Malta
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Funking Cold Mdina
It’s Saturday, and very nearly time for a riotous cavalcade of song. Or, to most casual observers, an upmarket sort of karaoke. But first, a trip to the historic walled city of Mdina. It’s busy today, with plenty of tourists and unusually for this place, a few cars too. The narrow streets are filled with…
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Gozo a Go Go
There’s much more to Malta than just Malta. Like its smaller, and in many ways, better looking sister, Gozo. That probably sounds wrong on some levels – but you can’t deny the view on arrival by ferry. Getting this far is a relatively easy task, thanks to a direct bus from Sliema, just down the…
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5.30 : Last Orders
I wouldn’t normally dedicate a whole blog title to a single sign outside a pub. But this isn’t just any pub. The Pub in Valletta is where Oliver Reid had his last drink. And quite a session it was. On my previous visit to Malta, I’d promised to pay a bigger homage to the old…
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Don’t Look Out Of The Window
What a difference a year makes. I was so impressed with my first visit to Malta that I not only came back on the same week with the same people, but we booked into the same apartments. After all, last year’s view was pretty impressive.. To say that this year’s offering is less impressive would…
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Platform Zero
Railway stations can be places of inspiration, not least at the start of an epic journey. Who can fail to be awestruck by the stunning restoration of St Pancras in London, or it’s newly refurbished neighbour? The sweeping interior of York always makes the hairs on your neck stand up. Then there’s Stockport. In February.…
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Gate 13
After an additional day in Malta, I was ready to go home. But several twists of fate meant that home wasn’t quite ready for me. The flight to Manchester was scheduled for 1230, but at check in passengers were told that it had been delayed – perhaps by an hour or so. Not a problem.…
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It WILL Be Fine
“So, can we just laugh and point at you now?” I’ve learned a number of things over these past few days, including the fact that Phil is not always the most tactful of people. He speaks his mind. A bit like me. Which is why I didn’t mind too much when he came out with…
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Blimey – it’s only Peter Andre!
Saturday – and just a few hours before the big event. But first, a visit to Mdina, a beautiful hilltop location known as The Silent City. Which would be lovely, were the silence not broken by a herd of German schoolchildren and the light construction taking place next to the gate. Still, we didn’t let…
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A home away from home
“That seat you’re in there. That’s where Oliver Reed had his last drink before he died.” It’s exactly the sort of tall story which I love telling American tourists in Ye Olde Trip To Jerusalem in Nottingham. Anything mythical will do really. Robin Hood, Princess Diana – it all works. But back to Valletta. And…
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A bus, a murder and a beer
After a pleasant afternoon wandering along the promenade and sampling a couple of local beers, attention turns to the nightlife. This is one of the few evenings when – possibly – I’m not likely to be overwhelmed by all things Eurovision, since the Malta Song final is a couple of days away. And yet, the…
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