Monday 19th October 2926

Gozo to Rome.

The howling wind had us up early for our transition day to Rome to start the homeward journey.

The look out window showed a white capped sea and an unexpected visitor- the umbrella from our neighbours balcony.

Enjoyed our last breakfast at Grand Hotel and soon in the back of our transfer van headed to the ferry where the traffic debacle of yesterday was over and we were first in the queue for the ferry.

Despite windy weather it was a smooth passage and we were back on the mainland working our way, at pace, past all of the huge coastal resorts including Popeye Island. As a bit of a cultural experience as we headed off the main road to meander through the agricultural belt where the strawberry farms who produce the Xmas treat dominated the crops.

Country peacefulness didn’t last long and we were back in the suburban traffic heading to the airport. Being the only airport in Malta it was relatively small and modern and particularly well organised. It needed to be given the throng of people who had just finished cruises and were heading home.

Hardly a spare seat in departure lounges due to a bundle of flight delays cancellations , including ours, but thankfully we snared a seat in a food outlet with a gang ofPoms  and didn’t relinquish it until our flight finally departed.

An uneventful flight had us in Rome in time to scurry through the terminal and be last passengers on the train to Trastevere. Conquered another mode of transport with a tram to accommodation and were soon in an apartment block ready to dump and run for dinner.

Found another restaurant in the square where we ate last time to enjoy some fine food before wandering to the gelato shop and then heading home to organise tomorrows lap of Rome.

It was certainly a transport odyssey with car, ferry, car, bus, plane, train and tram –  felt a bit like  the John  Candy movie Trains, Planes and Automobiles.