this & that from my everyday life
Malta
Meatballs and potatoes
Nov 21st
Dinner is ready!
Kalle is cooking today. Meatballs, potatoes and gravy sauce. I like!
Gizmo is running out of chewing sticks
Nov 21st
Toppy chewing sticks from Netto in Sweden
Gizmo is a dog who knows what he wants. So any kind of chewing stick won’t do, it has to be a specific type. His favourite chewing stick is “Toppy” that is sold by “Netto” in Sweden. I brought maybe 8 packages when we moved here and I bought a couple of more when I was home during summer. But now I think we are on the last package. So on top of Gizmo’s Christmas wish-list is more Toppy chewing sticks.
…and of course a new beach tennis ball, like the one he got on his birthday.
My guitar hero
Nov 21st
Kalle is really enjoying his birthdaygift and he’s getting quite good. It’s fun to see him play anyway. 
Garbage everywhere
Nov 21st
A pile of trash outside Naxxar
Buskett Garden. A popular place for pic-nic's in the weekends. The first thing you see is trash...
One really sad thing here in Malta is the fact that people throw their waste anywhere. This picture is from a spot with wonderful view over the northern part of Malta, but it’s really no fun to bring visiting friends and family when the surrounding area looks like this.
In Pembroke a lot of people walk their dogs, like us, but it’s not safe for the dogs…. a lot of broken glass can be found here and there along with cans, bottles, old papers, plastic bags…
- The beach in Fomm ir-Rih is full of plastic stuff
Broken glass in Pembroke
- Cans and bottles in Pembroke
- This is garbage in San Gwann, another place where the view is beautiful.
Moisture damage after 2 months
Nov 20th
Moisture damage after 2 months
Fluffy mold
It’s been 2 months now and the mold in our study just keeps getting worse. When I took a closer look I could see that the wall is covered in white fluffy mold.
Under construction
Nov 19th
Remember this house that I wrote about earlier this year? It collapsed in June when they were adding a floor and one person were badly injured (I actually don’t know if he survived or not). This is what it looks like today.
Current status of the collpsed house
Collapsed house earlier this year
The house from the other side
7 cats
Nov 19th
Opposite our house is an overgrown plot where a lot of cats hang out. We often hear the noise of cat fights in the evenings. Today when took Gizmo for a walk I saw 7 cats and there were probably even more cats hiding in the bushes.
Gizmo is very interested in the cats and wants to say hi, and there is one black and white cat that is less reserved than the others… but I think it will take some time before he/she lets Gizmo come near.
Hidden in the mist
Nov 18th
Hidden in the mist
- Portomaso tower
When we were watching tv this evening, I peered out the window and saw the Portomaso tower disappear in the mist. So I grabbed my camera and went up on the roof and took some pictures. It was really cool… the mist was only surrounding the buildings. Higher up it was clear and I could see the stars.
Construction cranes rising through the mist
Major power cut this morning
Nov 18th
Today when I woke up it felt as the world was wrapped in cotton… or a lot of snow. It was so quiet. I didn’t realize what it was until I was about to make my morning coffee – no power!
So I started an investigation. First I checked the status of the laptop battery, to calculate how long the power had been gone. I left it running yesterday. The battery was almost empty.
Then I took a walk with Gizmo around the block. I couldn’t hear any electric machines anywhere. So my conclusion was that at least the neighbourhood was without power.
Then I had breakfast. While I was eating my favourite yogurt (bianco) the power came back.
I immediately checked the news and I found out that about the whole island had been without power for several hours, due to an explosion at Marsa power station earlier this morning.
Shortly after lunch the water disappeared. Why am I not surprised?
Gizmo’s birthday gift didn’t last long
Nov 18th
The ball I gave Gizmo on his birthday November 4th, is already in pieces. The previous pink ball he had, lasted at least one and a half year, so I’m a bit disappointed. Well, he had fun with it for a few weeks anyway.
Oh yeah, If you happen to have spare beach ball balls… or know where to buy them separately – please let me know!
