Malta update and pictures

Roysterer
Peter & Penny Hesleden
Mon 16 Jul 2012 11:10
We've been in Malta for 2 weeks now getting some work done to Roysterer and fitting in some tourist time in between.   The work involved new standing rigging (the wires that support the mast), a new sail pouch with built in lazy jacks, and a new battery charger.  It is now nearly all done except ironing out a teething problem with clanging on the rigging every time the boat rolls which on Malta's busy anchorages is frequently.  Just need to do a test sail this afternoon.
 
As well as a couple of trips into Valletta we've experienced the Gzira festival which involves lots and lots of fireworks with plenty of very large bangs; day and night.  We also saw Brian Chafai singing at the concert which was very good.  Lorna and Brian came over to the boat to have a look and a chat.  Thanks to them for their help whilst we stayed the 3 nights at Paul and Sylvia's flat.
 
Sailing wise we went out to Comino to anchor over lunch but the water was too shallow where we were to risk an overnight stay.  Instead we anchored behind Fungus rock on Gozo which subsequently I was tiold is very beautiful except when a North Westerly wind is blowing.  Unfortunately we were there during a fresh North Westerly and the boat was very rocky; rolling and pitching around.  Combine this with the clanging from the rigging and the result was a very noisy night.  After Gozo we went to Melieha Bay which is a very large bay with the town of Melieha nestled on it's South shore.  We spent a couple of pleasant nights there watching the antics of various speed boats and little dinhies with enormous outboards on the back zooming around the bay.  Whilst we were there we went to Popeye village for a wander and some lunch.
 

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