Sadly, this is the day we bid farewell to Eve and Michaela who are returning to London this afternoon. They came to our neighborhood for some time with us before departing. We had breakfast at Cara’s Café and then strolled down the promenade. We ventured down to the seaside and walked along the lower path back towards our apartment. Today is a very windy day with overcast skies. The temperature is in the mid-60s today and with the wind, it is rather chilly. But we’ve been having great weather since our arrival, sunny and 70, or slightly above, every day. I got a weather advisory for Binghamton indicating a high wind warning over the next day or two on my cellphone (known as a mobile here). We have yellow alert (whatever that means) for a wind warning here. I do know that being on the 4th floor of our building, the wind is whistling through the apartment no matter how tightly we close the windows.
After strolling along the seafront, we came back up to the promenade and decided to have a drink at Fresco’s, a nice little restaurant across the street from our flat. We had had a meal there the other day sitting out on their terrace, but it was too windy for that. We were seated inside in a glass-fronted room overlooking the bay. The view was spectacular!
As we were sipping our cappuccino, Eve pulled out her paints and sketch pad, then painted a scene from our view. It was great fun watching her work. I have always been impressed by her talent as an artist, and I always want a sketch or painting from her whenever I can get one.
And then, all too soon, it was time for Eve and Michaela to take a bus back to their house to pick up luggage and go to the airport. It was really special sharing time with Eve here in Malta. I remember so vividly her as an 11-year-old on our visit to Malta in 1985. It was fun sharing memories of that trip and making some comparisons with what we found this visit.
After bidding Eve and Michaela a bon voyage, Christine and I decided to explore the neighborhood some more. We especially wanted to go back to Stella Maris Street to find her grandmother’s house, now that we knew the address. Here are some photos from around our neighborhood.
We then spent some time on Stella Maris Street. We started from the church and went downhill towards the sea. Christine was really shocked and upset upon coming to #38, her grandmother’s place. The exterior had been renovated and was unrecognizable from her memories. Also, the building had at least two new floors added to the top. So, Christine was really disappointed and upset. I’m posting several photos so our Australian cousins who were born in Malta and will remember 38 Stella Maris Street can see what has happened to the place.
We had a drink with Carol shortly after we took these photos and she confirmed that this was the place. She gave us some information about how the building had changed. She still owns #36 and rents that apartment out. It is unclear whether anyone really lives in #38, first floor. It is clear that the upper floors are inhabited.
Christine dug out all the information about all the Malta properties she has on her computer, including the videos Angela took when she got in to see some of the apartments and her conversation with Peter Caruana-Galizia. She will show Carol and Joe this information and try to learn more. She’ll also try to meet with Peter. I’ll post more as we learn more.
After meeting with Carol, Christine and I returned to our apartment and had dinner. Now it feels as though our living in Malta will begin. Each day will be our own to do with whatever strikes us. What fun we’re going to have!
Pat and I are so very happy that you are having such a wonderful time on your trip!!!
We are now having a snow day here in Binghamton. We are definitely thinking about you on your sunny Mediterranean vacation.
We’ve been following your weather. Glad we’re here and not there! Sunny and 70 here today.