My first visit to the Brew House a pub specialising in local & international craft ale with its own micro brewery. Went with new friend Yvonne.
Peter Bargh
Sights & SoundsHaving finished the Couch to 5K app I entered my first ever run (since school cross country) this morning at the Hillsborough Parkrun. I finished in 106th place, was the 86th male out of a field of 223 runners and came 8th in my age category, with an age-graded score of 56.59% (whatever that means!). Will beat this next week!
Today fly back to East Midlands on FR2472. Screwed up with timings and got to airport 3 hours too early. I didn’t need to get up so early and rush breakfast…idiot! Leaving Malta with sun, but clouds and not looking forward to returning to the cold and damp of England.
Stayed on roof terrace of the Relax Inn and sun bathed- very hot and topped up tan. Met William Forrest a regular traveller to Malta who was about to rent a property out there and had a good chat. Then first 30 min run up to St. Paul’s bay and back.
Another attempt at walking Dingli cliffs, this time by catching a couple of buses to get to the cliff tops. The 48 to Birkirkara, and 201 from there. I got off in Dingle village and walked up to the cliffs and followed the track south along the edge with a plan to walk along the coast to the Blue Grotto. I managed but many times ended up losing the direction and wandering away from the cliffs. I did manage to find my way down to Ghar Lapsi and walked along the cliffs under the Hagar Qim temples. From the Blue Grotto I walked over to Zurrieq and caught a bus to Valetta from Kirkop.
Day resting on the roof terrace of the hotel. Talked with Bill (William Forrest) who explained some things about the island and staying here.
In the evening I had beef stroganoff at a local restaurant
A planned walk to Dingli cliffs started on the road out to Mosta, then over to Rabat and Mdina. I walked around both towns before heading off in what I thought was the direction of Dingli. I didn’t see any signs, and had forgot to take the map, so I ended up totally out of direction at Mgarr.
From there I headed towards Mosta , and spotted a post for entrance to Bingemma Countryside Walk. I decided to take this not knowing where it went, assuming it was the right direction. Minutes into the walk I slipped on a rock, fell and landed on my face. This resulted in concussion and I could not remember where I was or where I wanted to go. I also had a very swollen cheek, totally numb face and a closed eye…felt like I’d been hit by a heavyweight boxer.
I found a vantage point, but I couldn’t remember any names of places or recognise any landmarks. It was quite scary. So I just carried on walking and eventually I regained memory, but hadn’t a clue where I now was, and could no longer recognise the coastal point I needed to head towards to get back to Bugibba, so I headed back to Mosta, on the way I came across a murmoration of starlings which was an amazing sight against the setting sun.
Mourning the loss of my teen idol…and respected musician
Such a sad day today…The loss of an incredible artist, innovator, teacher, idol, all-round genius. RIP David Bowie.
David Bowie was the first artist I liked…and I became a huge fan through my teen years and starting 1972 up to 1979, buying everything he released including imports…all on vinyl there were no cds then. I used to compile scrap books of cuttings from nme, sounds, record mirror, and various girls magazines such as Jackie. I had ten scrap books, plus loads of posters, scarves, badges, the works. Through those years Bowie introduced me to a huge variety of artists and genres, and helped me discover lots of bands through these connections. He helped shape my musical taste.
I always loved the versatility and range of styles he approached, from rock to glam, to soul, to electronic. My favourite albums were Aladdin Sane, Diamond Dogs, Low. In 1979 around Lodger I started to change feelings and by the time of Lets Dance I was no longer obsessed by his work. I liked a few tracks over the following years such as Ashes to Ashes and Thursdays Child, but it wasnt until 1995 and Outside that I thought he’d returned into a space I enjoyed, so I returned to buying his albums and enjoying the material, but never to the same level as those early years.
When Blackstar was released two days ago on the 8th I was really hooked and thought he’d returned to what made him a hero for me. And sadly two days on we heard the news.
Thanks you David Bowie you were a massive part of my life.
My mum did an oil painting for me back in the day..she left out a bangle that was on his wrist because she didn’t think a man should wear such an item. It’s a good job she never saw my scrap books!
I decided to do the north tip of the island so I caught a bus up to Mellieha heights and walked down to the bay, then up to the red castle (The Red Tower or Fort St. Agatha), and did the tourist visit to get a view from the top. On the way up I passed through some ruins. Totally graffiti covered wall. I spoke to a couple later who actually had one of these properties several years earlier. Time Share that went wrong. Superb vantage point, but now in ruin.
From the tower I walked towards the coast at Ghadira and then clockwise around the top passing a large cave where people were camping, Paradise Bay and the Gozo ferry. I then walked around the north east coast line including Armier Bay. And then completed my daily run 25 minutes using Couch to 5k and back to St Pauls Bay.
Walked from Bugibba around the coast to St Pauls Bay, I liked the look of properties at Xemxijm so walked around the back streets. From here I spotted a sign for the heritage trail and decided to follow it west towards the coast. It brought me to Il-Majjistral Nature & History Park which has a lovely walk following the coast north to Anchor Bay and Popeye Village. From here I walked down to Mellieha Bay and then followed the coast clockwise back round to St Pauls Bay. On the way there were several difficult parts to pass, but also got to see the lovely secluded Imgiebah Bay.
View below is Il-Majjistral with the island of Gozo in the distance.
