Sunday 31^st May – Valletta, Malta

35:53.799N 14:29.614E

This morning at breakfast, a large visiting yacht turned up to berth on the opposite side of our pontoon – there is a gap for two boats.  On their first attempt they ended up blown broadside by the wind.

However, as the boat, a 49 footer with 5 on board, tried to berth for the second time they were clearly still not prepared.  The director of the marina, who has his boat just down from ours, went to help with the lines.  This in itself is unusual for Malta; it is not generally the custom here for people to help with the lines of other boats, it is assumed you are competent – we learnt this in Gozo when we arrived and were left to just get on with it.

Richard went to help too as it looked like all available hands were needed; they were still struggling.  They failed to take a proffered shore line and then threw a uselessly thin line to the director which was not tied on, they then ineptly took a shore line whilst struggling to secure the pick-up buoy. 

Eventually the director was totally frustrated by their incompetence and refusal to take his advice and he threw the line back and told them to go away as they didn’t know what they were doing - he was worried about the yacht next door and them being blown down onto the pick up line on the next berth.  They were a bit confused as they didn’t know who this guy was telling them to go away, but they went away anyway as there was now no-one to help.

Shortly after the director was off sailing for the day on his own yacht and we wondered if the other boat would try to sneak back – but we haven’t seen them.  The moral is, if you can’t park a boat, don’t come to Malta.

After breakfast Richard scrubbed the decks on Pyxis.  It is amazing how much sand and dust she has picked up.  The decks is looking much whiter now.

We spent the rest of the day sorting out some admin on the internet and then enjoying the sun on deck with a book.  There was quite a breeze, keeping us cool but we were having to be careful of the sun.

It has been great to take a break – it feels like we are on holiday!