News & Updates from Jean Pennington

We?ve been in Malta for the last three weeks, and the weather has been wonderfully sunny. We?d never visited this island before, so we had a lot to learn.

I knew that St Paul had been shipwrecked here, and that there was some kind of link with the Knights Templar, but that was about it.

We?ve really enjoyed learning about Malta?s very long history, and seeing pre-historic artefacts which are more than 5,000 years old.

There are also lots of Roman ruins.

We were relieved to find that English is the official language here, and that they drive on the same side of the road as the English! We are staying at Xemxija, which is a quieter part of the island, but, since Malta is less than 30 miles from one side to the other, we?ve been able to visit many places.

Valetta has stores which we are used to seeing in the UK, and sells lots of designer wear. Bugibba is a popular holiday resort and is packed with cafes and restaurants. And the food is really good here if you enjoy fish and seafood.

Pretty fishing boats are everywhere, and the daily catch is fresh when it?s delivered to the restaurants. And there are lovely sandy beaches for sun-bathing. But Mosta is my favourite place by far. It?s a crafters paradise!

Before we came I only knew about the multi coloured glass, for which Malta is world famous, but I immediately fell in love with the hand made lace, the filigree silver jewellery, the fabulous cut-work embroidery, and the hand knitted wear from Gozo.

The women there spin their own yarn, and then knit it. And I discovered two shops which sell card making products. Needless to say, we?ve spent a lot of time in Mosta and I?ve been buying goods which I haven?t seen in the UK! But tomorrow we fly home.

Emails from the UK say that it isn?t very warm there, so we?re going to miss the sun here. And we?re returning with lots of washing, to a house with no food. Oh dear! Never mind, I?ll soon get back to my routine, and card making.