Down from Gebel Ghawzara to Wied Qannotta

Being a week day, Wednesday 5th April seemed an unlikely day for many to turn up, but being glorious and sunny a surprising number of 42 ramblers started from Targa Gap along the tarmac up the hill towards Bidnija church. Stopping on the parvis of the cute chapel for breath, an explanation was given as to how Wied is-Sir and Wied il-Qlejgha emptied into Wied il-Ghasel, which in turn emptied into Wied Ghajn Rihana together with other tributaries, like Wied Ghajn Mula and Wied Qannotta, which we were now going to visit and walk through. This system of valleys was one of the two major systems which drain Malta from rain waters. The Powerpoint presentation previously available here, has now been removed.

Il-Qolla, the hillock settled by bronze age peoples

Taking the direction of Gebel Ghawzara the ramble proceeded sharp left and trod down towards the valley following the tricky footpath/waterway, with the scenic hillock known as Il-Qolla directly in front

Taking a break besides picturesque chapel

to the left. Once at the bottom and on the valley floor of Wied Qannotta, through which a steady stream was still flowing, the group was led to the small private chapel dating from the days of the Order of St. John, along a floral path in full bloom. Cameras clicked and drinks imbibed during a ten minute break in full view of the lush green amphitheatre of terraced fields that we had just descended, and the north side of Il-Qolla to our right.

The valley floor soon brought us back to the Wardija crossroad, and the Bumarrad main road was avoided by making a detour to the old chapel of San Pawl Milqghi, where the key aspects of the archaeological site of a Roman villa/country estate station with an ages-long tradition were explained and the remains themselves viewed over the boundary wall.

The end of the journey covered the pretty part of the valley of Ghajn Rihana from the bridge of that name to the bridge under

Wied Ghajn Rihana in flow

the Bidnija road, which unfortunately was blocked by two gates, one at each end. But following the unofficial motto of RAM, "Ma' nidhlux, ma' nzeggux" the first gate was by-passed, the "Rubicon was crossed" at the dam, despite the flowing water, and the second gate was found open to let us through to the last climb to Targa Gap and our cars.

All in all a great time in good time - three hours.