This was probably our most enjoyable time in Malta. St Thomas Bay is near the town of Marsaskala, about a 10-minute walk away. This little area and bay have some of the bluest waters I have seen. Dark blues, aqua blues merging into sparkling waters.Rocky little coves with whirlpool areas and a nice little spot where my son did some fishing in those beautiful blue waters. At the end of the bay is Munxar Head, where we enjoy an afternoon walk.

This is where St Paul was shipwrecked in 60AD as in acts of the Apostles in the book of Acts chapter 27-28 also spoken of in 2 Corinathians 11-25. Where the inhabitants of Malta offered kindness to the 276 survivors and to Paul himself. Malta is also famous for where St. Paul was bitten by a snake, but he suffered no ill effects.

We had many walks along the fortified harbour, stopping to watch ships from all different countries docking and seeing the huge cruise ships as well. This became an excellent daily activity for both of us. Along the way were nice wooden seats to rest on and take in the views and sunshine. The Upper Barrakka Gardens were simply designed and suited the environment well. The main plants are hardy, heat-tolerant ones, such as many olive trees, yuccas, cacti, and succulents. However, some of the beds had bedding plants for one season only, bringing in colour to these gardens, where pansies. In the middle of the gardens is the most beautiful water fountain, a structure of sandstone arches and olive trees on the corners.I felt the peace and tranquillity come over me as the sun shone on my back, my eyes saw the aqua blue of the fountains’ bowl, and my ears listened to the rushing sound of the water coming forth from the pretty fountain. Here, at the far corner, is a charming small building, again made of local sandstone, which is open as an outdoor cafe. Local families and tourists meet up here for coffees, ice creams, a local beer and an Aperol spritz, which is actually from Italy. With Sicily and Italy being so close to Malta, I guess the Maltese got a custom to this tipple as well. In beautiful glasses so elegantly served, it’s bright orange colours looking like a glass of sunshine itself. I’ve never purchased one, but just looking at a bright colour against the bright blue skies made one feel so summery. We ourselves had a nice coffee, an Italian soda, and spent time people-watching and taking in our surroundings.

Valletta or il-Belt the city of Valletta .

Also known as Citta Umilissina,the humble city.

This amazing place is the Capital of Malta.

One can spend hours wandering and marveling at its beauty.

Some say it’s like a living piece of history.

Baroque architecture is everywhere.

It is built on a peninsula and Europe s southernmost capital full and heaving with history at every turn.

With the best artwork s, churches,and places.

The fortified city walls overlook the Mediterranean sea.

Here we have walked each day with bright blues skies and glistening seawater shining upon our faces.

Coffee s and Little cafes along the way.

so much to explore .

I have travelled to a fair few countries over the years .

The subject of doorways and door knobs/handles

It has always been a subject .That I have found much enjoyment in photographing.

Every country I have visited seems to have great doorways .That draw your eyes to them.

I never loss interest in finding new door ways ,and handles to photograph.

fills me with much joy .

Maybe you can tell a lot about the person who’s home it is by the kind of door and doorway they have?

I also like to imagine what lays behind these doors !

what kind of decor is in these houses. The families and people who may live their lives behind these closed doors.

These pondering can have me transfixed at a doorway for sometime!

Until my son pulls me onwards down the streets !

So much beauty to be seen just walking 5 minutes down my street.

You passed all the heavy-craved limestone buildings.

With their columns, pillars and pretty carvings on the walls.

Windows high up with wooden balconies /Gallarji are also often shaped plus, carved, and painted in bright colours.

Front doors are wooden also, carved, and brightly painted.

Adorned with fantastic door knobs and handles.

Often in brass or sometimes other metals.

Often depicting dolphins, fish, the Maltese cross, and other fascinating subjects.

At the very end of the street is a bold black wrought iron street lamp with 3 glass lampshades

Finishes the street in a bold statement, Hey, look at me!

As your eye passes this beautiful lampstand, you see the bright blue sky and small park area overlooking the walls of Valletta harbour .

All within 5 minutes from the tiny little flat what a spot i found.

(February 2025).

Ok so yes I’ve spoken in depth before about my health.

About 6 years ago I moved to Ireland and have been so very blessed to find a home here .

However the climate in the south of England where I am originally from is a lot warmer .

Here in western Ireland we have so much beauty but we do have long long winter s rain fall often and extreme damp with days of grey skies .

when the sky is blue it is a treat and really lifts the spirits.

I had been struggling physically and emotionally. Due to the lack of light/greyness all morning day and night.No sunshine and dampness hurting my osteoporosis in my neck.

Finally my X-rays at my doctor’s showed bad osteoporosis in my neck and my vitamin D levels where none existent!

I truly needed light and a little warmth at least.

So the search started to find somewhere to spend quite sometime in hope to boast the vitamin D levels up and hopefully less damp to improve the pains in my neck for a time .

flights all over the places in different countries where looked into.

Ryan air being my cheapest option .

So Malta came up with very reasonable costing flights from Dublin Ireland .

After some searching on airbandb

A basic studio flat in the capital of Valletta with a discount as I was their first client.

So Malta here myself and son come to be with you for this February.

we are both delighted to be having this experience and time away.

My hope is that my son will see new cultures,places , history and spend time together.

To make memories of all the experiences that we shared together that will stay with him as he grows.

These are worth so much I believe they stay in your heart and mind forever

Better than what money can buy as those thing finish and break are temporary.

Memories shared together last and when life gets tough as it will !!

for sure at some point .

my son can hold on to those happy memories we made and shared .

That is my hope and one of the reasons I love to travel with my son to create those things now and for the future.

Around 7.30, we hear banging about outside our room in the street below.

There is a fruit and vegetables Man setting up his store from his van.

Really happy to see this site just below my tiny balcony.

I watch for a time seeing what kinds of fruit and vegetables he has.

His stock is a wide range.

I would love to purchase my fruit and vegetables from him today.

We got blueberries, pears, onions, garlic, carrots, lettuce, cucumber, peppers and a treat some figs.

fantasic figs €1.20 in Ireland €5 for same amount .

I never eat them anymore in Ireland.

Up 5 flights of stairs to the room .

I would say it’s the standard size of a large bedroom.

within this space are 2 single beds,small table with 2 wooden chairs .On the other side of the room a little worktop with sink ,cooker ,a few cupboards up high and a fridge .

To the left of the room is a very small bathroom with shower ,sink and toilet.

However the first thing that standards out about this tiny studio flat .Is the fact that walls are painted half pepper mint green and upper part bright pink !

That might take a bit of getting used to on my part.

The more I settle in I am sure these colours will also grow on me.

we are staying in the center of valletta .

very different to my tiny 2 bedroom bungalow in rural Ireland.

I wonder if the noise ,street light and buzzing of the fridge will keep me awake.

As in western rural Ireland it’s pitch black at night and you would hear a pin drop there.

we will see !

This is a view from our flat.Great entertainment watching daily Raymond ,son and grandson on top of car as the repair it together!.

(Firstly I am no doctor and people can have allergic reactions to anything!)

But on the whole small amounts of these should be safe

When I feel a cold or sore throat coming I go to the garden and there is a good amount of herbs that are antiviral

Thyme, sage are very good plus mint and lemon balm also can help

Self heal is a amazing flower wild which grew in my lawn every year ! I harvest and dry to use in teas .It has many properties!!

I will write a detailed post on this amazing flower soon

Plus a good honey also helps for colds

So today I made a teas of

Thyme selfheal flowers and honey !!

Later while working in the very cold damp poly tunnels I had hot thyme tea !

As still getting fresh air is good when you have the start of a cold

for three days I had a slightly sore throat!!but it didn’t develop further

I truly believe these herbs and fresh can help us all