La Plage de la Mine

Safe and sound back in Vendée we made the most of a beautiful day towards the end of November, heading for a favourite beach of ours, la Plage de la Mine.

First we had to call in on l'Abbaye de Lieu Dieu, looking so tidy these days. 

We still haven't visited inside. One of these days, perhaps.

Onto the beach...

...as crowded as ever in November!

The crumbling low cliffs...

...as ever victim to heavy seas.

Madame kindly giving the wonderful scenery a sense of proportion...

...and finding some washed-up coral to add to her collection.

Last day: trip to Isla

Last day and yet another (cheap) ferry over the Grand Harbour, but this time to the 3rd city of Isla

Old wharf buildings

Not a very good photo but a very moving statue of fishermen's families awaiting the return of their loved ones

Lots of steps up and down the narrow passageways

One for Philippe...

...one for Edith & John...

...and one for Matt (Senglea Athletic FC)!

Back to Valletta and a skeletal welcome!

Sorry if our Maltese adventures have been a bit long-winded. As you have seen we certainly made the most of our stay!

Blue Grotto & Dingli cliffs

We walked down from the ancient temples to the Blue Grotto, but sadly there were no boat trips out of full season. As you can see the weather wasn't really on our side either!

Amazing views over rugged landscapes...

...including cliff-top dwellings.

Here's the Blue Grotto...

...and a closer look!

Waiting for the bus back to Valletta look what was heading for us from inland...

...and out to sea!

Next day we caught the bus again, this time to walk alongside the cliffs at Dingli.

Looking over the terraced farming

Il Balun radar station

A chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene

OK, it was disappointing weather again but we managed to stay dry!

Hagar Qim & Mnajdra

Another day using our bus passes, this time to the ancient temples of Hagar Qim and Mnajdra, first excavated in 1839 and dating from between 3600 and 3200 BC. 

Firstly Hagar Qim, now covered with a dome to protect it from weather extremes

The ancient Maltese had a thing about obese people...

...as can also be seen in the visitors' centre.

We couldn't help but think about our Stonehenge and the ancient stones in Brittany

Amazingly this ancient soul wasn't about...

...when this stone was moved into place.

Between the two sites a very quiet walkway...

...with a view over the Tal-Ħamrija Coastal Tower.  Did I mention weather extremes?

Now at the Mnajdra Temple...

...and a plan of its layout. The temple is aligned to mark the position of sunrise for the equinoxes and solstices. Clever people, eh?

Tine's not very tall but she does help with the scale here. (She is very strong though!)

Many of the rocks are decorated with drill holes

Another excellent visit, finished off by a 4D explanation of how the temples were probably constructed. The 4th Dimension was water sprayed on the audience in one scene!