I would like to add a few words to the article in Weekender (April 13) about Tony Tabone and Christine Parker, who have been penfriends for 40 years.

It is a wonderful experience for both Tony and Christine, especially that they met and shared experiences for such a long time. I wish them longer enjoyment of their solid friendship.

I, too, am passing through a similar experience. As far back as April 1950, I started corresponding with an Italian boy of my age, 14, when I was living in Australia. Soon after, his parents and his sister began corresponding with me and continued thus, even after we returned to Malta until the present day.

In fact, the parents continued writing to me till they died, the father in 1963 and the mother in the `70s, and the boy until he married. He died two years ago, but still continued sending his regards through his sister`s letters.

The sister and I are still corresponding, after 52 years. We have become very close, we share all our experiences, we send gifts to each other and every now and then phone. My mother and I met the family in 1957 and we were greatly welcomed. Then in 1964, mum and I were passing through Genoa on a tour to Lourdes and we met them again.

Meanwhile, the sister got married. Meetings stopped after that till 2000 when we decided to visit each other to celebrate our golden anniversary. In fact she came over with her husband at the beginning of July and we reciprocated at the end of August.

They were thrilled with Malta. They never expected to find so much to see. In fact they felt this visit was short for five days and promised to come again. I am expecting them again this year. It was really a memorable and cordial occasion, worth such a long wait. I will never forget it!

We could not let go of each other and kept looking at each other as if we could not believe our eyes. My daughter and I also enjoyed our trip to their beautiful city where we visited every nook and cranny. They have every reason to be proud of their aquarium!

Last summer, my daughter and I revisited them but the weather was unkind to us, for it rained all the time. But what counted was that I met them again.

I wrote to the Guinness Book of Records about our friendship but they answered that they could not include it. Anyway I am so proud that I have such a close friend.