30/03/2009 Victoria Lines - Bingemma Gap - Rabat

On a warm but misty day, we set off from just outside Mosta, following the Victoria Lines, Malta's historic line of fortifications. When we reached the Dwejra Lines, we decided to follow the path just beneath the walls - a bit of a mistake as the wide path uddenly turned sharply away from the walls leaving us to navigate a narrow overgrown path, resembling an assault course in places. When we finally reached Bingemma Gap we decided we'd had enough of narrow paths and we'd follow the roads instead. We turned towards Bingemma fort, forking left and then taking another left turn to descend a narrow winding road to Fiddien Valley before carrying on through the winding streets of Rabat, stopping for a drink in Pjazza Parocca in front of St Paul's Church, and then on to Mdina bus terminus.

27/03/2009 Three Cities / Valletta

Third time this year we've walked the Three Cities but why not? Fantastic views across the Grand Harbour and the creeks, history round every corner, winding lanes, fortresses and boats of all types: brightly coloured water taxis, yachts large and small and even a large modern naval vessel. All this within a 3 mile walk that seems much longer, mainly because there's so much to distract you on the way round. We walked again from Kalkara Creek around Vittoriosa, Cospicua and on to Senglea. We then took the bus to Valletta where we walked to Upper Barracca Gardens where we looked back across the Grand Harbour to where we had walked earlier and then finally to Hastings Garden to take in the views across Marsamxett Harbour, Valletta's other great natural harbour.

25/03/2009 Salina Bay - Ghallis Tower

On a sunny but windy day, we set out from just over the road from the Kennedy Memorial, heading uphill past the small St. Michael's Chapel. The path took us through farmland before turning left to the Naxxar Road. We walked a few yards up the road before turning left and continuing along a path that led through more farmland and past several fierce-looking farmyard dogs, luckily chained up. We stopped several times to admire the views across Salina Bay and Qawra; we were particularly impressed by the profusion of wild flowers in the Maltese springtime. Arriving at Ghallis Tower, we chose to return to our starting point by walking back along the coast road, stopping to take pictures of crashing waves along the way.

23/03/2009 Golden Bay - Gnejna Bay - Mgarr

We started out from Golden Bay climbing past the tower towards Ghajn Tuffieha. Rather than following the path down to the sandy beach, we followed a path that led high above the cliffs, climbing steeply in places, until we reached Lippija Tower. We then followed the path inland towards Mgarr but, before we reached there, we turned to the right to take the road to Gnejna Bay. From there we followed a steep and muddy path that climbed high above the next bay, Fomm Ir-Rih. We stopped several times on the way, both to get our breath and to admire some stunning views as far back as Gozo. We then decided to call it a day and turned left towards Mgarr, passing Zamitello Palace on the way.

20/03/2009 Msida - St. George's Bay

A different sort of walk, this one, in that it was entirely through a 'built-up area' of hotels, bars, shops, marinas, but with some striking views, particularly across to Valletta and across the various bays and creeks we passed on the way. We started out from Msida in the direction of Ta 'Xbiex passing the 'Black Pearl', a sailing ship that featured in the Popeye film, now a restaurant. Passing Lazaretto Creek, Manoel Island and Sliema Creek, where we stopped to admire the view across to Valletta, we reached almost the end of Marsamxett Harbour where we had to take a footbridge to skirt Tigne Point, currently an area of intensive redevelopment. We then followed the Sliema promenade to St. Julian's, passing Baluta Bay and Spinola Bay. We stopped a while at Portomaso where we took a slight detour to view the marina. We then walked through Paceville, the "Peaceful Village" of nightclubs, discos and designer shops, finally arriving at St. George's Bay where we turned inland to catch the bus back.

18/03/2009 Selmun Peninsula

We started out from the small chapel near to Selmun Palace, now a large hotel. We passed behind the hotel following a path above Mistra Bay. We stopped several times to admire the views, particularly the superb view across St. Paul's Island. We gradually descended to the salt pans at Blata I-Bajda where we took a diversion to watch the sea running under the white rocks and spurting up through small holes. We followed a winding path back up towards the abandoned Fort Campbell, where we turned back towards our starting point.

13/03/2009 Xemxija - Golden Bay

Our coast-to-coast walk started out from sunny Xemxija, living up to its name. We climbed the Roman Road following the Xemxija heritage trail. We stopped off to look at some ancient beehives, numerous caves, a 1,000 year old tree, a farmer's hovel, Punic tombs and even a Roman bathhouse. We then followed a series of footpaths across the Bajda Ridge, keeping the large area of woodland on our left so we could admire the fine views across the valley to our right. Reaching the cliffs we turned left and descended past some old army barracks to Golden Bay where we enjoyed a coffee and a beach walk before taking the bus back.

11/03/2009 Marfa Ridge - Armier Bay

For once, we started out from the Madonna Statue at the tip of Marfa Ride and headed north towards the White Tower where we took a detour to Ahrax Point. There, the sea has undermined the cliff and created a huge almost circular hole with turqoise sea sea water at the bottom - a remarkable site. We walked past Little Armier Bay and onto Armier Bay. The views across to Comino and Gozo were impressive but the small beaches were strewn with seaweed. We then turned inand and climbed back to Marfa Ridge and back to the Madonna Statue.

09/03/2009 Three Cities

We repeated the walk of a month ago for the benefit of frends who hadn't previously visited the Three Cities, otherwise known as the Cotonnera. We started out from Vittoriosa bus terminus towards Kalkara Creek and rounded the Birgu peninsula. We then walked alongside Dockyard Creek through Conspicua (Bormla) to Senglea. We climbed to the gardens above Isla Point to admire the stunning view across the Grand Harbour but didn't stay long due to the strong winds. We took the bus back from Senglea terminus to Valletta where we stopped for a while at Upper Barracca Gardens to look back across from the opposite side of the Grand Harbour to see where we'd been.

05/03/2009 Gozo: Victoria - Xlendi

Took the bus from the ferry to Victoria then set off for Fontana where we stopped off for some wine & cheese tasting. We then carried on to Xlendi bay where the previous night's storm had whipped up some huge waves. We carried on around Xlendi point, turning inland to Munxar and then on to Victoria where we spent an hour or so touring the Citadel.

04/03/2009 Chadwick Lakes

An enjoyable out and back walk starting from the outskirts of Mosta. On an overcast day, we were impressed by the volume of water in the lakes, reflecting the amount of rainfall in Malta over the winter. March is probably the best time of year to visit the lakes.

02/03/2009 Marsaskala - Xghajra - Kalkara

Set out from Marsaskala in the direction of Xghajra following a road that eventually turned into a wide dirt track. Workers were busy building a new promenade at Xghajra - will go back in a few months' time to see how they've got on. Had to turn inland to skirt the Smart City site then stopped a while at the beautifully kept Naval War Cemetery before going on to Kalkara & then Vittoriosa bus station.