Menorca-Live.com

Menorca's Teatre Principal Hosts Madame Butterfly

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:15:32 GMT

This weekend sees the Teatre Principal in Mahón host one of the greatest operas, Giacomo Puccini’s Madame Butterfly, on Friday 24 and Sunday 26 May 2012. Organised by the Fundació Menorquina de l’Òpera, this will be the only opera performed this year in Menorca’s beautifully restored theatre right in the centre of Mahón, and promises to be a truly spectacular and memorable event.

Madam Butterfly is considered a true masterpiece in the history of opera, the emotional love duet at the end of the first act being one of the most moving. Puccini tells the tragedy of a young Japanese geisha Cio-Cio-San (meaning butterfly) who falls in love with an American naval officer, BF Pinkerton. They marry and he then returns to his country. Cio-Cio-San waits for him. Pinkerton returns to Japan some years later and learns he has a son. He visits Cio-Cio-San wanting to raise the boy with his new wife. Cio-Cio-San, realising her dream of a western life is over, commits suicide by hara-kiri.

Exclusive Tours of San Antoni Estate, Menorca

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Mon, 20 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

The popular guided tours around the iconic estate of San Antoni, known locally as ‘Golden Farm’, have started again for summer 2013, organised through the Menorca Britannia Association. Visits will run from May until late October, on Monday and Friday afternoons, at 17.00, 17.45 and 18.30 hours and will last approximately one and a half hours.

Magnificently located overlooking Mahón Harbour and the Isla del Rey, Golden Farm offers a unique opportunity to step back into history. Although the building can be traced back as far as the 12th century, its impressive Palladian style façade, added during the 18th century, makes it one of the prominent symbols of British presence on Menorca. During the tour you will learn more about the amazing events which have shaped Menorca’s chequered past as well as about the famous people who have graced its beautifully preserved rooms.

New Golf Son Parc Menorca Welcomes All

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:12:55 GMT

Menorca’s only golf course, Golf Son Parc, is now under the new management of Golf Son Saura SL since 1 February 2013, bringing with it some great new golfing packages designed to offer a more flexible and cost effective service to those who enjoy a round of golf while on holiday. But residents and regular visitors need not worry. To all intents and purposes, nothing about the facilities or atmosphere have changed. The picturesque 18 hole golf course within its beautiful pine tree setting is still the same as is most of the friendly team ready to welcome you, headed up by longstanding General Manager and Local Director, Paola Ferroni and Scottish Course Manage Gary Reid, who joined Son Parc Golf four years ago.

Yellow Catamaran Excursions To Isla Del Rey

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:18:00 GMT

The Sunday visits to see the restoration work being carried out on the 18th century British naval hospital on Isla del Rey in Mahón harbour have become so popular that, throughout the summer season, two special trips have been organised by the Friends of the Isla del Rey (Amics de l’Illa de l’Hospital) in conjunction with the Yellow Catamarans.

In addition to the little boat that leaves from Moll de Fontanilles, Es Castell every Sunday morning to take the voluntary working party and some visitors to the island, more people will now be able to wander around the old hospital and its grounds, see the painstaking renovation work being carried out and learn more about this fascinating piece of Menorcan-British history. The Yellow Catamaran will depart from Mahón harbour, near the ferry terminal, at 08.45 hours and will return at around 11.30 hours. The price for adults is €5, children free. Once on the Isla del Rey, there will be a tour of hospital building lasting about an hour and a half, followed by a traditional Menorcan breakfast and group photograph which will be posted onto the Friends of the Isla del Rey website.

British-Menorcan History Alive In Es Castell

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:14:20 GMT

If you are visiting Es Castell (formerly George Town built by the British during the reign of George III) this summer and are interested in the longstanding history shared between Menorca and the UK, don’t miss the regular ceremonial re-enactments of the handing over of Menorca by the British to the Spanish in 1802, following the Treaty of Amiens. This historic performance will take place at midday on the first Sunday of each month between now and September in the Plaça Esplandada.

Organised by Es Castell Town Hall, the Consorcio Militar (Military Museum) with participation by the Asociación Menorca Britannia, the first event on Sunday 5 May 2013 created a lot of interest and was well attended by holidaymakers and local residents who filled the square to enjoy this historic spectacle. At midday, the symbolic Spanish flag was raised, the same one as used in the 2002 commemorations which took place in Menorca to mark the bicentenary of the 1802 Treaty of Amiens. This was followed by a gun salute which resounded around the square, commanding everyone’s attention. The ceremony involved an officer on horseback, two flutists, two drummers, four flag bearers and six gunmen, all in uniform of the period. In addition, students of the Ateneo municipal school of painting decorated the old barrack buildings in the square with pictures of soldiers looking out of the windows.

Satellite Services Menorca: TV Changeover News

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Wed, 15 May 2013 17:05:09 GMT

There are now only weeks to go before everyone in Menorca who receives British TV channels via satellite will start to lose their reception. Following on from the article we ran in March (Changes to Satellite Reception in Menorca), Nigel Taylor of Satellite Services has this latest update on the situation.

The new Astra 2E satellite is being launched on 18 July 2013, which will affect all main British TV satellite channels currently received via a satellite dish in Spain, including Menorca, either with a SKY contract, free to view or Freesat. Various Freesat channels have already been lost when they moved to another new satellite, the Astra 2F, last December, such as Channel 5, some BBC1 and ITV1 regional channels and several HD channels. Click here to refer to the previous article for more information.

Special Offers At Cotton Traders In Menorca

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:38:30 GMT

After a successful European launch, Cotton Traders are pleased to announce exciting new developments online at www.cottontraders.co.uk. The leisure clothing and footwear retailer has invested in a new simplified online checkout to give customers a quick and easy shopping experience, and early indications are that customers, both in the UK and overseas, are delighted with the new improved shopping experience.

The new summer range is now available to order online, featuring lovely maxi dresses in the latest prints and men’s ultimate chinos, as well as polo shirts for everyday wear, plus a wide choice of lightweight and versatile footwear that is great for the sunny shores, and can be styled with the cool linen and seersucker fabrics in the summer collection. Perfect for Menorca’s informal environment and sometimes changeable climate.

Manic Month For Red Cross Craft Group Menorca

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Fri, 10 May 2013 13:54:46 GMT

Since the first week of April, the Red Cross Craft Group meetings have got so busy they have bordered on manic. So much work done, and so much work still to do, says Patricia Farndon in this month’s report. But they have also been weeks with new visitors, some of whom have indicated that they might come back, and new members who have continued to return, fortunately.

The first meeting of the month brought Maggie Williams back, armed with gifts of craftwork from her God-Daughter Nicola Duckworth. Nicola sent us some lovely padded wall hangers made with very pretty fabrics, including a football design for the boys. Maggie herself brought (among other things) a double size patchwork quilt to be auctioned at the now famous Spring Fair on 11 May at the AeroClub in Sant Lluís. The quilt has been worked in different shades of blue on a white background in a beautiful design. You can see a picture of the quilt and other items of work on our Craft Group Facebook page.

Fiesta Del Mar Menorca 2013

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Fri, 03 May 2013 08:29:49 GMT

Menorca in May is the place to be for lovers of watersports an outdoor pursuits. The Fiesta del Mar Menorca 2013 is now taking place at sporting venues around the island when, throughout the month, special discounted prices will be offered on water sports as well as other land based activities. A number of organised sporting events are also being held in May to coincide with this event for everyone can enjoy.

Following on from the success of last year, this second Fiesta del Mar (literally Sea Party, organised by the Estación Náutica de Menorca), is a celebration of the island’s close relationship with the sea. May in Menorca offers some of the best scenery for nautical sports fans and will see the 2013 summer season burst into life with a calendar packed full of sports, leisure and fun for all ages, preferences and levels of experience.

For those with a passion for Menorca’s crystal blue waters and spectacular coastline, there will be sailing, windsurfing, kayaking and scuba diving promotions for the move active, as well as less energetic options such as hiring a boat for the day or taking part in group excursions on board a catamaran or sail boat. For those who prefer to stay on dry land, the Fiesta del Mar also includes an interesting programme of horse riding trips, guided cycling tours and the opportunity to play a round of golf at Menorca’s only golf course, Golf Son Parc. Further options include tennis, paddle tennis or trying out one of Menorca’s fitness centres and wellness spas, again all at discounted prices.

Car Boot Sales, Menorca 2013

lesley@menorca-live.com (Lesley Hancock) — Thu, 02 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT

Spring is here and now is the perfect time to think about de-cluttering and getting ready to enjoy the summer. What better opportunity than a car boot sale…? And not just one, but two and both in aid of very good causes.

The first is on Sunday 28 April 2013 at BJs Pub in Son Parc, from 10.00 until 14.00 hours. The tables are €10 each and the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society. For more information and to reserve your place, call 682 525 821 or contact Maureen at Cool Oasis on 699 262 559 or 679 892 368.