Diary entry number nineteen - Malta. Position 35.53:25N 14.31:20E
California of London
Allan and Ruth Dooley
Tue 15 Sep 2009 15:13
|
Clive and Christian Forrestier-Walker (sailing
friends) joined us in Hania on 5 September. Wind on the nose in the
forecast so stayed put and watched powerboat racing just off the harbour
entrance.
Left Crete on Monday 7 and had four day, 488
mile passage to Malta. Sailing at beginning and end of trip but lack
of wind in middle part despite lumpy seas. First rain since Athens on 21
June! Serious rain too so spent some time dodging squalls to minimise risk
of a lightening strike. Radar picked up heavy rain and also very useful on
approach to Malta where 36 container ships detected on our route.
Nerves eased once we realised most of them were at anchor!
Moored at Grand Harbour marina which is an
impressive spot in the old 'cities' of the knights of St John. Visited
Valletta by dingy and saw the superb Co-Cathedral of St Johns included
its Carvaggio paintings, then the war museum. Malta is a fascinating place
full of history including its two great sieges where it resisted
the Turks (in 1565) and the Axis powers (in WW2).
Also a very sociable visit to Malta with meals
with Daniel di Petri Testaferra (Chancellor of the Maltese order of
knights) and his wife, Enyd, and five week old son, Gregorio. Also with
Richard Leigh who used to be in chambers with Allan.
Said goodbye to Steve Jones on Sunday 13
September and hired a car the following day to explore Mdina (old medieval
capital of Malta) where we visited the grotto of St Paul as well as the walled
town. Onto the fishing village of Marsaxlokk where we dropped off Clive
and Christian who are spending a few days in a B&B
there.
|
