Author Archives: Jaqui

The Inquisitor’s Palace in Birgu (Vittoriosa) Malta, is apparently the only one in the world open to the public. Originally the building housed the Law courts of the Knights of St John until 1571, when they were left vacant as … Continue reading →

The Porters certainly chose a memorable year to move to Malta. We have had the coldest, wettest winter here for 90 years, the hottest summer for 60+ years, and now we have had the worst storm in living memory This … Continue reading →

On June 20th at 10.30pm on the sands of Gnejna Bay (pron je-ney-na) those revellers who stayed on this lovely beach in the north of Malta to barbecue, drink and party into the night were blessed with a sight not … Continue reading →

Well, after a serious silence which was the result of a very busy May – tourguiding a travel group of 86 people for a week, sorting out various traumas to my constantly problematical knees, and moving house, here I am … Continue reading →

Our cultural journey in Malta continued with a concert in St Pauls Anglican pro-Cathedral in Valletta. This is an interesting building which to me has the feeling of an outside space in its nave, which is divided from the choir … Continue reading →

Well, we chose the wrong year to move to Malta if we were looking for a mild winter. This one was the worst for 40 years with rain, wind, cold and hail! February was the wettest on record for 90 … Continue reading →

As we have become more established here, we have found that participating in the wonderfully full social/activity life here, combined with visitors – wall to wall from October to December – precludes a regular update of this newsletter. So it … Continue reading →

Well, here I am back again. September has had so much crammed into it that it feels about 3 months long instead of one. Lawrence has done three walks, two back to back in the company of our dear friend … Continue reading →

After our visit to San Anton Gardens, we took the popular harbour tour from Sliema, round Marsamxett harbour, passing Manoel Island, now  a boat yard, but which in former days  was an isolation hospital for the Knights of St John. … Continue reading →

Another week of exploration and reacquaintance with a favourite of our visit of 5 years ago.  Our trip to San Anton Gardens in Attard began very early. It opens at 7.00am so that the Maltese can take their early morning … Continue reading →

Monday dawned after what would have been a very frustrating car-less time, had it not been for the most exciting  Tour de France in years. Both Saturday and Sunday were cliffhanging finishes, and so took our minds off  where we … Continue reading →

Sunday was a quiet day, indulging ourselves in the annual excellent coverage by International Eurosport of the Tour de France. For those of you who do not follow this wonderful race, there is the secondary attraction of superb aerial photography … Continue reading →

This week began with chaos on the buses. Arriva began its new system, but was effectively sabotaged by a large number of drivers (58 I think) of the old buses who just did not turn up for work, without telling … Continue reading →

Having said goodbye to Martin and Carolyn on Monday, Tuesday began extremely early. If you want any bureaucratic business done, here unless you are first in line, it can practically take all day as we had learned with the car … Continue reading →

This week began with a delay! Our friends, Martin and Carolyn from New Zealand, were due to arrive late morning but the plane from Heathrow was overbooked and they were transferred to a flight not arriving till 1.30 am on … Continue reading →

This week began with a domestic disaster. Newly returned from our trip to the UK, and expecting our guests Pauline and Stephen for drinks and thence to Mdina’s De Mondian restaurant for dinner, we were anticipating a quiet day to … Continue reading →

The reason for this long break in communications was a trip to the UK, and preparing for the trip was boring with one exception. Week seven saw a long awaited celebratory dinner, just the two of us, at De Mondion. … Continue reading →

Well, I guess that means we have settled in! We have had no major events to report, only a gentle progression from day to day. I am sitting on my tiny back balcony with the sun streaming down, listening to … Continue reading →

Well, I have finally succumbed to the local female custom I have been trying to avoid. I have bought a shopping trolley. I am now a bag lady! When I first arrived I thought “Thank goodness I am not going … Continue reading →

This was a rather scrappy week, with weather again a limiting factor and further aggravated by having no car, until Friday night. One of the most notable things about this time of year here are the migrating birds passing through … Continue reading →