The Maltese islands consist of three main islands, Malta where most of the population lives and works, Comino the Rock – Blue Lagoon and popular tourist trap for boats and swimming and Gozo, the northern island, a 30 minute (car) ferry ride, where for the most part we step back in time and there are no traffic jams!

Friday afternoon I collected my cousin, Rebecca, overnight bag, BandB booked, for a couple of days exploring (with my Maltese guide) the places I haven’t been, loaded Vivienne (and us) onto the early afternoon ferry and the adventures began.

First stop Supermarket in Rabat, the capital, only place on the island where one encounters traffic jams (for 10 minutes) to get some overnight supplies (beer, wine and chips!)

Arriving at our hotel in Sannat for the night! A very enthusiastic Italian man(around mid 40s) met us at the gate before we had time to ring, as instructed, to let us in. He saw us (actually my gorgeous cousin) on the cameras! Oh Oh – should have rung alarm bells! Checked in and gave Rebecca’s Maltese phone number (as I couldn’t remember mine) and opened the door to a very spacious room with 1 double bed, 1 chair and a very large Exercycle/stepper machine! I had specifically chosen a booking on booking.com with two beds! So off I go to discuss a solution, the enthusiastic Italian, became more animated as he argued with me that I had booked room 3 (???) Without my glasses I couldn’t look up the booking but went back to the room, opened a beer, and scrolled through my mail – there it was! confirmed 2 beds, can sleep 3. Evidence in hand back I went and showed him the emails, to which he continued to argue it was not possible as he set up all the bookings! To which I offered to forward to him and he could sort out his technology issues, and his lovely Swiss German wife arrived and offered to put another bed in the room. Perfect for us, and I left him to ponder how he could possibly have made a mistake (Italian men don’t make mistakes) Actually he was about to make a big one! Rebecca and I both then went to the pool to relax! And the lovely wife served us a cold beer! We were over the room issue and enjoying the loungers, pool and beer! Rebecca then went to use our bathroom, and the Italian met her on the steps, and said they were putting the bed in could she open…(he asked her a few questions which she thought nothing of)

Upon her return (bearing in mind she is a gorgeous 30 year old!) she lounged back and received a text from the Italian – flirting with her! (Content not needed here) Old cousin advised young cousin to ignore and for the rest of the stay he dealt with me! Aside from this we had a lovely evening by the pool sipping cold Cisk!

Breakfast was included at 8am-9.30am, we were first and greeted by the very lovely wife, ate a huge breakky and went off exploring before checkout at 11.00am

Mgarr Ix-Xini inlet and beach quite near to our hotel – sealed steep narrow road – but navigated in true Maltese fashion with lots of horn tooting approaching corners! We sat with our feet in the cool water, watching the local swimming lesson class in action in the sea! More talking than swimming but a serious operation!

Next stop we were heading to the cliffs Ta-Cenc, but first for all you New Zealanders and Texans, we drove through a Maltese Beef farm (the road went through the middle of it!)

Not a blade of grass in sight, a few goats in the mix, and the fields are gigantic concrete structures under which the cattle live (sheltered from the suns piercing rays)We (kiwis) would have the greens campaigning to close these down!

Didn’t quite find the cliffs (without hiking over fields (mainly rocks no trees or grass), we stumbled on a luxury hotel on the coast looking back at the Big island of Malta

With an abundance of ripe prickly pear trees (Maltese love this fruit)…

After this it was back to the hotel to check out – which I did alone, and off to Rabat, the capital to catch the market day and a Cappucino in the air conditioning….,yes the day was heating up!

Vivienne, resting in the shade, we loaded in and the Next plan was to visit the Mixta Cave overlooking Ramla beach, another place I have never been..

After a very unsociable (small) road – taken at 5kms per hour, we parked and walked through the cave to look out on the most fantastic vista!

And it was cool in the cave! Refreshments beckoning – Vivienne then took us to the Clift top bar at Xlendi Bay, another tourist area, but sitting high above, under umbrellas, with the sea breeze, it was very pleasant!

Brilliant idea, we thought we might book a room here for another night, but the only room available had one double bed – and I wasn’t ready for a rinse and repeat of the previous night!

We headed back to take the ferry around 4.30pm arriving at Rebecca’s home, ordering Chinese (delivery only 1€ NZ$2) and there it was 30 minutes later.

Finally back to my abode at around 9pm, unloading and cold shower to rid myself of the days sweat!!! Temperature still sitting at 30 degrees and 90% humidity!

Seems like it’s the three “B’s” since I last checked in! The weekend was a full one again, after tuning into the first day of the World Athletics Champs in Budapest and battling with the recycling (freezing) internet channels on Saturday, I bused into Valletta to meet my cousins for Breakfast for lunch!

Breakfast was delicious at a cafe owned by their friend who was very attentive, providing Complimentary coffees. A couple of diversions, the pigeons christened Rebecca’s freshly blow-waved hair, and an apartment above us sprayed their excess air conditioning water! One way to cool off! The other cousins, Leonard included, met us at 4pm and off we went to the Barbie movie…

Five Barbies and One Ken (who was elbow prodded by his wife for nodding off during the movie)

A cool drink at a bar and I caught the bus home to watch some more athletics! And the cousins had parties to go to!

Sunday, home day, a little housework and more (frozen) internet TV with soccer finals and Athletics events – ready for the new week.

Monday, after work, I met another cousin at my local cafe, and once again had breakfast for an early lunch (still serving at 11.30am). Not as nice as my last one, but you get what you pay for! I then settled in to pack up a box to post home (to lighten my load) to the tune of thunder storms and brown (dust from the air) Rain! First rain since I have been here, and when I walked on the terrace in the afternoon (I didn’t realise it had been raining) I immediately thought the watering system was malfunctioning again, as there were steams of water running across the deck! Thank goodness it was just Mother Nature!

The next mid morning found me in a queue in the Bormla post office to post my parcel – high technology in having to submit the declaration online and work out the complicated product code process, however it was CASH only no card payment – so booking it in then off to the money machine and back, followed by a stroll up the Birgu street market, already packing up at 10.30am due to the heat!

Drive home in shopping traffic to finish my work, and looking and feeling like a drowned rat! It was a warm day after the thunderstorms!

The late afternoon I was taxi for my cousin, as her car had broken down , to her nail appointment in Mosta!

Filling in time I wandered down to the Mosta Church, embroiled in dust and roadworks as they close off the plaza in front….eyes watering (seems to be a constant thing with either dust or air conditioning) The one way streets are becoming more and more common in the towns, which actually makes sense as most can only accomodate one car – but terribly confusing for temporary Maltese drivers (me).

The evening plan was the family gathering at a pizza restaurant near Attard for dinner.

And outside is a children’s paradise…Anna and I took a stroll…

The street outside these walls harbours the villas of the Maltese millionaires….

A spare 20 million Euros (40 million NZD) will buy you one of these….

Phone slipped between 12 foot iron gates for a glimpse of how the other half (or 1%) lives in Malta! And this is just the entrance the front gardens lush …. (in an otherwise world of dust)

And the back gardens (I’m told) twice the size probably housing swimming pools, boats and a range of expensive cars!

Back to reality, drive home in the dark (with a very full pizza tummy) and a closed tunnel detour (didn’t panic) to a frozen TV and couldn’t watch our NZ athlete race in the 3000m steeplechase final!

Today, I woke to a neon pink sunrise (in the heat haze) and another work morning followed by a visit to the bank (tedious event) to reset passwords on my card, as the internet app on my phone didn’t recognise my face this morning! Another week half gone….

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!

Here I sit on my terrace in Paola, Malta, sipping on a cool Cisk(beer) at 6.30pm with the incessant thundering of fireworks! Broad daylight so there’s nothing pretty just load banging – in preparation for the feast tomorrow!

Monday work morning and a coffee after in the town, laziness kicking in at 1pm, and overcast sky! Time for a good walk! So running shoes on (instead of jandals) and off I went making my way to Bormla (around an hours walk) with the promise of a two for the price of one cocktail at the Cafe Rouge…

First gate navigated, no footpath through the gate and a little sprint as a van approached my run way! Then down to St Helens Gate – the entrance to Bormla

This one a little safer with a middle walkway! Decided to stroll up the old street where mum and I spent 2 months at the old house Kevin used to own. Looking for the “RED” door!

Which is now a blue door! Nowhere near as eye catching…

And from the end of the “walking” street that I walked many a times, to cut through the steps, past the drug dealers house, to the town…

Many of the old houses doors are bricked up, not sure what this means, maybe there is work being done or after hundreds of years they are no longer inhabitable!

By this time, I was quite warm (actually I was sweating from my little sprint through the tunnel) and thirsty, around 3pm, surely not too early for a cocktail!

Made a beeline for Cafe Rouge past the Bormla church statues at its foot, and plonked myself at a table in the shade under the trees.

Yes – the happy hour runs til 6pm so I ordered my Pina Colada and got two…not one at a time… really needed a friend to share with!

The first one went down like a milkshake! The second one was getting warm…so I very politely asked the grumpy waiter for some ice to freshen it up, as I couldn’t waste it! Reluctantly (on his part) it arrived and I sipped away until I had finished both!

With quite an uphill journey ahead, I slipped through the first gate and veered right in search of a safer route through the second one (after two cocktails I wasn’t game for another sprint!). In the now afternoon sunshine walk to the top of the next hill and still no way through the wall…spied a bus stop and finished my journey back to Paola on the back seat of the bus!

As I was nearing home my neighbour (Adelina) was sitting on doorstep waiting for someone to chat to – so that was me for the next hour! Several other neighbours stopped by and we all had a neighbourhood ladies catch up! (as you do in the evenings in Malta)

I took my leave as bathroom was calling and back at home to the cacophony of fireworks and dogs barking!

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!

It’s almost two weeks of living and working in Malta – and while my life is now turned down a notch (with summer sunshine and relaxation time) I have been enjoying a very different lifestyle to cold, wet, hectic New Zealand.

Nursing the plants back to life, with flowers starting to bloom

And the trellis vine is showing signs of green!

It’s several days since my last story, and I have again had a few maintenance issues, car and printer (need to reset something), but nothing I can’t fix! Getting used to fixing things and moving on!

Sunday found me rummaging through the car boot market at 7am, followed by exploring Birgu, one of the old cities where we have stayed

As you can see from the bunting – a feast was forthcoming!

Being early on a Sunday morning the square cafes were full of “Men” gathering for their morning coffee (or beer) while their wives did the housework and prepared the Sunday lunch! I was very kindly invited to have my Sunday lunch with my cousins and spent a very pleasant afternoon with them….all!

The work (mornings) week as rolled on and the afternoons spent reading, watching FIFA women’s World Cup games (yes I have very cleverly managed to find the games on one of the 500 channels!), taking a long walk(to keep the joints moving and today an excursion to Valletta (the capital city)

Taking the bus from Paola, with a driver who, I’m sure, thought he was a Grand Prix driver, had me in the city in 10 minutes! I seriously thought we might end up on our side as we raced around the corners!

A memorial to Daphne Caruna, the journalist who was murdered because she exposed corruption here in Malta!

The horses still braving the midday sun, waiting for one of the boat people to take a ride! I did think this activity was discontinued a few years ago, but there were several of these guys peddling their wares, so I’m guessing not!

A cool beer in the Upper Barakka gardens, while the (hot) workers set up all the kiosks for the wine festival, kicking into action tomorrow for the weekend, might be worth a visit! I had already decided I wasn’t going to risk encountering my earlier bus driver, and would take the ferry across the harbour.

Down the walls of Valletta in their lift and across to the sea…

To Bormla (another of the old cities)

Upon arriving – there was a bus coming down the hill heading to my home town of Paola – no time for a double hit of cocktails at the nearby cafe! Which was probably a good thing as I really needed to visit the supermarket on my way home (down to the last roll of loo paper!)

Was planning a beach visit, that is now tomorrow’s plan – the beauty of travelling solo, my plans just roll with the tide…

After a week of half days work and afternoon swims, I woke to a morning of just me against the world. Bearing in mind shops all close (apart from supermarkets and the chain stores) at midday in summer in Malta. Today I had some tasks to do! But first it was find the All Blacks test on one of the 500 internet channels, and tuned into the second half…happy to miss the first half by all accounts!

After lunch yesterday at Alice Springs Cafe in Senglea…the day was really heating up!

A coffee and an omelette on far too much ftira (Maltese bread) I then inhaled a bottle of water, as even sitting in the shade, I was perspiring faster than I could replace! The plan was to head to my charity shop to stock up on some more books, then head for a dip in the sea!

Vivienne, (the car) decided it was also too hot for her, and refused to start after my very short visit to the closed charity shop! I held my breath..tried not to panic as my phone was also nearly flat, gave her a rest and managed to get her firing. Nervous to repeat the experience, I headed straight home, parked her up in the garage and hosed myself on the terrace, giving the plants an extra drink too.

Needless to say one of my tasks this morning was to take her to the battery garage (I have been there before) and check the battery, which google told me was open from 8-1 on a Saturday. But first, there was the wee job of eradicating the ant attack that had crept up on me overnight, spray, wipe, vacuum and clean out all bins….they had roared in from the terrace, under the sofa and crawled along the kitchen and up into the drawers!

This done, it was off to the battery place…which sported a big “handwritten” sign “ closed on saturdays” in true summer spirit!

As Vivienne was today behaving, I circled back to my charity shop once again…carefully choosing 4 books. Upon taking them to the counter, the lovely English volunteer spied one she had not read! And was insistent she had no change of my 20€ bill, knowing I only had 3€ in change (each book being 1€ and needing to pay 4€) hoping I would leave the one she wanted behind! Nope it had taken me half an hour to choose, and she could either take my 3€ for 4 or find change, no surprise…she found change!

My next stop, the Chinese shop for some supplies for Roland, and then finally a coffee at an old favourite “Rouge Cafe”

In the shade and very pleasant while I watched live updates as our Netball girls bowed out of the World Cup.

Being my old stomping ground, I needed to visit the ATM machine in Bormla, being still a bit of a cash society. Then a thought struck me to pop into the local hairdressers and see if I could make an appointment (the same one Trudi had a great cut when she was here) They weren’t too busy and my new best friend Sharron, shampooed, conditioned and cut (short) for the grand sum of 15€ (NZ$30)….

I actually suggested shorter, but this is what she wanted to do! Kinda like the Stevie Nicks Shaggy look (finally!)

I contemplated jumping on the ferry for a trip to Valletta, as I had a park right by, but still needing a visit to the supermarket decided to save this for another day..

So a Saturday evening ahead of launching into one of my new books! Ready for an early start tomorrow at the Sunday Birgu Car boot market!

Almost a week in Malta, and I feel like I’ve been here for ever, the comfort of a second home! The week has been settling into a routine of work, mornings til midday, coffee at my local, and swim in the afternoon! My gorgeous cousin Anna has been calling me every night to make sure I am OK! I have been visiting my favourite haunts in the afternoons….

Birzebuggia (pretty bay) where mum and I used to have cappuccinos and hot chips most days – it was one of her favourite spots! Sandy beach which is much more comfortable for a read after a dip!

And last night I dressed up – surprise, makeup and all (which melted quite quickly) and bused down to the three cities, one of my most favourite places in the world, to meet my cousins for a drink and pizza in the evening….

It didn’t disappoint! The sun was setting and I took a stroll on the promenade where the super yachts moor! None of the big boys are in dock, as being August (the height of the summer holidays here) I’m guessing they are all out cruising the Med.

7.30pm, cousins running a little late, and I was rather warm (with melting make-up) so headed to the meeting point (Cafe on the harbour) and ordered myself a Pina Colada – that I had been dreaming about all afternoon! and settled in for their arrival…

This travelling solo can be challenging, but no one cares or questions, and one can drink when one likes, eat when one likes, and sleep when one likes…. p.s. lovely evening was had with the gals!

On another note – I think I have (with Kevin’s remote assistance) the plant watering system under control!

While this may look tropical – there are a few plants that seem to be looking more and more dead each day(the lemon tree in the middle of photo at the end of the terrace) despite the tender loving care(and water) they are now receiving!

Most nights I read my book/s, two down in less than a week, to the sun setting out my bedroom door….

I haven’t had a drop of rain since arriving 6 days ago, and the washing dries on the deck in 30 minutes! Aircon in the flat is set at 22 degrees and this sometimes feels quite chilly, average daily temperature at the moment is around 35 degrees! But who’s counting – it’s Summer!

After sorting out my abode for six weeks, setting up my workspace, stocking the fridge and starting the car….after removing the battery charger, I was ready for a summer sojourn in Malta!

Yesterday, Sunday, the bulk of the Paola fireworks was over (until the evening) but the roads were still closed, so I circumnavigated the town and found my way to the kalkara swimming hole for my first swim!

A Sunday at the northern beaches is standing room only but in the south, I pretty much had it to myself as I took my white body (in bikini) for its first outing in the warm waters of the Grand harbour! Then it was off to visit my family in the north. I will just say here, that everyone (here) is lamenting how bad the traffic is! Come to Auckland I say and you will appreciate the Maltese roads!

Taking the familiar route from the three cities, and through the tunnel, I emerged to an oncoming car tooting and flashing its lights, then the guy behind me started rooting and flashing his lights!! I thought I must have an octopuss on my roof! So I pulled over and the following driver advised me I had lost a hubcap just as I exited the tunnel which flew across in front of the oncoming traffic! He was very nice and I thanked him profusely! Now I needed to do a U-turn and go back in search of the flying saucer! As luck would have it there was a small layby (and Vivienne my ride is tiny) and I could pull off the otherwise no stopping zone on the entrance to the tunnel! And there on the footpath was the culprit! I gathered it up negotiated another U-turn and carried on my journey, arriving at my cousins in a bit of a bother, hot and thirsty and devoured about two litres of water!

Relaxed now, I enjoyed a pleasant Sunday afternoon, had a late lunch, early dinner and took off on my homeward journey – after securing the retrieved hubcap!

An early night, (yes reading Julie) and up working at 6am, as I needed to get to the English run charity shop in Marsacala to stock up on books. All went well today and I spent an hour at the swimming hole…

I had forgotten the lack of comfort when drying out the old body on the rocks! But the lack of sandy towels is a plus!

I was going to head to Senglea for a cold beer (lunch) on the way home but remembered my favourite cafe is closed on mondays and I have one in my fridge!

Hello my old friend! A moment on the terrace, cool shower and a relaxing afternoon!

Yesterday was a BIG day, left Fumel in the south of France at 7.30am to catch my first train from the neighbouring town of Monsempron to Agen…a pleasant 45 minutes through the countryside as the sun was rising! Then I had a 30 minute changeover to catch my next train from Agen to Bordeaux! A two hour trip. At this point I will just highlight that I was travelling with an extra big bag as well as my smaller carryon transporting Kevin’s winter (NZ) clothes back to Malta!

Bordeaux train station is large and we arrived several platforms over from the exit, which meant getting a 20kg bag and a 10kg bag down a flight of steps to go under the train lines! Challenge number one! Exiting finally onto the outside cobbled area (rolly bags on a cobbled road is not ideal), to be greeting by an unsavoury chap vomiting his heart out! Lost for the first time in the day, dragging two bags looking for a shuttle bus I had booked to transport me to the airport! Finally a young very helpful man could decipher my ticket (on phone) and pointed me in the right direction. Getting rather hot, hungry and thirsty, luckily not in need of a loo (as the three of us – 2 bags and me would not have fitted in the cubicles) I loaded bags and myself on the (full) bus.

A 30 minute bus ride, bags retrieved, I went in search of my bag drop point – after visiting all three terminals I found the Ryan Air one, only to realise I had an hour and a half before I could rid myself of the big bag – being the budget airline it was in a part of the airport with no cafes! So getting hungrier and thirstier I settled in to wait it out!

Finally I threw myself through customs, being stripped of almost everything apart from my pants and shirt ….. with only an hour before take off, there was a kiosk – cold drink and tough old ham and cheese baguette! Found my gate and a seat and savoured the roll and drink…another 2 and a half hour flight (spend dozing) and taxi to the Paola apartment by 7pm!

The first thing I noticed were the very dead looking plants , the watering system (on the terrace) had been off (battery died) through the recent heatwaves. My job for the summer, to look after the plants, was going to be even more challenging. Rather exhausted last night, I watered, made my bed and found a packet of crackers for dinner.

Needless to say this morning was full of jobs, sweep the dead leaves, water the plants, wash the deck, cut off dead branches, washing, annoying the neighbours for keys as I didn’t have a full set here, having my first coffee in more than 24 hours, supermarket shopping…..all on foot as I have arrived in the middle of the Paola feast.

Bunting galore, fireworks like a war zone, roads closed and the Saturday fish market adding an interesting aroma in the 35 degree heat!

After my morning of activities, I took a couple of hours to just lie and read. Tomorrow, I need to get into the garage and hope the battery charger has done its job and Roland’s little car (my ride for the next few weeks) fires into life!

Welcome to Malta, settle into my work pattern, swim and see my cousins and friends! And of course try and bring the terrace garden back to life!