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"There's always a plan, but unexpected things happen and we just go with the flow. Though I do believe that fate and destiny often play their part"
sailing blog
Emily-Jane's five day trip to Malta was pretty action packed, although sailing wasn't really a good option due to the blustery North East wind. Let's just say the heavy swell would have made it difficult to hold a glass of wine without spilling it - and that's no flippin good is it? Instead, the entertainment programme went something like this… * A women only shopping day in Sliema (I twiddled my thumbs). * A sight seeing day in Valletta (with me as tour guide). * A sunbathing day on Jane's roof terrace (whilst I worked) * A fish and prawn BBQ (which I cooked). * A beach hopping day around the island (where I chauffeured). * A morning session with a beautician (I don't need such treatment). And one more thing - in-between all of this fun in the sun, our "girlie" friends organised a Malta Hen Night for Em in one of my favourite restaurants. (I had beans on toast on the boat). Aching ribs and sore heads were clearly in evidence the next morning but thankfully the goings-on of the previous night didn't include the normally obligatory male stripper getting his tackle out for maximum comedic effect. After Em departed we had a few days to chill before the weekend sail to Spinola Bay, overlooking St Julians with its cluster of lively restaurants and bars. Being anchored several hundred yards from "the bright lights", we were able to observe the hustle and bustle from a safe distance, whilst we ate a rather splendid supper in the cockpit with Jane on-board for extra company. Although we've been itching to make the trip back to The Blue Lagoon, I wanted to test my engine repairs on the shorter hop to Spinola Bay first. As it happened all was well and after less than an hour motoring up the coast we enjoyed a hot day bobbing around in crystal clear turquoise water. And we had our first swim of the year. In the morning the sunrise was right off the scale, although neither of the women crew were up any where near early enough to see it. Yours truly sat in awe at the spectacular view enjoying perfect peace and tranquility. Early afternoon we motored back with a slight sightseeing detour round Grand Harbour - another first for us aboard Comino. As I write, the weather has turned quite windy again and we're staying at Jane's house so Nicki can prepare for her departure back to the UK on Friday, giving her two weeks to help with final preparations for Em's wedding. I'll be here for an extra week with a mission to polish the boat again, given that half the Sahara Desert has dumped itself on the boat during a heavy downpour last night. It's a really odd phenomenen but I guess in real terms we're quite close to North Africa. At least there was no Camel dung mixed in with the rain!
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A FEW PICS OF COMINOClick a photo to enlarge and use side arrows to scroll through.
COMINO IS CURRENTLY HEREDID SOMEONE SAY SEAFOODOn our journey from Portugal to Greece we enjoyed amazing seafood almost everywhere we stopped. Finding the local fish market was always a priority because seafood was so plentiful and so reasonably priced. And, the displays were a feast for your eyes.
Locating a market sometimes meant pounding the pavements in searing heat, but if you kept your eyes peeled, you often came across a little clue. The pic below was a rather less than subtle advert for a fish market - it was eight feet tall.
Freshly cooked onboard, a plateful of giant prawns, baked in wine and garlic, washed down with a few glasses of local vino, was like heaven. Watching the sunset on the boat eating a meal like that was the epitome of "living the dream".
Now we're in Greece we've another favourite to savour. I'm talking about fried Calamari. It's usually good, but every now and then it's off-the-scale fantastic. At Natalie's Taverna on Kontokali Beach in Corfu, it was nothing short of epic.
We're based in Lefkas now and It's been a bit of a mission to find somewhere just as good. And we have. Rakias is a mere ten minute walk from the marina and this little fish market, with its very own taverna attached, is quite sensational.
Oh...and it's also worth mentioning that, on occasions, a bit of barbequed Octopus is on the menu at some of the tavernas we frequent. Can I resist....no. SUNSETS AND DRAMATIC SKIESNo filters, or any other monkey business, have been used to enhance these images.
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