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Good Hope trek

Almost within the shadow of Mosta’s massive dome lies a smaller place of worship –  Knisja Ta’ l-Isperanza (Our Lady of Good Hope church), which comes with its own legend involving a Maltese maiden, marauding Turkish corsairs, a cave, cobwebs and divine intervention (for the full story, I recommend A Hundred Wayside Chapels by Kilin – ISBN 99909-93-06-8). Located on one slope of Wied il-Ghasel (Valley of Honey – that’s as tempting a location as any) and standing sentry to the stone bridge which spans it, this was the meeting point for our small group of trekkers.  The leader was Stanley Borg of Trekking Malta.

Speranza TrekSperanza TrekSperanza Trek

Thanks to Stanley Borg for these photos

 

The circular route was mostly along quiet country roads or tracks and is quite manageable for walkers of any ability; the most challenging part being the hill rising up from Fiddien Valley to Dwejra, although it always seems so much harder when I’m doing it with my bicycle. The 10.5km circuit can be done comfortably in 2¼ hours.

Speranza Trek 20-02-2010

Route taken

 

Should you like to download the route to your GPS, contact me for the relevant GPX file.

Ask the night

I feel I should share these beautiful lyrics of a Fado (a music genre originating from Portugal in the 1820s) which were sent to me last Sunday. Thank you M.

Ask the night

 

Ask the night to tell you

How often it has seen me

In search of your shadow

In the streets of the city.

 

Ask the night to tell you

How often it has heard me

Calling quietly for you

In a murmur of yearning.

 

Ask the night to tell you

How many tears I have shed

As the breeze whispered

Your name in my ear.

 

Ask the night to show you the paths

That I invented

In a dream as I imagined

Our two bodies united.

 

Tell the night your secrets;

Only it can keep them.

Tell it whether a place exists in your heart,

To which I can flee.

 

Keep your fears from the night

So that you can reveal

That you like me just as much

In the quiet of this night.

 

Ask the moon not to come

And eavesdrop on our desire,

So that the sound of the plaintive night

Veils us in soft caresses,

So that the darkness remains

To unite us in a kiss;

And a radiant and hot sun

Shall shine this night.