Over to Kev and Rols to say goodbye to Sally who returned to Paris today

The limo is ready and waiting!

Sue and Russ then headed North to Bugibba (the tourist Mecca) to catch up with Sue’s cousin Marcella. Had a wander around the many souvenir shops for about half an hour (yawn)Marcella swooped us up in her car! Back to her place then off to lunch.

Long overdue catch up with this girl! Another very hot day and a couple of liquid refreshments certainly warranted a snack before getting behind the wheel again

Platters of fish and chips (not a chip left standing)

We said our goodbyes around 3.30pm and headed back south, off the beaten track, on another of Russell’s treasure hunts. This time an old villa, in Madliena, built by the Marquis Scicluna from old stone from Maltese buildings demolished in the 2nd world war. Initially a residence in the 1960’s and then turned into a nightclub

Reknown for its unique architecture and mosaic decoration

All closed in and peeking through a hole in the wall…

We could see the run down structures and courtyard, now unused and uninhabited. However on a prime piece of land overlooking Paceville, I do hope a restoration project, rather than a high rise, is planned.

The beach towels and togs have had a long day in the boot of the car! No need for washing as the wanderers have gone off track once again!

Woke this morning to bright sunshine and no wind! Welcome back Summer!

A short hop across the street to the convenience store took me in the middle of the streets entertainment for the day

The penthouse apartment residents were shifting house! This is how they do it here…. a crane lifter with a platform and down to an open truck with wire cages! Obviously an event as all the neighbours were out watching and providing advice (loudly).

Quite a production!

Russ and I collected Kev and Sal and headed south to St Thomas Bay – for coffee and a swim! Usually a flat calm inlet where you can either swim off the rocks or from a small sandy beach!

Not so today

The surfers were out – yes you can surf in Malta! About a 6ft wave rolling in and crashing of the rocks. I guess a hangover from the recent storms! And rather magnificent!

Sat at a cafe on the point in the searing sunshine! Waiting for our coffee Kev got a little hot!

The trusty sarong – a coat of many uses and providing colour to the day! I promised no Facebook post but the blog wasn’t mentioned!

We wandered around the rocks towards the sandy beach which was piled about a meter high with seaweed driven in by the waves. Only option was to leap off the rocks and roll with the waves. Floating, rolling and cooling off – it was fun! Especially for the Parisian (Sal) who hadn’t seen the sea for a while.

Tummy’s rumbling after all this exercise, a short hop back to Marsakala for lunch – a NZ beef Steak!

Sally’s lunch! A very pleasant time beaching, eating and drinking had by all.

Go on a cruise of the Mediterranean they said, you’ll see lots of countries they said…..

You’ll walk in lines behind your guide around all “the places” to visit they said

You’ll take a traditional Luzzu ride in the grand harbour and back on the boat before dinner, ready to take off for your next amazing destination. A glimpse of the culture for some

I am so glad we have our feet on the ground and are feeling and living the real life in Malta with family and friends

The thunderstorms and lightning light show last night from Kevin’s penthouse deck – Paola church lit up!

New friends at one of many of our favourite watering holes! And maybe our paths will cross again!

Trudi’s last day today (posing here with a Luzzu out of the water for its autumn maintenance)

The fruit and vege truck on the roundabout on the way to the airport!

A relaxed farewell drink and then lunch with Kev, Rols and Sally before the airport check in at 3.30pm – Trudi about to head home as I write with tears in her eyes! The postcard country of the Mediterranean (Malta) forever embedded in her memory.

The story does not end here for all our faithful followers….Russ and Sue have more exciting adventures ahead in the coming months and the story will go on….

Yesterday was a wandering in different directions. Trudi, Russ and Kev took off in torrential rain to play Bingo in Bugibba – that is there story – terrible traffic and no wins!

Sue donned raincoat and walked off the beaten tracks from Paola to Figura – poking around in the local shops.

Diving for the doorways as traffic passed to avoid the showers from their tyres!

The bingo players returned early afternoon and while Russ had a rest – Sue and Trudi walked to Birgu to collect Trudi’s custom made Maltese ring.

Just had to stop at Rouge Cafe in the way back for the two for one cocktail deal!

Then back to get ready to go north again to Sues cousins, Sam and Anna (and family) for a lovely roast pork dinner! Great night had by all, we have been really spoilt!

This morning, Russ took himself into Valletta to further progress his Maltese passport status and Sue and Trudi did an errand (collection) for Kev – without getting lost!

Then back to find our Pianist friend Carmen for a coffee. Not answering her phone and not at home, it appeared we would not have the promised catch up! However, driving back to Bormla to collect Russ from the ferry we spied her at a cafe finishing her coffee on her own. Screech of tyres, Trudi jumped out, and Sue went in search of a car park.

A lovely (but shortish) catch up before the thunderstorms rolled in again!

Off to the airport to collect Sally (from Paris) as Kev has more construction happening at his new flat!

Lunch at Senglea, home now and we are all catching up for dinner a bit later.

A day of heading North, South, sideways and in circles….getting really good at wandering without getting lost!!!

Meeting Charles for coffee in Valletta, we decided a car less day was the way to go – walking from Fgura to Birgu to catch the ferry ⛴

Rest stop by some prickly vegetation

Waiting for the ferry I commented how humid and still it was like the calm before the storm (how right I was!)

The thunder clouds in the background

And another postcard image of these magnificent superyachts!

Coffee at Barakka Gardens and suddenly the wind got up and the clouds rolled in. Russ had taken himself off to the Co-cathedral and we hoped he was inside.

Trudi and Sue played dodgems with the heavy rain in search of a poncho!

All sold out! And the only option was…

The ‘Rainbow’ umbrellas. A five Euro well spent.

We had a return ticket on the ferry (but that would mean a 30 minute walk from Birgu) As our shoes, and the rest of us, were drenched we decided a direct bus ride was the better option

The Main Street if Valletta in the rain, a sea of umbrellas and ponchos.

The fountain at the gate of Valletta was benefiting from the extra moisture, so there is always a positive!

Bus stop found! A 10 minute wait (still getting value from our 5 Euro rainbow umbrella)

On the bus – back seat boys

And any seats a good one, even if I can’t sit with my mates…

Writing this in the bus – looking forward to a hot coffee and dry feet!

A stroll around our Farm hood this morning revealed flora, fauna and farmhouses

The streetcats on their rock wall home

Farmers in the valley!

Very large farmhouses high on the ridge overlooking the farmland and sea!

Driving out we noticed the sign to San Blas Bay (a spot missed on yesterday’s driving tour), so down a very steep road (path) as far as the car was allowed – deciding not to walk the remainder 60degrees down (it was the up that was more of a concern)

We are sure it was very nice but we had Victoria in our sights for the morning.

Short detour via Nadur for a coffee and the street art on the corner.

Off to Victoria for some retail – a little disappointing as the old shops, in this area, are replaced by the new modern chain and designer boutiques!

We did, however, stumble across the charity shop which I found three years ago. It was closing in 20 minutes, but managed to snatch a couple of treasures!

Walked up to the Citadel ( now a tourist attraction and payment before getting near)

Again a bit surprised as last time we walked right around the outside of the wall for free and the views were amazing! I don’t mind paying at all, just did not want the process of organised tours!

We walked down again to a cool drink in the square

Back to the car and off to Ramla Bay for a much needed swim

Beautiful red sandy beach and a local selling a nice refreshing cold glass (plastic cup) of local wine on arrival. Trudi loves this place!

We are now waiting in line to board the ferry back to the big Island!

ETA 6pm. The wandering Kiwis have had a fantastic mini holiday on theIsland of Gozo 😊

Last night the birthday celebrations began – and I was spoiled rotten – even a Cherry Cheesecake Birthday cake!

We left Fgura at 8.30 am and headed to the other end of Malta to catch the ferry, playing dodgems with hundreds of motorbikes!

There was a ride to raise funds for men’s cancer all meeting at the ferry cafe

We caught the 10.30 Ferry, car, Sue, Russell and Trudi

Headed straight to Xlendi Bay for coffee

Then a walk around the promenade outside the bay

Photo moment pause with the rugged coastline heading north

Soaking up the sunshine on the rocks! And the lookout tower on the cliffs in the background

Then off on the ‘Driving Tour’ navigated by Russ!

First stop Dwejra – home to the fallen Azure window which collapsed into the sea march 2017!

Now a rock face

We wandered to the inland sea – a water hole filled up through only a cave opening and a popular spot for divers.

We took a boat ride through the cave

And out into the Mediterranean Sea and the caves of the blue grotto (Gozo)

Inside the caves and…

The BLUE waters – a Little Rock and rolls after the storm – but having taken the safety lesson (“put a life jacket on!” Then at the end of the ride “take the life jacket off”) we felt perfectly safe with our skipper!

Getting precariously close to the caves inside the pink rocks of underwater rolling into view with the waves

Back through the very small opening in the cave after about 20 mins – 5Euro well spent!

A small refreshment break and on the road again in search of the Salt Pans on the north side at Xwejni Bay

Practicing forgotten balance beam skills!

Russ’s turn too!

Continued around the coast to Marsalforn and lunch at 3.30pm – pizza and left overs for tea!

Paying the bill and one more stop for Russell to visit some old temples. We left him there and went in search of milk and ice! No luck with the ice and got terribly lost on the way back to collect him. Retraced our steps and made it! Then off to the accommodation for the night – a farmhouse in Qala

On arrival the welcoming party – underground goats!! Rather an earthy smell and considerable number of flies but you get what you pay for and we have the house to ourselves and this…

In our yard! Now just waiting for the beer and wine to chill down!!

Last nights sunset told us the sunshine was returning to our lives after the Medicane (Mediterranean hurricane)

Day planned to make the most of it – walking to the car parked by the prickly pear bush

These plants are abundant as they seem to not need water!

We headed to Marsaxlokk – to the markets and the fishing village in the south. First stop Costa Coffee!

At the Market place, tourist free apart from three wandering Kiwi’s, everyone was keen to offer us a bargain!

After the storm all the fishing boats were in port –

Getting ready to head out.

Sue, boats and town in the background – happy place in sunshine, by the sea and Boats! What more can a girl ask for?!

A quiet drink and watching the world go by..

A very small part of the world! And minimal impact on the environment mini ‘electric’ smart car

The colour of the streets – all houses build of Sandstone blocks with brightly coloured doors!

Next stop St Peters pool! Since my last visit the road has been concreted, so did not have to negotiate the rocks and potholes. We saw a number of dry people leaving – having donned the bikinis we were looking forward to a swim. Over the top we realised why!

The tail end of the storm was still rolling in and no calm waters!

Saved ourselves a climb down and out as we very quickly realised that a swim in this spot was out of the question. A middle aged selfie on the cliffs.

We were about to leave in the car when a young German couple asked for a ride back to marsaxlokk (to avoid the 40 minute walk). The girl had been caught on the rocks by a rogue wave, fallen over, lost her shoes and was rather bloodied and battered. Good deed done for the day!

We headed to the old go to beach, ‘pretty bay’, determined to have our first swim in a week!

Lunch first however

Hot dogs and chips! Just so mum knows the chips are still great!

We waited the statutory 30 minutes before our dip!

Sheltered, clean and cooling! Welcome back summer, we are definitely sunshine girls and boys!

A very ordinary day in Malta today – still windy and cool – although the sun is trying to burst through and there is definitely a shift in temperature!

Russ and Sue headed to Valletta to collect Maltese birth certificate and go to the ID office – not too far ahead as we need everything signed by a noted recommender before applying for passport etc..

So after a frantic few hours of driving (again) on the Maltese roads, we needed a coffee.

Actually two!

Trudi was off to her hairdressers appointment for the morning.

We then met our cousins for (another) coffee! Near San Anton gardens

Great catch up – and back home to see Trudi’s new hairdo!

A quiet afternoon and out at 4pm when the shops open to choose our dinner for the evening!

Friday night in Malta and the three Kiwis have hit holiday mode!! Finally

This morning was chilly by Malta standards 20 degrees Celsius – tights and a sweater rather than shorts and a singlet.

A small bit of retail therapy and off to the charity shop to donate all Kevin’s unwanted clothes!

Then a drive back to Senglea to hunt for a coffee – waterfront deserted and we soon realised why….

The wind was almost gale force blowing into the grand harbour, boats were rocking on their moorings and three kiwis had trouble staying upright

Sitting on the Seawall in between the waves rolling in

Last week Trudi and Sue were swimming here in the mirror like water – not today we’d drown!

A couple of locals trying to secure their Luzzu on its moorings – and this was on the sheltered side!

We then noticed that the marina in Vittoriosa had filled up and was sheltering lots of new boats from the storm so off we went to walk the wharves – the big boys were in town…

Silver is the new black

This beautiful old girl

The crowded neighbourhood

A helicopter transport option

And the Big Boys toys option! Who knows what’s behind the roller door (it’s probably not Wally)

3x 400hp motors on the racing toy (we have one 150hp on our 21 footer back home)

And holding firm to the wharves! The 1200Hp machine in the background!

Then it was refreshment time

Almost out of the wind, apart from the intermittent gusts that almost lifted the umbrellas!

Having satisfied ourselves that the boats were weathering the storm, we dropped Russ back to the house and Trudi and Sue went off for their new nails (by appointment only!)

Girls on holiday – guess who’s who with the new nails!

Great day of our life in Malta – still waiting patiently for more beach weather!