Midweek

 Wednesday arrived with scorching temperatures even at 7am,  I can tell you now I wouldn't mind these temperatures over the summer weekends in the icy wastes of the north east of the UK.

My early morning brisk walk has now turned into a sweaty stroll, but it is lovely to take in the architecture of the town. There is a huge amount of building work taking place, mainly blocks of flats 

obviously to entice families, I had been watching some Maltese TV and on Sunday I watched a talk show where a professor was talking about just this, how they were building flats for families, but where was there space for the children to play outside and where were the  general play areas. On my walk I have noticed that they seem to be slotting these builds into spaces where houses have been taken down. There are no real beaches on this part of the island either so it does make you wonder. I know it is the same now all over the world,

I loved the sandstone architecture which gives the towns a unified appearance, and  sandstone was used for properties that it gives to homes, (heat retention and cooling properties).

I indulged again in a couple of pastizzi with a decaf latte before heading back to the hotel, to lay on a sun lounger take in the surroundings, cover myself in oil and rotate myself like a pig on a spit for a few hours.

The pool here at the hotel is now my best friend as I try to get in 20 lengths a day, I have eaten lunch most days at the hotel pool bar, where the food is very good and has a decent menu. The staff at the pool are a tad lacklustre in their performance of anything.

EXCEPT the daily job of taking 20 sunloungers away and stacking them up and then an hour later unstacking them and scraping them across the tiles back to where they  removed them from. No idea why but it happens daily!

My evening involved heading to an 'Irih pub', not somewhere that I would ever frequent abroad as I always try to go local , but I was tired and didn't want to walk too far. So off I went to 'Molly Malones'. I was looking forward to a Bloody Mary or 2  and some pub grub. Ahh the disappointed when  all that was on offer was pizza and as for a Bloody Mary, bloody hell no chance, and not a dry martini either (all the ingredients were right in front of me over the bar, yes I could have got a measure of each I know but. it would not have been in the right glass and that makes all the difference.)

So pizza and wine was the order of the evening.

A slow walk home through the streets made me realise how run down this part of St Pauls/Bugibba is, I passed 2 hotels that were closed down completely and wonder if these will be replaced with flats. This area must have been a great holiday spot  in the 80's/90's I guess.

I was tucked up in bed by 10pm, tired and feeling a little out of sorts.

Today is hot and sunny and I am off to check out aa local church.

busy busy

 I had decided to go and do some sightseeing yesterday, however was not sure how long it would last.

I decided to do the hop on , hop off bus which would be there every around every half hour if I decided to go back to the hotel.

We took off at pace, with the first stop being Silema. I sat up top just to catch a breeze, but as we left Bugibba, I caught a familiar smell, a fresh, briny smell, something I was used to on holiday many years ago in Torrevieja. We rounded a bend and there were The Bugibba salt carts, the area for the production of sea salt, I was breathing in the smell, which gradually faded into a lung full of diesel fumes.

Silema was a nightmare to get into due to masses of building work, it was sad to see the beautiful centuries old architecture being swamped by blocks of flats and high rise buildings ( like the hideous skyline of London now).

We headed on to Valetta my first stop. I had decided to head to the Co- Cathedral to see the only signed Caravaggio in world and it did not disappoint. A monumental painting approx 12ft by 17ft, it was commissioned by the Knights of Malta

As you know, I love a cathedral so just taking the time for quiet reflection was a huge part of this visit.

I won't bore you with the 3564789244 photos that I took.

This was my main reason for the visit to Valetta and as I have plans to return in cooler months I headed back to get the bus to Mosta.

The rotunda of Mosta is very well known for the fact that a bomb dropped by the germans in WWII  did not detonate, and the 300 people in the church survived. The pilot of the plane that dropped the bomb did return to Mosta to apologise to the people, something that they admired greatly.

As we were approaching the drop off there were so many people waiting to get in that I decided to stay on the bus and head to Mdina, this in turn was much the same and in the heat of the morning, I headed to the roman villa and then back on the bus half an hour later. As I have said I intend to come back to Malta and revisit these places properly.

The bus drive back took us through the countryside, the small vineyards and many poly tunnels producing some of Maltas potatoes and tomatoes. The side to the roads full of huge prickly pears, the fruit for human consumption and the cactus used as animal feed if needed.

I was back at the hotel by early afternoon having left at 7.30am, it was time for  a shower to try to cool off slightly.

I had a late afternoon sleep at the pool, and then decided to get ready  for dinner.

I have taken to wandering the back streets of St Pauls and Bugibba in search of food rather than heading down onto the main strip, last night did not disappoint. About 2 streets behind my hotel and less than 5 minutes walking I found a lovely restaurant where I had spaghetti, with mushrooms, onions and sour cream. Oh my days it was delicious, as was the rose that I washed it down with.

For once I even had dessert. ( and a white Maltese wine )

This was all freshly cooked and was exceptional, and extremely good value.

Today I am heading to a local wine merchant, one of the most respected in Malta to  see what they have to offer.

Pool day

 

My early morning walks seem to be getting earlier, as I try to avoid the heat , which is nigh on impossible, it is 6.40am now and 21c, the temperature having remained a constant all night.

I had noticed how few people were using balconies and how curtains remained closed all day, everyone seems to be trying to keep the heat out. Yes there is air conditioning, but I never run it when I am asleep.

Anyway back to the day that was Monday, I was out walking for over an hour which was more than enough and included a drinks stop and a sit down to watch the world go by.

Back at the hotel , it was time for a swim and pick my choice of sunbeds

This whole set up of loungers fills me with dread, if they were all full it would be horrible.

The pool was welcome relief and gave me a little bit more exercise as I put in 20 lengths.

I decided to have lunch and once again it was exception and way too much

The sandwich filling of goat cheese, tuna and olives was a perfect, I will definitely have this again. Everything was washed down with water, of which I have at least 4 bottles in my fridge in my room. Best to keep hydrated.

I slept and swam most of the afternoon and eventually wrapped it up and headed back for a shower about 5pm, it was still super hot.

I had a travel business call booked in , so took the call whilst having a walk around the area of the hotel ( more about this later).

After the call I thought I would have a 'dry martini', ahhhh how silly I was to think it would be that easy. Yes  2 ingredient drink is impossible to come by, but you can have a Long Island Ice tea, or Negroni or espresso martin no problem. I settled for a Bloody Mary which has become my new go to drink and of course counts as one of your five a day! 

tiredness and the need to get up early today meant that I was tucked up in bed before 9pm, just in time to have a quick chat with Tracey.

And today, well I am up, and ready to head off for a little adventure.

Have a great day.

Sunny Sunday

 

I was up and out of the door very early yesterday morning, wandering through the side streets and taking in the quiet of Sunday, there were lots of people out jogging, I chose to walk  at pace.

I found the a swimming spot and have decided to have a couple of early morning dips in the sea before I head home, I love a sea swim.

I stopped for a decaf coffee at a lovely little cafe, and a had a local delight a pastizzi, well I had 2! These are either filled with ricotta or curried peas, I opted for the peas and they were delicious. Also delicious was the price, large coffee and 2 pastries €3. You can hardly get a coffee at home for that price.

I headed back to the hotel and then to the swimming pool, straight in for a dip and then a little nap on my lounger. by 1pm it was scorching so I headed back to my room and had another nap. I decided when I woke up to go for another swim and then get showered and ready for a late afternoon meeting.

When I was flicking through X on Saturday I spotted that my friend Anthony was on Gozo, so messaged saying I was heading to Malta. When I got here we were exchanging  messages and it turned out that they were in a hotel about 10 minutes walk from mine. we arranged a meet up.

You just couldn't make it up!

What a fabulous early evening, sitting by the sea drinking negronis/ espresso martinis and chatting with friends. Such a tonic for the soul.

Sadly Anthony, Kate and Edward are heading home today, but just wonderful to meet up.

I headed back to the hotel by a different route and stopped for some dinner on the way.

It was after 9 when I got back to the hotel and I was in bed and fat asleep in no time at all.

I am now up and showered and heading off for my morning constitutional, and to check out the buses as I will be heading off on some jaunts over the next few days.

Off I go

 I had decided to stay at the airport on Friday evening, so that I  could have an extra hours sleep.

However I woke up in a panic, thinking that I had slept through my two phone alarms and convinced it was 6am and I had missed my plane, only to find that it was actually 1.15am. I then didn't dare go back to sleep, so had numerous cups of coffee whilst watching rubbish freeview channels.

I headed over to the airport at 3.30am and was feeling quite deflated and very tired. Obviously the Easyjet ground staff were feeling the same as they were most unhelpful. 

Through security without any mishaps and finally getting myself a glass of champagne, well it is the law!

We were called to board the plane and here Easyjet excelled everyone called in an ordered manner. I headed out to the rear steps just wanting to get sat down and have a nap, getting to the top of the steps I only recognised  one of the crew!!!!, it was Kurt who I have known since he worked Saturdays in my hairdressers (my hairdresser Jacquie is his auntie). After a hug from him , I felt much better, and after 4 bottles of Prosecco ( yes Prosecco)  I was feeling on top of the world.

We flew over the Swiss Alps and yes there was snow!

We arrived in Malta and I was on the mini bus in record time, I was the only person for this particular hotel, and as my room wasn't ready I headed to the pool, where some 'jobsworth'  stopped me and said I couldn't go to the pool. I said I was waiting for my room to be ready, he still wouldn't let me through. So back to reception and given a key card holder to 'prove' I was staying there.

I decided to have a spot of lunch, choosing 'bruschetta as I thought it was a light option, and then it came

wowsers!!!

At 2pm my room was ready and its very big,  three beds ( in case anyone is over here and needs a bed), sadly no balcony, which put my people watching in the evening on hold.

I decided to go for a swim, to chase away the tiredness, then had a couple of hours lying in the sun, and its hot!.

There was lots of messaging going on too, but more of that another day.

I was really tired and decided to have an early night 

And now, I am up, had a fruit and yogurt breakfast and heading out to get my bearings and see whats what.

Happy Sunday

Another month almost over

 Well is April is nearly over and with it the beautiful blossom on the trees, which have put on a wonderful show this year but which is now covering my car like confetti.

Entering into May, surprisingly I have no trip planned for this month, however I am still planning my France trip ( and other options) for later in the year, and planning trips for other people.

I am hoping to fit in another Mijas trip in October which will then slide nicely into my birthday week in Mijas in November

Wih two bank holiday weekends this month I may have to find something to do on the next Bank Holiday.

The weather is warm and sunny ( although still chilly early on a morning) and the garden is starting to take shape, my hydrangeas are  in full leaf and hopefully full bloom soon.

Am I the only person thinking about next years holidays?, I am planning to mix it up a bit and maybe only go to Mijas a couple of times, and venturing somewhere else  for summer holidays.

My head is full of ideas, I just need to put them into action.

Happy Bank Holiday weekend

Not really a Mijas debrief

 

I think there have been more debriefs from Mijas jaunts than anywhere else in this whole series of blogs so I thought that I would write about what I do most of the time, and surprisingly its not drink lots of dry martinis!

1. When I wake up whether it is still dark or the sun just starting to rise, I step out onto the balcony, and take in the early morning air. When it is still dark it is lovely to take in the complete peace before the birds have risen from their nests and if the sun is just coming up , it is  lovely to just listen to their joyous song.

Sitting for 5 -10 minutes to slowly wake up and greet the day is my favourite thing. I feel that these few minutes reset my sleepy head and get me ready for the day. ( I do this at home  when it is warm enough and have an early morning coffee outside).

2. I go for a walk around the village every morning, but I really walk with no plan of where I am going ( apart from back to the hotel). This is not usually just for getting my steps in but for getting my thoughts in order. I often wake up with many  things going round in my head, and after my morning quiet time, I then try to make sense of what may be troubling me, or things that I need to do.

A walk with no real destination is a good way to just think things through.

3. Have fresh air, I sleep with my balcony door slightly open, and I know a lot of people will think this is unsafe, believe me I would never do this anywhere else but Mijas. I sleep with a window open in my bedroom at home all year round. 

I have always loved the feel of fresh, sometimes cold air when I wake up.

4. Drink lots of water. I am a great water drinker and on holiday I tend to drink more than normal, whether sparkling or still, I make sure that I am properly hydrated at all times. I always have a glass of warm water before my first morning coffee.

5. Eat local, and by this I mean, trying anything  associated with where I am. In Spain my favourite is gazpacho which  I absolutely love, but I love chicken and roasted veg Spanish style.

Pan con tomat is another favourite of mine and makes a hearty breakfast or lunch.

I love tapas, mainly as you can usually find something that you really like.

6. Relax!, The joy of not having to drive to and from work, the fact that the day is completely yours and you are not tied to doing anything that you don't want to do is just the best feeling in the world.

If you are looking for holidays,  get in touch.

lainey.robinson@notjusttravel.com