Malta

It's become a little tradition

To go to Malta every year

So off we went in high spirits

To drink the Maltese beer!

 

Malta

 

It's a chance to catch up with friends

And for a bit of winter sun

We throw a race in the middle too

But mostly eat, drink and have fun!

 

Getting ready to eat out.....again

We arrived at Thursday lunch time

And thought we'd hire a car

Which meant we could see the sights

The ones both near and far.

 

That said the drivers were very dangerous

Bordering on a little mad

The traffic jams were like Britain

And the road works just as bad!

 

Bad news for us, we got a parking ticket!

This happened by just day 3

Of course both my Mum and Chris

Immediately blamed me!

 

We visited Valetta

What a beautiful place

Walking in the sun

With a smile on my face.

 

Valetta

I had a sudden urge

To jump into the sea

But then couldn't get back out

.....typical me!!!

 

The silent city of Medina

Was next on the list

A walled paradise

This is not to be missed!

 

A coffee shop on top

With the most wonderful view

Places with such beauty

There are so few.

 

We ventured to the beach

For some fun on the sand

Soaked up all the rays

On this hot land.

 

Of an evening at night

We were never at a loss

As many great things

Were organised by Bill and his Boss!

 

Boss and Boss's Boss

Like going to the Plum tree

For a beer and some food

Having a laugh with Malc

For my Mum he had wooed.

 

Smooth talker Malc!

 

On Sunday we woke up

At 5am for a reason

Today was the day

Of my last race of the season.

 

I started to get nervous

I want to do well

Could I hold my form?

Only time would tell.

 

Exiting the swim in 4th place

I had done the race before

Back in 2010

But I'm a much better athlete

And have improved so much since then.

 

Off we cycled to transition

To rack our bike and kit

Then 10 mins after the sprint start

I thought "right, this is it!"

 

But the race was a disaster

I struggled in the heat

By the time I got on the run

It was hard to stay on my feet.

 

The bike is usually my strength.....not today

 

Black spots in my vision

Made it hard to see

Then when I was sick

I knew it wasn't meant to be.

 

I went from bad to worse

As my form started to diminish

I was struggling so much

That I stopped before the finish.

 

I don't think I have ever felt this bad in a race!

I instantly felt like a failure

And had a little cry

The crash and falls are hard to take

When you set your sights so high.

 

Disappointment springs to mind

And lots of frustration too

But these things are sent to test us

There's no point in feeling blue.

 

I was quickly cheered up

When the whole bay came to life

Dermot had proposed at the finish

And asked Johanna to be his wife!!!

 

Finish line proposal

The proposal made the headline

Of the news the following day

And Johanna had said "Yes!"

(we're all relieved to say!!!)

 

Danica won the race

for the 11th time in a row

She is such an amazing athlete

One of the best I think I know.

 

Michelle raced amazingly too

To take victory in the sprint tri

And with Ide second, and Linda third

The Brits were on a high!

 

The Crew

Pammie babes smashed her PB

Vicki & Jen were great too

So were all the guys

For which the support just grew.

 

Pam had a storming race

 

Malc got a special award

For being the oldest in the book

And thanks to Emma for all that clapping

With your silver hook!

 

After the race it was party time

This is how we roll

In fact Mum even got into it

By dancing round a pole!

 

We joined in karaoke

And met in the cafe most nights

Lemon Cheesecake and sundaes

were some of our delights!

 

We hired pedalos and canoes

Surfed the waves of the Golden Bay

Visited Popeye's Village

Made the most of every day

Popeye Village

 

Our friends have made our trip

All the more worth while

I'll remember the experience

With laughter and a smile.

 

Thanks to Bill & Pam

For inviting us to come

We really appreciate your efforts

And eveything you've done.

 

Outside the Plum Tree on our last night

Thanks to the Geordie lasses

And the Leicestershire crew

And good luck Dermot and Johanna

Here's to both of you!

 

As for me and my race

It was more of a low than a high

But I'm sure I'll be back next year

To give it another try!