Weekdays mean morning work, and afternoon wanderings. Being a 60+ Maltese citizen, this means I can jump on a bus (for free) or a ferry for less than €1 and explore the island! Unlike New Zealand (my other home) the public transport here is fantastic – a long wait is 10 minutes!
Tuesday was a public holiday and my local, usually bustling town was like a ghost town, not a Cappucino to be had, so I leapt on a bus to Valletta (the capital city) knowing at least cafes would be open! Upon arriving the city was full of boat people (off the cruise ships) so I decided to walk down the north side and catch the ferry to Sliema(the tourist town for young people) This is a trip I have never taken so a new adventure!
The ferry ride was very pleasant with a sea breeze making it not so hot – however landing was a different story – the afternoon sun was streaming in all the waterfront cafes, I needed a bathroom and a beer, spied a shaded pub up a side street and settled in for an hour – the beer was huge! And the outdoor furniture comfy, and the shade most welcome. The waterfront here is full of souvenir shops and bustling cafes so after my sojourn at the bar, I headed to the bus stop to begin my journey home(electing not to catch the ferry back as it would mean a big uphill climb to my next bus in the afternoon heat!
This ice cream cart is for the young and the young at heart! We all love Thomas!
Home for the evening and a chat on the steps, catching up with my neighbours in the shade!
Wednesday, my local town, still recovering from the feast day, and a night of noisy fireworks, was still very quiet! So I jumped on the first bus that came along….to Birgu, my favourite one of the old Three cities on the Grand harbour! Decided I would (late) lunch at one of the town square cafes! As ‘Breafast for dinner” (bacon and eggs) was over, I chose a healthy Caesar salad! Looking fabulous on arrival, only to find under the facade it was padded out with soggy coleslaw! Not returning to that one! Then a wander through the streets soaking in the architecture I love…
Maltese windows and doors and the never ending attempts to add greenery and colour to a yellow stone world! It’s beautiful! Bus back home for the evening!
Thursday afternoon – beach day and Vivienne (car) out for a run! Birzebuggia in the south. A few circle rounds to find a park, near the town…
The church, as every town has, as its centrepiece! And stumbled on a street market starting to pack up! Worth a wander, purchased a red straw hat, and got propositioned by one of the locals! Who just wanted a smile! An hour or so wallowing in the sea and drying off, back home, with a fruit shop stop at Lidl(supermarket), to shower and change before dinner at my cousins! First drive home on the dark and I didn’t miss a beat!
Friday, today, last gasp at my work week (actually I’m very productive with no interruptions) and a trip to the charity shop to collect some more books at Marsacala. I am half way through my 7th(and last) English book in three weeks! Job done books and a vintage dress) and off to St Thomas bay for a coffee and a dip!
Bikini clad locals and foreigners, Benidorm style! Very pleasant never the less! A quick stop, on the way home, at my local supermarket “Carters” (aptly named) for some weekend supplies (namely Cisk – my beer of choice in Malta) and home for a terrace rinse off with the hose! (Again being hot and sweaty and salty)
A quiet Friday night immersed in my book and a cool Cisk, ready for a weekend of football finals and family time!
All who wander are not Lost girls 