June 2017 - Week 1

Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th June 2017

Thursday was our proper wedding anniversary; 12 years already. We went to the 5 star Kempinski hotel and sat on their raised terrace overlooking the gardens and pools. It was very peaceful and we enjoyed outstanding fruit tarts and cappuccini. The Gozo Craft Centre is virtually next door to the hotel so we stopped in for a look-see. Sam bought a scarf. Scratch that. I bought Sam a scarf as an anniversary present. We drove the long way home visiting Marsalforn and Xaghra again, gulping down an excellent bacon and egg ftira along the way.

In a rerun of Tuesday night we had a swim, a siesta, drank beers in the square and ate at Ta Vestru. This time I had a rack of tender ribs, Sam had fried rabbit and we finished with the cheesecake and Drambuie again.

Friday we went early to Hondoq planning to swim in the sea there but it briefly clouded over and we chickened out. I dropped Sam off to change and shower etc. and I went back to Xaghra for an excellent forest fruits and almond tart with a cappuccino. Sam and I headed off to Mgarr to explore the marina but in the event we couldn’t find a parking space so instead we went back to the Craft Village and Sam bought another scarf! We lunched at a waterfront restaurant in Marsalforn; a feta salad for Sam and courgette soup for me. We pinched the bread and wandered along the shore, feeding the fish as we went. And you’ve guessed it, we finished the afternoon with a swim and a siesta.

After visiting our favourite bar we went to D Bar for dinner, another restaurant in the main square in Qala. It wasn’t good. The table was so small it was like eating dinner on an airplane. I had a prawn cocktail to start with a flavourless, watery Marie Rose sauce (allegedly). For my main I had a salmon fillet, straight form the freezer served with dry roasted vegetables. Sam fared a bit better with calamari followed by spaghetti with a rabbit sauce. She sure likes rabbit!

Saturday we caught the ferry home, stopping on the way to buy frozen pizza for dinner. That’s what you call falling back to reality with a thump!

Sunday we completely chilled reading, sunbathing and watching the election celebrations from our terrace. The tradition here is for supporters of the winning party to drive around in their cars waving flags, cheering and tooting their horns. They are expected to be so hung over tomorrow that most shops plan not to open as they don’t expect any staff to turn up! For dinner I made a Puy lentil curry with baked sweet potatoes.