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Bla Kondixin - and my tiny contribution to it...

17/1/2014

Last September, a few days after I was made redundant by the aquamarine bus company, I was contacted by an old friend and asked whether I would be interested in contributing some work or ideas for the yearly Bla Kondixin show. To cut a long story short (you're here to see the clips right?) I worked on the idea of a cartoon strip morphed into a short (funny I hope) story. I worked on the story and the story board stills and the magic guys over at Lighthouse took that up and did the animation. I was quite pleased when I attended Bla Kondixin and er... actually heard people laughing watching these. Chuffed really.

This one treats the hunting issue in a somewhat bizarre way...

And this...um...no comments required I guess

And of course I couldn't resist to take a dig at my old employer... though I just provided the idea here and directed the right guys to the right bus stop :-)

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Photo Blog - Rambling around Bidnija

16/1/2014

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Sunny, warm days in January are priceless really. Having met my deadlines for this week, and having put in three days' work at home it was time for some fresh air, some seemingly aimless wandering; but really this is a great way to recharge the batteries before continuing on some more work, currently a drawing commission and some writing. Needless to say my camera is my ever-present companion on these long walks - in this case a three hour walk exploring lanes and garigue around Bidnija. Hope you enjoy the pics as much as I enjoyed the walking...

A quiet lane in Bidnija - it's surprising that after more than fifty years of living here I can still find the odd previously undiscovered lane here and there.

The first brown orchids are out. I simply love the intricate structure of orchids.

Another previously undiscovered track leads me to some great views over Wied Qannotta.

View from atop il-Qolla towards Gebel Ghawzara.

The ideal dream home complete with private chapel in Wied Qannotta.

A seemingly endless field of artichokes...

A farmer and his dog on their way to the fields.

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The Slow Road to Dwejra

3/1/2014

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Dwejra Bay and Fungus Rock - the view is simply awesome

Most visitors to Gozo will probably include a short trip to Dwejra - the site so well known for its unique dramatic seascapes and geological features which include the famous Azure Window, Fungus Rock and the so called Inland Sea. Chances are you will get little of the feel of this unique site on a stop-and-go tour of the island, as the area really cries out for better appreciation.

Gozo by its very nature demands a slower way to do things and an alternate way to visit Dwejra is actually to walk there from the island's capital Victoria. It's a relatively easy five kilometer trek and it is a rewarding alternative. It can be done in two hours - but make that three for stops, diversions and gawping in general!

The way out of Victoria is easy enough - just follow the signposts to Kercem which lies just ten minutes walking away. Kercem itself is a miniscule village with one quiet main street winding its way in and out of the village again. There are a few ancient stone balconies of note on some old houses but little else of much interest apart from the quaintness of it all.

Once out of the village follow the signposts to Ghadira ta San Raflu. It's a quiet road bordered by fields and soon enough it follows close to the cliffs - giving breathtaking views across the water. In thirty minutes or so you should arrive at the Ghadira itself - a small pond which attracts waterfowl and other fauna. Until recently the pond supported a thriving population of the local endemic painted frog Discoglossus pictus but insensitive individuals have introduced the alien Bedriaga frog which has all but taken over the Ghadira. Nonetheless being here during the frogs' mating season is quite an experience - their mating calls are incredibly loud and create an impressive ruckus in this otherwise silent place.

The road divides into two at the pond - take the narrow trek on the left. The trek, initially smoothly cemented over, soon becomes a dust road and eventually just a narrow cycle path skirting the cliffs. The views here are breathtaking - with the small tower at the head of Xlendi Bay looking somewhat lonely amid the wide vista of cliffs. The path eventually leads to an open space with a small rock- hewn chamber and a couple of wells dug in front of it. This is in fact an ancient Punic sanctuary (picture right) about which very little is known. Not much remains of course but the site is certainly one of Gozo's most atmospheric, perched as it is on an impressively high cliff and commanding the best views towards Dwejra and the Fungus Rock. Take time out to gawp.

Retrace your steps from the site and go uphill for a minute or two until you can see the path towards Dwejra - there are various well trodden paths in fact. The observant rambler will note a proliferation of curious greyish-leaved plants occurring from this point onwards. This is none other than the Maltese Everlasting (Helichrysum melitense) an extremely rare endemic plant confined to just this small corner of Gozo and nowhere else worldwide. It produces yellow flowers between April and late May.

Soon one arrives at the curved Dwejra Bay with the Fungus Rock standing majestically at its entrance. Again the views here are impressive. Fungus Rock itself is a protected site - being the only known place where the so called Malta Fungus- a strange mushroom-like plant - grows. In the past it was believed to have potent medicinal powers and the Knights of St.John provided round the clock guard to deter locals from collecting this supposed elixir. Past the curve of the bay, head for the Dwejra Tower and you are practically in Dwejra now. Take time to enjoy this great site having tasted its splendor unfolding little by little.

There is an hourly bus back to Victoria from Dwejra if, quite understandably, you find the hilly road back a bit daunting.

On the way to the Punic shrine...the view towards Xlendi

The above article was originally published in the January 2014 newsletter of Chevron UK - Malta travel specialists since 1982. You may subscribe to Chevron's newsletter here.

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Birkirkara, Market Day

2/1/2014

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Birkirkara is Malta's largest town with a population of well over 20,000. Most of the town's constructions are modern, but at its core there is a different world altogether - a warren of tiny streets and alleys definitely worth a second look.

Come here early on a Wednesday or Friday and mingle with the locals when the market sets up in the streets around the main church - the market itself is a large and lively array of stalls offering all sorts of wares: clothes and shoes, agricultural produce, meat and fish, household items, pirate dvd's - all jostle for your attention.

Start off at the small chapel dedicated to St.Paul on Valley Road and dive into the narrow street on its left which opens on to Main Street - arguably one of Malta's finest built streets with a good collection of old houses and a wealth of traditional wooden balconies. At the far end a chapel juts into the road - take the right turn into narrow St.Helen Street and soon enough this opens up to reveal Malta's finest (and largest) Baroque Parish church. The church of St. Helen's(picture right) - Birkirkara's patron saint - was designed by local architect Domenico Cachia and was constructed between the years 1735 to 1745. The ornate facade is its main pulling point but if you are here early do go in and have a look at the sumptuous interior - but bear in mind that the church usually closes by 10am.

Close by is another interesting and even older structure - The Sanctuary of Tal-Herba, dedicated to the Nativity of the Virgin. This dates back to the early years of the seventeenth century and became a popular pilgrimage place when a disabled man was reputedly cured of his ailments while visiting. It is a small and beautifully decorated church and has a wonderful collection of ex-voto paintings. These were normally executed by amateurs and offered to the sanctuary as a way to seek grace or give thanks. Their simple naivety bears witness to a strong faith enduring for centuries. The Sanctuary also closes its doors at 10am on most days.

Beyond these two churches there are a couple of other chapels close by, but perhaps of more interest are the tiny streets and alleyways themselves. To the right of the parish church and off St.Roque Street are a series of curious blind alleys - some of which seem to go on forever. Sqaq Sampusa (sqaq is the Maltese for alley) is the longest - there must be over fifty houses in this alley. Equally interesting are Sqaq Karla and Sqaq il-Bicciera, both revealing a medieval street plan probably unchanged over time. Don't worry if you get funny looks from the inhabitants of these enclosed spaces - it's just that outsiders don't venture here often - but it's completely safe and friendly.

The streets to the left of the main church are equally interesting with an abundance of niches and alleyways. Tucked in on Triq il-Laqxija one also comes across the house where Malta's first President - Sir Anthony Mamo - was born; a fine no-nonsense double fronted house. You may wish to round off this off beat visit with a snack from one of the many cafes in and around the church square.

Niches on practically every corner....

...and some lovely doors

The above article was originally published in the January 2014 newsletter of Chevron UK - Malta travel specialists since 1982. You may subscribe to Chevron's newsletter here.

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Bla Kondixin - and my tiny contribution to it...

Photo Blog - Rambling around Bidnija

The Slow Road to Dwejra

Birkirkara, Market Day

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