Football in Fumel

As the FIFA women’s World Cup draws to its conclusion, I have the cable channels on the other side of the world locked in – just seems to be a different one for each game. The times are ver convenient, as I have them playing in the mornings while I am working. The English commentators are amusing, and always seem to pick the losing team, except when England are playing (so far!)

Friday afternoon found me again at the Sandy beach of Birzebuggia, in the south, cooling off and relaxing after my working week.

Saturday morning I was locked into the French vs Australia football quarter final, which ended up taking much more of my day than anticipated….culminating in Australian victory after a long penalty shootout. Not having eaten, I was dreaming of a big English breakfast at senglea, However, by the time it finished and I unfurled Vivienne from her garage and then found a park about a kilometre from my destination, breakfast was well and truly over. I settled for a cheeseburger and chips and a cappuccino by the seafront!

Drinking in the boat activity while the locals headed out to sea for the weekend! The luzzu (dinghy’s) in the forefront and a rather immodest grey monster cruising out, aptly named “Naughty by Nature”

As the. Kiosks on the waterfront don’t sport their own restrooms, a visit to the public loo across the road was in order before I went to find a swimming spot for the afternoon.

The terrace has been tidied up with some planter boxes, seeming not to have suffered the heatwave as have the ones on my deck!

Taking advantage of the shade, I retrieved the (hot) car and headed south (again) planning a visit to Marsaxlokk (the fishing village that always had a great market of local produce and souvenirs…especially when a cruise ship is in port (which happened to be the case on Saturday) a slight disappointment, only about four stands, which sold, 1. Cakes, 2. Lace tablecloths, 3. Tacky imported souvenirs and 4. Lemoncello (from Italy?)

The waterfront apartments (freshly painted) were a pleasant distraction….not near a swimming hole and too late in the afternoon to get near Peter’s pool (with all the teenagers and 20 somethings…) I headed for familiar territory – the sandy beach in the south!

Underestimating the Saturday afternoon beach activity I drove around for about half an hour not finding a park, and was just about to head back to the apartment and have deck hose off. When, as luck would have it, someone left at the far end of the beach and I squeezed Vivienne(car) in for a rest, and pick my way through the masses of umbrellas and deck chairs…

For a dip off the concrete wall! Which, by this time, was heaven! And my view (as I dried a little before heading home) was….

The container wharf! And being close to the airport , the chatter was interspersed with low flying jet planes coming in to land! Yes, the flight path for the day. Note to self, if planning outings on a Saturday, take the bus, being a 60+ Maltese citizen these are free(and air conditioned!)

Today Sunday, was a family day with my cousins, my turn to cook…and while the Kiwi curry was simmering away in the crockpot (for dinner) I made banana fritters for lunch!

Complete with lemon and sugar!!! Anna(my cousin) and I enjoyed a fabulous movie. Before we had an early dinner, the curry getting the seal of approval (from a very accomplished cook!)

Now another week begins (my time here is flying by) , a big public holiday on Tuesday (not for me, I’m on kiwi time), so steeling myself for the 24 hour war zone like fireworks that will undoubtedly accompany the feast celebrations. I love this Island!