January 2017 - Week 2

Monday 9th to Sunday 15th January 2017

Monday I cleaned, shopped and went walkies. We worked, of course, and for dinner Sam made stuffed peppers.

Tuesday I went to the Apple’s Eye but it was shut! Oh no! I hope that is only temporary. I drove on to Xemxija Café for a cheese and ham toasty and a cappuccino. For dinner I made a courgette curry with boiled eggs and rice.

Wednesday was shopping, working and pizza.

Thursday we went to Sliema to shop in the sales. We had exotic sandwiches at Rocksalt for lunch; Sam had a slow-roasted pork and gravy focaccia and I had a toasted ftira with stilton, walnuts and onion jam. For dinner we had spaghetti arrabiata.

Friday I did a long walk around St Paul’s Bay, back to normal now that good weather has resumed. Our landlady called around with her handyman to look at a couple of maintenance jobs that need doing and I think we have agreed with her the terms for renewal of our lease in April.

In the evening we walked along St Paul’s Bay and had a drink at The 1930s Carpentry, a small and quirky wine bar. We liked it a lot and will certainly be going back there. Another first, we went to a huge restaurant La Buena Trattoria Del Nonna which was excellent. We appeared to be the only non-Maltese people there, which is a great sign. The restaurant is off the tourist track so presumably caters to a lot of regulars. The staff were very friendly and helpful and the room was lovely with traditional stone walls and tables dressed in blue checked tablecloths. Most of the seating is in outside areas in the grounds surrounding the property, screened in against the cooler weather this time of year. We sat indoors. The restaurant serves seafood, meats, pastas, pizzas and salads. It is well known for its barbequed pork ribs. We started with complimentary mini pizzas with tomato and anchovy, then bread with herbed butter. We both had the ribs which were excellent. Huge too, so we bought lots home with us! Sam had a side salad and chips; I had roasted potatoes and vegetables – carrots, cauliflower, peppers, courgettes and aubergines cut large - and they were all perfectly cooked and seasoned. For dessert Sam had coconut ice cream and I had a chocolate sundae. It was all great and we will be going back again very soon.

Saturday we went to Munchies at Golden Bay for a change for cappuccini and a muffin and a pastizzi. We walked the beach then drove to Anchor Bay for a look-see before driving on to Armier Bay. We had left over ribs for lunch and, as we were not too hungry, just shared a pizza for dinner.

Sunday it rained, but I still managed some fresh air. For dinner we had a roast chicken dinner.