November 13 & 14 Qawra Malta

I walked the Victoria Lines these 2 days. This is a 12 km fortified wall along a fault line that runs the width of the island. It was built in the 19 century as a defense for the south part of the island from attacks from the north. The main harbour is in the south, Valletta. The British used the wall during WWII strengthening parts and adding gun turrets. The WWII battlements were interesting. Some of the gun turrets had views of the sea on both sides of the island.

I am not sure just how active it was.

It is amazing walk as in many parts you can see the water on both sides. The island is only about 7 km wide. You can also see the cliffs of the Island of Gozo.
There were churches built in the 19th century, a church built under a cliff (St Paul the hermit) and a church in a cave.

There also 'cart ruts' (Google cart ruts Malta). Fascinating! These are parallel carvings in the rock that no one has any idea why or when they were made. They are all over the island. I saw the first set on the first day and tried to find another set on the second day but no luck. The mystery s very interesting.

The first day I walked 8 or 9 km from Bahrija to Fort Mosta. This took about 4 hours. I could have finished all of the walk but I went left around Fort Mosta and I should have went right. I ended up walking around the fort at the base of the wall.... over the wall, and through some fence.... but I thought there was a cliff so did not go any further, just turned around and headed back to the road to catch the bus. On the second day I got of the bus at the Fort and headed in the right direction. I saw that I could have made in down into the valley. Turns out I was over top of the Church of St Paul the hermit. The church built under the cliff. Too bad. It would have been interesting. The second day only took 2 1/2 hours. The weather on both days was perfect. I bit of a breeze blowing.

I went by a huge limestone quarry on he first day, but then by a bigger one the next day.
The walk also has some bridges over the valleys. Very interesting. One on the first day and 2 on the second. It still meant some going down and then back up....but they even had steps.


November 10, 11 & 12 Qawra Malta

Took it easy these days and just went to beach. The weather has been unusually hot I have been told.
23/24 degrees during the day, sun sets at 5 and instantly feels cool. Then anywhere from 15 to 18 over night. Even a couple of foggy mornings. But still has been great.