In his letters, written from Mallorca, Charles William Wood describes in detail a storm of the North Coast.
We lay there bathed in sunshine, inhaling the soft sea breezes, revelling in the intense blue of the sky. It was the luxury of a refined existence. Our very solitude added a thousandfold to the charms of this wide and high expanse. On either side, the cliffs were grand and wild, the coast was broken and uneven. Tongues of land stretched point beyond point. Down a great height of perpendicular cliff tumbled and tossed the loveliest of waterfalls, all spray and foam and fantastic grace. If anything in these southern climes could remind one of Norway, it was this. In those northern latitudes I had seen hundreds of falls of which this might be an exact counterpart. The great storm of Saturday had no doubt swelled the torrent, and for the moment the body of water was formidable.
Letters from Mallorca, 1888
Performed by Elisabeth Sahtouris.
Charles William Wood, a member of London’s Royal Geographical Society, was one of the many foreigners who visited Mallorca in the late 19th century. He came twice: once in 1886, accompanied by a friend who was an excellent draughtsman, and the following year on his own. He wrote to his sister, recounting his impressions of the island, and these were published in a book entitled Letters from Majorca with the illustrations made by his friend, identified by the initials H.C.
The book offers a magnificent, subjective description of the Mallorcan landscape, which exerted a great fascination on him, together with the people who guided him on each of his trips and the anecdotes that surprised this European during his stay on the island.
The Tramuntana mountains are an island within an island, with incredible landscapes, welcoming corners, rural and historic buildings and a highly interesting biological diversity. It is the spine that holds up Majorca, and protects it from cold north winds. Despite its imposing aspect, it is easy to travel its length from Andratx to Pollença if you want to, thanks to the paths and itineraries walked by humankind throughout history. Good examples are the 'Ruta de pedra en sec' (Dry-stone path) and the large number of mountain refuges and rural hotels welcoming visitors and offering traditional Majorcan food. There is a whole range of services to help you to make your way across the mountains, discover new places and beautiful landscapes, at sea level or 3.000 feet up. A landscape that leaves nobody indifferent.
On the 'camí de l'Arxiduc' (the Archduke's path), from Valldemossa to Deià, sa Foradada is present the whole of the way. The huge arch in this piece of the mountains jutting out into the sea forms part of the Archduke's legacy. There is an anecdote where the Archduke said that with all the money he paid for the property, he didn't have enough to pay for the hole. All of those who at one time or another came to the Archduke's estate would take away and treasure the memory of that beautiful landscape.
