This is the final entry for the Malta 2010 Blog.

The Virtu Ferries ship accelerated rapidly away from the Sicilian Coastline.  A quick blog and a snooze later and already the outline of Gozo, Malta’s small neighbouring island, could be seen off the starboard bow.  The grey outline of Malta, sandwiched between the blue sky and the calm blue Mediterranean, rapidly took on greater focus as we approached, and we were soon idling through the impressive ramparts of Valletta Harbour. This is a great way to arrive here, as those harbour walls have seen such a rich history of visitors by sea, some with hostile intent, some (including some of the heavily damaged WW2 convoy ships) with precious supplies that literally saved many lives. The architecture too contrasts with Sicily and Italy, with a much more Arabic feel.
The van got off and we went down to the car deck to untie the bikes. We rode down the ramp into the blinding sunlight and as we did so a loud cheer went up from a large group of family and friends who were gathered by the waterfront. I rode, flanked by Pat and George, towards the gates where we were all enveloped in hugs, kisses, smiles and handshakes. It was truly great to see so many good friends in Malta, and utterly unbelievable to think that we really had finally made it, on schedule and all healthy and intact.
I was presented with a special medal by 3-year old Ana who is the grand-daughter of my sister’s good Maltese friends Doris and Ray who were also there along with Anna’s mum Yana.  Great too to see Dave and Pam Baybutt and also fellow Hammsters Ian and Tracy, who will now be doing some cycling up Italy in the opposite direction to our trip.
The next leg of the ride was approximately 100m in length, straight to a waterfront bar where I think we confused the staff with a massive order for beer. As we drank, a huge Disney cruise ship pulled away from the quayside, and I couldn’t help reflecting that as the cruisers left to be entertained on the high seas, how much entertainment and drama we’ve managed to generate for ourselves simply by riding bicycles from A to B!
Soon it was time for the final leg of the trip, the 5 miles or so to Marsaxlokk on the south-eastern end of Malta. Remembering to ride on the left we set off in convoy and were soon taking on Malta’s road surfaces and drivers. After Naples, nothing can phase us now!!  Bernard, Tracy, Ian and Martin headed for Birzebugga, dragging Richard with them who then had to ride back to Marsaxlokk as that’s where Jan and the van were! As we arrived at Marsaxlokk we racked up 57 miles for the day, making a grand total for the trip of 2,013 miles!!
Jan and Richard set off for Marsascala and their digs whilst we checked into Duncan Bar which is a bar/restaurant on the ground floor with rooms and apartments above, right at the waterfront. Fabulous rooms, with aircon and fans (paradise!!) and at last some time and space to spread out!! I then ate the most enormous seafood platter at the restaurant downstairs and we retired for an excellent sleep.
Saturday 21st brought a raft of birthday wishes from loads of friends and some lovely gifts, which I opened over a fantastic (and much-needed!) full English breakfast at Duncan Bar. The friendly staff all wished me happy birthday, as frenzied unwrapping revealed a beautiful mounted photograph of the Italian Alps from Mum & Dad, taken the morning after the terrible thunderstorm near Edolo, and from Tizz and the boys a fantastic framed relief map of the Alps and northern Italy, which showed most of our route between the Black Forest in Germany to just south of Pisa. This had been wrapped in a pink blanket in the van since Pontresina in Switzerland so it did well to survive!!
We worked our way up to the beach at Pretty Bay later on where we met all of the others and enjoyed a sensational swim – the weather was so hot that the sea was the only place to be. Tracy showed me a technique she uses with her boys to impose discipline which involves kissing them and hugging them overtly in public. I think it may well be a sure-fire winner, as it certainly sorted Pat and George at the time!!
Back to Marsaxlokk to start sorting the van, including loading the bikes for the trip home with Richard and Jan. Real mixed feelings about “losing” the bike – have become really attached to it over the last weeks, and I still love the whole idea that a basically simple arrangement of wheels, cogs and tubes can enable someone to travel across continents needing only pizza and beer for fuel!!
Then to Al Fresco Bar in St Georges Bay for the party! Tracy had done a marvelous job in decorating “our” section of the bar terrace with banners and balloons, and soon everyone had gathered and were enjoying beer, wine and garlic bread and nibbles. I wore a cake-shaped hat with candles and “50″  on kindly given to me as a present by Barry Thorne of BDSL before I left on that rainy day in July – thanks Barry!!  As dusk gathered a near full moon rose above the bay and, here we were, sat out in the warm Maltese evening air, celebrating! Soon the pizzas arrived and at this point I must convey my sincere thanks to Steve and everyone at Al Fresco for a most wonderful welcome, for reserving an area on the terrace for us on their busiest night if the week, for the superb food and wine and the delicious chocolate cake that I ceremoniously cut with what must have been the biggest knife in southern Malta!  It was also great to meet Steve’s wife Suzie and their young lads Ben and Sam. Anyone visiting the island should make a beeline for a meal here -this may not be too far-fetched a concept as Steve and Mark told me about a charity triathlon that they help to organise each year in early December, and I reckon a K&CAC contingent to take on that challenge should be a serious consideration!!
Jo and Deanne presented me with a great t-shirt commemorating the trip, which I wore over my other shirt until I realised that it was still over thirty degrees and I was wearing two tops!!  Patrick also insisted on taking a photograph of me in front of an allegedly “appropriate” sign in the bar – see attached image!!  An added bonus for me as a Chelsea fan (since 1966!!) was news that the Blues had recorded a second 6-0 victory of the new season!!  Doris and Ray and Yana and Chris gave me presents that they advised me not to open at the bar as they were fragile – when I got back to the apartment I unwrapped them to find wonderful gifts of Mdina glassware for which Malta is world famous: a lovely wine bottle stopper in the shape of a Maltese Cross and an exquisite and delicate glass bicycle, complete with cables, chain, pedals and brake calipers! A perfect reminder of a wonderful adventure – many thanks to our ever kind and generous Maltese friends!
I made a rambling speech and then my sister Mel did a great section where she awarded various certificates to people on the trip and said some very kind words about her old(er) brother!
The party came to an end and with it the final chapter of the trip. Today (Monday) I visited the hospital where many Maltese children are treated prior to treatment in the UK for leukaemia and similar illnesses, and met tne charming Angel from Puttinu Cares, the charity for which we have raised some money that helps the parents of such kids to afford to stay in the UK when they are there for treatment. Tomorrow (Tuesday) I’ll visit the school in Zurrieq where I’ll speak a bit about the ride and again do some media support for Puttinu Cares. I’ll also try to get up to Gozo to watch Silsden Juniors play a match against a Maltese team, although the logistics of this involving Maltese buses and a ferry journey could nightmarish. When I return to the UK I’ll also chase up sponsorship for Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure and Sue Ryder Care at Manorlands.
Whilst we have done this trip there have been constant reminders of how vulnerable we are as cyclists in a world of cars, lorries and frenzied speed. This was starkly brought into focus with news that our good friend, club colleague and fellow Hammster Adrian Zip Jones had been hit by a tractor whilst time trialling near Keighley on Thursday evening.  Zip had been doing tremendous things on the bike in recent weeks but has been quite badly injured and has been in intensive care at Bradford Royal Infirmary. I hear he’s on the mend now and am sure that the fact that he’s basically fit and healthy will see him recover quicker than most – best wishes Zip and we all send our hope that you’re much better soon.  Zip’s trauma and indeed the difficulties experienced by those for whom the charities supported by this trip exist underline to me the very thin line that there is between health and illness, and how precious every minute of life is. That life should be lived to the full, and if nothing else, that’s certainly what I feel we’ve all done over the past few weeks. At 50+, it’s also what I intend to keep doing!!

Thanks!
There are so many people to thank that I run the very great risk of missing someone out and that would be disastrous! So I’ll publish a list of acknowledgments when I get home, and at the same time I’ll expand the blog and fill in some of the gaps and add some more photos.
To everyone who has helped, taken part, supported, followed this blog and encouraged…..THANK YOU!!!!!