After a fairly bumpy few hours during the night we arrived in Malta, my first visit for 25 years- a lot has changed!
I love this place and Grand Harbour Valletta is as evocative today as it must have been 100 years ago.
For the last few years I have been reading everything I can on the naval conflicts of the last war, and one thing has always stood out in every book, whether written by a German author, Italian author or British, and that was the bravery of the Maltese people during this period. Over 3000 air raids and 15000 tons of bombs were dropped, but still these wonderful people stood fast. The siege of Malta was eventually broken when one of the largest ever formed convoys was formed and fought through in 1942.
The turning point was the arrival of the tanker Ohio, after taking 4 torpedoes and a number of bombs, with her back broken she sailed in to Grand Harbour lashed to two corvettes to keep her afloat. She was welcomed by the entire Island, and the harbour walls and fortifications were lined with people waving flags and cheering.
Our arrival was not as spectacular, important or anywhere like as noteworthy as the Ohio’s, but the welcome none the less was brilliant. We have been looked after so well, the shore crew, agents and locals alike have made us all want to return for a proper holiday.

Thank you Portomaso, thank you Malta……. You are wonderful.
Alex

Posted: dicembre 11th, venerdì, 2009 @ 11:10 AM
Categories: Coming back to Viareggio.
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