Paradise Bay, Malta. Saturday 4th September 2011

After over a week of drippingly hot weather, bathwater seas and diving for treasures, this is probably our last day in Malta / Gozo. Temps a sweltering 30-35 deg C and water 28-30!

A long time without writing and a long time without connections. We arrived back to Gozo on 23rd August and it was still boiling. Rapid prep and shopping for arrival of first round of guests on this leg. R's daughter Sophie and friend Heather joined us on 27th August in Valletta for a week of sun and relaxation.

Now we were worried that they would find things too tame and looked up all sorts of things to do and places to see. We needn't have worried. It was so hot. They were in true holiday mode and were content to sun themselves and swim and chat. Nothing more strenuous than walking from one end of the boat to the other for another drink or book or txting fix.

We had a good time with them here and hope they also enjoyed. Highlights of the week: Improving diving skills off the bow of boat (see pics), falling into the water whenever one felt about to boil over, fishing for lost treasure 20 ft down (one plastic shoe (W), one towel (S), one snorkelling mask (Anon) with R's reel and grappling hook weight. Also the Bombay gin and Lanson's champagne, one ribs meal and one super fish supper (courtesy of S & H - thank you!!). And the snorkelling (nice Maltese gentleman on neighbouring boat loaned us 2 masks for the week, so we each had one).

And the laughs and card games. Heather is a shocking cheat (or very very lucky) and trounced us all the first night of play. However, we each of us managed to eventually get our own back at least once. The girls survived the heat and the sleeping arrangements (in the saloon with body bags - they wisely decided the furnace that was pretending to be an aft cabin was better suited to storage). And they did a mean job of washing up and were suitably frugal with water like seasoned sailors. A competent crew course may be in the offing….
So, stocked up on some "British" goodies (still stocked in the shops despite independence and eurozones) and looking forward to Sicilia again and onwards to Greece. We have a date in 3 weeks' time in Corfu - Talisman (alias COOC or Clive and Jane) are joining us there - we just need to make sure we get there!

And wish S well for her move, and H for her next steps. Xx