This dirty old man was at the carnival. Detail from one of the floats. This man had some bikini-clad figures on the same float. During the exhibition he was regularly removing his sunglasses and putting them back on for a better view.
Thought that winter was out completely but not so. Last night we had a heavy thunderstorm with lots of lightning, heavy rain and even hail. It lasted some 8 hours. The sun is out again now.
AMERICAN WAR OF INDIPENDENCE. In the narrative attached to my picture of Sunday, 27th February, I had mentioned an article in the Sunday Times of Malta by Dr Giovanni Bonello on the participation of Knights of Malta and many Maltese experienced seamen in the American War of Independence. The article continued (and was concluded) yesterday. I quote: “ De Grasse, with a French naval squadron, took an extremely prominent part in the American hostilities, and was instrumental in defeating the British fleet in the Battle of the Chesapeake in September, 1781. He then blockaded the coast until Lord Cornwallis found he had no option but to surrender.” De Grasse (Francois Joseph Paul, Comte de Grasse and Marquis of Tilly (1722-1788)) was a Knight of Malta. He joined the order when 11 years old and later became a Knight of the Order – a distinction of which he remained proud till the end of his life. He later joined the French navy had an outstanding career. In the said naval squadron were many very well trained Maltese seamen trained on the vessels of the Order (many in the French navy considered the Order’s maritime tradition and know-how as the supreme model on which any efficient fleet should mould itself). A 2 cents US postage stamp issued in 1931 commemorates De Grasse and shows George Washington flanked by Rochambeau (no info on him) on the left and De Grasse on the right. Anyone wishing to read the article can do so on the web at timesofmalta.com.
Many thanks for looking and for commenting on my pictures
Your country has some amazing artists to created such well done characters for your parades. Thank for including this bit of history on the American Revolution which I was unaware of.
