Dec 2015 - Week 4

This was the view from our terrace at first light on Christmas Eve

Monday 21st to Sunday 27th December 2015

Monday I was under the weather. Sam had been unwell on Saturday and Sunday so we are guessing there is some sort of bug going around. We still managed to get to the supermarket to do a big shop. We are planning to take a proper week off next week so we are working to clear our desks. For dinner we had left over roast chicken dinner.

Tuesday was hot and sunny so I sought out the shady spots on my walk. The bus routes and times have all been changed this week so I went to the bus station to pick up a new timetable. Guess what? They don’t have one yet! Goodness only knows how the tourists will get on as all the bus stops still display the old timetables. Sam stayed in as she was working to a deadline. But she still managed to find time to make mince pies. For dinner she prepared yummy stuffed peppers and courgettes. She used the globe-shaped courgettes, about the shape and size of a cricket ball. She stuffed them with roasted vegetables, tomatoes, rice, chorizo and feta and baked them to perfection.

Wednesday I went to the Qali Craft Village to buy a final prezzie for Sam. I got there not long after it opened and had the place virtually to myself. I paused to watch glassblowers in action at one of the two large glass factories in the village. I’d always assumed that was simply a show put on for tourists but maybe not. Most of the units in the village are given over to filigree jewellery, something of a Maltese tradition, but there are also artisan shops and small producers selling ceramics, crystals, paintings, wood carvings, even smokers’ pipes. The village is near Mosta, sandwiched between the National Stadium and the National Park, adjacent to the Aviation Museum and you can enjoy marvellous views uphill across green meadows to Mdina.

I drove on to Dingli Cliffs for a short walk to soak in the breath-taking views; dramatic cliffs running south and north, and open ocean to the west. Dingli Cliffs is the highest point in Malta and so it can often be windy there but today it was calm and cloudless. I had to share it with a handful of tourists. With such perfect weather, they must think they had died and gone to Heaven.

For dinner I made spaghetti bolognaise. We haven’t had that for ages but asked ourselves why as it tastes so good.

Thursday was such a perfect day we got out early and went to Armier Bay for a stroll. Sam had a paddle but admitted the sea was very cold now. We sat in the sun and watched the fish and enjoyed the peace; there was hardly a soul about. We drove on to Munchies at Ghadira Bay and had excellent cappuccinos, sitting at a waterfront table. Other than that we shopped, wrapped prezzies and cleared our desks for the holidays.

In the evening we went for a drink at Miracles then went on to Salt for dinner. Sam had moules which were good and an excellent rib eye steak (it was huge so she bought half of it home). I had fresh pasta parcels stuffed with pumpkin, served with artichokes and a blue cheese sauce, then soft belly pork with a crisp crust served with braised pork cheek and an onion tarte tatin. The mains came with Mediterranean vegetables roasted with rosemary. On our previous visit to Salt we found everything a bit sweet but not this time and we were very impressed.

Friday, Christmas Day, I was awake at six, showered and dressed and sipping coffee by seven but Sam didn’t get up until 9.30! We opened prezzies, made phone calls and went to Miracles for cappuccinos and brunch. We went for a wander and strolled out onto the breakwater. It was another dead calm day. The fishermen were out in force with their new look-what-I-got-for-Christmas fishing rods. Other than that we spent the day eating mince pies, Christmas cake, chocolates and crisps while watching movies. Lauren had sent Sam a DVD of Elf, a real Christmas favourite. We had an early dinner of roast duck, potatoes, parsnips and carrots with gravy made with fresh giblet stock. Perfect!

Saturday we took a leisurely drive to Pretty Bay where we strolled on the beach and found a waterfront café for a cappuccino. The weather continues to be unimaginably good; dead calm, warm sunshine and just the odd cloud here and there. The temperature in the sun on our terrace was 32°. From Pretty Bay we drove on to Marsaxlokk and had a wander around taking photos. The bay there is chock-a-block full of brightly coloured fishing boats. The fishermen had landed their catches and were busy sorting and drying their nets. The waterfront restaurants were also a hive of activity, preparing for a lunchtime rush. Boxing Day is not a public holiday in Malta but at weekends Marsaxlokk is always busy with locals and tourists alike.

We went to a restaurant set off to one side of the main promenade and it was an inspired choice. It soon filled up and we were the only non-Maltese there. We sat outside on a terrace laid out with half a dozen tables. An awning was opened up to protect us from the sun. The food was brilliant. I had seared scallops with a cauliflower puree and a pancetta crumb followed by tortacelli (like spaghettini) with red mullet, olives and cherry tomatoes. Sam had fried calamari then pan fried quail with salad and roast potatoes.

We thought we wouldn’t need dinner after such a big lunch but I ended up cooking a pizza and Sam had steak left over from our visit to Salt on Christmas Eve!

Sunday we did the supermarket run then I went for a hike while Sam prepped dinner. Chris and Tina came round and we had smoked salmon, pate and olives followed by a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings. For pudding Sam made a fab dessert; stratiacella ice-cream mixed with Christmas pudding and served with boozy oranges. Great fun!