Ferreries by-pass; the desalination plant; the outer harbour at Ciutadella; road improvement schemes in the centres of Maó and Es Mercadal, both of which will benefit pedestrians.

One hopes that the island's politicians can keep prompting our political representatives in higher parliaments to note that Menorca does exist and with unemployment rates reaching 6% it needs more help than ever.