On the buses

Maltese buses are definitely more of a tourist feature than a state of the art mode of transport! Vintage Bedfords and Leylands imported from the UK, all dating back to 50s, 60s and 70s. Sadly no mod cons added for comfort, but they get you where you need to be very reliably and cheap. Also unusual is that the drivers own their own bus privately.

Valletta

Malta's capital city, steeped in history and a maze of shops and cafes.

Love at first sight

As some people suspected I would, I have fallen in love in Malta......

Needless to say, I enjoyed my first visit to the SPCA rehoming centre. It was an emotional but lovely experience and I think I may get hooked on the place.

This gorgeous springer pup was in a litter of six found in a skip, in a sealed sack. Two of the pups suffocated, one died a few days after arriving at the home and the other three now have homes to go to. She was absolutely adorable, how could anyone be so cruel??!!!!!!!!! But her faith in humans has not been disparaged, thanks to the excellent staff at SPCA who seem to very quickly and successfully rehab the animals. I guess they are better at forgiving and forgetting than us mere humans.

I expected lots of aggressive and antisocial dogs, but they were all so healthy and friendly. They literally just want affection, scrambling over each other just to get a sniff and lick of your hand. Unconditional love at its finest.

There were lots of puppies and kittens, which obviously can be rehomed more successfully than older dogs and cats. On average one animal a day gets rehomed. There are a couple of now quite institutionalised dogs that have been there up to 5 years, which is really sad, but the staff adore them and they are healthy and cared for. I guess it's still better than what they had before.

Note to self: you can't have one.

St Julians

I'm staying in St Julians, initially a fishing village, now one of the most popular resorts for entertainment and tourism. Loads of bars and restaurants, a shopping mall, cinema, bowling, beach....

My furry flatmate

This is Mazzy, my housemate's dog. She is a Fox Terrier / Springer Spaniel cross and is totally adorable and gave me a very warm welcome in to her home.

Week one in Malta

Well I've been here nearly a week and have pretty much been in holiday mode, dabbling in my fair share of hangovers, sunburn and sightseeing. Next week I will meet up with the Dogs Trust and be a bit less of a layabout but first comes the weekend!

Will be out and about in Paceville tonight and tomorrow night, holding out hope that my liver can cope with 2 nights on the trot.

Paceville is Malta's "nightlife capital" and only 2 mins from my apartment, dodgy ground he he





But my first week has not been all fun and games, it has of course been very educational too.....

What have I learnt so far in Malta:

1. Frankie Stein and Marilynn Brando did not live happily ever after.
2. The Maltese water polo championships had to be postponed due to a slow puncture in one of the massive blow up mallets.
3. Never walk home alone with BD5k.

Oh and also that some people will go to any lengths just to make it on the blog..... not so pretty in pink boys lol.

Fun times albeit slightly harrowing ha ha

P.S. Nat you might not wanna wear that bikini again.

Good times xxx

Messing about on the river

My baby girl safely delivered on her holidays.... a sad farewell on my part not so much on hers. All those walks and furry encounters, she'll love it.

Let the games begin.....

This was my giant farewell cookie from Sue and Ali... mmmmmm mmmmmm





Last day at work accomplished and this Waitroid has now officially left the building… whoop whoop!! Now I can really start to get excited :-)

Only 2 days to finish packing up my house and my yuuuge bag, the contents of which seem to be like some kind of reptile that grows to the size of it's cage.... no matter what I take out it keeps busting at the seams. Quite ironic given that I plan to spend most of my time in a bikini he he.

This week I have been completely drenched in rain, hailed on and nearly blown off my feet, needless to say I am struggling to imagine right now why I would want to pee off to sunnier climes. Once I've stepped off that plane I will be laughing all the way to the beach.... have I gloated enough yet?!!

I am so excited that Nat will be with me for my first weekend, the sacrifices made in the name of friendship are honourable, what a chore it will be but I am confident she will grin and bear every dreadful moment of the weekend just to wish her bessy mate well. Land in Malta 12.45 am, aim to be in the bar by 1.30 am.... well, I can't be accused of not being at all goal orientated over the next 6 months! And by the way Nat, my no shots policy is global!!

Thank you all for your best wishes and genuine excitement on my behalf, it is very much appreciated and very lovely.

Next stop is the boat to deliver my baby girl to her Granny and Grandad, and if me not being all safe and sound tucked away in Stanwell is the cloud, having Maisie for 6 months is their almighty silver lining! I am in no doubt Maisie will have a fab time and will show her appreciation by making sure Grandad doesn't have to collect his own firewood for the duration of her stay!

Then it's off to Lynn's for a couple of girlie days and nights out in Reading... then Malta........ so, see you there folks xxx