Our days have evolved into somewhat of a regular pattern. In the evening as we reflect on our day we always agree we will not make plans for tomorrow until we wake up, check the weather and decide how much energy we have.
It is a comfortable routine we have with our morning coffee and breakfast. Even with the daily chores we can be on the bus between 9:00 and 10:00am going somewhere. Today we headed for Dingli Cliffs on the west side of Malta. Bob got this photo from the bus outside of 'Shiny's Bar' about 10:30 going through Dingli on the way to the cliffs. Just enjoying the morning sun or waiting for the bar to open....?
We are in new territory but stay on the bus through the town of Dingli on our way to the cliffs. It is our plan to come back and wander through town later.
As a result of the tectonics of the central Mediterranean the island of Malta is tilted from west to east. This is characterized by the cliffs from Birzebbuga In the southern end to the Northern cliffs of Mellieha which we look out on from our apartment. It is from those hills that we watch the beginning of each day. The cliffs of Dingli are 250 metres above sea level and are the highest point on the island of Malta.
As we look out over the Mediterranean we know in the unseen distance it is Tunisia in North Africa. It is windy on the cliffs and the weather is not cooperating for us. The sun we started with has been replaced by clouds. We enjoyed our walk along the cliffs but didn't take time to enjoy the views on the benches looking out to sea.
You always know where to find the centre of town. We're not sure if we're going to get back into Dingli or end up in Siggiewi. This is the Church of St Mary Magdalen dating back to the 16th century. It is not open to see inside so we wait across the street for a bus going somewhere.
A lot of the bus drivers push the envelope going through traffic and around corners. But this guy was the craziest yet. We had the front seat on the left side and a good view out the window. I wish I had been able to video our trip but one picture is all I managed. We had to hold on at every turn. A lot of these roads are only wide enough for one vehicle. We ended up behind a truck filled with rock from a quarry and our driver was right up that truck's ass, braking and speeding up until he had the opportunity on a downhill to pass. When we saw the dome of a church we new we were near the centre of town and rang the buzzer to stop and get off. I said 'Thanks for the ride hotshot' and Bob asked him if there was a prize for getting somewhere first. He wasn't sure at first what we were talking about but then the light went on and he said 'yes' with a big grin, lol....
A few pictures from the Pjazza of Siggiewi.
This guy and a friend who was standing behind him gave us the look as we wandered up through the square. We were taking pictures and also looking for someplace to eat lunch. I asked where was a good spot and the standing guy pointed across the street to a bar. The only thing you could see inside was a pool table so we kept walking. We found a place with some tables outside that happened to be in the sun. Lunch special was Rice pie, Maltese style. Have to try these things. A bottle of HopLeaf and white wine for me washed down a pretty boring lunch. When we walked back to the square this guy was still sleeping, his head resting on the iron rail. He didn't move but kept one eye on us all the time.
I'm not getting a lot of painting time with our days being so busy but between some sketches and the blog we should have a pretty good record of our travels.
Observations....
Sunrise and a little shower providing a rainbow over St Paul's Island this morning.
Where's the rest of the building??
I swear they were playing bingo in the church. We couldn't understand the language but it sounded like someone was calling out numbers:)
Store called Needs and Treats.
Signs "To Let" mean for rent....every time I see one I think it says toilet with the 'I' missing....just sayin'....
I love having lunch in the sunshine in a Pjazza in the shadow of a huge, ancient domed church.
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