After a very scary landing at the airport where I was sure we were going to land in the sea! I’ve just about recovered. (the runway starts where the sea ends)

So today was our first full day in California. We wanted to photograph the Golden Gate Bridge and so headed out in lovely sunshine and clear skies.

We drove up the surrounding hills to get the best views and these are some of my pictures

We went to Fishermans Wharf and wandered around the piers and saw the maritime museum.

The cable cars go up the steep undulating roads and we drove up and down them it was great fun although we drove very slowly. there were great views of the city.

The breakers and waves on the Atlantic were powerful and I have a little video of them to show when I get home.

We saw pelicans eagles grebes herons cormorants and many gulls.

I love San Francisco 😉

Missing you all but enjoying being away, its strange its like we are just continuing our other holiday in US without being home for 6 months….

 

Journey was good. The plane set off an hour late as 3 people were missing and they took their luggage off the plane in the end.

we have a small Mitsubishi car and we set off in sunshine that soon changed to rain!

We crossed over the famous Golden Gate Bridge and I took some snaps on my mobile. The town we are staying in is very smart and has a huge square with many small interesting shops restaurants and cafes all around. We are going to photo the bridge today as it s bright sunshine and clear skies xxxx

 

Hi the house is all secure and just waiting for the taxi to hotel. We leave tomorrow from Heathrow at 10.45am. So excited Hope you will enjoy reading about our newest adventure on Mann Toursxxxx

On Saturday Vince and I took very few photos for a change! We went near to Mdina to the Aviation museum and the nearby craft village

At the aviation museum we read all about the horrors of war and how it affected the resilient people of Malta. They were virtually starved of food and had most  of their homes bombed so they had to live in caves underground.

At the craft market we viewed the beautiful Maltese glass, jewellery, Maltese food and embroidery. We had a cultural morning!

Sunday morning we visited Marsoxlokk fish market. It is a huge market which stretches all along the sea front, stall after stall for a mile and a half.

There were crowds of people and so we followed the road round to the next bay at Marsascala where there is a marina and a sandy rocky beach. it was delightful and we spent a couple of hours there. The weather is still warm at 21 degrees and sunny/cloudy.

Tomorrow is our last full day. (The plane departs 12.55pm Tuesday)

Today we went to Dingli cliffs. This side of Malta is untouched and natural. It is one of the highest points in Malta. The road along the cliffs is precarious and has a steep drop down to the sea. We loved the views and Vince bravely drove the car along the wildest part.  We made our way back via Mdina and explored the other parts of the town beyond the walls. We ate our dinner in a small café. We chose the Maltese menu (which was a mistake!) as it was a salad with white beans capers and peppered cheese. Then macaroni and meat in pastry, very dry and full of carbs! Then nut flavoured icecream.

Back in our hotel, this is the view from our balcony onto the local parish church.

Today we set out early and drove up the steep road to the Red Tower. There were panoramic views over to the islands of Gozo and Comino and towards Mellieha (where we are staying)

We then travelled to see Mdina. It is a walled town on top of a hillside commanding views from all sides. It is steeped in history and there were many photo opportunities.

Mdina is famous for its glass blowing and there were small shops selling glass and jewellery. We really enjoyed wandering around this town and hope to have time to return.

Today the first stop was the harbour at St.Pauls. The sea was calm and the sun shone brightly. We strolled around the quay side and into the town, so relaxing.

  Next we travelled to Valletta. The city was so busy in comparison. Although we  mainly stayed on the water front, we did venture up the steep narrow side roads to window shop.This is a view of the city walls and St. John’s co-cathedral….      In the afternoon we visited Marsaxlokk in the South of the island. Again we found a thriving picturesque town. It had a market selling traditional Maltese goods. Food, jewellery and embroidered cloth. Hope you like the pictures. Can you find the eyes on the fishing boat?

Hi I,m here again! The reason being that We are having a mini break in Malta. We are staying at the Solana Hotel in Mellieha in the north of the island.

The weather is warm and sunny and it’s so good to be away from the rain in Thornbury!

These are a few pictures of the bay near where we are. hope you like them. The fishing boats are hand painted and distinctive.

still foggy still don’t know if we’re going tonight. Just about to leave hotel and find another warm place before we go whale watching from Cape Spear cliffs something to eat for tea then hit the airport with fingers crossed watch this space xxx

No whales but plenty of fish as seen by the gannets diving into the sea, very close to where were standing.

Eating our tea and are very hopeful we will leave tonight. It is very foggy still but forecast for heavy rain later which I hope will clear the fog? Our plane arrived from Heathrow this afternoon and managed to land again keep your fingers crossed for us.. More later when we reach airport

Yes we can depart at 10.30pm  thankfully as there is a pea souper outside! Most incoming flights have been diverted to Gander airport, but ours managed to arrive from Heathrow to St John’s this afternoon Then It took people to Toronto,returning with a plane load in time for the rain to clear the fog and so we are able to leave phew! Off we go xxx

All good plans have hiccoughs. So all flights to and from St John’s airport were cancelled due to fog and we have one more night here! The Air Canada will pay our expenses and we are now at the Holiday Inn St John’s.

Well today was very cold grey foggy and heavy clouds. We headed to St John’s and the famous George Street shops and our favourite coffee shop. After the rain stopped we headed up to Maddox Cove and Petty Harbour. We watched the waves crashing onto the cliffs and rocks ……there was quite a swell.

We headed up to Cape Spear ( the farthest East location in Canada) and were thrilled to see whales blowing from their blow holes.

There were at least 5 hump backed whales and gannets diving to get the fish. One humpback was close to the cliff where we were standing and it breached 3 times while we watched. It kept pushing its tail out of the water and we could clearly see the turquoise colour under its fins as it swam back and forth. Vince got some good pictures of the tail but we didn’t manage to photograph the  whole whale as it leapt out of the water.

     

  

  

  

 There were only 3 more people watching and we were all really enjoying the scene. We watched the whales for over an hour in the cold wind.

As we left they were still visible out at sea, they were certainly feasting on fish!

We visited a couple more inlets and then went for our tea in “Jungle Jims” to warm up. The restaurant was only 1 mile from the airport and we found out our flight was cancelled… Never mind we’re all sorted and hope for better luck tomorrow xxxxx