April 2017 - Week 4

Monday 24th to Sunday 30th April 2017

Monday I did a great power walk to Xemxija and back. The sea looks astonishing; green and blue and aqua marine and impossibly clear with hardly a ripple. When the sea is that beautiful, it really does bring a lump to your throat. I see fish and seaweed and silky-soft sand and breeze blocks holding the ropes of the buoys. There are bits and pieces of broken boats, reminders of stormier days. Occasionally the surface cracks as spear fishermen cleave the surface, blowing their snorkels. Novice scuba divers glide across the shallows trailing their tell-tale string of bubbles. And, somewhat incongruously, the occasional duck paddles by, seemingly oblivious to all this activity. As yet, boats are scarce; sailors can’t get insurance till June, so the stillness is largely undisturbed. If I were an artist, now would be the time to paint my seascape masterpiece.

Back in the real world we roasted a chicken for dinner with sweetcorn, broccoli and cauliflower.

Tuesday we were in all day, part working and part watching from our terrace. The road that abuts the promenade in St Paul’s Bay, Bugibba and Qawra is finally being resurfaced. Boy, it sure needs it; in places it resembles bomb damage. Although the road is closed while the roadworks are under way, lots of drivers ignore that and bounce their way over the rubble, weaving through the machinery. Only in Malta! We had pizza for dinner.

Wednesday was walkies and work. For dinner I made a Puy lentil curry with roasted potatoes and broccoli. More vegan deliciousness!

Thursday I went for a walk in the National Park, stopping for a cappuccino at the Craft Centre. After lunch I power walked to the Café del Mar and back and, boy, it was humid. Summer is sticking her fingers into spring. I even put the air con on in my office when I got back, a first so far this year. For dinner Sam had left over curried Puy lentils and I had fish finger sandwiches, another first!

Friday we went to Miracles for a drink then on to the New Madras for dinner. We had the same food as last time – papadums, lamb and coconut madras and a plain naan for Sam and chicken tikka madras with a pishwari naan for me – and it was excellent again. I went to Con Gusto for dark chocolate and butterscotch ice creams which were yummy!

Saturday we went to Piscopos, the Atrium and Homemate searching for a new BBQ cover. We drew a blank so we will just try a generic all-purpose cover. I did good walks after lunch and dinner. For dinner we had blackened chicken breasts with vegetable kebabs.

Sunday we strolled to Ta Fra Ben and sat by the shore listening to the sea splashing against the rocks. Along the way we stopped off at Miracles for cappuccini and checked out the vintage cars at the Aquarium. There were a lot of tourists about and, being a Sunday, quite a lot of locals too. For dinner Sam had left over chicken with broccoli and cauliflower; I had a roasted vegetables and goats cheese pizza.