Bright lights and bangs

 

Fireworks in St Julian's bay

Greasing the pole

The Maltese certainly like their fireworks and literally morning, noon and night! Throughout the summer each town celebrates its feast day which is a three day celebration with three days of fireworks. Our time in St Julian's coincided with their feast day. On the Thursday we were the only yacht at anchor in the bay. By Friday you couldn't see water for boats including a 10 boat raft growing horizontally in front of us. Our swinging room had rapidly vanished and we were forced to put out a stern anchor to hold us in place. Two barges were towed in and moored in the centre of the bay. This looked decidedly ominous and early each morning and again at noon mortars were let off to signal the start of the festivities. The roads were closed, the marching bands took to the streets and an extremely steep wooden pole was painstakingly greased up. We watched both young and old slip on the grease and topple to their watery fate until finally the flags were plucked from the end of the pole. The evening concluded with a deafening but magnificent firework display. Saturday saw a repeat of yet more bands, stalls, grease and fireworks. By Sunday our ears couldn't cope with any more bangs!

Fireworks in St Julian's bay

Slipping off the pole

 

In complete contrast, while safely at anchor, we took a day trip inland by bus to Mdina, the ancient walled citadel of Malta. It is also known as the silent city. It is ringed by imposing fortified walls and was originally established by the Phoenicians as long ago as 1000 BC. It was Malta's first settlement and was the islands capital until Valletta took over in 1571. In medieval times the Maltese aristocracy made it their home. It is a maze of winding twisting alleys and beautiful buildings. We stopped at a café and enjoyed the view far and wide from the city walls.


                                                                   Mdina city walls

Mdina

We are now at anchor in Rinella Bay, Grand Harbour, seeking shelter from strong easterly winds. We've noticed two barges being set up in the middle of the bay and this morning the mortars were set off at 8 am. No doubt another three days of festivities and fireworks. Time for us to leave the noise behind and continue our travels to Sicily.

 

At anchor in Grand Harbour, Valletta