Missing home?

Not really missing UK too much, missing the people i.e family and friends. There are a few things I do miss these are:

The Greenery- England is a lovely lush place, here it is dry and when you see soil you can tell it is not very fertile just by sight. There are palm and olive trees about but not much grass at all, in fact Im not sure I have seen any grass yet!

The food- now I am a bit naughty in saying this because so far at every restaurant I have been to, and I have been to about six or seven here now, they are really tasty. However when you go to the supermarkets, I have found a few now, mainly in Sliema, there is not much choice and it does not always look to be the best quality. Having said that there are a lot of french food products here and of course Italian.
Meat, fish and dairy are cheaper though and you can get some juicy prawns out here for next to nothing.

The people- yes us Brits are a bit less warm than people over here, but we know how to queue. Enough said!

Thats about all I miss, you really do realise though what a plentiful array of commercial goods the UK has (im sure most is imported but still) so clothes, household goods, food, just seems that bit more expensive for less.

Malta does have the pleasant climate which will at some point bronze me, beautiful bays, splendid restaurants and much more relaxed feel to it, which is amazing and welcomed by myself and Chris.
You walk along the promenade and see people sitting for a chat, runners taking route among the beautiful coast, people sitting in a bar at the side, with a cool beer. There is no council tax, yet they pick rubbish up every day. No TV license. Less taxes. Plus you can get a brilliant apartment for about a third of what they would charge in the London area.

I have spent my days trying to be constructive, shopping for the essentials, cleaning products, water etc. Ironing and washing for Chris. Tidying the place. Relaxing, reading ,eating lunch in a little cafe. Trying to get familiar with my surroundings, went on another bus tour. Saw the beautiful Blue Grotto.


Set up a bank account here, sent some postcards...Its been great. The internet is now set up, it was sorted this morning, we have good and fast connection and I feel more in touch with the world. Was previously relying on free wifi in cafes and bars. At the weekend we have some exploration and shopping planned- we need some household items, on the list at some point is a barbecue for the balcony, a coffee machine and probably now a new bed- ours is not very comfy and creaks at every turn, hell almost every blink of the eye it is that creaky!
Went to the supermarket today, a Carrefour in Sliema, picked up dinner for Chris, made him a nice chicken dish, I myself had pasta but Chris having eaten pasta and pizza for almost 5 nights in a row, like myself, decided no more carbs! Went on a touch to the South of the island, which is where I saw the Blue Grotto- it was a treacherous journey on this open topped, rickety old tour bus, I myself not being on the small side was eyeing up the obese tourists who boarded and sat on my side. It was our side which dangerously swayed probably unsurprisingly, leaning, the breaks groaning at our cumulative weight. Not comforting when we drove down winding roads next to cavenous ravines. It was really quite scary, but the view was worth it!

Settling in nicely

Yesterday we had the big move. It went smoothly, probably mainly as we only had 3 suitcases to take and unpack! We met the owners, a large building company and sat with the Director for a bit, discussing through the contract- thank godness it was written in English! For me there was a bit of waiting around during the day as Chris started his new job and the contract was not to be signed until 5ish. So I did a bit of shopping in Debenhams of all places, to pick up some towels (we had packed them but had to abandon when we realised we had too much stuff.

The place is stunning, with the spectacular view, its large size and classy furnishings- I really cannot believe my luck. Its a great area too, being obviously by the sea and alongside a popular promenade with lots of lovely restaurants dotted about. We are in between the posh Tigne point which has the shopping centre (albeit as discussed ealier a so- so one) and the lively St Julians and so we are pretty happy about that. I am particularly happy about the main bathroom which is pretty swish, lovely tiling, his and her sinks and also the living room (again THAT view)

We had a lovely meal out that evening, a yummy pizza and a couple of drinks to celebrate the move.

The women in Malta are well groomed, usually dressed to the nines, slender and tanned and in comparison I feel very British!
The drivers are not very careful. The people are mostly friendly- I was told how lovely they are and how welcoming they are particularly of the British but I would not go that far!

First weekend in Malta: Open bus tour and other fun

On our day off on Saturday we decided to do the tourist thing and get on one of those tour buses. I am a huge fan of these! It was a hot day, as per usual and we sat at the top in the open air to feel the wind in our hair.
It was a good way, without a car to get a feel of the place, put place names to the location. We passed our new apartment along the promenade and went on to Tigne Point. This is a desirable area in Malta, we know someone with a lovely apartment out there and there is a shopping centre there.
I am a big shopper, I like my possessions and the joy that searching for them brings. We had a wander and I was a tiny bit disappointed I really hate to say. There is a small Marks and Spencer food shop, were a talking small but it is better than nothing! There were not too many shops there really, a few European clothes shops, a couple of the upmarket high street stores like United Colours of Benetton. The supermarket at the bottom was a good place to look round to get an idea as to the choice and prices available to us. There was not a lot of choice and the prices were similar to the UK but with UK brands like Iceland (who wants Iceland food anyway?!) being three times the price.

Chris stopped for an expresso (he was not impressed) and I went to a bookstore (I was not impressed) it was a poky one and again the prices were about 3 times the cost of here. Probably only to be used in times of desperation!!

So we stayed at the shopping centre for maybe an hour, such was the anti climax and went on the bus for more of the tour. There was lots of limestone buildings to be seen.
The port des bombes in the picture and a few other monuments, statues and the like. We stopped off in a lovely little marina type village (they mostly are being a small island with lots of bays) called Victoriosa. It was pretty with lots of showy boats again. We stopped off for some lunch at a place called "Two and a half lemons" it was alright there, Chris could not rave enough about his beef sandwich. Mine was OK. The atmosphere was the enjoyable thing as there were friends and family gathered having a very slow lunch that you could tell began way before we arrived that day and long after we left. It impressed upon us the slower, more relaxed way of life.

On the Sunday we decided to just relax, having only just arrived and already explored and got an apartment. We sat by the lovely pool at the Hilton most of the day, reading. Then packed in the eveing ready for the move the next day.

Apartment Hunting

We woke at around 8 got ready and went down for breakfast. The hotel looked much better in daylight, no surprise there. Having finished a large breakfast we decided to take a walk in the near vicinity to get our bearings. It was a beautifully hot day, around the high twentys already mid morning. we explored Portmasao, the area around hotel which is a bay and is highly prestigious area, an area we know we could not afford comfortably unless we wanted a place like our previous fairly small one beds back in the UK.
It was a lovely area and a nice walk. There are lots of restaurants in Portmasao. They are fairly pricy but lovely (we have been to a couple now).
Then we met our agent at a well known real estate company over here and began our flat hunt.

There are many things ascertained during our trip that day and these are the following realisations on Maltese property.
1) they like to have their washing machines in their bathrooms
2) they are cheaper like for like than the UK. Again no surprise there!
3) they are one of the following in terms of style: chic and minamalist or 80s style. there is nothing in between, no shabby chic and so forth.
4) They like to keep the place dark to lose as much heat as possible.

We saw some nice spaces but the old fashioned interior did make them less desirable for us. It is hard to imagine them with our style in it with such garish items around. Take note house sellers!
We ended up liking 3 properties. Each had a good amount of space and modern interior and air con in each room. One had the most amazing view but it was the more expensive of the three. After some weighing up we decided it was worth it and affordable.

Leaving day

Leaving day, we had to also leave our old flat, which meant to “Check out” and tidy the place leaving it in an acceptable condition. I am choosing my words carefully here as when we moved in we remarked how the place was grubby: cupboards not wiped, walls a bit dirty and there were quite a few cobwebs about, in essence the place did not to have had the professional clean we were told it would have and so we were not going to a) provide payment for a professional clean on the way out b) spent too long cleaning. However 7 hours later (I try to clean thoroughly so it takes a while) we were ready to leave the place, the main hold up was not the cleaning really but deciding on if we were going to have to leave certain items behind. One such item was the brand spanking new iron I had purchased. Unfortunately we decided we had no space for it, such is life!

I will not deny leaving was a stressful time, having cleaned and scrubbed our flat, scrutinised our possessions for worthiness and then saying goodbye. Chris brother Ben proved to be a huge support that day, moving things, packing things and driving us about despite currently studying. Both our families have been lovely, and shown their love by helping us organise things so thank you Ben, James, Janet, John, Beth, Claire and Bill!

Janet drove us to the airport, Chris was a backseat driver. I was nervous all the way, anticipating a hiccup. We were lucky not to have any. Our luggage was overweight, I am sure it would prefer the label “big boned” and we had to pay pretty steep excess charges- think the price of another business class ticket!!
We were lucky enough to be going business class and to those as full of wonder as I was as to what this would involve it is the following: You are sitting at the front so it is a bit noisier. The attendants literally wait on you, offering you free drinks a lot. The seats are bigger and you have more space. There WILL be annoying rich men “yahhing”. The seat space was worth it all, as a nervous flyer you need all the comforts you can get. My vegetarian meal involved chicken and Chris and I did wonder if this would set the tone for our adventure food-wise for a vegetarian.
The main perk aside from the seating for a business class passanger is the business class lounge. I had been to one before when we went on our honeymoon. Theres free food, it is a dream for someone like me (someone much like our poor luggage, see earlier!) Free drink, wifi, magazines, a nice quiet spot to rest and in this one there was a small “Six Senses Spa” where I readily accepted a back massage. I had never had a male masseuse; he asked me the pressure I wanted. “Medium” I quickly retorted, him having just given a quick and very firm shoulder rub. He was not medium throughout, not by previous standards. My back gave an almighty crack and I have had less trouble with it since, so brilliant. I had a glass of wine, well a few sips of a glass and we were on our way to the gate.

The flight was smooth and quick. Chris and I watched Lost. Now I love Lost, but the whole premise surrounds a plane crash. In fact the plane in Lost crashed on the 22nd September- the day we flew out. So we were pretty much watching the programme on its rightful day, Lost day!

Arrived into Malta at about 1 o clock and had a twenty minute drive to the Hilton hotel we are staying at. It is a beautiful hotel and we have since been told the best on the island. I am writing this (the morning after) with a great view


We marvelled at our surroundings and retired to the very comfy bed.

Monday

The apartment is more or less empty now- all the better for cleaning it! Fun! There's no tv and chris and I are tv fans so we will be bored!! We have two evenings out for dinner planned and the following we fly out so all is well.

My mum helped out majorly today being around when the packers were getting together all our stuff for shipping. Janet did too.

The stress is insurmountable, will they accidentally pack our passports, will they break something. I am ignoring proper grammar for the sake of tempting fate with the afore questions by not affixing a question mark to them lest i might get an answer.
They are only possessions. The TV feels more like a basic human right right now though. Oh to watch a programme I never watch. I can imagine this is what it will be like when I am over in Malta- myself lamenting over the loss of things like The Queen and cups of tea. Both of which I have never cared for much.

What will it be to be Maltese, I have only ever known to be British. Will i develop an accent? Will i love the place so much I become Maltese and spend my retiring days there. That is the beauty of life, we never do know what is going to happen, 6 months ago, Chris and I would not have forseen this diversion. Nor would we have forseen the silly petty arguments we have at the moment, being a stable couple of 11 years who more or less grew out of the teenage part of our relationship- the rebellious, argumentative part! Ah well, stress has such an effect. I wish it had the effect of quelling my appetite but alas it is the opposite!

I am excited, I am also bored, of waiting. I am not very patient. I also am dreading the clean up that comes prior to leaving a property, which brings me back to the flat. I am sitting on the sofa, sounds echo since there is nothing to absorb it, I hear every whirr of the fridge. It is cold, it is hollow, I realise I did have an attachment to this place, seeing it bare I feel a tag at the heart, a certain fondness. Again this is perhaps another last minute nerve which has caused me to sentimentalise (have I made up this word? I like it!) about the things I never realised I liked or in fact never did.

Excitement looms. There is not long left and we shall be in the land of 31 degrees, of limestone buildings and the place I am excused of eating as many Maltesers as I want!

5 days

Having a eerily calm moment or I was! From my bed I could see the sky whilst gazing up(ish) and it has been a beautiful view. I was enjoying the sight, calming and natural. I wondered will there be such clarity over in malta. Will I do the same thing there? When I have been to the Maldives and Dubai there was some of the clearest night skies where you could count thousands of stars. You felt closer to nature as things were less spoiled. I hear Malta is actually quite polluted as they are a nation of car lovers so we shall see. What a twee statement i opened with but nevertheless all true!
The day is almost upon us, as usual I am looking forward to the airport shopping but not the flight as much. Packers are coming in Monday.

Been making cakes this evening. Somehing I do a lot. Tomorrow we are having a bake off at work. It will be my last Saturday at work. Saturdays in a retail role are crazy busy and the customers tend to be a bit ruder due to the stresses of their day. So on the whole not a day I shall miss!

Chris' birthday and leaving party is tomorrow. It's in London, our old hometown for 4 years. Should be good. Be great to have one last drink with people. We (royal we) always say to others we will keep in touch but within the bunch youbsay it to, there's always someone you actually never do. What interesting and unforeseen paths our lives take.

Tuesday

Apart from Sunday this is my last free day until we fly off and I assume although lucky enough not to be working initially I am sure I will be very busy settling in.

Today, us having sorted most stuff now except our packing I decided to do what I enjoyed doing a couple of years back, head to Westfield shopping centre! Most of our stuff is being packed and then shipped by the removal company but we have to ensure what we need in the month or so interim without most of our possessions, is packed in our suitcases with us.
This largely seems to be thus far: Clothing, cosmetics and toiletries and a couple of lightweight cookbooks in my case.I'm sure Chris' number one priority will be his new apple mac laptop he has got!

Woking is so close to London it was a fabulously quick journey today to Shepherds Bush. When Chris and I left London and lived with my parents (and then his) I would sometimes come to work with him and then sidle off to the Westfield shopping centre. It is a nice place believe it or not to sit and chill with a Diet Coke and a slice of cake (I know..the irony of the combination of the two) and a good book. There are lots and lots of comfy chairs about in corners, perfect for book readers. I am currently reading "Dissolution" kindly leant by a friend. The first book in a series written by CJ Sansom. I am enjoying it right now and so sat earnestly and read several chapters. Every now and then I will pop into a shop, usually a book shop.

Read quite a lot of entries of blog "American In Malta" http://www.an-american-in-malta.com/ its interesting and I'm wondering if I will have a similar situation, most of which is lovely and positive.

What am I looking forward to in Malta?
The hotter climate compared to the UK, which this year has sucked.
The more sedentary way of life and a chance for Chris to be able to relax more.
Wandering through cobbled streets aimlessly with a paper bag full of fresh tomatoes from the market.
Sitting and reading in small cafes.
Less taxes!


I am under the impression it will first of all feel like a bit of a holiday, being that we will be staying in a hotel until we find a place. So it will be interesting to see when it will begin to feel like home.

Sliema

This is where we will be moving to in Malta

Preparations

Preparations?? I have bought more dvd's as we anticipate a lack of good tv. I bought a blast from the past, the tv serialization of my fave author Stephen Kings "The Stand" have fond memories of watching it with my dad back in 1994!!!
Packers are sorted, they will be doing the hands on work in regards to all that.
Chris has spoken to some ex pats over there who advise the quality of life over there is great. Looking forward to the food and having some free time to cook and bake all the more. Been slowly saying goodbye to people- had a great weekend with friends :) bit hungover most mornings after drinks with people! The alcohol we have in the flat must be drunk too- not great to ship flammables with you apparently and we want as little hold up/trouble with customs as possible. We have found it hard stocking up on appropriate attire. The autumn/winter season is nigh and in the uk that means warm jumpers and coats, not appropriate for the mid to high twenties we should face October into November. Will miss work, friends and family. My sister is my best friend she is great. Will miss my dads advice and warm, handsome face and my mums kindness and beautiful smile. Will even miss that brother of mine, whom I see a few times a year! All these things have been fortunately close and will no longer be so however I would follow my husband to the ends of the earth x

2 weeks to go

So it is now two weeks until we fly off to Malta, where my husband, Chris starts his new job.
It is strange emotions moving to another country, especially one you have never visited, obviously there is apprehension. Chris and I have always been open to the possibility of leaving the UK. We had a tough time a couple of years back that left us frustrated/other negative emotions with the NHS. It was unfortunate to us but we do know people, including Chris' Mum, who work within the system very effectively.More or less the only things I shall be sad to leave are family, friends and my work- Waterstones, which I have adored for the 20 months I worked there. Chris and I have always been sun hunters and so we are largely looking forward to the more or less year round sun. With no children, or mortgage we have few ties and so lets do it!!

We have sorted most things out now for the move, quite impressive in the month we will have had to sort it. However, not the big thing, accommodation, so we shall be staying in a hotel until we get ourselves a lovely new place which we are confident should not take long, stay tuned for our adventures.