29/04/2009 Burmarrad - Mosta Fort

We started from near Burmarrad church in warm sunshine, taking the small road beside the garden centre in the direction of Salina. We turned right along a small road through farmland until we reached the Burmarrad - Naxxar road. We turned right here and, after a few yards, turned left along a path through more farmland. We then followed the line of the water channel where we were delighted by the sight of numerous swallows diving through the trees and swooping down to the water. We crossed the channel where it widened at a small dam. We continued to follow the channel, this time keeping it on our left and recrossed it at another small dam then followed a narrow path that led into an area of open fields. Here, the rest of the group turned back but two of us continued on towards the Victoria Lines. We climbed the rocky escarpment until we reached a flight of steps leading to an area of gardens behind the Lines where we turned left, eventually reaching Mosta Fort. Here we turned back, heading towards Mosta where we caught the bus back.

27/04/2009 Qawra - Pembroke - St. George's Bay

On a warm but rather overcast day, we set out from Qawra past Kennedy Grove. We turned up the hill past the small chapel then turned left towards the Naxxar Road where we turned right and, after a few yards, turned left through an area of small farms reaching the main coast road near Ghallis Tower. We followed the coast road for two miles or so, braving a strong head wind, until we reached Bahar Ic-Caghaq where we turned left following the road behind the Marine Park. This gradually petered out until it became a narrow track. We then turned inland towards Pembroke where we stopped a while at the military cemetery. We kept to the left of the Coast Road, eventually turning left towards our destination of St . George's Bay.

24/04/2009 Rabat - Dingli - Mdina

After a short break from walking due to poor weather, we were happy to see a return to sunshine, even if the day started a little cloudy. We set off from Rabat, heading for Dingli and then on to Dingli cliffs, the highest point in Malta. By then, the sun was out in force and we were rewarded with some excellent, if slightly hazy, views below the cliffs and across to the small island of Filfla. We decided to turn to the right for once and headed on past the "golf ball". We explored some of the farmland, met up with a large, aggressive dog, got a little lost, and then headed back in the direction of Dingli. Just before entering the village we took the road to the left and at the next crossroads turned right. This took us into a valley and then back to Rabat and, finally, Mdina.

17/04/2009 Marsaxlokk - Birzebugga - Zurrieq

Starting out from the busy fishing harbour at Marsaxlokk, we followed the road around the headland in the direction of the tiny St. George's Bay. We then followed a short coastal path that rejoined the road just above Birzebugga where we stopped a while to admire the beatifully kept and aptly named Pretty Bay; pretty, that is, if you can ignore the sight of the Malta Freeport towering above the bay. We then followed the main road out of Birzebugga for a short distance before turning down a narrow road back towards the coast that led shortly to a busy road through the large industrial estate behind the Hal-Far Raceway. After a couple of kilometres or so of this, we were glad to find a small road off to the left that once again led back towards the coast. We were rewarded by some excellent views across the rural landscape; however, we found the walking very tough, involving descents into three deep valleys before arriving at the welcome sight of the attractive and historic little town of Zurrieq where we caught the bus back to Valletta.

15/04/2009 Chadwick Lakes

Thinking that this might be our last chance this year to see the lakes with some water in them, we set off from the small chapel just off an island on the road between Mosta and Rabat. Turning into the narrow lane leading to the lakes, we were delighted to find the whole area blooming with an array of spring flowers. Our progress was slower than usual as our walk turned into something of a nature trail. The first of the lakes was empty but when we reached the top lake we were pleased to find it still fairly full. We carried on along a narrow path skirting a small vineyard before turning back once we reached the road and retracing our steps.

10/04/2009 Msida - Floriana - Valletta

We set off from Msida in the direction of Pieta, keeping Msida Creek and then Pieta Creek on our left. We turned right towards Floriana, stopping off to investigate a beautifuly kept gardens off to our left with stunning views across Marsamxett Harbour. Carrying on our way we headed through Floriana towards the Phoenicia Hotel, where we turned left back towards the harbour. We took another left turning past the Sliema ferry terminal and then contined on towards Fort St Elmo. We skirted the fort, keeping the fort on our right and the sea on our left, following what is in places a narrow path. We climbed the steps towards the Mediterranean Conference Centre and then headed past the Siege Bell down to Lascaris Wharf. We then followed a series of wharfs almost as far as Marsa before turning inland almost arriving back at our starting point.

08/04/2009 Paradise Bay

On a perfect sunny day, we drove to Paradise Bay, near the Gozo ferry terminal at Cirkewwa. First, we set off inland through farmland, taking in the scenery and admiring the spring flowers and traditional buildings. We turned back after a while and took a path to the left that took us over the cliffs where we stopped to admire the view over towards Gozo. Finally, we descended the long row of steps to Paradise Bay itself before returning to the car park.

06/04/2009 Xemxija - Anchor Bay - Ghadira bay

We once again set of from Xemxija climbing the Roman Road past the ancient beehives. We took the path through the woods this time, following the Bajda Ridge until we reached the coast near Golden Bay. Instead of turning towards the bay, though, we turned right in the direction of a derelict tower. Here, we turned inland but, on reaching the road, we turned sharp right down a steep path that eventually led to Anchor Bay, or Popeye Village as it is now more commonly known. We turned towards Mellieha but turned left along a path rather than following the road. After a couple of hundred yards or so, we turned right to follow a narrow path that wound its way down the hillside behind the holiday village, finally arriving at Ghadira Bay.

03/04/2009 Kalkara

We decided to take a shorter town walk today so set of from Vittoriosa bus terminus towards Kalkara Creek. Keeping the creek on our left we stopped to admire some excellent views across the Grand Harbour before passing Fort Ricasoli. We carried on past the Rinella Battery, the filming tanks of the Mediterranean film studios and the entrance to the proposed 'Smart City'. We then turned back through the lanes of Kalkara, emerging near the church, before returning to the terminus.

01/04/2009 Gharghur - Victoria Lines

We set off from in front of Gharghur church heading downhill in the direction of Madliena. The road curved round above the valley allowing us a superb view of the Victoria Lines. After crossing a bridge over Wied Id-Dis, we passed a walled garden on our left. We turned left at a crossroads past some villas where we joined the Victoria Lines. The overgrown path proved a little too much for some of the group who turned back to Gharghur at this point, but we pressed on. Keeping the Victoria Lines on out right, we descended some rocky steps and then climbed up the other side, eventually arriving at a viewing area. Here we admired some spectacular views across to the sea at Bahar Ic-Cahaq and across the wide valley to St Paul's Bay. Continuing along a concrete path with gardens on our left, we turned back to Gharghur church where we rejoined the rest of the group.