Thanks to Frances Freitas, we made it to the Capitol Corridor Amtrak in the nick’o time! \240Excited now to be launching off on our adventure after months of anticipation.

Short delay at Jack London Square Amtrak for a medical emergency. and now we’re on our way to the airport.

Had dinner at Giraffe with the dots then spent the night with Phoebe and Michael.

After one hour of sleep, via train and \240tube, we made to the train to Holyhead. I slept most of the trip, thankfully, waking periodically to see fields of sheep or cows.

Happy to arrive in Holyhead to be enthusiastically welcomed by Maggie.

That night, she surprised me with a bottle of Penderyn Welsh whisky and some amazing cupcakes made by her sister, Karen.

Today was a grand \240tour around Anglesey with a highlight of Halen Môn salt factory. A tour and tasting of this wonderful salt.

We had a break from the drive with a stop at the beach. Low tide and beautiful views.

The day was topped off by fish and chips at Enoch’s, mushy peas included! \240I tried the gin and tonic ice cream they were featuring but it was icky!

We had a great day in the sun \240- a trip to LlanfairPG, Halen Mon saltcote, Ynys Llandudno lighthouse beach, and a drive round Mon (Anglesey).

At the village with the longest name

“Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch” (St Mary's church in the hollow of the white hazel near to the fierce whirlpool of St Tysilio of the red cave)

Had a drive up to Holyhead to have a pint with Grete and Steve. Fun to see them halfway across the world.

Had a drive up to Holyhead to have a pint with Grete and Steve. Fun to see them halfway across the world.

Leaving Maggie’s today after a round of visiting the neighbors, including a lovely Welsh Springer named Gwynedd. Taking the train from Holyhead to LGW, including a tube ride to catch the Gatwick Express.

It’s been a lovely and relaxing visit to the UK seeing people we love. Can’t wait to return!

Arrived in Malta. Had dinner at Paul’s Seabreaze. Bad food, great location overlooking the water.

Leaving the U.K. today. Sad to leave but excited for the next leg of our journey.Arrived in Malta

Had a lazy morning then took cab to Valletta to wander and go to St John’s Cathedral.

Started off the tour with a circle of all the women and a sharing of what brought us each here. Singing and ritual

Ghar Dalam and Borg in the door

Day in Valletta, the Malta Experience, walking through the town and visiting the Archeological Museum.

Journey by Ferry to Gozo. stopped for a visit with the Back Madonna, Our Lady of Loreto. Then spent a couple hours at Ggantija. \240We arrived at our hotel, Ta Cenc Hotel and Spa about 3. Totally exhausted.

Meg is sick and stayed back at hotel. Took bus with tour to Ta ____ and then to Mdina. Bus was late, they scheduled the wrong time then the bus got in an accident on way to hotel, so we had less time in Mdina.

Mdina was an old walled city. Parts of Game of Thrones was filmed there. Palled around with Sally and Robin. Robin was fasting for Yom Kippur. Sally and I ate lunch at little cafe.

Equinox- 5am bus ride to Mnajdra and Hagar Qim. we were greeted with thunder, lightening and rain, like a purification. Cloudy as we waited for sunrise at Mnajdra Temple but patience was rewarded. After about 40 minutes of increasingly anxious waiting the sunbeams pierced the clouds and lit the altar. Amazing.

After moments of silence, we sang and danced.