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Walking is one of the best ways to discover and appreciate Malta’s natural environment, beautiful landscapes and man-made marvels. There are few places in the world where walks can bring you past so many fascinating features in such a short distance, and with ready access. Rambling around the entire coast of our island is an especially fulfilling experience as the route takes you past a wide variety of unique and impressive cultural, ecological, geological and other features, both natural and man made.

The authors of this new book have chosen to begin and end their path at Valletta and along the way travel by a route that is as near to the coast as is practical, safe and accessible. The route meanders through a number of towns and villages, and rural areas of Malta, through tourist promenades and the remaining wilder areas. ‘Probably the best views and experiences from this coastal walk are encountered through walk 7’ says Jonathan Henwood, author of the book. He describes his favorite roam around Dingli and Baħrija and its fascinating scenery amplified by the unique geology and cult- there are saltpans, formerly inhabited caves and the remains of a temple and Bronze age villages to be discovered here!

The sense of being alone with the remnants of Maltese nature at its best is truly one of a kind in this location- featuring rare plants and animals such as the freshwater crab and weasel. The best aspect is that whenever you repeat this path, you will find different new and intriguing aspects to appreciate! However all other routes have one of a kind experiences- the book reminds us of the beauty of the Maltese Islands and entices you to physically explore it.

‘This is surely not the end of the series’, says the author. There is so much to discover that the authors are steadily working on another book for Gozo and another for Malta, each with different walks, bringing the series up to five. ‘We have come a long way since the first book was published in 2010, and yet there are so many paths waiting to be explored’. One of the richest of the new routes will shed light on the many Roman, Punic and World War II remains, whilst guiding you through one of last remaining pockets of wild coast on the north eastern border of Malta.

Book summary-Each walk

• Is of moderate length and most can be extended or shortened

• Leads you past a variety of landscapes and features of historical,

• Is described in detail and accompanied by a clear map

• Can be reached conveniently by public bus environmental and cultural interest

• Is supported by a section on History, Geology, Plants and Wildlife of Malta and Gozo

• Also provides details on practical aspects such as Weather, Safety, Buses and Ferries.

By Jonathan Henwood and Emmet McMahon

A guide book from the Great Walks Series which features 13 self-guided walks around the entire coast of Malta, stretching for 155km.

BDL Publishers has published the second editions of three of Charles Daniel Saliba’s Maltese language books that are used in Maltese secondary schools. The books Idjomi Maltin għal studenti għaqlin and Qwiel Maltin għal studenti ħabrikin contain idioms and proverbs collected under different themes with a definition for each proverb or idiom, the use of each proverb or idiom in a sentence and various exercises appropriate for all learning levels. BDL Publishers has also published the second edition of the poetry anthology 75 Lehma 75 Fehma. In addition to poems, this anthology includes a short biographical note for every poet, a selection of poems from these poets, explanatory notes and exercises for various learning levels for each poem. It also contains a detailed list of literary discourse figures accompanied by exercises, information on proper study skills and two cultural activities for Maltese and Gozitan students. These books are now available in bookshops or from the website www.bdlbooks.com

Antoloġija tal-poeżija u kotba tal-idjomi u l-qwiel ippubblikati mill-ġdid

Il-kumpanija BDL Publishers għadha kemm ippubblikat it-tieni edizzjoni ta’ tliet kotba, tal-awtur Charles Daniel Saliba, li jintużaw fi skejjel sekondarji. Il-kotba Idjomi Maltin għal studenti għaqlin u Qwiel Maltin għal studenti ħabrikin fihom ġabra ta’ idjomi u qwiel miġbura taħt temi differenti, b’definizzjoni ta’ kull qawl u idjoma, l-użu ta’ kull qawl u idjoma f’sentenza u eżerċizzji varji addattati għal-livelli differenti. BDL Publishers ippubblikaw ukoll it-tieni edizzjoni tal-antoloġija tal-poeżija 75 Lehma 75 Fehma. Barra il-poeżiji, din l-antoloġija fiha nota bijografika fuq kull poeta, għażla ta’ poeżiji ta’ dawn il-poeti, noti fuq il-poeżiji u eżerċizzji varji għal-livelli differenti għal kull poeżija. Fih ukoll sezzjoni bit-termini letterarji akkumpanjati b’eżerċizzji varji, punti kif tistudja aħjar, u żewġ attivitajiet kulturali għall-istudenti Maltin u Għawdxin. Dawn il-kotba jinsabu fil-ħwienet ewlenin jew mill-websajt www.bdlbooks.com

 

minn Charles B. Spiteri

Iċ-ċkejknin, sija jkunu tfal jew klieb, ikunu jeħtieġu dik ir-raqda ta’ wara nofsinhar.

Meta Jessica Shyba u żewġha ħadu kelb fid-dar tagħhom għat-tlett itfal żgħar li għandhom, qatgħuha li jgħallmuh iħammeġ f’kaxxa apposta, peress li għandu biss seba’ ġimgħat.

Iżda wara l-ewwel lejl ta’ qrid, Jessica ddeċidiet li ma terġax tħalli lill-kelb Thoe jorqod waħdu. U dan fehimha mill-ewwel u obda anki għall-irqad ta’ wara nofsinhar. Kull darba li binha Beau jitqiegħed fis-sodda, ‘ħuh’ Theo jaqbeż għal fuq is-sodda u jorqod miegħu.

L-ewwel darba li Jessica ndunat b’dan l-irqad stagħġbet u ġibditilhom numru ta’ ritratti. Hi qalet li sa mill-għada wara nofsinhar Thoe joqgħod jistenna wara l-bieb tal-kamra tas-sodda, biex flimkien ma’ Beau, jerġa’ jmur jorqod. L-omm issostni li din kienet l-ikbar relazzjoni sabiħa u organika li qatt xehdet b’għajnejha.

Binha u l-kelb jieħdu nagħsa ta’ sagħtejn kuljum, flimkien.
 

Four new books in the second series of Milly, Molly multilingual, reading books available now from all leading bookstores.

• Milly, Molly u l-Amorini / Milly, Molly and Billy Boy and Daffodil
• Milly, Molly u l-Bukkuni / Milly and Molly’s Morsels
• Milly, Molly u l-Ħalliel tal-Qtates / Milly, Molly and the Cat Thief
• Milly, Molly u s-Serduq / Milly, Molly and Mr. Rooster

Author: Gill Pittar

Translated to Maltese by: Frans A. Attard

RRP: €4.99

Min jissikka jaqsam: ta’ żagħżugħ kont fuq it-turretta tal-bejt naqra u rajt il-ħbula tal-inxir ta’ ommi merħija u deherli li kelli nissikkahom; hekk għamilt. Xi jumejn wara smajt xegħir u għajjat: kont naf x’ġara. Tlaqt baxx baxx għal mixja u dħalt lura bil-kwiet billejl.

Ir-riħ ġibed il-ħwejjeġ u l-lożor u billi ma kellhomx imlaħlaħ inqatgħu l-ħbula u mar kollox fl-art.

Jekk il-bniedem, int u jien ma tgħallimx jaqta’ jbiddel, ikollu xorta ta’ namra jew gost jispiċċa jitkisser u jitherra. Il-ġisem biex jinbena jrid il-mistrieħ u l-moħħ biex jieħu r-ruħ, irid iderri.

Għandek jew m’għandekx fiex tedha, ġnien, qasrija, kotba, logħob, mixi, taħdit, żjarat, safar, ma tistax tibqa’ għaddej għax teħtieġ il-bidla, il-frisk u n-nifs il-ġdid, iċ-ċaqliq. Jekk dan tafu u twettqu qiegħed sew imma jekk qed issir taf bih issa tħajjar iċċaqlaq, agħmel ħidma mhux tas-soltu.

Ħafna semgħu u waslu u laħqu fejn ħaddieħor anqas biss xamm u xħin tgħarbel ħajjithom issib li kienu jafu jqassmu.

It-tqassim iġib il-ġid u s-saħħa għax il-ġid tajjeb iwaqqaf u jkabbar. Għaliex taħseb fil-qedem in-nies kellhom il-villaġġatura; minn ta’ kuljum titlaq għal tas-sajf għax b’dak iċ-ċaqliq il-bniedem ma jimradx.

Għaliex iċ-ċajt għax mis-serjeta tidħol fit-tbissim u ta’ kuljum jiġi ġdid, ħelu, gustuż u pulit. Nhedha għax tibqa’ ċass.  

Fil-gżejjer Maltin: Malta, Għawdex, Kemmuna, Kemmunetta, Filfla u l-Gżira ta’ Manwel issibhom ’l hemm u ’l hawn fit-toroq, fil-ġnub, fil-kantunieri, mal-ħitan tal-knisja jew każini, monumenti ta’ ġrajjiet u nies kollha b’xi kitba. Għall-bidu jkun hemm il-ħerqa, l-ħeġġa, l-ġbir tal-flus, it-twaqqif tal-monument, xi fjuri u mbagħad maż-żmien kollox jindera u jintesa jekk ukoll ma jsirx it-tiġrif.

Kull mafkar għandu storja u għalhekk sar hemm għal xi raġuni. Jekk Sindku ma jinteressax ruħu u jiġbor fil-kitba l-monumenti bir-ritratt u l-kitba tibqa’ l-ġebla u tispiċċa r-ruħ tal-ħidma tal-ġrajja.

Jekk is-Sindki jingħaqdu u jinġabru t-tifkiriet tal-monumenti u l-kitbiet tagħhom, il-qarrej jista’ jaqrahom fil-kwiet ta’ daru u jfittixhom u jsibhom u japprezzahom.

Jekk ma jkunx hemm nisġa ta’ ħsieb u kitba, l-ġrajja tar-raħal u belt tintilef u n-nies li ħadmu u stinkaw biex taw ġieħ il-ġens jibqgħu jindifnu fil-mixja taż-żmien.

Tkun żgħir u żagħżugħ mhux lakemm jinteressawk ta’ qablek. Meta jidħol iż-żmien taħsibha mod ieħor, ħerba mhux biss meta jinqerdu d-djar bil-bombi u jmutu nies bl-għargħar; ħerba hi wkoll meta timxi bla ruħ qalb nies qalbiena ta qablek li ħasbu għalik biex tgħix ħieles, u hekk għallinqas kun af bihom. Jekk is-Sindku mħabbat -ibda x-xogħol int !  

Joseph Henry Abela, Qassis

Sabiħ itektek għaddej bil-waqt magħdud. Qatt ma jieqaf, qatt ma jxellef bħal moħriet jiftaħ il-qlub. Jekk qatt taħseb li tirbaħlu jew tmejlu u tbattih, ħażin jgħarralek għax saħħtu ma tmur qatt.

Int torqod u tqum, taħdem u tistrieħ, tiekol, tlablab, titlewwem u tgħaddi ż-żmien sabiħ imma hu bla nifs itektek jiġbor kull sekonda bla ma jieqaf, bla jistrieħ. Xi darba għalik jieqaf meta inti ma tibqax imma għall-oħrajn jibqa’ jaqdef fuq ħalel minn dawk il-kbar.

Mhux aħjar titgħallem tqassam u tifraħ li hemm il-ħin, mhux aħjar iżżur il-ġonna u tqatta’ l-ħin mal-maħbubin. Għax għad tħares barra u tgħid kemm stajt għext aħjar, ħabbejt lil min ħabni u ħallejt id-dinja aħjar.

Bil-għaġla u bil-fixla ibda ħidma ma toħroġ sew. Aħjar bil-mod u sewwa u tasal fejn tixtieq qawwi u sħiħ. Jekk titgħallem tiekol tajjeb u ttiegħem bil-galbu u sew ikollok is-saħħa u l-mard ibewweġ tassew.

Tħallix l-arloġġ imexxi; se jibqa’ jdur, agħraf kif tgħix ħajtek ta’ kuljum, strieħ, aħdem, ħobb kif tista’ biex meta l-aħħar tokk idoqq, int tgħid għall-erwieħ kollox għamilt, issa nista’ mmur bil-kwiet. Saħħa arloġġ; għext ħajti !

Inti u jien u oħrajn nidraw; ġrajjiet jieħdu sura, xebħ u maż-żmien jintesew jew il-moħħ jibda jerħi jew jidħlu tibdiliet f’qalbna u kollox joqgħod, nies imutu, oħrajn jitwieldu, uħud jiżżewġu, l-ħafna jinfirdu u dawn huma l-aħbarijiet miktubin jew mtennin. Iżda ġrajja li tmiss lilna u ġġelġilna hu l-waħx; vojt; battal li jaħkimna u jiżmaga l-ġogi ta’ moħħna.

Hawn min jibża’ mill-wirdien, oħrajn mill-ġrieden, oħrajn mil-lejl, oħrajn mil-ċimiterji, uħud mill-eżamijiet, mill-mewt, mill-isptar, mix-xjuħija, mill-qerq jew li jibdlek: ma jibqax iħobb lilek jew li tispiċċa bla flus jew f’ilsien in-nies. Il-waħx jaqbdek mingħajr ma taf kif u m’għandekx ħakma fuqu.

L-ewwel ma trid tagħmel hu li tibda tidħol bil-mod il mod fit-taħbila ta’ qalbek u tara bil-għajnuna ta’ mħarreġ x’tostor il-moħba ta’ qalbek: ħolm it-tfulija, tiġrib ta’ tbatija, uġigħ mistur.

Jekk ikollok ħbiberija aħħarija bniedem, bniedma li tista’ tferra’ miegħu jew magħha, tintebaħ li int u ssensel ħsibijietek jibdew itiru d-dellijiet u li iħirsu tibda ssaffa il-qalb u dak il-waħx li kien jitilfek minn sensieq issa dab, ma’ baqax. Għax waħx hu meta ma tafx fejn se taqbad tagħti rasek, meta ċ-ċappetti ta’ ħajtek, flus, imħabba, ħsieb, saħħa, kumdità jibdew iċedu. Imma jekk tbiddel ħajtek minn ġewwa kuljum ebda waħx ma jaħkmek.  

minn Charles B. Spiteri

Mara li riedet tirqaq tenfasizza li l-fatt li naqset tal-piż tagħha tafu lis-sistemi Eġizzjani antiki. 

Tina Oliver, ta’ 44 sena, li taħdem bħala parrukkiera, tħajret tnaqqas minn piżha wara li qagħdet tikkunsidra ritratt tagħha, tiżen 19-il stone u tilbes ħwejjeg ta’ qies 26.

Dak ir-ritratt, flimkien mat-twissija mit-tabib tagħha li setgħet issir dijabetika jekk tkompli tiekol bl-addoċċ, kienu l-qasba li qasmet dahar il-ġemel.  B’hekk investiet b’xi ħaġa li għenitha tnaqqas tmien stones fil-piż u tibda tilbes ħwejjeġ b’qies 9. Dan kollu għamlitu permezz ta’ spaga!

Xtrat dik li jgħidulha Malory Band slimming aid – spaga li tintrabat mal-qadd, li ma tippermettilekx tiekol iżżejjed u li tiqsar kull meta jonqos il-piż – u bdiet timxi mas-Slimming World plan. Tgħid li qabel ippruvat kull dieta immaġinabbli u ma rnexxietx. Iżda b’din is-sistema niżlet għal 19-il stone u mbagħad għal ħdax u l-qisien tal-ħwejjeġ niżlu minn 28 għal qies 10.

Hi żvelat li: “Sa Settembru li għadda, tant kont ħoxna li qajla stajt noqgħod fuq riġlejja u kelli niġġieled miegħi innifsi biex inkompli bix-xogħol tiegħi. Wara li eżaminajt ritratt tiegħi stess quddiem il-pastini… għedt daqshekk!”

F’Ottubru li għadda Tina kellha riżultati mediċi ħżiena u t-tabib qalilha li riedet tara x’tagħmel. Snienha tħassrulha wkoll, mis-snin li għamel tmeċlaq il-ħelu, pastini, takeaways u ċikkulata. Kellha Boby Mass Index ta’ 43.  Imbagħad, ħabiba qaltilha fuq il-Malory Band, li l-Eġizzjani kienu jużaw biex inaqqsu qaddhom u jerġgħu għall-forma ta’ qabel it-twelid tat-trabi. Hi speċi ta’ spaga.  Tintrabat madwar il-qadd u l-ħin kollu tfakkar lil min jilbisha, joqgħod attent x’jiekol, għax mal-ikel, tissikka.
Tina ppruvata u tgħid li salvatilha ħajjitha. Ġegħlitha tirrealizza wkoll li l-ikel mhux dak li kienet drat taħtaf biex tkompli għaddejja bix-xogħol tagħha.

Illum, li naqset u għandha dehra ferm attraenti, issib nies li jafuha, li jwaqqfuha u jistaqsuha x’għamlet. Qed tħossha ferħana u ferm aktar b’saħħitha. “Dari qajla stajt nimxi u l-mixja tiegħi kienet tkun il-ħarġa bil-kelb. Illum tgħid li tista’ niġri għaxar kilometri bla ma nieqaf u qed nistenna li nieħu sehem fil-Great North Run.”

Mal-bdil f’suritha, Tina bidlet ukoll id-drawwiet tagħha. Issa qed tieħu l-porridge jew muesli għall-kolazzjon, frott, yoghurt u salad għall-ikla ta’ nofisnhar u biċċa tiġieġa u ħaxix, filgħaxija.
 

As told by BETTINA MINOGUE

Once upon a time, in a fresh water pond in the Blue Mountains, lived a handsome blue dragonfly with shimmering delicate silver wings. The dragonfly loved nothing more than flying and hovering round the pond.

One fine day as he was flying a bee stinger touched his wings, and tore them! As he flew down, his wings fell off. The poor dragonfly was shocked and felt lost without his wings. What could he do?

A friendly bumble bee that happened to be buzzing happily about saw the incident. He flew next to the poor dragonfly. ” We must do something. ” buzzed the bumble bee. ” But what ? ” asked Ulysses, the Blue Mountain butterfly, flapping his romantic powdery blue black trimmed wings.  ” But what ?” Asked the worried bumble bee.  “Let us ask the powerful Wise Owl. ” advised the quiet red rose lady bird.  ” What about Dragonfly ? ” asked the worried bumble bee. “We cannot leave him alone, there are far too many predators in the forest. He cannot fly.” Said the clever lady bird.  “I ll stay with him and protect him.” Said the brave Ulysses.  “Come on let us go in search of the Powerful Wise Owl, we are wasting far too much precious time.” Observed the lady bird.

The powerful wise old owl was always perched in the top branches of the sparkling blue green eucalyptus tree, with the koalas. So the two mini beasts, lady bird and bumble bee went in search of the owl. They spotted him on the eucalyptus tree. They told the owl of the poor dragonfly ‘s accident. The wise owl listened very carefully. He suggested that they use fish scales to repair the wings. There were no fish left though in the river as the enormous crocodile had eaten them all. Owl had to think of another solution. He thought and thought. After a while he opened his sharp beak…. “Make a wish on a wishing tree leaf” he whispered.

The worried bumble bee and the puzzled lady bird wondered  where the wishing tree could be found , and if it really existed. They had heard about it , but they believed it was just a myth.

The owl opened his beak once again.” You shall find the wishing tree in the heart of the forest , next to the tallest bamboo trees. It is guarded by two smart monkeys wearing camouflaged uniforms.”

The bumble bee and lady bird were lost, as they did not have a clue where the bamboo trees where. The powerful wise owl who also happened to be very kind decided to help them. He offered to fly them on his beautiful sleek back.  It was a thrilling ride for our two little friends, who up till now had never really left the blueberry patch in the forest.

All of a sudden, lady bird spotted the tall bamboo trees. Next to the bamboo trees were a pair of red howler monkeys in camouflaged uniforms and blue polished shiny boots.

Behind the monkey guards stood a transparent glasshouse with its door panes covered in glow worms. It was truly a magnificent sight.

The owl asked the monkeys to let them in. He told them the whole story of the poor dragonfly. One of The howler monkeys who was wearing a pair of camouflaged glasses asked them for the magic password. The wise old owl knew it and whispered ” Cauliflower bower power!” The glass wearing monkey took them inside the glasshouse.

Inside was a truly magnificent sight! The magical wishing tree. It had silver trunk and branches, laden with golden lavender scented leaves. The bottom of its trunk was covered in glow worms humming Christmas carols accompanied by a centipede on the piano!

As they stood there a gentle breeze blew a golden leaf that fell onto ladybird’s red spotted back. She quickly opened her wings to trap the leaf and carry it safely to the dragonfly. The three friends knew it was time to head home. So they thanked the howler monkeys for their help. They knew they will remember this special place forever! The two joyful minibeasts hopped on owl’s fluffy back and they flew back to the pond. As they arrived they found dragonfly with Ulysses the mountain butterfly.

Ladybird unfolded her wings and the beautiful scented wishing tree leaf flew onto dragonfly ‘s pure blue bare back. He made a wish as the owl told him. Right away a new set of silver tessellated lavender smelling wings formed on his back! They were strong and healthy for him to keep forever! That is the story of how the dragonfly became known as one of the fastest flying insects on Earth.

The END