My father's job saw him spend three 3 year spells based on the island of Malta, with the rest being based in Scarborough, England. These 9 years in Malta resulted in me both being born in Malta (at the then Military hospital at Mtarfa) and spending half my childhood here. Over those 9 years we lived on the Strand in Sliema (now the Milano Due Hotel), in Paceville (long before it became the centre of Malta's nightlife), In Birkirkara (in Psaila Street 1955-8), In Msida ( 1964-5, overlooking the constuction of the Regional Road), and Sliema again (1965-7 in what became the Galaxy Aparthotel, since demolished). So Malta always felt as much as home as Scarborough did. And Malta had far better weather! Maybe this was the reason for seeking out hotter climates for holidays. Eventually the desire for a more consistantly warm climate than the UK can offer, saw us relocate here in September 2005.
Prior to moving to Malta, holidays had always been an important part of our lives- regular visits to Sliema, a number of visits to Barbados and St Lucia to watch Englands cricket team, visiting a good number of Greek Islands and the southern Peloponese, and regular trips to Belgium (Beer Paradise) provide fond memories. I was also fortunate that my work allowed me to become very familiar with much of Ireland, And when "abroad" restaurants and bars are a key memory, so here are some favourites
pubs in the UK - primarily in South Lincolnshire/North Cambridgeshire, North Staffordshire, West Midlands and Yorkshire
Hotels, Pubs and Off Licences in Ireland offering a change from the black stuff.
Cafes in Belgium, France,the Czech Republic, Spain and Greece offering a change from the international lager brands.
Restaurants and Bars in Barbados and St Lucia freqented while there for the cricket
