England and Malta

Sorry blog-readers, this trip away from the boat is all about catching up with friends and relations and so the photos are of people that are important to me, but maybe not so much to you.

Celebrating Daryl's birthday with his son Ben and wife Karin.

Daughter Janine could not be there, but surprised us with a lovely bottle of champagne to start the evening, well done girl!

Delicious!

In England I love to catch up with Val, a best friend from way back when.

There is always a fair bit of wine involved and a lot of chat. The men usually get tired and slide off, but we sit a talk for hours, trying to cram months of news into an evening or two.

Leaving Daryl in England, I headed off to Malta to spend a week with my family. I like to go on my own, so then I can sit and chat for hours, with only short breaks for a swim, or a bit of sun.

The island is still hot and dry in September, but later this month a little rain is expected, which should help to settle the dust and water the parched trees and plants on the island.

Jane, my sister, won a week's holiday to Lake Garda. So her and her daughter Ashley are off to Italy with the compliments of her favourite supermarket.

Glad to here that someone wins these things, and it it worth filling out those annoying pieces of paper, while juggling bags of shopping and handbags.

17.30 is tea time.

Mum and I sit and chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit.

Each evening anyone who was around would meet for a drink and a chat outside Mum's place. It used to be the stables, and so I christened it 'The Stable Bar'.

Always a good laugh, and always rather loud, with several conversations going on simultaneously.

I thought the Greeks were a loud lot, but I think the Maltese outdo them!