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.