A TRIP TO MALTA, and my NEW HOME

This first half of 2026 has been a rather interesting year. I fought a high street bank in a court of law, I spent four weeks on the island of Malta, another four was spent in the Duchy of Cornwall, several weeks more staying at friends, and I recently moved into my new home. Although my gaming table and collections have had to remain in storage, I hope regular visitors will enjoy some accumulated travel content. Health permitting, and God willing, I have a fair amount to upload.

   MALTA, an island fortress in the Mediterranean

In late April, while solicitors worked on securing my next home,  I found some temporary accommodation on Malta. This island had been a location I've wanted to visit for both historical and personal reasons. Firstly, I have always been interested in the Great Siege of 1565, involving the Ottoman Turks against the Knightly Order of St. John. Then we have the occupation of 1798 when Napoleon Bonaparte's French revolutionaries expelled the knights. But the common people of Malta suffered under French rule and staged an uprising. They also sent word to the British asking for support. The Maltese got on fairly well with the British military, and they ended up adopting King George the Third as their monarch, in the hope the British would not later negotiate the island back to the French. During WW2 the island came under very heavy bombing by both the Italians and Germans, but the islanders held out and were awarded the George Cross Medal. The latter appears on their national flag. And in the l950s my late father spent some time there while serving in the Fleet Air Arm. In 1956 the Maltese actually voted for unification with Britain (77%) but the British Government rejected the application for fear numerous others would also seek to do the same. 

The Grand Master's Palace

The highlight of my month long stay was a visit to the Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of St.John. The Armoury collection of late Medieval and early renaissance armour and weaponry was absolutely fascinating, this is what a military museum should look like! I think I've taken some nice photos but nothing can replace the actual visit, and I don't mind admitting it has altered my views on armour production, toy soldier paintwork, and how to display a collection.

Yes, full suits of armour ornamented the upper walls!

Just look at the workmanship!

Just a few helmets.....

Let's have a look at some crossbows....

Black powder was also well represented.....

The museum curators believe the numerous examples of small barrelled mortars and cannon were due to miniatures being produced to promote commissions. While I am willing to accept this theory might apply to ship building, I suspect these smaller pieces WERE genuine war weaponry. We have all seen photos from WW1 showing grenade-sized trench mortars!

Just a few powder flasks....

AND THE TURK OPPOSITION

These photos were taken from two Malta museums, but I prefer to keep the subject together. The second museum was mainly devoted to WW2, and will form a separate post.

SOME VIEWS OF THE PALACE

Malta was part of the British Empire for 164 years.

Interior design, no minimalism here.

Faux carvings with paint.

Battle scenes.....

THE SCALE OF MALTESE FORTIFICATIONS BLOWS THE MIND!

I chose to remain in the capital during my four weeks. I just don't require an expedition under a scorching sun to confirm my foreign trip, and I became slightly overwhelmed by the shear amount of fortifications within easy walking distance of my period accommodation.

FORT MANOEL was some twenty minutes walk away, on a linked island. While still under restoration only the outside could be viewed. With crumbling stonework, the local authorities are concerned tourists might get injured. But most tourists are more interested in eating fast food prepared by Asian workers, so I found myself almost alone, which was nice. Well, not quite alone, there is a well established garrison of ginger cats on the island.

The local ferry service was only five minutes walk from my apartment, and it furnished some useful photos of Fort Manoel. One day, funds allowing, this will be a star attraction!

FORT TIGNE was about ten minutes walk away. Sadly, this interesting design is now overshadowed by modern apartments, but they are at least trying to restore the fort.

                                              SOME VIEWS OF VALLETTA

                                                                      My window view

Fireworks Competition, a two hour spectacular. I zoomed in and took lots of film footage to record the occasion. I can assure you the scale was equal to New Years events in London.  

Ferry Crossing to Valletta

MGB

PS. Well, I have moved into my new home, a humble terraced house, but I like it!

And plans are now underway to establish a proper games room. 

PPS. I wish I could report on acquiring some interesting additions to my toy soldier collection. 

Unfortunately, with the exception of a modest tourist souvenir, you will find Malta has little or no tradition for collecting toy soldiers. Nothing to buy, new or old. I did look, even visiting a car boot sale.  

PPPS. My next post will cover a Maltese WW2 museum, and a Cornish museum devoted to toy tanks!