After another lovely breakfast, we settled our bill and the concierge retrieved "Tatty" from the hotel garage. Our car hire agreement was Full to Full on the petrol and although we'd barely used 1/4 tank of course we needed to replenish. There was a garage soon after leaving the hotel, but having looked on the internet there were several more much nearer the airport so it made sense to fill up just before we dropped the car off.
However, we managed to avoid all of them and before we knew it we were at the airport, so a quick diversion and we headed off in search of a garage. Ian thought he remembered seeing one when we were driving through Qormi the previous day and he was right and - added bonus - there was a pump attendant.
Back at the airport we dropped "Tatty" off at the Budget car park and without even looking at the car, the chap happily noted No Damage on our hire form.
We were very early and the BA desk wasn't open but having checked-in online we decided to kill time by printing off our boarding passes and luggage label. That went to plan but, when it came to affixing the label to our luggage, we were stumped - yes we've stood at check-in many, many times and watched whilst the staff dexterously tag the cases but we never paid close enough attention. So we asked a passing person who was dressed in airline staff type uniform, but she couldn't work it out either. So we just had to wait for check-in to open - still don't know how we couldn't follow the instructions.
Anyway, fast forward to security and once again the female officer was very kind and considerate of my headwear and immediately allayed my fears.
Having cleared security, we quickly found the lounge and who should be on duty there but the person who'd tried to help us with the luggage label. We had a lovely chat with her. The food was delicious but unfortunately there was no champagne or sparkling wine.
The plane was pretty full in Business Class and because of the food choices going so quickly on the outward leg, I'd changed our seats to Row 4. When the stewardess gave out the menus, there was only 1 choice I'd eat, so as she was coming back again I cheekily asked if she'd reserve one for me and, to my surprise, she happily agreed. Ian (always the gentleman) said he wasn't fussy and he'd take his chances but in actual fact he got the last Caesar Salad (my choice) - so again they'd run out of 1 choice after just 1/3rd served. I'm so pleased I asked as it was really, really nice.
For probably the first time ever, our plane docked at a gate really near the terminal and we were just a couple of minutes from Passport Control. As I approached the automatic gate, the immigration person overseeing the machines shouted at me to take my hat and glasses off. I was very surprised at the way she spoke to me, particularly as she was wearing a hijab. Fortunately for me (and her - as I would have taken issue with her. Not for what she was telling me to do, as I take security very seriously and was prepared to remove my headwear, but her manner) the barrier opened and I was allowed through - hat, glasses still in situ.
As a consequence of clearing immigration so quickly, we had a long wait for our suitcase but eventually got ourselves back to Valet Parking and there waiting for us was the car - just brilliant. I can recommend the service and we'll use it whenever it's economically viable.
A superb mini break to Malta, just what we needed.