Action, attraction and adversity!

Since the water maintenance day, running against the clock, we have had action packed days and nights!

Thursday saw the start of the Paola(fiesta) activities….church bells ringing from daylight well into the night accompanied by the loud thunder of fireworks, randomly any time of the day – 8am and 11pm! (And more)

As they say if you can’t beat them, join them! So we did 9pm Thursday night we ventured out into the streets of action….

The roads all closed and tables, people, music, lights and bunting everywhere!

The church decorated with Christmas lights and colour

Bands marching up the street – blasting out music!

And George marching with them – actually by this stage we were just walking home to be serenaded to sleep with the next hour or two of fireworks!

Friday morning, I was working and George had one more mission to the roof (to CRC the water pump motor) we are not talking about water at this stage as the problem is currently averted and we don’t want to jinx it! My appointment to collect my Maltese passport passed without any major event, George finalised some more travel bookings for his next two months and in the (hot) afternoon we went to the beach for some rock swimming (George) and floating (Sue).

Georges last night here in Malta was celebrated in Valletta with his chauffeur and travel guide (Rebecca)

and his Maltese Mama (Anna) at a nice restaurant for dinner and drinks!

And of course his own Mama! The Taproom – still the best mussels in Malta – we dined here three years ago on our last visit and it’s still just as good!

Valletta was buzzing and after dinner we had drinks at a nearby bar, very friendly characters and unusual dress sense – the tall boy in a flowing dress took rather a shine to George!! Who was well protected by his family of course!

Midnight looming – and as George and I had bussed in, Rebecca very kindly dropped us home. Great sleep had by all after lots of laughs and good food!

This morning rose with the pink heat haze promising to be another very warm day! Packing for George and sheet washing for me! Then off to Marsacala for a big English breakfast/lunch! Only to find that town also has a weekend fiesta and all streets near the waterfront closed for parking…was a bit of a challenge and walk (in the heat) to our favourite spot! Coffee and breakfast for lunch was just what we needed – the sweat running into our eyes and soaking our shirts! By the time I parked at the airport it was very warm, went in to farewell (5 minutes) and returned to a car that decided not to start! Alone! In the heat – panic call to Roland who gave me his roadside assistance contact details! They will be sorry that they accommodated their annoying sister in law!

The key was just clicking but car not firing – at first I thought flat battery but the dash lights came on – so key in – key out – rest – hold my mouth in a different way – for half an hour (ok by now I was as wet as if I had just got out of the sea) and just when Vivienne (the car) thought she had won the battle I got a fire up! Foot down rev up, out of the car park and strait home to her garage! One little wrong turn but circled a roundabout and back en route!

So here I am in the air conditioned cool of the apartment – no TV coz the cable box also decided to turn its toes up (this one will be sorted when Rols returns next week) Iced lemonade devoured and washing dry! There are beds to make and books to read – but right now it’s feet up and not touching anything I can break! While George will be just landing in Sicily on the start of his month long adventure in the Balkins!