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.

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.