March 2017 - Week 1

Wednesday 1st to Wednesday 8th March 2017

Wednesday we went for a wander around Naxxar, had cappuccini and visited the Palazio Parisio. We stopped off at Ocean Basket in Qawra for lunch on the way home. It was awful. The water didn’t turn up, the chips did (luke warm and soggy), the ketchup didn’t, the calamari did (cold) and the salad didn’t. I complained to the manager and we weren’t charged for the food. Guess what? We won’t be going back. For dinner we had left over pork vindaloo.

Thursday I didn’t see much of Sam; she had art class, then lunch with Tina, then a hair do. I did a fantastic hike from Mistra Bay around the coast towards Mellieha and back. Malta looks absolutely stunning at the moment with clear blue skies and water so still and clear that the boats at anchor look like they are floating in mid-air. The hillsides are astonishing, swathed in a sea of yellow blossom interspersed with patches of white and purple. The bees hum noisily, gorging themselves on this glut of pollen and nectar. (I’m bound to wax lyrical about flowers and bugs at the moment as I am reading Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca.)

For dinner we went to Acqua Marina. We had bruschette followed by a plate of mixed cheeses followed by penne nero di sepia for Sam and penne amatriciana for me, and we finished with limoncello sorbets. It was all delicious and the staff were fantastic, as always.

Friday we went to Gozo for the day. The weather was perfect again and we just toured around, stopping for strolls and cappuccini and ice cream and to soak in the views and ambiance. Days off don’t get much better than this. For dinner we had pizzas.

Saturday we went to Golden Bay for a wander. I did a great power walk after lunch but it was very hot and I will need to start doing that much earlier or later now that the hotter weather is here. For dinner we had breaded cod with piri-piri chips!

Sunday was another stunning day. You know what? Every day is a stunning day, so I’m going to stop mentioning it. I hiked north towards Xemxija and back, explored the breakwater and just marvelled at the impossibly clear sea water. Earlier today I saw a guy with a long pole with a large open hook on the end of it. He dipped it in the water and waited – and waited – and suddenly he pulled it out of the water and there was a huge eel draped over it. He threw it onto the path and his mates leapt in and killed it. The eel was as thick as a baby’s arm and as long as my leg; so, there is another reason not to go swimming!

In the evening we went to O’Reilly’s for a couple of beers, then on to HOS for dinner. We had papadums, spiced lamb chops, chicken tikka masala, chicken jaelfrezi, saag aloo (spinach and potatoes), pilau rice and a chapatti. It was all great, if a bit salty.

Monday we shopped in Greens. For dinner I had chicken wings with potato wedges and Sam had blackened chicken thighs with leaves.

Tuesday our landlady called around and we signed a new lease for another year. I nipped to the bank but other than that we stayed in as it was blowing a force 8 to 9. Good practice for my forthcoming trip to the Isle of Man, no doubt! It’s still warm and sunny, though. Despite the wind we went out in the evening. Everywhere was deserted. We went first to Miracles for a drink, then on to Benjawan for dinner. The food was good as usual. Sam had mixed starters followed by a medium hot Thai green chicken curry. I had vegetable spring rolls followed by stir-fried chicken and cashew nuts in oyster sauce with egg fried rice.

Wednesday we woke to the news that the storm had destroyed the Azure Window in Gozo. That’s a big deal. The Azure Window was an iconic tourist attraction. All day today the gales continued with the wind whistling and the heavy seas pounding the shores. For dinner Sam had blackened chicken with leaves and I had a pizza, pepperoni for a change.