18 August 1938

Dear Mother:

Arrived here at Valleta this morning - the whole island is carved out of solid rock and is blazing hot - no clouds. Very picturesque - goat herds -smells and Maltese-Arabic origin.

The above ship is actually a naval barracks.

The city is divided up by the water and one has to go everywhere by boat propelled by two oars and two Maltese - somewhat like a gondola.

Must get a camera to take pictures. glorious won't be back for a week or ten days, so must remain here.

Had a wonderful trip out in Galatea, smooth water the whole way.

Enjoyed three days at Gibraltar immensely - climbed rock in blistering heat and looked at Algiers - bombed Spanish city across the bay. Valleta is very picturesque and the hotel here is built in an old fortress - huge windows and electric fans everywhere - servants are all Maltese.

I am stripped to the sleeves and still the perspiration oozes - 80 percent humidity and over 100o in the shade - so help me. The sea is 85o and very warm, I can assure you. Priests, nuns everywhere and bells ringing the whole time - wonderful experience for me and only sixty miles south of Mussolini -gnats to him sez I!! Africa to the south is mostly desert and winds, very hot from south or north for that matter. Winds blow hurricane force in the winter but as the place is solid rock, nothing can blow down.

Had a ride around Malta this morning in a V8 Ford with a Lt. Commander who showed us the docks, etc. (Next morning). We wear naval whites here - but still the sky has no clouds and the sun really beats down. The Grand harbour and city is very beautiful at night with the lights, music and small boats with lanterns hung behind crossing the water.

Galatea - not as I said before but Gala-teà has many native boats with odd sayings such as Dodge Brothers - England Forever printed on back.

H.M.S. Malaya left here for Haifa, Palestine this morning.

Must get a haircut soon as hair is getting long somewhat resembling a poet - but not quite.

Italian air liners run from Tripoli to Malta and thence to Italy.

Lunch is at 12 P.N. which is now so I must finish. Give my love to all the family and spank Ronny for me.

Bill R.N.

ex Late R.A.F.

ex Late cowboy

I mean ex

Bill on the Bay of

Biscay S

(I haven't learned how to tie knots yet)

RAF Station

HAL FAR

MALTA