Roy Martin

My first sighting of the island of Malta was on an overcast day at the end of March 1959 from the fore deck of HMT Dilwara as we entered Grand Harbour. It was a day that affected the rest of my life as the sirens of Calypso stole my heart. Stationed at RAF Luqa I came to know the island like the back of my hand. I got to know the history, the culture, the customs and the way of life. I found the best places to swim, to eat, to drink and to escape the intense heat of the sun. On a blind date I met my future wife and now sixty years later I have put my experiences and knowledge of the island into words. Tales of a Maltese Village: The Ho Chi Do Chi Bar is a mixture of true stories and figments of my imagination. I will never admit to which is which! That is for you my reader to decide.

Those readers who have already read the book have asked “What happens next?” They have encouraged me to write a follow up entitled Tales of a Maltese Village: Harry Goes to the Dogs which now completes the story.

It is a gentle, easy to read yarn with much humour some of which is hilarious, of nostalgia, some bar room philosophy, of sadness and of joy. I recommend that you take a bottle of La Vallette red wine, half a dozen pastizzi and relax in your chair as the sun goes down and enjoy my ramblings.

Il-lejl it-tajjeb. Qari kuntenti.