Foreign enough to be interesting. British enough to be pleasant

22nd September [1916] Friday

Went in again to Valetta by gharry to meet Bloore. Drew money from the Field Cashier and spent the afternoon with Bloore. Chatted over many things. He has been passed by Board for England lucky devil.
Valetta truly charming: however one turns delightful views of the sea and harbor. Foreign enough to be interesting. British enough to be pleasant – respect paid to the uniform and English spoken in the shops and streets. The gharry prices are moderate 1/- for 2 1/2 miles all driven at a hard gallop. The drivers seldom check the speed of their vehicles by holding in the horse but nearly always by applying the brake, with the result that the ponies’ mouths are most delightfully tender and steering is a fine art.
Everything in Valetta is cheap and cheaper than England, except of course proprietary articles.
The hospital visited this morning by Lord Methuen, Governor of the Island, a most courtly gentleman as well as distinguished soldier. He also visited us on the ship and then and today spoke with every officer.
The women here all wear a large black hood, not however screening their faces in the Mohamettan fashion. They are nearly all devout Roman Catholics on the Island. The men are well set up pleasant faced fellows no doubt ready to stab [?] in the back for a trifle.