21st May 2006

 

The weather is getting hotter, and this was reflected in the lower number of people (about thirty-five) who turned up for this walk. From the meeting place, Bahrija square, we walked approximately north west and down towards the south side of Fomm ir-Rih Bay.

At the end of the vehicular road, we entered the cliff-side path to Fomm ir-Rih. This path was dug out of the solid rock with jackhammers, in about ten days, back in the 1970s.

This narrow path is practically the only reasonable passage to this beautiful bay, as the metalled road from the top of the cliff is closed off completely by a wall surrounding a private property that goes by the name of Casa Delfino (see photographs in side bar.)

RAM has discussed this issue with the Government Lands  Department, who have confirmed that the war-time pillbox and surrounding area is in fact private property. The beach itself is, however, public property. According to the MEPA website (http://www.mepa.org.mt/index.htm) there are two enforcement notices against Casa Delfino, dating back to 1996 and 1998:

ECF00745/96
Additions to wartime concrete pillbox without permit

ECF01195/98
Construction of wall covering cliff face without permit
 

So, using the narrow path at the southern side of the bay, we made our way down to the small pebble-beach. After a short rest, we continued northwards over rough ground, and then turned east and up a steep slope to reach the road at the top of the cliff. This road passes by the wall and gate barring access to the beach. We then continued approximately south to Wied Gerzuma, then up a steep slope to the Victoria Lines, which we crossed and then continued along the path to reach the Kuncizzjoni road. From here we walked approximately east past the Kuncizzjoni church. We then took a short cut south to reach the Bahrija road, and thus back to Bahrija square.