Winter in Malta

Here are a few images from our early 2020 visits to Malta.

Reflections in Spinola Bay and mooring lines .

Salinas nature reserve and the new visitor centre.

Victoria Lines Magliena and Bahar ic-Caghaq.

LVIV, UKRAINE

In October we took a train from Poland into Ukraine to the wonderful and historic city of Lviv, founded by a Polish King in the 5th Century. Borders changed many times but the Polish feeling of the city remains. The history of the city makes interesting reading.
I had written an informative text which was lost in November before I could post it here, when the computer was stolen in Valencia. I cannot find many photos either but here are a few I can find.

That is the Opera House
Apart from enjoying the old streets and cellars, we also climbed the hill overlooking the city.

There was no tango milonga on the nights we were there but we were invited to a practica (practice with teacher present) and the next evening to a class.
We enjoyed high quality music in the streets from buskers and tried the cherry liquer in Rynok, the main town square.

SCENE OF CRIME VALENCIA

On 5 November we landed in Valencia, Spain and took the public bus to the city.
Whilst waiting for our long distance bus south we relaxed near the bus station.

We were obviously being observed  by a group of 4 young men, especially as we made a few photos under a tree with the recently purchased tablet.
4 pieces of baggage were close to us.
When we came to leave for the bus the one containing tablet and pc were gone, and so were the men.
It was reported to the police in Garrucha who warned us especially to avoid Barcelona as there is political unrest and where tourists are often targeted for theft, also Sevilla where many pickpockets operate.
The loss of our main communication devices has caused no end of problems since and we still don't know if the travel insurance will honour the claim. It must be made online which is difficult without pc and they want the purchase invoices for the stolen items.
Life goes on but this blog was put to the back burner. I write today from another new tablet.

SICILY AGAIN

Arriving at the ferry terminal we had to choose lanes between two ferry companies. Having come from Sicily with Caronte & Tourist we chose the other to try it, Bluferries,  to return. It seems they carry much less traffic, and run less often. They are part of the Italian Railways company. We waited over an hour, but paid less than on the other line.

Finally on board we were surprised to see train tracks on the ferry. It is a roll on – roll off ferry for trains too.

We were starting to see a few of the leading yachts competing in the Rolex Middle Sea race and were lucky to get close to Kuka 3 to make photos. It is a major race in the international yachting calendar.

Avoiding toll roads in Sicily we drove the slow coast road, stopping north of Taormina to use some exercise machines, just behind the beach, and to make our own coffee with cake using the new camping gas burner we had bought in Greece for the first time.

We came to Camping Mokambo where we had stayed on the first night in Sicily while driving north.  Finding it closed, but the owner was there doing some Sunday maintenance, I asked if we could pitch the tent as it would soon be dark. 

View of Mount Etna from Mokambo Camping.

The obliging owner allowed us to stay and did not charge us, Thank you so much.

On Monday we drove south to Ikea on the outskirts of Catania. There is always something we want to buy there, as well as use the fair priced restaurant / café but the restaurant closed earlier than we expected but there was still food left.

We continued south going much faster on clear roads now to a campsite Azienda Agrituristica Agricampeggio "CAPO SCALAMBRI" just 8 km from Marina di Ragusa where we had left the boat for the winter of 2017/ 2018. It was well priced at 12 euros and really peaceful. We had to pay a little extra for wifi.

Next afternoon we spent an hour relaxing naked on the deserted beach in the warm afternoon sun, and gentle breeze before final coffee and cake, and hot shower. Each day at the campsite we prepared green smoothie drinks with our blender, so refreshing. Kale is our ideal main green ingredient but parsley, spinach and a little celery are good, with apple, banana and grapes, as available.

Passing through Marina di Ragusa we bought an LED light for the boat cabin, and stocked up with fruit and cheese from two supermarkets we know before driving to the ferry. 

The catamaran ferry left at 21.30 and we drove off in Malta at about 23.45.

That marked the end of our camping touring in Southern Italy as well as the summer sailing in Greece, both of which were amazing. Unless the boat is sold we plan to do the same in 2020.

It is much easier camping with a camper vehicle. We can say in many places free to sleep, but with the tent we need power for the fridge and avoid fines for illegal camping. The tent and equipment are a small investment and can be packed in the car. Hard ground makes it difficult to secure with tent pegs. We are glad to have a three man tent to give us extra space inside. Weighing just over 4 kilos it is heavy for backpack trekking and camping, but perfect for car touring. I did buy the 30 second tent once, the one which opens it-self. Getting it folded away however was the problem.  It took me an hour !!  Sadly that tent was stolen from a house in Malta used for storage.