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We chose to live in a Majorcan village house when we relocated here from North London. A house that is at least one hundred years old and whose walls could tell some stories. A house which, when surveyed by a local architect prior to our purchase was defined as a typical large village property which will leak in certain conditions. This news did not please us at all, how can we fix it? We are not completing the purchase till all leaks are fixed - that’s what we said. The local architect gave us a contemptuous look. He said that we would have to wait along time because the leaks can only be identified when they happen. We live in a bowl shaped valley surrounded by beautiful mountains and when it rains it’s not like London, the wind whips the rain and it seems to come at you from all angles and is a phenomena of mountain living. We had to make a decision live with the leaks like our neighbours or look for something newer. Our holiday apartment on the beach in the Port of Soller had never sprung any leaks and the rain seemed to fall neatly on the sea. Buy the house, live dangerously; what’s the problem with the occasional leak was our ‘informed’ decision.

The school holidays linger on and Kate and Emma needed a change from the beach so Lucy took them to the local playground in the Port. The football pitch has a running track alongside it and is a favourite place for young cyclists. Kate (age 6) loves her two wheeler bike, it was a hard won skill to ride it without stabilisers and she has grown in confidence and often rides alongside Mum and Dad with Emma on the baby seat behind. This particular afternoon she fell off at an awkward angle with the bike on her leg and yelled. She was in a lot of pain and ended up at the local emergency clinic. She was seen very quickly but because they have no x-ray facilities was told to go Son Llatzer hospital. Lucy and Kate drove off to take their turn in the A & E not having any idea what they would come back to.

We had only been living here a matter of weeks when Trev’s heart took him to Son Llatzer. This was an excellent experience and he was very well looked after. Lucy’s experience was similar. Accident and Emergency departments require patience and in Kate’s case she needed to see the Doctor have an x-ray and then see the Doctor again and all this takes time. A broken leg was the conclusion and a plaster cast up to her knee was her take home present. It was ten thirty and dark as Lucy began the journey home and the storm clouds were gathering.

The rain started, the wind howled and blew the garden furniture all over the place. The umbrellas used earlier in the day to keep the sun away now took a life of their own and first flew up into the air before landing in the pool. Thunder got louder and louder and crashed overhead and the lightening illuminated the mountains. The rain was torrential and rivers of water ran down the street outside. Cars stopped as water rushed past at door level. Then our Village house started leaking. The rain poured in under the door of our Entrada and through the window and that was just the ground floor. The shutters and windows tightly closed were no match for this rain that came under the tiles and through the roof on the top floor. A stream formed over the rugs in the sitting room. (Maybe the English desire for rugs and carpets is misplaced) Every towel was used to mop up but in the end we stood on the terrace watching nature and its terrifying force and worried about Lucy and broken legged Kate driving home in this terrible storm.

Lucy was very anxious to get home and was the other side of the mountain when our storm started. The violent weather moved over the mountain and the light show happened there as well. The rain was like having huge buckets of water thrown at the car from all angles and she was terrified. Kate exhausted by the whole broken leg experience had promptly fallen asleep in the back of the car so Lucy was being brave for herself and her sleeping little one. The car was driven very slowly to the tunnel where one of the attendants got out of his booth to make sure she was alright. Once through the mountain tunnel and on the Soller side the rain did a final dance and the car earned its reason for existence as a four wheeled drive vehicle.

At home in the apartment on the beach Robert was waiting to wrap the sleeping Kate in waterproof covers and carry her and her plaster cast (which must not get wet) up the one hundred and twenty steps to their door. The whole family could not have been wetter but were so so glad to be back safely. This mountain rain had taken on a life force of its own and North London seemed a long way away.

Kate is not allowed to put weight on her foot for two weeks before the leg is x-rayed again. A kind friend lent them a three wheeled buggy to push her around in until then. Within twenty-four hours the smart pushchair was stolen from the shared entrance to their apartment. Broken leg, violent storms, leaking house and theft means that life in paradise is somewhat jaded today.

Next week: The cost of living debate...

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