The warmth of the sunshine streaming in my windows the last three mornings has been so lovely, then I opened my windows and discovered the somewhat cooler reality, to say fresh is being kind. The sun was every bit as bright as the previous three mornings in Malta, ah well, ho hum. Yes, I went to Malta, didn’t you get the postcard?! How nice to stroll around in warm, balmy temperatures; mind, plenty were layered up like it was cold, but at 18° it suited me. Even the evenings only dropped to around 13°, I was okay with that, it was warmer than the daytime here. Hey, I’m British, of course I’m going to mention the weather! It was the continously miserable weather we had through February and a pic on Instagram taken in Malta (I recognised the style of window), that had me looking at Skyscanner, hmmm, such very reasonable prices; oh, I umm-ed and ahh-ed for a few days before making a very late night decision to bloody well just book it!!
So six very early mornings later, I trotted up to Waverley Bridge to catch the airport bus. The sun was just rising as the plane took off, sweet, I was glad that I’d last minute booked a window seat, I do so enjoy the views (and the poster of the Malta pic had mentioned his flight went over the Alps, indeed, they were spectacular). No, I didn’t catch up on any sleep.
I had visited Malta ten years ago with a small group tour, it was a good holiday but pretty full-on. visiting tourist sights all around Malta and Gozo; none of that this time, apart from a lot of walking, as is my wont. I recognised some bits but there have been plenty of changes around Valletta since I was last there. Luckily, Ta’Kolina was still there, right where I remembered it (on the front in Sliema), a traditional Maltese restaurant still serving amazing rabbit dishes (when in Malta, you have to try at least one rabbit dish!). I had the rabbit spaghetti for my main, omg, the flavours in the sauce, divine, and with a very nice Maltese red to wash it down.
A couple of days later I had a plate of exceptionally tasty rabbit ravioli with a Maltese white at a back street restaurant in Valletta (annoyingly, I don’t remember the name but I know my feet will be able to guide me back next time). A traditional lamb stew saw me nicely full for my journey home on Sunday. Why go to a place without trying anything local?
And, oh joys, I discovered a local IPA to try, well, it would be rude not to. Stretta Session IPA went down very nicely, not cheap, but I was drinking in moderation so my wallet didn’t suffer much (and I could trust myself to find my way to back to my bed). I knew from my old guide book to check the Strait Street area (I never throw away old guide books, you never know when they might come in again, it won’t all be out of date).
Hmmm, not my scene some of it, but I had fun meandering round the little streets and stepped alleyways. I went in 97 Notes promising to buy a drink once I’d made room for it (it’s an awkward thing, walking into a bar alone and heading straight for the toilets, well it is for me). Oh wow, the main room had a stage at the far end, it was like something from a David Lynch film, being midafternoon it was empty and kinda eerie with a promise of night-time debauchery. I also thought it would be an cool place for Logan’s Close to play, hell yeah, I’d make the trip!
I had a long peek into the Oyster Grotto as I passed by, promising myself I’d go in sometime later, it did look a fascinating, quirky place. I also meant to pop in the Offbeat Music Bar, I’ll go next time I’m in town. My moosedar was telling me to find Babel Bistro, I do like the sound of the word Babel and yes, I know the biblical story of the tower. To Babel, it was. Ha, I’d stopped awhile to listen to a band who were playing at an open-fronted bar before I realised it was the very place I was looking for, nice. Memphis Mac was the band, playing mainly covers with a some originals thrown in, but honestly, if they hadn’t mentioned them, I would have assumed they were other seventies blues/rock tunes that I hadn’t heard before! There were a couple of Free covers in there, not surprising as the influence was very clear, no bad thing. The singer introduced one of their songs as off their album, oo, an album (self-titled, available on Spotify), well, I had to check it out. Wowzah! Soooo good!
Babel Bistro is a fine establishment, friendly staff, a tasty IPA (other drinks are available) and great live music (great as in my type of music, ha), just what my Friday evening needed. Needless to say, I was back there the following evening, a different band but still plenty to love. One of the barmen mentioned to me that his favourite band were playing on the Sunday evening, dang, I’d be away home; but on the plus side, I’d be back in Edinburgh in time for the Louis Crosland Trio at midnight in Whistlebinkies. Sweet, huh!
Time to toddle off to my bed. G’night!
Bruce on the Fringe 