This morning my friend Jill arrived from New Zealand to spend my last four weeks abroad with me! At 10am I am sitting at the airport enjoying a Costa coffee and she messages me I here by costa coffee and there we are looking at each other!!! Home to tge penthouse to unload and shower (for Jill) then Roland’s last few hours (before another trip to the Airport) were spent lunching at the Royal Malta Golf club (Roland’s workplace)
The greenest place in Malta! Joining the sports club is out of the question for us middle income earners but a great place to be invited to!
Jill and I sporting (note sport) our little floral tops and denim shorts for our lunch on the terrace of the Golf club restaurant! Maybe we should have frocked it! Hill by now 36 hours with no sleep!!!
We then dropped Rols to the airport (that’s now three trips without getting lost) – after 6 weeks I’m finally getting it! Home for Jill to settle in and then “Bikini shopping”. 36 degrees and no bathing costume! An easy order to fill, on an Island where swimming is a daily activity! And off to Senglea point for a dip.
Mermaid Jill – backdrop Valletta and cruise ship in for the day! A Day – would never recommend a visit to Malta for a day – there is just too much!
Drip dry, as you do, and a stop at Alice Springs for a cool beer and wine, while Jill soaked up the sights of the Three Cities (old) and we watched a very huge super yacht manoeuvre it’s way into berth on the opposite side of the marina!
Home around 6 and a fresh water shower on the deck, rinsing bodies and bathing suits (and cleaning the deck) Multi tasking all the way! Sue had beer and Jill had Tea – Jill determined to wait until the sun set before crashing! (After 4& hours of no sleep)
Tomorrow’s plan is loosely arranged – let the fun begin!
Sunday started with a leap out bed and off to the car boot market at 7am! Only on once a week and a Roland is a regular visitor.. we took Susie
The cappuccino for a ride, a new version of Thelma and Roland (Louise) – then a nice coffee in Birgu before heading home! Cappuccino is in sale negotiation so she was parked up and at 10.30, dropping Roland to work in Vivienne (the Subaru) I hit state hwy 1 towards Gozo – headed for white rocks and a catch up with my cousin Marcella (who lives in Sydney). We are both here in Malta at the same time! Marcella and her Dad are camping in their camper van – this seems to be where all the campervans go – especially those owners who have boats as there is a ramp…
And Dogs – Marcella’s dad has three chihuahuas who like to swim (so long as they are on a board). Once out of the camping area there is a nice sandy (and rocky) beach.
The water is so warm you just walk in and wallow!
And that crazy guy on the JetSki went from zero to 50 right through the swimmers!
This guy – unrelated who’s name was “milo” waiting and barking on the rocks while his family swam! Nothing is quiet!
Monday saw a return to work for both Roland and I and I took myself off for an hour or two this arvo to a beach – it was really hot so spent most of the time in the water! Back to the apartment for a bit of housework and a salad for tea!
Tomorrow is a big change over day. Rols is back to France and my friend Jill arrives – it will certainly be Girls wandering (once she recovers from her long flights from NZ!)
The last three days have been a whirlwind of activities. In short, as this is gotten boring now – the car died again on Roland’s watch, and definitely needed a new battery – the water pump gave up again and needed a plumber and new part – so in summary friday was a day of finally getting stuff fixed and Roland and I felt a bit lighter in the pocket! Then it was party night!
Surprise birthday party for cousin Leonard on this boat moored at Siliema – dinner and drinks! Rols finished early from his evening work and picked me up! Rather a hot evening and I was going to bus it (times 2) to get there, but this area is so full of tourists and tourist activities I am sure I would have got lost! It was a beautiful evening, but that’s a silly thing to say every evening is a beautiful evening! Grabbing a Cardi or sweater when you go out is a distant memory!
The view from Siliema back to Valletta. The old buildings
And back towards Siliema – the high rise apartment developments popping up in the tourist areas. After our busy day of maintenance and work (and cake) we headed home around midnight.
Saturday, I dropped Roland to work and headed towards Lidl for a grocery shop, planning on a beach visit in the afternoon.
Five grocery bags from car to front door, front door to lift, into lift, out of lift on our level, then unlock apartment door and groceries finally inside! Makes boot to bench in NZ seem like a walk I’m the park!
Then I had sport events to watch (commonwealth games finals) washing to fold, groceries to unpack – the beach visit turned into a hose visit on the front and back decks! Down to undies and bra (the beauty of being on the top floor) the decks got washed and the plants a good watering and yours truly some sunshine and water without leaving home!
At 3.30 I drove to collect Roland from work – the entrance to the Marsa sports centre and Royal Malta Golf Club (where Roland works)
It was then home to get ready for another outing, it was ladies night gathering, Connie one of our neighbours was having a girls (ladies) evening at 6.30om (the invite was for a cup of tea at 6.30 on a Saturday night) Those of you who know me…..anyway I’d promised I’d go, Well, always be prepared for a surprise, when Connie realised Roland was home alone (possibly quite enjoying the peace) she insisted I ask him to join us! A few glasses of water, soft drink, nibbles, fresh fruit salad, cakes and special Maltese ice cream and lots of loud chatting, several hours later we rolled back upstairs, certainly not needing to cook our planned pasta! It was a very pleasant evening and they are all very kind people to welcome me into their homes!
Firstly, the car saga – Roland arrived last night and put the battery charger on the car, one last ditch attempt before getting a tow truck! Success – boys are just better at this stuff than girls! With the short runs and aircon going all the time we had drained the battery – it had enough to show the dash lights but not enough to kick start her!
Off we went to Senglea to collect his beautiful Cappucino from its garage – she started first pop as the battery had been disconnected! Then I took Vivienne(the Subaru) and Rols took Susie(the Cappuccino) back home….me to work and Rols spent hours cleaning Susie up!
Around 1pm I decided I was long overdue for a swim and took myself off to Rinella bay, not too far from here. It’s a very popular sandy (and rocks) beach for families…and by the afternoon the only flat piece of sand (without rocks)…
Provided a view with Bins! At least they had lids and no unpleasant aromas wafted out!
Left looking back to kalkara and
Right to the south! I swam, read my book, swam, drank water, swam, dried off a bit and headed home around 4pm…. Rols had just finished chores – he got the TV going. Which wasn’t broken, just us Kiwis had unprogrammed it, and was off to grab a very late lunch!
It was a cool beer, more book reading, until finished) followed by a shower and now sitting on the shaded deck with breeze!
Starting to think I have lots of gaps in my skill set – used to having the boys around to help me with boys stuff! Very grateful Rols appeared back when he did!
Of course today didn’t turn out as planned! Up at 5 working, washing and packing up to be out for I didn’t know how long as dropping the car at mechanics at 8am! Then on foot…..
The blood red sun rising in the east! locked up at 7.45am and raced downstairs to take the car to the doctor! All I can say is the car won this one – 30 minutes later I was still sitting in the garage! She wasn’t going to start.
So back to work, sneaking down every half hour to see if I could get a different result, but no. I rang the mechanic and said I can’t come today….he asked when will I bring it? Say no more, Roland arrives tonight (taxi from the airport now) and a job for tomorrow!
So getting a little sick of my own company – I decided to leap on a bus to Valletta – I know those ones work as planned.
Airconditioned and stress free! First stop Malta transport to renew my travel pass. BLUE is the colour of old people in Malta – My last ID card and travel pass were green, the new 60+ ones are blue! I am now a fully fledged old person! In Malta an old person with benefits – cheaper buses, ferries (if not free) and entry to all the historical sights!
Then through the gates of Valletta to a very bustling city around noon (two cruise ships in port today).
Looking down on what was the moat outside the walls that enclose the city.
A bustling little market street as I entered full of bras and undies basking in the sun! 90% of the stall holders were selling smalls – nevertheless it was very colourful!
My mission now was to find an old persons fold out paper map of Malta and Gozo – I know you can get everything on your phone, but in Malta it is not wise to look at phone and drive! So I wandered down the Main Street…
This place, the high court – Kevin and I battled it out with local crooked property developers for a period of three years in this building (Kevin more than me – I only went once) That was an experience we don’t want to repeat – but we did win that one in the end.
And the boat people queuing up to take a tour of St John’s Co-Cathedral in Valletta
The others all eating lunch in the big outdoor square (those that weren’t in the hundreds of crappy tourist shops) I found my map so Jill and I will have fun joining the dots (with roadworks diversions) when she arrives next week. Feeling in need of a sit down (a peaceful one) I wandered off the main drag…
And found the perfect cafe (only selling coffee cake and cold drinks) in a stairway to the sea…
Left and front – that was me with clouds minimalising the heat and a breeze (warm) blowing up the narrow street…
Enough of wandering aimlessly, I headed to take the ferry to the three old cities (on my side of town)
Birgu to the left, Senglea to the right and Bormla in the middle –
This one’s for you Trud – the crane giraffe still stretching its neck in the maintenance docks! Some things don’t change!
And now begins my next story – When Russ, Trudi and I stayed in Senglea four years ago, Trudi and I befriended an old lady (ok so now I’m old too) called Carmen and she had a cat called Duffy (we often talk about this as it was an amazing experience as she was a concert pianist in Italy for many years and she gave us a private concert at the time) . Twice, since I’ve been here, I have gone past her house and yelled (like an idiot) at her balcony “Carmen, Duffy” no response! But today, as I landed off the ferry quite near, I thought I’d give it one more go.., but first…
These! Quite hot and sweaty upon arriving outside her house, again I did my calls to the balcony, then thought I’d bang on the door! Only to be answered by a very protective and loud dog barking inside! Certainly not a cat called Duffy! There was a local lady walking (very slowly) up the street so I asked her if the lady still lived here! She said she stays sometimes across the road at a ground level maisonette!
I was nearly there! I knocked on this door – and there she was , I mentioned Sue and Trudi from New Zealand and I was swept in the door for a good old catch up! She had her wrist in plaster as she had sat on a chair (at the cafe/bar up the road that Russ used to frequent) and fell off about a month ago! We took a couple of selfies for Trudi – but not to be shared in public!
It appears Duffy (the cat) wandered off and joined the street cat gang and Carmen adopted a very protective(and loud) chihuahua dog! So I’m very happy she is alive and well!
The return trip down the stairs, cool beer at the Alice springs cafe, and bus home went well..clearly advising the driver I needed to get off at Paola! No extra leg work needed, apart from a side trip to the supermarket to stock up on essentials – beer and butter!!!
Malta has had two years without their traditional “Feasts” which are celebrated through the summer months, so this year when life is back to normal, it is with a vengence!
Don’t get me wrong, it’s people living life and to the fullest and it’s wonderful to be in the middle of it again after the kiwi aftermath of lockdowns!
However being somewhat apprehensive about driving a car that may decide to stop on me at any time, I decided Sunday was a good day to get on top of my end of month work, so spend most of the day hunkered in front of my computer under the air conditioning! Accompanied to the music of fireworks from 8am all day – the last round jolting me out of a deep sleep at 10.30pm and thundering overhead(it seemed in my head) until 11pm. Yes we have double glazing thank goodness! I am thinking the animals around here must be nervous wrecks after the last four days.
So this morning I was up and at it (work) at 5.30am until around lunchtime, having booked the car in tomorrow at an auto electricians to check the starter thing, not too far away, as I have to be there by 8 o’clock.
Feeling like I needed to get out of the house, I checked the car and she started but left her safely in her garage and set off on foot to ensure I know where I am going tomorrow. Through my town of Paola….
Past the local primary school, from one end to the other of Fgura (the next town) and down the hill towards the three old cities and the Grand Harbour! Found the street of the mechanics, and it is a street with several mechanics, number 17 is what I was looking for (and yes there is a garage there) but google maps actually brings up the one I rang at number 45 – I will need to allow myself extra time in the morning in case I need to visit a few before I find the one I rang!
I continued on down the hill…
Through St Helens gate to the first old City of Cospicua(Bormla) – the old stomping ground where I stayed with mum about 9 years ago (where we also had toilet and water issues). It was fairly warm and sweaty by this time – having marched 3-4 kms – so I sat under the trees at the end of the docks with a few old men to cool off!
The American university on the old WWII dock site to the left and Birgu and Senglea(the other old cities of this trio) in the distance.
The Rouge Cafe was calling with its two for one cocktails as all I could think of was a cool long Pina Colada! However at 2pm in the afternoon, in the shade of umbrellas and breeze from the fan, I sensibility opted for a cappuccino while I waited for the next bus through to complete my outing! Didn’t fancy another 4ks uphill on foot!
Confidently leaping on the bus, which said Valletta via Paola (my town) I settled into the airconditioned bus (well actually was under the air conditioning as I had water dripping on me)
Nearing my destination I pressed the button and got ready to stand up and get off a mere 500 meters from home. Much to my surprise the bus roared past the stop and down the hill… oh no I was going to end up in Valletta! I jumped up and swung (off the rails) to the front and yelled through the glass…can you stop please I want to get out at Paola! About a kilometre down the hill he swung to a stop, in the middle of the road and let me out! It could have been worse, only a kilometre uphill climb!
Lesson learned, don’t believe anything you read! We’ll, I guess it was correct we did go via Paola – just didn’t stop! Maybe the buzzers are malfunctioning in the heat as well as cars and water pumps!
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!
George is getting the real Maltese experience! Home and car maintenance abounds!
Vivienne (the car) has developed a vibration on the bumpy roads and her remote decided it would no longer work! This was yesterday!
We walked to Paola shops around midday and sorted the remote issue – new batteries! And realised we are in for a noisy weekend – it seems the local fiesta is on!
Bunting abounds!
Everywhere is gold and streamers and flags – and of course deep into the night “the fireworks”
Back to the maintenance – the noise – we took the car to a garage and a very kind man checked the tyres and gave it a good pull around and advised if it continues see a mechanic! Needed Kevin’s help here – he rang their mechanic and we were booked in for a check at 1pm today…in the meantime
After a swim yesterday afternoon I put thru a load of washing – then the pump decided to have a sleep, on the roof 5th level – ladder and George climbing. So we had cold mains water in the kitchen sink, but the rest of the house, showers, toilets washing etc only had a trickle – and no hot water! By this time it was dark and I wasn’t sending George on the roof!
I rang our neighbour below and he suggested that we wait for a couple of hours to see if the tank was empty and might restart. 10 hours later, and no flushing, still no water!
I rang the emergency plumber who talked George through resetting the pump (on the roof) – just to mention earlier I had had an excursion up there too…but the vertical climb made me dizzy! Good view from up there, I did take a moment! And we had water again! So off george went to the gym and I worked until around midday when George managed a shower before the pump went off again!
Another call to the plumber (still no shower for me) and he said to restart again and get some CRC and spray around the pump in case dust is jamming it! Water back on for now! No time for shower off to mechanic in 1pm traffic – google maps took us to a very industrial area – north – wrong place! But the man there showed George on map where his namesake was! Who would have thought there were two “Emy’s Garages” we had actually driven right past the correct one!
We left the car with our Emy and went and found a cafe – had the worst latte ever – two shots of black coffee and milk poured out of the carton – kind of tasted like dishwater!
No problem found – all wheels off – brakes checked, oil and engine fluid topped up and at least an hour of his time for €20 ($35NZ) what a deal! And the vibration we can still hear – but we don’t need to worry!
Close to my Cousins – we went there and George caught the bus into Valletta to meet his friend! I caught up with Anna, Sam and Rebecca and the drive home around 4.30pm via the supermarket!
Only to find, nope my dramas weren’t over! My NZ phone was missing! Retraced my steps….car,cousins, cafe, mechanics and was about to go to supermarket when I decided to check that I could remember my Apple login if I needed to buy a new phone and set it up! In the login in process – joy I heard a ping! And there it was on Kevin’s desk – I must have left it behind in our rush to get to mechanics!
Still no shower – but beer open – and water not guaranteed – Georges job in the morning is to (once again) get on the roof and CRC the pump! Actually not my happiest day on tour!
Left Fumel at 11.30 to grab lunch before I boarded my first Train at 1.20pm…three course lunch (as my only meal of the day) last course, a French tart!
The Boys took me to the nearest train station as I farewelled the now familiar landmarks.
First train a one carriage affair, not very full and very comfortable (thank you very much) Yours truly waving goodbye – the boys probably sighing with relief as they now have a few days where they don’t have to translate for and entertain for the old rellie! Had a great time tho!
A little shut eye in the very quiet electric train – and passed some lovely countryside, rivers lakes and through tunnels and forests! By the time we reached Agen, I had 10 minutes to get to the next platform (carriage 15 – very large train arriving from Paris en route to Toulouse)
An Englishman jumped off the little train before me and heard me asking which platform – he said follow me – lugging bags I did. Out of 20 odd carriages – each seating about 80(or more) people, he and I were in the same one. Not only that he actually had the seat next to me (an English speaking human) Actually a lawyer from UK born in Crete, who travels all over the world – off to Seattle next week! Need I say more – he talked the full trip (over an hour)
Then we said goodbye – he in a rush to get to the Airport – me to catch my breath! Again, young and old in Toulouse could not speak English – but in wandering around (in circles) I found a coffee and the shuttle bus stop! Actually trucking around with a heavy Rolly bag was not much fun, so I leapt on the next bus that said airport!
And here I am – two hours later – through customs and sitting quietly waiting for the gate to come up on the departure board – on the final leg to Malta!
George picking me up – he better have a cold beer in the fridge! She’s been a long day!
I did leave a little kiwi in Fumel – tea towel from countdown in Orewa – that the boys in there artistic talent have framed and it now holds pride of place in the loo!
Left Fumel at 11.30 to grab lunch before I boarded my first Train at 1.20pm…three course lunch (as my only meal of the day) last course, a French tart!
The Boys took me to the nearest train station as I farewelled the now familiar landmarks.
First train a one carriage affair, not very full and very comfortable (thank you very much) Yours truly waving goodbye – the boys probably sighing with relief as they now have a few days where they don’t have to translate for and entertain for the old rellie! Had a great time tho!
A little shut eye in the very quiet electric train – and passed some lovely countryside, rivers lakes and through tunnels and forests! By the time we reached Agen, I had 10 minutes to get to the next platform (carriage 15 – very large train arriving from Paris en route to Toulouse)
An Englishman jumped off the little train before me and heard me asking which platform – he said follow me – lugging bags I did. Out of 20 odd carriages – each seating about 80(or more) people, he and I were in the same one. Not only that he actually had the seat next to me (an English speaking human) Actually a lawyer from UK born in Crete, who travels all over the world – off to Seattle next week! Need I say more – he talked the full trip (over an hour)
Then we said goodbye – he in a rush to get to the Airport – me to catch my breath! Again, young and old in Toulouse could not speak English – but in wandering around (in circles) I found a coffee and the shuttle bus stop! Actually trucking around with a heavy Rolly bag was not much fun, so I leapt on the next bus that said airport!
And here I am – two hours later – through customs and sitting quietly waiting for the gate to come up on the departure board – on the final leg to Malta!
George picking me up – he better have a cold beer in the fridge! She’s been a long day!
I did leave a little kiwi in Fumel – tea towel from countdown in Orewa – that the boys in there artistic talent have framed and it now holds pride of place in the loo!
All who wander are not Lost girls 