August 2017 - Week 3

Monday 14th to Sunday 20th August 2017

Monday Sam went for a swim with Tina. I went for a short walk around town now that the temperature has eased off but it is still way too hot for a proper walk. For dinner I defrosted beetroot bourguignon which we had with puff pastry. It really is a delicious dish.

Tuesday was a big public holiday here – Assumption Day. Actually this whole week is pretty much a week long Maltese holiday commemorating the arrival during WW2 of a supply ship that heralded the end of food shortages. Well, there was no shortage of food in our house tonight: crisps, then pizza then chocolate for dinner!

Wednesday we had spaghettini with an arabbiata sauce for dinner.

Thursday I managed a short walk. Today’s temperature was 32°C, some 10°c lower than last week. But it was still pretty debilitating. We had planned to go out for dinner – there is nothing in the fridge – but in the event Sam felt a bit under the weather. So, she had a rest and I went out on my own. I had a glass of pretty reasonable sangria at Bognor (the worst named bar in town) then a good curry at the New Madras. On the way home I stopped at Congusto and bought a load of ice cream which Sam and I devoured as soon as I got home.

Friday Sam was still a bit under the weather with a migraine threatening. But she still managed to come to the supermarket. For dinner I roasted a chicken with baked potatoes; we haven’t had those for ages.

Saturday we worked and chilled, though Sam spent a lot of the day laid up with her migraine still. I strolled to the high street – Mosta Road – for an excellent cappuccino at the Donut Factory, which was packed. I tell you, if you serve good coffee, you’ll draw them in. For dinner I made an outstanding chilli con carne with minced beef.

Sunday we got all excited because some clouds appeared. We haven’t seen proper clouds for about nine or ten weeks. We rushed outside and sat under them, revelling in the relative cool. It felt like heaven! Most days we sit outside to have coffee first thing before the sun hits our terrace and again after sunset but today we sat out in the afternoon and felt quite normal. For dinner we had left over chilli con carne with baked potatoes. We have had a lot of carbs lately, so we are going to knock them on the head again starting tomorrow.