Seems we have an affinity to churches and their bells, we are woken this morning by the bells, some earlier than others. The bell tower is no more than 50 meters away! You do quickly acclimatise to the rhythm and routine of them and I do like them around. In Malta they boast 365 churches so a different one for every day of the year.

As we arrived so late last night we awake as if it is Christmas morning, the surprise of travel and what is in today's chocolate box for me is the overwhelming delight . Our lives can be so same same same, to me it is just a joy to see and do new new new - the elixir of travel completely wows me.

Marsaxlokk is a fishing village just starting to take a commercial view, still very sleepy but we have been warned than Sundays take on a different outlook so stay tuned. We venture out onto our roof top deck area to take in the sights of colourful small traditional fishing boats bobbing around within the sheltered harbour. There is a piazza court area right in front of our accommodation as well. The place we are staying at is called Duncan's Bed and Breakfast and is positioned right on the corner overlooking the harbour. They have upgraded us to what they call the Penthouse, in reality it is a large flat on the roof top with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen and dining / lounge decked out 80s style but very comfortable and suits are very well.

Before we catch the bus into the main city centre which takes about half an hour a full breakfast under umbrellas out front is undertaken. Bed and a full cooked breakfast at 30 euros each per night with Maddie free goes down a treat. We are meeting Donny's Uncle Fred. He is very excited to see the family when we arrive and has our days excursion within Valletta all mapped out.

Malta has one natural resource and this is sandstone. It is used in practically all building construction and is the intrinsic feature not only of the main city but from what I have seen all of Malta . The city centre is also a garrison city, the British held rule, protected and defended the place for 150 years. The Maltese gained independence in 1964. Valletta is set out in a grid fashion similar to that of Melbourne. They have a harbour which surrounds three sides and is nestled reasonably high up as seems to be the positioning of many places that needed to be more easily defendable back when.

Freddie pointed out many of the main structures very proudly, the main street in which in a majority of past and current important public building are located is completely vehicular free. The city is very clean and draws you in, with such striking sandstone structures and massive slabs of it for the fortification you can see why it is such a popular destination within any visitors itinerary. The streets that run with the harbour at each end create a funnel effect enabling natural cooling breezes to flow through. You can really notice this as it is a very warm day today. As Uncle Fred was a hairdresser I asked if he could show me where to get my hair cut . Can do, so off we venture, a few words to his hairdresser mate in Maltese and I am in the queue. Ol mate danced around the chair, snip snip and before you know it a new man appears, 5.80 euro well spent I say.

Picked up by the boys and then off to the highest point in the city which overlooks the main harbour, a spectacular setting with views in the first order. The others were able to witness the daily cannon firing ceremony that takes place from this location then we all have a sit down reflect on deeds done and plot the next ones on Uncle Fred's agenda. Before we know it the time is 6.00 pm and with Uncle Fred off to a wedding reception we part company and head back to our fishing village.

Our first real disaster of no proportion took place at dinner or lack thereof, just how can it take two hours for chicken nuggets and then when they arrive they are still frozen in the middle, we were at a stage that M-L was taking our soiled plates back to the restaurant which was located across a road from the harbours edge and suggesting that the natives were getting very restless. The place was full and way out of control, my blood pressure was in the high range by now but also being threatened with a sick and sorry life if I voiced my thoughts. Any way It was Kathy that cracked it returned the "food" had a one way discussion and then the Don negotiated the appropriate payment deemed, I stood outside, boy I am becoming such a wimp and I do like to be in the hurly burly of this sort of situation. M-L took off because she thought that my current wimpish nature was about to turn full circle - See what adventuring does to one. The camp site a little intense but that wonderful elixir, tea, hosed down the situation. Maddie ended up with buttered toast at 10.30 pm for dinner. All mixed up in that chocolate box I muse.