On this first day of January 2018, I see a beautiful blue sky and blazing sunshine, I decide to walk in a different direction. My walk takes me along the cliff road from Ghajnsielem towards Hondoq Ir-Rummien on the South coast of the island of Gozo. It’s an easy road and it is no surprise that there are quite a few people walking. The man from next door with his little dog is there too and we exchange a few words. People pass and say hello or nod. Today I went out not only to connect with nature but to make sure that on this first day of the year I connect with people. Being far away from family and friends makes itself felt on days like today. Luckily nature is a great solace, a balsam to the soul.
And first and foremost today was about exploring yet another part of the island. So I took a totally different direction, and walked where I had not walked before. The road stretched out before me, lined with wild flowers, plants and trees, a delight to the eye, beyond that the rocks going down steeply, and then the sea, the Mediterranean, sky blue with only a few white horses disturbing its surface.
The road was climbing, lined with stone walls, bright limestone locally sourced, built by men long ago, sturdy and functional. Due to the most recent rain plants are green, sharp new growth, buds of almond blossom and giant fennel are fat and ready to burst.
I see lots of wild flowers, a delight to the eye, colourful and bright they are fierce and upright even if the strong wind tries to blow them down. My hair flies all over the place and I have to keep it back in order to look through my camera window and take a steady photo. I relish the freshness and feel all the spider webs disappearing, all last year’s less beautiful happenings fade away, even all the problems of humankind, all the suffering and pain that people go through, all disappear for the time being. A new year starts and one hopes that it will finally bring Peace to the earth and with it kindness and happiness in every soul. I know that is wishing for a lot but I still wish it.
The road winds its way up the hill, I see houses, signs of life. I think that I am coming to a hamlet but I don’t know what it is called. It seems very nice and the views over Comino island and over Malta and the sea are wonderful. I’m almost enticed to go into a tavern to have coffee but then I see that the sun is getting low in the sky and it is still a long walk back home so I decide to retrace my steps. Such a beautiful place this is, I intend to walk this more often and check out more of the wild plants as the months go by. It’s all down hill now, the sun is low in the sky, I see church towers of all the surrounding villages, there is Nadur, and Xewkija, and Ghajnsielem churches, the spires high toward the sky, the domes silhouetted against the setting sun. I notice that all those villages are on heightened ground, hence they can be seen from far-a-way. In my mind I can walk all over the island, it does not seem far! In reality it would take me a long time, but it is good to dream at times.
I get home before dark, but not before I take a few more shots of these lovely surroundings. I see the ferries busy and many cars waiting in line, all on the way to Malta where life is eager to get back to normal after all the festivities. I make a mental note of what I will do tomorrow, another year is starting and I am wanting to jump right in. Like one of my friends said today, we are going to make a good one of it, we are going to enjoy each moment and live to the full. Grateful for another chance, another opportunity, to be kind.
Happy New Year to all my dear friends, wishing you a year full of Blessings and Love, Peace and Goodwill.
Beautiful photos
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Thank you for your kind comment and for visiting my blog Chantel. Wishing you a wonderful year 2018.
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Thank you for sharing such beauty; I share you wishes – Happy New Year.
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Thank you dear Mary.
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It sounds like you had a marvellous walk, Agnes. What a great start to 2018.
It is sad to think that world peace is unlikely this year. We can but hope for better days. At least there is nature to console us 😊
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Indeed there is Helen, nature is very nourishing. 🙂
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😉
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I lovely post, in photography and prose. Your good wishes reciprocated
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Thank you Derrick!
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I’m glad you enjoyed such a beautiful day and shared it.
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Thank you, and you are very welcome!
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I was really delighted to take this virtual walk with you, dear Agnes. How nice to discover an island on roads you haven’t walked yet and you see a lot of beautiful flowers. Wish I could see something else than the dark grey things here. I miss color, I miss the sun, I miss the blue sky. All the best to you, kind regards Mitza
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Thank you dear Mitza, I can well imagine that the grey is dull and dampen spirits, I know it well from Ireland. I hope that soon the weather will lift and the sun will appear to stay!
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Thank you for sharing your lovely walk and your good advice for the coming year.
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And Thank you for your kind comment.
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Wat moet het heerlijk zijn daar te kunnen verblijven
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Ja dat is het wel Marylou, alhoewel ik deze winter toch erg de familie mis, weet niet waarom.
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Happy new year hope you have many beautiful walks🕊🤶🏻🌸
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Thank you very much indeed. Enjoy similar you wonderful little Tricia, Daisy and May 🙂
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Lovely photos! And so different new year from hear, interesting to see!
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Thank you Bente, yes I just went and enjoyed all your snow photos, what a beautiful country Norway is. Kind regards, Agnes
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Lovely photos and thoughts to share with the world at the beginning of a new year full of potential and change
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Thank you Eddie, and totally agree about the potential for a changed world.
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So beautiful–this is another blog I only discovered today, and I am so lucky since it is lovely.
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Thank you so much, I am very happy that it is bringing you pleasure. I am today going to look at your blog too, right now in fact. Kind regards, Agnes
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