Saturday, 14 th April 2007

Salt pans at Blata tal-Melh

The repeat of this walk (first held last January - link here ) saw 16 ramblers turn up after some late cancellations. This was the first walk on which the RAM Indemnity Form was introduced and it will remain RAM policy that members attending walks will all eventually sign this form. Though a rare occurrence a rambler here and there sometimes does wander beyond the already offbeat tracks and it is with this in mind that RAM introduced this form. This in no way means that RAM will not reconnoitre tracks and paths beforehand and assess which ones are better suited for limited numbers - as is the case at Rdum Vigarju.

Another view of Il-Blata

Rdum Vigarju is the stretch of vertical cliff that from Migra Ferha takes one in a northwesterly direction to il-Blata tal-Melh - a secluded rock outcrop with disused saltpans. The group made its way from Migra Ferha along a path, which in a few places almost hugs the cliff edge. The cliffs end abruptly just above il-Blata and from here a bit of scrambling is required to arrive at the vast and flat coralline limestone shelf below. A few rolled over globigerina boulders of considerable size make for a landscape not quite like others in Malta. This is perfect rambling country for the more adventurous even though reports of people being turned away from this area have sometimes arrived in the RAM mailbox. RAM strongly believes that access to the foreshore should not be hindered in any way. On this walk in the spring hunting open season the group was not challenged and the few hunters around were on their best behaviour - something that should augur well for the free access and full enjoyment of the countryside for all bona fide and responsible ramblers.

Steep uphill path

From il-Blata tal-Melh the small group made its way up a grindingly steep path and then altered course to follow a wide and (in parts) surfaced track, which leads back to Migra Ferha through a landscape of cultivated and fallow fields.