Walking with Mike and Anne
Published on Mellieha Messenger, May 2008.
It was an absolute delight to visit Gozo on a typical Spring day at then end of April, walking through the historic village of Qala down to the sea at Hondoq point and then back up to enjoy a leisurely lunch at Xerri’s il-Bukket on the edge of the village overlooking Comino. It was really strange to see Comino from the other side!!!
Those of us intrepid enough to get up and catch the 9am ferry – free to those of us of a certain age! – were met at Mgarr by Mike & Anne who took us back to their adopted village and showed us the lovely old church of St Joseph’s with its magnificent chandeliers. (Some wag said they were waiting for Del-boy & Co to turn up to clean them). When then walked through the oldest part of the village towards the sea, stopping noow and then whilst Anne told us some of its history. She pointed out the cross on the sire where thw church of the Immaculate Conception was meant to have been built but whose stones miraculously moved overnight – not once but several times – until the villagers got the message the someone wanted the church to be built further up the road. In this church we saw the shrine of St Kerrew. On the walls outside we saw graffiti – not modern – but scratched in the stone by Galley slaves back in the times of the knights.
When then met up with a local councillor, Paul Buttigieg who explained to us about the proposed development of the beautiful costal area of Hondoq ir-Rummien and of the Gozitans’ fight to ensure the area is preversed. This project – the Qala Creek project – is a massive development of apartments, villas, a yacht marina, restaurant, shopos and hotel. To those of us who walked in the peace and quiet of the area it seemed almost obscene thaat such a proposal could ever be considered.. There is a website set up www.soshondoq.blogspot.com where you can find out more and if you wish to support the campaign please sign the petition or make comment.
On the costal path back to the top of the village we heard about the tragic drowning in 1948 in the Malta – Comino inlet when 23 souls were lost – the memorial to this being in Mgarr Marina. The views across the harbour showed us Fort Chambrey, built as Gozo’s answer to Valletta but which fell down as it was built on clay.
The Walk back up the hill was rewarded by lunch and a few glasses in ‘il-Bukket’ before we caught the ferry home. It was a wonderful day out and sincere thanks go to Mike and Anne for the enthusiasm, commitment and time they give, helping us learn more about Malta and its islands.
It was an absolute delight to visit Gozo on a typical Spring day at then end of April, walking through the historic village of Qala down to the sea at Hondoq point and then back up to enjoy a leisurely lunch at Xerri’s il-Bukket on the edge of the village overlooking Comino. It was really strange to see Comino from the other side!!!
Those of us intrepid enough to get up and catch the 9am ferry – free to those of us of a certain age! – were met at Mgarr by Mike & Anne who took us back to their adopted village and showed us the lovely old church of St Joseph’s with its magnificent chandeliers. (Some wag said they were waiting for Del-boy & Co to turn up to clean them). When then walked through the oldest part of the village towards the sea, stopping noow and then whilst Anne told us some of its history. She pointed out the cross on the sire where thw church of the Immaculate Conception was meant to have been built but whose stones miraculously moved overnight – not once but several times – until the villagers got the message the someone wanted the church to be built further up the road. In this church we saw the shrine of St Kerrew. On the walls outside we saw graffiti – not modern – but scratched in the stone by Galley slaves back in the times of the knights.
When then met up with a local councillor, Paul Buttigieg who explained to us about the proposed development of the beautiful costal area of Hondoq ir-Rummien and of the Gozitans’ fight to ensure the area is preversed. This project – the Qala Creek project – is a massive development of apartments, villas, a yacht marina, restaurant, shopos and hotel. To those of us who walked in the peace and quiet of the area it seemed almost obscene thaat such a proposal could ever be considered.. There is a website set up www.soshondoq.blogspot.com where you can find out more and if you wish to support the campaign please sign the petition or make comment.
On the costal path back to the top of the village we heard about the tragic drowning in 1948 in the Malta – Comino inlet when 23 souls were lost – the memorial to this being in Mgarr Marina. The views across the harbour showed us Fort Chambrey, built as Gozo’s answer to Valletta but which fell down as it was built on clay.
The Walk back up the hill was rewarded by lunch and a few glasses in ‘il-Bukket’ before we caught the ferry home. It was a wonderful day out and sincere thanks go to Mike and Anne for the enthusiasm, commitment and time they give, helping us learn more about Malta and its islands.
posted by Hondoq at
8:49 PM
