The late April car run looked to be in jeopardy until Gaston Westphal once again kindly stepped in to save the day by organising a beautiful route followed as always with a delicious rustic meal.

 

Sunday’s Lighthouse Drive had that easy, unhurried feel from the very beginning — the kind of morning that reminds you why these club runs work so well. The weather played along nicely, bright but not too hot, with a gentle breeze coming off the bay at our start point, the Museu Històric Militar de Sant Carles, a perfect back drop to showcase our cars amongst the modern art installations and historic items in the grounds. Special thanks going to the management of Castillo Museo San Carlos allocating us private parking at the beginning of the day for some beautiful photographs!

 

We had a strong turnout of around 20 cars, including prospective new members Leo and Marian Notz, who certainly made an entrance in a vintage VW flatbed truck — a proper talking point before we’d even set off. It’s always good to see new faces (and interesting machinery), and they fitted right in.

 

We arrived early enough to enjoy a quiet coffee at the Museum’s beautiful coffee shop overlooking the bay of Palma and catch up with our fellow members and there was also a birthday to celebrate — Bernd Heyer’s — and in true club spirit, he and his wife Sonja came prepared, bringing along cakes and drinks to share. It added a lovely, informal touch to the morning, with people chatting, catching up, and generally easing into the day before the briefing.

 

Gaston kept things simple and relaxed. Instructions were clear, no overcomplication and notably, Gaston chose to skip the usual quizzes or clues this time (prompting some members to jokingly comment that it would save the day from potential arguments and divorces!) but encouraging everyone to just enjoy the drive. Sometimes less really is more!

 

By around 11:30 we were heading off in small groups of six. The staggered start worked well, keeping things flowing without any sense of rush or convoy pressure.

 

The first leg took us along the newly completed Paseo Marítimo — always interesting to see how it’s evolving — before we pushed out towards Sa Aranjassa and Llucmajor, along one of the longest straightest section of road possibly on the island, giving everyone a chance to settle into their cars and enjoy the rhythm of the drive.

 

Our coffee stop at Zoetry Resort was a highlight in its own right. The pool bar setting was as polished as you’d expect, and the complimentary drinks courtesy of the club were very well received. It’s these little touches that elevate a drive from good to memorable — a chance to pause, chat, and take in the surroundings before heading on.

 

The second stage is really what this drive was all about. As we picked up the coastal road towards Cap Blanc, the scenery opened up beautifully — rugged coastline, open views, and beautiful warm blue skies. The Cabo Blanco Lighthouse itself didn’t disappoint. It’s a striking spot, and a natural gathering point to stretch legs, take a few photos, and just enjoy the moment.

From there, the route wound on through the charming fishing villages of s’ Estanyol and Sa Ràpita, maintaining that relaxed, scenic feel.

 

We finished at the charming Restaurant Can Senae, which felt like exactly the right kind of place to end the day. Lunch started generously with bread, olives and alioli, followed by excellent sharing plates — crispy whitebait, chistorra sauages, and a good selection of croquetas. The mains offered plenty of choice from the grill, from chicken and lamb to suckling pig chops, entrecôte, and grilled squid — something for everyone, all done well. With wine and water flowing, the atmosphere stayed lively but relaxed.

Dessert — cheesecake or ice cream — rounded things off nicely, and by that point most of us were happily settled into long conversations, reliving parts of the drive and making plans for the next one.

 

All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable day. Well organised, beautifully paced, and with just the right balance of driving, scenery and social time.

 

Club treasurer Andy Sutherland and his wife Sadie Sutherland, the events manager, rounded off the afternoon by thanking Gaston & the restaurant staff for organising another superb day and updating the members on the next upcoming event at the end of May and the proposed mainland tour to Andalusia at the end of September. Both of the events will be published on the Club website shortly and invitations to register sent out via email.