The delights of Deia in October: time for a visit?October 17, 2017

As I was drifting through Deia recently it occurred to me that there’s nothing better than being in the village on a fine October day.

Breakfast at S’hortet

I began with a stroll down the Clot to S’hortet, the open, airy café that’s a firm favourite with many a villager. Perhaps it’s the generous, artfully presented, vegetarian breakfasts, smoothies and juices. I had a concoction made from ginger, lemon, pomegranates from the S’hortet garden and, I think, turmeric that woke me up right away.

I’d arranged to meet my friends Robin Johnson and Monika Evans at S’Hortet. Robin was spending the week offering massages to people taking part in Danish therapist and mindfulness coach Pernille Elvirose’s Art of Living Retreat. Monika, who also organises retreats and dream circles among other things, had just given a tarot reading.

While we were catching up on each other’s news and contentedly munching our way through breakfast, Pernille walked past. She’d just come from leading a hike down to the beach and was glowing with health and vitality. Sadly, she didn’t have time to stay and chat.

All too soon it was time for Robin and Monika to head off. Just as they were about to leave, Jane Winterbottom, founder of the Deia Centre Holistic wandered in. Jane is in the process of creating a new centre in a restored ruin in the Clot that was once a bakery. Like many of us, Jane is constantly exploring the connection between health, consciousness and spirituality. She told me that, in a week or so’s time, she was off to Brazil to visit the psychic surgeon John of God.

I’ve been to see John of God a couple of times and was happy to share my extraordinary experiences with Jane. We pondered the question of whether it’s possible for the consciousness to heal the body until I realised that, if I didn’t hurry, I was going to be late for my next appointment.

Hurrying up the Clot, sticking to the shade and admiring the abundant bougainvillea dripping over walls and wooden fences, I offered up my gratitude to S’hortet. There must have been a mystery ingredient in the juice I’d drunk that was giving me the energy to make it back up the hill at a reasonable pace.

Lunch at Belmond La Residencia

I’d been invited to lunch at Belmond La Residencia by Louise Davis, PR Manager for the hotel. Louise is retiring at the end of October. Over a delicious lunch of turbot and grilled vegetables followed by wonderful sorbet, in the shade beside the Residencia pool, we talked about Deia, its history and the fascinating characters that continue to liven up its social and cultural life.

Before she heads off on her adventures, Louise will be enjoying Allegra Huston’s Memoir Writing Workshop, happening at Belmond La Residencia between 22 and 27 October. All places for the workshop have been taken, which is fantastic, and it looks highly likely that Allegra will be back next year. I hope so.

Putting the world to rights at Sa Fonda

After I’d thanked Louise for lunch, wished her luck and said goodbye, I headed down to Sa Fonda to meet a couple of friends of mine who’ve lived in Deia on and off for years. One of my friends has been coming to the village since the late 1960s and the other since the early 1980s. As you can imagine, they know Deia intimately.

We sat in the shade outside the bar sipping delicious Pep Limon, made in Mallorca, and I listened to my friends tell stories from their lives in the worlds of rock and roll and publishing. I’m always slightly in awe of the fact that my heroes were their friends.

When the heat began to go out of the sun, I set off for my last appointment of the day – the opportunity to discuss an exciting new writing project. As I’ve done so many times, I marvelled at my good fortune in being able to spend time in Deia. I can’t think of anywhere else that offers such a perfectly harmonious blend of outstanding beauty, rich cultural history and a community of welcoming, remarkable people.

Can you?

Experience the magic of Deia in October for yourself

It’s no wonder aficionados of Deia and the West Coast of Mallorca choose to spend time on the island in October. It’s warm and sunny enough to sunbathe, swim and take al fresco meals but sufficiently cool for hiking and cycling. And, of course, there are far fewer tourists.

From comfortable apartments in the village to cosy casitas and spacious family villas, Charles Marlow is delighted to offer October and winter getaway rentals to suit all needs and tastes.

Think about it, you could leave chilly northern Europe and be in the sunny Mediterranean in a just a few hours.

Email us now at rentals@charlesmarlow.com or call the team right away on +34 971 636 427 / +44 203 608 6965 and secure your perfect October rental.