This morning, 27km.
Quite a few sections with grades of 10%+.
Am I satisfied? With the distance, yes. With the fatigue, no. These legs need strengthening.
Trail Mellieha 17-04-2011
Trail Mellieha 17-04-2011, Elevation - Grade - Distance
The reason I chose to read this book is because it recounts the journey of the members of the Russian imperial family as they fled Russia, travelling by sea from Yalta to Malta. Though there are few references to my country, they are generally positive. Comments such as, "The Romanovs were elated by the beauty of the island" or "Sofka was very taken with Malta". The Dowager herself wrote in her diary, "...Xenia and I drove in an open motorcar to lovely San Antonio in the loveliest weather and where the air was full of the scent of orange blossoms as we drove into the garden."
The main part of the book is written in the style of an on-board diary while the concluding pages deal with the "where and how all the family members and main characters end up over the years".
In spite of the wealth they had been born into and their kinship to European royalty, I cannot but realize that a refugee is always a refugee, pining for a return to one's home.
I rate this book a 7/10.
We have been waving the neutrality flag since the start of the Libyan crisis. We castrated ourselves as a nation in order to excuse our inaction in the face of human suffering. However, the hormones are now getting the better of our peaceful vocation, reigniting the desire to take up arms and fight for the just cause.
The day to proudly do our patriotic duty has arrived; oil our weapons, stock up on cartridges, don camouflage and take aim. We will have no qualms in peppering the neutrality flag with shotgun pellets because of the innumerable migrants having the gall to try and land here. Even though their intention is to rest awhile before moving on to more northern countries, the order is shoot to kill.
13 April and the government declares the hunting season open.
All hail.
This is getting to me now. Another madman in charge of a car, drives dangerously and at speed on the wrong side of the road, kills one, seriously injures two others. Punishment? Licence suspended for only 1 year and a 2-year jail term but suspended for 2 years (http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110406/local/suspended-sentence-for-speeding-driver-who-killed-man-and-injured-woman-and-child)
The punishment is actually no punishment at all. The message it sends out to all arrogant drunks and speedsters is that the law is on their side, not the victim's.
The courts are becoming accessories to the carnage on our roads.
Dr Joseph Muscat, leader of the opposition, as quoted by the Times: "Malta believed in peace and while it would always be there to help in times of conflicts, it would retain its neutrality and not take sides." Excuse me, but if I believe in peace, how can I not take sides?
Being tortured mate? I feel for you but I'm from Malta and I don't take sides.
Oh raped, woman? That's horrible but I'm from Malta and I don't take sides.
Shot at by soldiers folks, because you're protesting for a better life? May God be with you but I'm from Malta and I don't take sides.
Mr Labour or Nationalist politician, did you say you need my vote? May the best team win but I'm from Malta and I don't take sides.
