Sunday 21^st June – Grand Harbour, Malta

35:53.221N 14:31.217E

Today we decided to give Pyxis a good clean down below having been on anchor for so long and then passaging. Richard started on the saloon and forward cabin whilst I tackled the galley. We started early whilst it was still cool; the church bells starting at 8am may also have had a hand in this.

As the day progressed it got hotter but the forecast strong winds duly built during the day and managed to work their way down to our sheltered berth as a fresh breeze, giving us a lovely cooling wind through the boat.

Early afternoon we were about ready for a break when Rosi and Otwin from Enya made a surprise visit to us. They are on the hard over on Manoel Island having some work done, and had taken the bus round here to see us.

It was great to catch up with them again and we had a celebratory drink. We then went for a wander around Grand Harbour and up into the the small town of Vittoriosa which is very pretty with old buildings and narrow streets.

We were looking at one building and were beckoned inside by someone; it turned out to be the home of the St Laurence Band Club and we were able to sit in a small courtyard and enjoy a coffee whilst chatting to a couple of the old boys there about Malta.

After Rosi and Otwin set off to find a bus home, we went back to Pyxis and did a little more tidying and cleaning before dinner.