12/11/828 to 05/01/829 - We finally made it to Planet Malta. I left my ship at Valletta for a complete inspection, repair, rearmament and other partial tasks. As the ship currently remains in only one location and is unmanned, this entry will be somewhat different.
Although I had originally planned only an one month leave, it was the end of the year that finally made me decide to extend it to two months and give the engineers on Valletta more time and give all of us a time to reconnect with our loved ones and relatives. Another undeniable advantage will be that the more exposed crew members will have time to recover in time for our next trip.
Countryside around my residence was charming as always.
I cannot remember the last time I was home with my family for this long - two whole, almost undisturbed months. I have to admit that after such a long time, I really started to miss Malta, even though I have not yet noticed any physiological symptoms of a long stay off-planet.
My residence was right where I left it and still pleasantly cosy thanks to the year-round stay of the staff there even during my absence. And I have to admit, it was worth leaving them there even when I was not here - the exterior walls were newly white plastered and the villa also got larger, much more pleasant large windows with a golden exterior coating to reflect heat radiation away.
The interior has also seen a few changes and has been newly clad in several types of varnished wood for colour variety and cosiness. I arrived just in time to arrange for a few changes to my bedroom, living room and my study. We spent about a week moving printed books and data tapes into my new library, making room in the south studio for more sculptures.
Family matters accomplished several changes. It was pleasant news to me that the ties between my clan and the smaller Rizzo clan were cemented by the marriage of my cousin to their youngest son. The wedding was sure to be spectacular and it did not surprise me in the least, for the last ten years my father had done his best to tie the lesser clans to us to strengthen our position. Everyone in the family knows he wants to become one of the Dons, even though he vehemently denies it. To do so, however, he will need more than just expanding our extended family as the attack on Rochester forced us to give up some of our market share in Cardamine, cutting the last twenty years of steady growth because of the whole affair.
Who knows if I will want to get back on my boat after two months here. I may not have my full place here due to the fact that I usually spend my time among the stars, but I can immerse myself in my hobbies once again - especially my piano playing - without any restrictions for these two months.
