It is unfortunate that I am unable to share all my photo memories of our Malta adventure so I leave you with these final glimpses from our holiday.

I captured some lovely moments walking around Valletta; a lizard playing hide and seek with me in the upper Barraka Gardens, hidden gems of history, birds with their aerobatics around Triton’s fountain, harbour views, fortifications and the gaudy interior of St John’s Co-Cathedral. And, perhaps, I shouldn’t mention the indulgent Pistachio Wonder for lunch in the Haagen-Dazs Cafe.

My biggest regret is being unable to share the wonders of Gozo; The views, the saltpans, Fontana’s wash house, Ta’ Pinu Basilica (the miracle church), the Citadella along with the amazing views over the island of Gozo.

Those memories along with others will remain as ‘a memory’ for me until (maybe?) the next time I visit Malta…

Photo taken by Mr C

For some reason I was feeling out of sorts when I woke up, possibly because I could feel the beginnings of the lurgy coming on. We were a little late for breakfast but thankfully there was only a small queue.

After breakfast we had planned to catch the ferry to Birgu but the plan was flexed and we detoured to the war memorial first rather than on the way back from Birgu as we had planned. The pathways that led to the memorial were all blocked off. We had quite a tricky time getting to the war memorial and so it took us longer than expected. Some pathways were closed and the roads around it were very busy.

After photographing the memorial, we walked to the lift that would take us down to the ferry. Unfortunately, the extra time it had taken to get to the memorial meant that we had just missed the ferry and had to wait for it to come back.

Photo taken by Mr C

Eventually in Birgu, we took a few photos of the harbour before sitting on a bench for a few moments to look at a map so we could get our bearings. It was now time for a refreshing drink before walking into town. We didn’t opt for the nearest café and settled for a shady arcaded place a short distance down the street.

Then we headed into town checking a signboard before choosing to visit the Inquisitors Palace first. As we neared the palace, I saw a photo opportunity and realised my camera was missing. I remembered I had put it next to me on the bench when we sat to briefly peruse the map. I always check I have left nothing behind when I move on from a place but for some reason, I didn’t see the camara, maybe it had fallen on the floor underneath the bench. I will never know…

Mr C retraced our steps checking all the cafes and also the bench area where we briefly sat. It was gone without a trace.

Despite being distracted due to the loss of my camera, or, more importantly to me, the photos I had taken during the first days of our holiday I enjoyed our visit to the Inquisitors Palace.

By some quirk of fate, I had unexpectedly upgraded my mobile phone (paying less for my contract) just a few days before we travelled to Malta!  The new phone has an adequate camera, so going forward I was able to capture my own photo memories of our adventures in Malta.

Photo taken by Mr C

We went in search of lunch, ending up on the harbour front sharing a pizza and enjoying a glass of wine and beer seated in shade at restaurant Sottovento. This was handy for our next intended visit, The Maritime Museum. However, we found that the museum was closed to the public until further notice, because is being refurbished.

We returned to Valletta, on the way checking at the café near to where I lost my camera. The waitress took my phone number and directed me to the police station that was 200 yards away to see if it had been handed in there. It hadn’t but the police officer also took phone details, although both of us knew that by now my camera was not going to turn up.

It being my birthday, back at the hotel Mr C ordered a bottle of Prosecco to be delivered to the room. The bar staff said, can you take it yourself? Mr C agreed but they provided no ice bucket so it turned out to be a do it yourself sort of celebratory drink on the balcony! When we sat down, I had a little birthday surprise in that my mum (who struggles with technology) was able to use her new mobile phone to ring me up to say happy birthday.

We walked into Valletta to find a suitable restaurant for a birthday meal, ending up, to our delight, dining in our restaurant of choice, Grain Street which we had thought was shut that day. The food and service were amazing.

Our cosy nearby bar was shut on Sundays so we returned to the hotel for a nightcap instead.

Our 3.30 am alarm call allowed us to get to the airport at 5am in time for our 7.05am flight. We encountered a slight hiccup when the in-car SatNav directed us to a blocked road which, too late we remembered had happened last time we flew from Manchester airport. It was four years ago so we can forgive ourselves for repeating the same mistake.

Once at the airport, we booked into the meet and greet parking leaving the car keys before making our way to check in where we found we had to weigh our own bags and print the labels before we could check in through ‘fast track’ which we had pre-booked. Our hand luggage passed through the scanner with no problems but for some reason I set off the personal scan alarm which meant I had to go through the electronic body scanner station. This was an odd experience. After a few questions about what might have set off the alarm I had to stand in a particular way as indicated by a silhouette on the wall facing me whilst the machine scanned my body.

After passing this test we had breakfast which for me was pain au chocolate and fruit juice. By the time we had finished eating, the boarding gate had opened and on checking in we found that we were sharing our flight with a large group of English and Welsh pool players on their way to an international tournament.

We left rainy, cold and dark Manchester on time arriving in Malta 3.5 hours later in glorious 80-degree sunshine. We had booked a private transfer which meant we would arrive at our hotel sooner than if we had waited for a bus. As our driver took us to our hotel, he pointed out various things on our journey and when we arrived in Valletta, he gave us several tips on how to get around.

As we checked into the hotel, we were greeted by the concierge who gave us a refreshing drink. Our room was ready but needed to be checked off by house keeping before we could get the keys. This allowed us to enjoy our refreshing drink looking at the view of the hotel pool and the harbour beyond.

Our room was fantastic with a sea view and balcony looking out over a small harbour and in the bathroom, there was a small vase with a carnation. We left our bags in our room and walked up the 88 steps towards the city gate to Valletta. It was time for lunch so we purchased a snack from one of the kiosks near to the city gate before heading into the city.

Photo taken by Mr C

Photo taken by Mr C

We walked around the city taking in some of the lovely coastal views whilst orientating ourselves for future excursions. I spent a while sitting, cooling off enjoying Lower Barrakka Gardens whilst Mr C went exploring. I was treated to the sound of birdsong and lizards peeping out from the undergrowth.

Photo taken by Mr C

Explorations, complete we headed back to the hotel where we had a drink in the bar before heading to our room to unpack and freshen up before dining in the hotel. In the dining room there was a bit of miscommunication, we had intended dine from the Al a Carte menu but we ended up sampling the Indian Style buffet instead. After dining, we finished our drinks in the hotel bar before retiring for the evening.

On May bank holiday Saturday, a last-minute decision led us to visit Caernarfon Castle. We had initially intended to have lunch in Caernarfon but as we travelled along the A55 we remembered my recent purchase, a book called ‘The Extra Mile’, which leads the traveller of the motorway and bland service station catering to nearby independent cafes and farm shops. Our journey was a last-minute decision so I didn’t pick the book up as we left but I remembered the book has a website. From there we were able to find the delightful Betty Berkins coffee shop which is situated near Holywell in the middle of nowhere.

The coffee shop looked rather small from the outside, but like ‘The Tardis’ it is bigger on the inside! We knew it was going to be good when we were asked if we had booked. We were seated on a cosy table by a window and when the food arrived, we weren’t disappointed. Comfortably replete we re-joined the A55 and continued on our journey to Caernarfon.

We enjoyed the newly installed viewing platform (the reason for our visit), which allows disabled access to the roof area and the spectacular views that can be seen from that height. Despite the easy access we did encounter one of the very narrow spiral staircases that I remembered from our previous visit, many years ago. Not a pleasant experience for me, it was a bit like looking down off the top of a cliff.

Feet firmly back at ground level we enjoyed a refreshing alfresco drink in the afternoon sunshine. The hawk display added to our experience as we watching it fly backwards and forwards, sometimes settling on the low roof above us. On one occasion, much to the surprise of its handler the hawk deciding to land on the head of someone near to him.

We then visited The Royal Welsh Fusilier Museum which is situated within two towers within the castle. The museum is very informative and we spent a longer time than expected, causing us to rush the later parts of the museum before it closed for the day.

We set off home via the scenic route through Snowdonia, intending to stop off for an evening meal on the way home. The timings didn’t quite work which led to us dining in our local Miller & Carter instead.

An information board near to Craster harbour was very informative:

Crastor Harbour

…an important cultural landmark within the Northumberland Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty…

Craster developed as a fishing village around a small natural harbour formed between the outlying rocks of Little Carr and Muckle Carr.  The traditional fishing boat of the North East Coast, the coble,  allowed Craster fishermen to survive heavy seas and negotiate a precarious landing.

Herring once formed the staple catch for the Craster fleet.  A large herring curing business became established in the village.  Curing of imported herring continues and the Craster Kipper remains a famous delicacy.  Today local boats fish for crabs, lobster and salmon.

The present harbour was constructed in 1906 in memory of Captain Craster killed in the Tibetan expedition of 1904.  The large concrete foundation at the end of the south pier formed the base of two silos used to store whinstone chippings.  Whinstone was quarried and crushed in what is now the car park.  It was then exported from the harbour, to be used for road building.

Geology

The whin sill, a igneous rock intrusion in limestone created millions of years ago, dominates the landscape and forms the crags and quarries on the East side of the Reserve.  Its grey dolerite stone appears in many other places across Northumberland, most noticeably along the Roman wall and at the coast where it forms the landscape of the Farne islands and the foundations of many castles.

The information board then provides some information on Dunstanburgh Castle.  I have my own take on that castle here.

For more of this weeks PhotoHunt pictures check out tnchick.

Robert A Heinlein