We Moved to Malta

We came to Malta for a week this summer which I mentioned on here, but what I hadn't shared was that the purpose of that visit was to see if we wanted to move here.  We liked the country when we visited and acknowledged that it would be the best thing for Ed's business so we agreed to come and live in Malta for two years.  

Things then moved very quickly and we ended up with 3 weeks to pack up our lives, say goodbye to our friends and move across Europe.  We flew with 14 suitcases and arrived in Luqa airport just three days before the start of the school term here.

It has been a busy six weeks since we first arrived, we have found a house to live in and signed a contract, we have settled four children into school and now started Rex at nursery too and we are adjusting to a new pace of life here.  There are things I love about this country and things I already don't but we came into this agreement with open eyes and having spoken to lots of other expats living out here about the reality of this life.  

Malta is a very small country so I am trying to explore it slowly, taking my time exploring the villages and coastline. There is so much beauty here and I am loving the fact it is now November and I am still wearing t-shirts and shorts every day.

I am excited for this new adventure, missing my friends and family and slowly getting used to a new way of life.  Here are a few photos from our first couple of weeks in Malta.

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Two in The Morning

Somehow a whole year has passed since I wrote a birthday letter to you on the eve of your first birthday, and tonight I am preparing to wake up and celebrate you turning two.  It seems like no time has passed since last November, but when I look at the pictures I took of you then I see how much you have grown in this last year.

As a one year old you were funny, cheeky, cuddly and determined.  As you approached two you started practicing your tantrums and you know exactly what you do and don't want.  Your language is coming along so much now but I see the frustration in you when we don't understand the word you are saying yet.  All the important ones (chocolate, biscuit, ice cream, chips) are pretty clear, but there is so much you want to communicate that we still haven't mastered and I am looking forward to you being able to express yourself more so we can get to know more about the little boy you are turning in to.

You sleep in your own cot now for at least the first half of the night.  You are absolutely a Mummy's boy still and feel safest with me, but you go to nursery in the mornings and you are settling well.  So much has changed for you this year and you now live in a new house, in a new country without your familiar family and friends, but you have coped so well with the move and you are settling into this new life.  

As you turn two you can walk, run and climb.  You can sing the alphabet song (with some missing letters) and you are forever asking for another book.  I packed a selection to bring out here, but I am regretting not bringing more as I am bored of all the books we have now!  You love being outside, watching Cocomelon (especially the wheels on the bus song), cooking in your toy kitchen and anything to do with a football.  You could spend all day watching the traffic and pointing out every bus, lorry and bike and you get very excited by animals of all kinds.  You are the final piece of our family that we didn't know we needed and you are so loved by all your siblings.

It feels like you are so new still, and like you have always been here.  Sometimes I am excited for you to reach the next stages and other times I miss the baby days but most of the time I try and appreciate where we are now, because you are changing every day, turning from a baby into a toddler and I know it won't be long until you stop saying 'nimp' when you want a drink and those other funny words we love.  

You have nursery in the morning and the others leave so early for the school bus, but we are going to celebrate in the afternoon with a trip to your favourite park and a cake and presents at home in the evening.  Before the fun begins, I need to go and stroke your cheek as you sleep and kiss your head for the last time as a one year old, for when you wake you will be two.

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A Week in Malta

Ed's business often takes him to Malta and this summer we got to accompany him on a week there.  We stayed in a residential area called Naxxar as it meant we could have more space than if we stayed in a busier town.  It was our first time in a villa and it won't be our last based on the week we had.

Malta is a very small country (smaller than the Isle of Wight) and heavily populated on one side, with lots of internet based companies residing there.  The weather is incredible though, with 300 days of sunshine per year and it fluctuated around 34 degree during the day on our visit, and around 28 degrees at night.  Having our own pool meant we could always cool off.

We wanted to see as much of the island as we could during our trip, so we spent time in the capital Valetta which is beautiful, the business area of Sliema, the more party area of St Julians, the ancient city of Mdina as well as Naxxar where we stayed and a trip to the blue lagoon off the coast of Comino island.  The location means there is a mix of Italian and Arabic influence in the architecture and language making it a really unique place.

I have shared more on Instagram of our trip, but I wanted to put a few of my favourite photos on here to look back at.

Our Villa

Our Villa had such a great outdoor space with a pool table, table football and table tennis as well as a pool big enough to really swim in.  It was spacious indoors too and a great location for exploring the island.

Mdina

The ancient capital of Mdina doesn't have a lot for families but is definitely worth a visit.  The small walled city is in the middle of the island and has some really interesting buildings.

Naxxar

We really liked Naxxar as a residential area.  There was a 5 a side pitch next to the kids playground which was a big hit with my boys and it was a good base for seeing more of the island.

Splash and Fun Water Park

A day at the water park is a given with five children and this one had plenty of slides, a lazy river and a huge pool with wave machine.  Unfortunately the way the water was treated didn't agree with Archie's skin.  As Malta has no natural water sources, they use salt water from the sea and treat it with something (we aren't sure what).  The rest of the gang had a great time and Archie chilled on a sun bed with ice creams and snacks.

Blue Lagoon

Whilst Ed was working I took the children on a speed boat to the Blue Lagoon.  It was very crowded and I would definitely do this on a trip next time that went to a quieter area as the ferry stop was so busy.  The water was crystal clear though and we had little fishes swimming around us, and they sold cocktails in fresh pineapples which is always a winner!

St Julians

We went to St Julians for lunch and had delicious food at Two Buoys on the river front.  In the evenings this is the party capital but during the day it is lovely (and busy) with some great places to eat and shop.

It was our first visit to Malta as a family and I feel like we got a great overview of the country.  It was sunny, chilled and beautiful with so much great Italian food, brilliant transport and lovely people.

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Nun Night Eleven Year Old

You have grown so much as an 11 year old, in every way.  You are the main character in your story, you have an active life away from me and I feel like I am letting go a little bit more each week as you seek out independence and forge your own path.  You are confident without me always there, you are capable and you always make me proud.

I think 11 is the last year I will be able to look down at you as you must be around 5 foot 6 and you are wearing a size 9 shoe now.  There is still so much youth in your face and the way you walk though that I still see you as a child.  11 was the year you started caring a little more about what you wear (although as long as it is Adidas or a football shirt you still aren't that fussy).  It is a weird tween age where you have left behind so much of the child but you still have so much growing to do.

At 11 your passion is football.  It's come from nowhere and is all consuming and you want everything to be football based. You wanted the new FIFA game, football shirts and football training gear for your gifts, and of course anything with Liverpool FC on it.  I love seeing how enthusiastic you are about it all and how much time you spend outside because of the new hobby.

As an 11 year old you have been great company.  You can be sensible, helpful and chatty (you can also be none of these things depending on the day of course).  You are better at walking away from fights with your siblings (again, depending on the day) and we can see how important for you having your own space is as you reach this next stage in your life.

It is the last year before you officially become a teenager and I am looking forward to adventures with you both big and small this year. 

I know twelve is going to be a busy year with so much change but I want to stop and enjoy you whilst you are still littler than me, because I know how many lasts are coming as you start needing me less.  You are clumsy, frustrating, intelligent, loud and wonderful and no matter how big you get, you will always be my baby.

Sleep tight my gorgeous eleven year old, for tomorrow is a big day

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Two Days in Venice on a Budget.

Venice has been on my bucket list for as long as I can remember and I recently had the opportunity to visit.  I had been keeping an eye out for cheap flights and managed to find some bargain options so I packed a small bag and flew out early one Thursday morning, returning late Friday night.  We found a B&B on the island with breakfast included and I will leave costs below if you are looking to plan something similar.

Our 6am flight meant we were in Venice by 9am and we (I travelled with two friends) got the bus over to Venice island.  The buses stop just as you arrive as there are no vehicles allowed on the island, boats are the only way to get around other than walking.

Breakfast views from our B&B

We spent two days exploring on foot and boat.  We bought a 24 hour boat pass which meant we could go over to Burano Island -famous for the super colourful houses, and Murano -known for being the island where glass is blown and the best place for shopping for glass.  We could also get the boats all over the island and down the grand canal with this.

As we were travelling on a budget, we did forego the 80 euro gondala rides and opted for the 2 euro version which took us across the grand canal.  It was a much shorter trip but still fun to be rowed on a gondola on the Venetian canal.

Our 2 Euro Gondola ride

Other free activities we did were visit the famously quirky Libreria Acqua Alta - a bookshop with some brilliant book steps and a gondola boat out one exit. We also booked the free rooftop viewing terrace on top of the DFS building which has incredible views out over the city.  It does need to be booked 21 days in advance and you get a 15 minute slot but I would highly recommend it.  There is so much to see by just walking around the island and my favourite thing was to get lost in the streets.

Views from the free DFS viewing terrace

We ate all the gelato, pizza and pasta and I can recommend Farini for cheap but delicious pizza on the go and Suso for incredible gelato.  Whilst you can spend money on a nice restaraunt, there are plenty of more budget friendly options and we didn't find food too expensive. We stayed in a a b&b in the Cannaregio district and there were some fantastic bakeries in the area.  We flew back around 9.30pm on Friday night.

Whilst you could pay a lot of money for a romantic break to this incredible city, it can also be seen on a budget and still enjoyed.  Take comfortable walking shoes and avoid buying food and drink in the main square and next to the Rialto bridge.

I paid

£58 return flights

£50 for a room in a B&B with breakfast (based on 3 of us sharing a quad room)

£30 for a nice meal out with a cocktail in a beautiful courtyard restaurant.

£4 a slice of pizza bigger than my head.

£25 for a boat pass that gave you 24 hours unlimited travel

£15 return bus from the airport to the island.

£2 for a gondola ride across the canal.

Have you visited Venice before?

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A Weekend Glamping with Featherdown Farms

We arrived at our Featherdown Farm canvas hideaway in Layer Marney, Essex, in the rain.  The older two children were sceptical, the younger ones unsure.  We played some games, ate dinner and eventually settled for the night in the (incredibly) comfy beds. The next morning I was prepared for cries of 'I'm bored' and 'there is nothing to do', and I definitely heard those from the tweens who are used to technology and activities all the time. I knew I needed to keep going though so I offered suggestions and let them work it out. 

It didn't take long at all until things changed. Before long their fingernails had turned brown, their hair looked like they had been climbing through hedges and the light of the campfire danced in their eyes. I had looked at what was around locally but that list went unused, we had everything we needed on site.  It was such a wonderful opportunity to do very little, but in the best way.  I don't know how long I have got before my elder ones take too long to revert to this childhood wildness so it felt like a really special chance to spent this time with them.  It was a detox from technology and modern life and a connection with nature that we all needed more than I knew.

We stayed at the Tudor site Layer Marney which is a small site with six canvas hideaways (named after the six wives of Henry VIII).  In the mornings we met the farmer at 8am to change the goats hay, feed the sheep and collect the chicken eggs and the children all loved getting stuck in with this.  For the rest of the day we alternated between cooking outside of our canvas hideaway, playing table tennis by the wood stores, going to the playground and back to see the animals and sitting around the fires.  The children were convinced their food tasted better after being cooked outdoors - even more so as the eggs came from the chickens on the farm.  They loved watching the fires, collecting more logs and of course roasting marshmallows over them.  They played together, they made friends with the children staying in the other canvas hideaways and they were wonderfully wild for the duration of our stay.

Our trip had been timed to coordinate with the Tudor Fayre being held at Layer Marney tower on the Sunday and there was a pass for the tower in our guidebook for everyone to use. The fayre was fantastic, with so many people dressed up demonstrating Tudor crafts and skills like weaving and arrow making.  There was live music, lots of games for the children to try out and birds of prey to admire.  All the children played 'the game with no name' with a Tudor man and raced wooden horses. I was delighted to see how reasonably priced the gift shop was as we love to bring home a souvenir and they enjoyed choosing something each.

Our canvas hideaway was a great size for the six of us (Due to work commitments it was just the five children and I).  It is divided into three rooms, one with a double bed, one with bunk beds and then the cupboard bed which was a brilliant den in the day if they wanted to chill out.  All of the beds had incredibly comfortable mattresses and warm duvets provided.  As we had booked with a baby we had a cot set up in my room too.  We had a toilet in our canvas hideaway and running water in the kitchen area, a table with enough chairs for us all, a sofa and a log burner in the middle of the room which we used to warm the hideaway and to boil the kettle.  Outside we had a private hot shower, a fire pit and a wood stove which we cooked on.  The hideaways were well spaced out so we had lots of privacy.

We arrived home late on Sunday evening smelling strongly of smoke with a bin bag full of dirty clothes, dirty fingernails and with a sense of contentment from a weekend well spent.  There are Featherdown Farms all over the UK with availability for this summer (and dates released for next summer too). I thought this would be the ideal getaway for my animal loving seven year old but it was exactly what my tweens needed too. Rex at 20 months was just delighted by the freedom and space as well and we definitely plan to visit again in the future.

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The Night Before Seven

You have been counting down to your birthday since Alexa told you it was 100 days away and I can't wait to see your excitement in the morning when the day is finally here.  We have a badge ready for you to wear to school tomorrow and a party with your friends planned for this weekend.

Six was the year you seemed to finally grow after being small for so long.  You are still one of the shortest in your year, but your limbs seem to be stretching out and all the clothes that always seemed too big are now looking short.  Six is your last year at infant school and you are getting ready to leave it behind next month and start at a new one in September.  

Six was the year dogs were finally knocked off the top of your 'favourite things' list (although you would still love to have one as a pet).  Animals are still your biggest interest, but Izzy's Koala World has pushed the Australian marsupial up to top spot on your list.  It is an ever changing top 10 animals list and so I wouldn't want to try and write it down as it may have changed by tomorrow.

Rex is still your favourite brother and you are excited to see him every time we collect you from school.  You look up to Dylan a lot too and like to support the same football team as him.  I think you quite enjoy being the only girl in a gang of boys.

You are kind and creative, messy and wild, so very girly and one of the boys all at the same time.  You are observant, motivated and full of joy and spending time with you is a privilege. 

I can't wait to see what seven is going to bring! But before the adventures of seven begin I want to stop for a minute and soak up everything you are now.  The freckles that pop out as soon as the sun starts shining, the love of that black velour sequin dress - even when it is completely inappropriate to wear, the way everything is special and needs to be kept, including the back of a receipt that we played noughts and crosses on.  I want to remember the way you always wait for your friend to be picked up from school so you can walk home together, the way you want to look after me and the way you know your own mind so completely.

You will never be this small again.  The clocks will move forward and so will you but I never want to forget this wonderful stage in your life.

Baby girl, you are more loved than you will ever know

xx

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