Indulge Issue 02

Issue No.2 – Summer 2011€4 - where sold

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A TrAdiTion of sTyle, quAliTy service, experT guidAnce And vAlue for money since 1898

A rock-solid investment

our diAmonds Are FlAwless, so is our service.conTAcT us TodAy for free, TrusTworThy, experT Advice And leT us guide you

Through The opTions ThAT Are AvAilAble To suiT your pArTiculAr requiremenTs.

sT Anne sTreeT, floriAnA Tel: 2122 2949, 2123 3715

hilTon mAlTA, porTomAso i www.victorazzopardi.com

A note from the editorWow what a 3 months it’s been since the launch edition of indulge in March. We’ve had a fantastic response to the magazine and have increased circulation to indulge 15,000 worthy recipients, started a blog and have a steady feed of good news to www.indulge.com.mt

We will be expanding the series with food & wine and homes & abroad after the Summer, so if you know of anyone that would be interested to receive complimentary copies by post, have them register on our site.

Please do contact us with anything you feel we should indulge in – purely to share the experience with our readers and all our supporters... I’m now off for a few weeks to test out how much of my nautical licence training I remember, to test Marisa’s packing guide and the Sicily feature thoroughly, with a few more culinary courses thrown in! See you in September, and until then... invent, invest, impulse and most of all, indulge.

Monique [email protected]+356 99891722

Amber Knights talks to three local contemporary artists

GetUpStandUp! This young NGO tells us what we can all do to help

Pierre J. Mejlak enthrals us with another literary work of art

Marisa Grima sets sail in style

Jean-Marc Bianchi goes al fresco

How green is your garden? asks Gaia

Martin Azzopardi showcases new shows

Lorraine Miceli DeMajo shows how to store and pour wines

We show you where we indulge in Sicily

John de Giorgio gives tips on technology for travel

Monique Chambers gets seduced by Seville

Malcolm Naudi talks about classic cars

Phil Gibbs gives us an outline of cricket

WHAT IS A QR CODE?A QR Code is a square graphic made up of a special type of coding, similar to a barcode, but capable of storing, among other things, the url of a web site.

HOW DO I READ A QR CODE?To make use of a QR Code to go to a web site, you need to have:

• A camera on your iPhone, Blackberry or Android phone or on your PC or Mac.

• Internet access.• Free QR reader application. We recommend you

use the free App called ScanLife.

Once you have ScanLife installed, run the App and point your camera at one of the codes in indulge.The QR Code will be read and your Smartphone will automatically take you to the relevant website.

WHY WOULD I USE A QR CODE?Some advertisements in indulge display a QR Code. Point your phone or PC/Mac camera at the code as described above to see more information from the advertiser. For instance, IIG Bank will take you to offers with preferential rates and there are a couple that will take you to areas of our website.

INSTALLING SCANLIFEOpen the browser on your Smartphoneand go to www.2dscan.com and followthe download instructions.

USING SCANLIFE• Launch the ScanLife app on your phone.• This will turn on your camera.• Point your camera at the QR Code in the

magazine (ensure the whole code is caught in the camera).

• Wait until the camera focuses and goes to the url.

life & style

indulge is brought to you by Compass Rose, Shoebox, Triq Gilormu Cassar, Birgu.

Designed by Porridge Creative with photography byKurt Arrigo and Millie Vassallo and printed by Print It .

For advertising enquiries, please contact us [email protected] or +356 9989 1722.

All information is correct at the time of going to press. The editor does not accept liability for the opinions expressed nor accuracy of information.

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ContentsSummer

CONTENTSSPRINGHow I indulge.... Raina Zarb Adami tells us her guilty pleasures

Amber Knights introduces us to works of art

Pierre J Meljak shares one of his short stories

Marisa Grima invites us to Spring clean our look and update our wardrobe

Gordon Mayo gives us new Spring locks

Jean-Marc Bianchi sheds some light on the subject of interior design

Martin Azzopardi takes a peek at local theatre from back stage

Julian Calascione escorts us through etiquette

Lorraine Miceli DeMajo teaches us to read a wine label

Monique Chambers has a tête a tête at Etienne’s

Phil Gibbs plays the game... of rugby

Ben Stuart gives us a guide to life at sea

John de Giorgio makes choosing the right tablet technology painless

Malcolm Naudi gets under the bonnet of the world’s most anticipated car launches

So near, so Bari... a world of luxury awaits just a one hour fl ight away

Our indispensible guide to anniversaries and how to indulge the one you love

Antione Cassar refl ects on his time in Sungal

Where to eat now

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Spring is a time for newness and with that sentiment, I’d like to welcome you to the fi rst issue of indulge.

We have worked through the Winter months selfl essly trying out treats and hope that our eff orts, presented here to you, have been worth it! Our contributors talk in depth about art, the deliciousness of diamonds, the fun of feasting and the sport of sailing amongst some of life’s other little luxuries. There a neat pullout for you to share with your partner, once you have taken your time with this new magazine.

Our website, www.indulge.com.mt, will be updated with news and indulgent off ers, and should you feel you wish to share the experience, there is a registration form for you to recommend a recipient of the magazine.

This magazine is being distributed by hand to select addresses, so be selfi sh, pour over and devour... and live by our mantra; indulge.

Monique xe: [email protected]: 99891722

indulge is brought to you by Compass Rose, Shoebox Villa, Triq Gilormu Cassar, Birgu.

Designed by Porridge Creative with photography by Kurt Arrigo and Gilbert Zammit and printed by Print It .

For advertising enquiries, please contact us [email protected] or 9989 1722.

A NOTE FROMTHE EDITOR

All information is correct at the time of going to press. The editor does not

accept liability for the opinions expressed nor accuracy of information.

ST ANNE STREET, FLORIANA TEL: 2122 2949, 2123 3715 I HILTON MALTA, PORTOMASO I www.victorazzopardi.com

A TRAdITION OF STyLE, quALITy SERvIcE, ExPERT guIdANcE ANd vALuE FOR MONEy SINcE 1898

indulge / Summer 2011 – 5

Her clever use of colours, vibrancy,

and attention to detail allow her

emotive qualities to shine through

Catherine Cavallo has been a household name for many years. Her art studies started early on with a degree in fine arts and she has been painting ever since. She considers her earlier pieces of work to fall under the expressionist movement, however over time she has developed a keen understanding and appreciation of impressionism, a style that is defined by the artist using colour, organisation and form in their work. It was a natural progression that occurred over time and most of her works today reflect that.

Goya probably had the most profound effect on Catherine in her earlier years of painting, however during the course of her career, a trip to Tuscany is what swayed her towards the impressionists such as Van Gogh, and her inspiration was soon drawn from there, her paintings are reminiscent of his works.

Catherine is a humble individual that is very in-tune with her surroundings, these characteristics provide her with a unique ability to capture the very essence of a subject. Her clever use of colours, vibrancy, and attention to detail allow her emotive qualities to shine through, the juxtaposition of surfaces and textures also contribute to the

intensity and aesthetic pleasure that define her paintings.

The work she produces encompasses various subjects and is representational of many people and places that have either inspired or motivated her to paint. She likes to keep fresh and busy with her work and more often than not, has three painting on the go at any one time.

Catherine’s ability to master use of the palette knife is what allows her to flourish in her work. She explains to me that her passion for the tool came about during her time at art school. She engrossed herself so much with the finer details that her tutor once suggested she experiment with the tool and it’s been her companion ever since, it enables her the freedom to have a bold handling with her paint, although naturally, brushes still play a part in her paintings but purely to break from the constant.

With her recent interest in experimenting with mixed media, Catherine is planning an exhibition of her latest works in 2012, so to keep up to date you can visit her website at www.catherinecavallo.com.

Catherine Cavallo

6 –indulge / Summer 2011

Denise Scicluna

Creativity is an ability; it is the definition of a person capable of generating new ideas and concepts. This mental process involves willingness to experiment and acquire skills through gradual development and refinement. Having only met Denise Scicluna recently it is easy to say that she is the epitome of creativity, you name it and Denise has tried it.

Denise possesses a talent that allows her to excel in various media including illustration, photography, clay and paintings. For as long as she can remember, there has been a burning to desire to be creative, not just with art but also with everyday items that she reincarnates into something desirable. Her primary satisfaction stems from her urges to create.

She considers herself to be a very gradual person, with her thinking and ideas, and this is how a concept for a piece of work is born she also doesn’t like to restrict herself. Although there is some planning with each project,

the outcome is never predictable and Denise finds this part very alluring. It is only when a work is finished that the concept behind it will be clear and will enable her to define its meaning. The mesmerizing images that she produces have a somewhat naïve and edginess appearance, a style that incorporates a kind of girlish dreaminess.

Denise is the brainchild behind PATCHES market, the first of its kind in Malta. This is where groups of creatively and talented like-minded individuals can gather and sell their work. A wonderful concept that Denise admits has always been her dream project, it has finally come to fruition.

Keeping herself inspired is vital and she is never seen without her camera and sketch-book. Denise feels pride in the work that the does and enjoys sharing it with other individuals, she has a blog that she keeps updated and she even revels in promoting new artists that have somehow inspired her by writing in her blog about what she refers to as ‘Artist Monday’. For more information on Denise you can visit her website at www.denisescicluna.com or by following her blog at denisescicluna.blogspot.com

Keeping herself inspired is vital and she is never

seen without her camera and sketch-book


Romina Delia, a young and dynamic woman, is fascinated by the way in which the world views women, and the beauty of the human figure. Her belief is that there is more to the human body than just aesthetics; every image has a mind behind it.

With years of painting behind her Romina has also achieved a Masters Degree in History of Art at the University of Malta and is now applying for her Phd. For the last two years she has worked at the National Museum of Fine Arts, carrying out research on artists and their artworks for the digital information database, also assisting in events and outreach programmes.

Romina is not only a creative artist in her own right but is also incredibly knowledgeable about the art world and is set on assisting Malta to move forward within that domain. Having worked on various EU funded research projects, namely ‘Smartmuseum’ and ‘Eunamus’ she was also priveliged to assist in the running of the Brussels Biennale of Contemporary Art. For Romina promoting and bringing together other local artists is what she thrives upon and is exceptionally passionate about.

Art can be a provocative medium and it seems that this is ever present in Romina’s pieces. Some of her spontaneously simple yet powerful sketches demonstrate that the act of making the art is part of the art itself. Bright colours emphasize the simple lines that make these pieces seem almost primitive yet maintain rhythm and movement within them. Her use of colours, particularly shocking pink, are what captivated me the most, colour has such an influence on the way we observe a painting, so much so that each of her pieces has a profound impact on the viewer.

Amber Knights is a creative mother of three who’s chaotic life includes juggling kids, animals, and art with a good sense of humour.

Romina Delia

Romina is a sensitive soul and endeavors to keep her art real and personal, inks, charcoal and acrylics are her favored mediums and allow her to fuse her ideas together to produce a picture that tells a story. She is strict with herself and acknowledges that when a painting starts to get monotonous that it is time to stop, nevertheless, unfinished works are as exciting to her as completed ones.

Romina has exhibited a number of times and only recently participated in two exhibitions, one a collective collaboration at ChristineX Gallery and the other at Strada Stretta in Valletta. Romina Delia is a name that will inevitably keep popping up; her energy; enthusiasm and passion will no doubt continue to keep us captivated.

unfinished works are as

exciting to her as completed

ones

Whether you’re drifting away for a relaxing day at sea,

or enjoying the fresh summer breeze on land, what

could be more ideal than a delicious selection of gourmet

treats to set the scene for a perfect day? You’ll be spoilt

for choice at The Wembley Store – take your pick from

our online exclusive product range or opt for an attractive,

ready-packed wicker picnic basket for ultimate convenience.

Add our reuseable picnic tableware set including wine-bottle

opener and you’re ready to feast to your heart’s content!

Call us from the leisure of your boat or sofa and we’ll deliver

your order the very next day anywhere within the Maltese shores.

305, REPUBLIC STREET, VALLETTA | TEL. 2122 5147 | WWW.THEWEMBLEYSTORE.COM

SEA, SUN AND PICNIC FUN!

NEXT DAY

DELIVERY ALL

OVER MALTA


Whether you’re drifting away for a relaxing day at sea,

or enjoying the fresh summer breeze on land, what

could be more ideal than a delicious selection of gourmet

treats to set the scene for a perfect day? You’ll be spoilt

for choice at The Wembley Store – take your pick from

our online exclusive product range or opt for an attractive,

ready-packed wicker picnic basket for ultimate convenience.

Add our reuseable picnic tableware set including wine-bottle

opener and you’re ready to feast to your heart’s content!

Call us from the leisure of your boat or sofa and we’ll deliver

your order the very next day anywhere within the Maltese shores.

305, REPUBLIC STREET, VALLETTA | TEL. 2122 5147 | WWW.THEWEMBLEYSTORE.COM

SEA, SUN AND PICNIC FUN!

NEXT DAY

DELIVERY ALL

OVER MALTA

If you ever thought that volunteering was a sacrifice...think again!

GetUpStandUp is an organisation pushing for activism to become an entertaining and fulfilling part of your week. We all know that helping others is extremely beneficial for our own happiness but sometimes the commitment can put us off. That’s why GetUpStandUp works to ensure that you only need to commit as much as you can...and if you can’t commit at all, then you can help out sporadically on any of our projects. So what does GetUpStandUp do and how can you help?

GetUpStandUp was originally founded to provide a counter-expression to feelings of fear and xenophobia expressed by some parts of the Maltese population, when African refugees starting arriving in Malta. Standing up for human rights will always be core to GetUpStandUp’s activities, however now they are realising that the earth needs all the help it can get. So whether it is environmental issues, animal rights or freedom of expression, GetUpStandUp will provide not only a platform but also support for various campaigns. Some of the core human rights projects involve; teaching English in six refugee

centres across Malta as well as teaching Maltese, building a library, collecting donations and holding regular concerts.

You can get involved by volunteering to teach English or Maltese, or by helping us manage our collections.If you can’t commit to either of these, then you can donate items such as books or blankets (see our website www.getupstandup.org.mt for more details).

Regular concerts have become a central part of GetUpStandUp activities. Why concerts? Because the events bring Maltese and African musicians together to create a fun way of getting to know each other. You can get involved by playing at one of our events, designing and distributing posters; even better, attend and see for yourself what a beautiful atmosphere is created.

GetUpStandUp also supports various environmental NGOs such as That’sRubbish and the Fish4Tomorrow campaign.

You can get involved by attending a That’s Rubbish beach clean-up. Every 6 weeks, a beach is chosen and armed with recycling bags, garbage bags and gloves, volunteers transform the faces of our beaches.

What areyou waiting for?

www.getupstandup.org.mt

We accept all the help we can get – we even need word-of-mouth warriors. Please help us spread the word about our upcoming projects and events, ‘like’ our facebook page and join our mailing list! And of course, we also accept monetary donations which will be used in running costs (such as printing, domain renewals and ad-hoc items needed for events).

ST ANNE STREET, FLORIANA TEL: 2122 2949, 2123 3715

HILTON MALTA, PORTOMASO I www.victorazzopardi.com

A TRAdITION OF STyLE, quALITy SERvIcE, ExPERT guIdANcE ANd vALuE FOR MONEy SINcE 1898

A celebrAtion of youth And glAmourFROM NEckLAcES ANd PENdANTS THROugH TO bRAcELETS ANd RINgS –

HANdMAdE, STERLINg SILvER, bRANdEd cREATIONS FOR bOTH wOMEN ANd MEN.

When/How did you start up?I was interested in creating things for myself and others from a very young age. My close relatives were first class recyclers, hoarders and seamstresses so they set a natural standard for me. However I got my first sewing machine and officially reserved my own working space in the home some 3 years ago; had to put all of my painting equipment away to make space for the new calling.

What inspires you?The movies I watch and the music I listen to and a lifetime of visual stimulus via art books and magazines. ‘Inspiration’ is a tricky word I usually avoid because it’s hard for me to relate to; but I believe that almost everything I encounter in life must, at least subliminally, leave some sort of impact on me and eventually feeds into my work.

how i indulge

Babettopolis aka Maria Muscat, tells us how she does and how

we can!


What is your motivation?A strong work ethic and a belief in the need for quality and aesthetic pleasure motivate me to put in double the effort.

How do people buy/ commission you?People usually get in touch through my facebook page after they’ve been through some of the albums of my work, then e-mail me on [email protected] with more details of what they need. It’s a lovely process really because you get to meet people on an entirely different level than usual when you’re providing such a particular service.

How often do you create?As cliché as this must sound, as often as possible. It has become essential for me to balance out my morning working life with my evening/weekend creative projects. This creative ‘business’ is by no means a wind-down, in fact I usually work my self into such a state that I’d need to be reminded to give myself a break. Still, I believe that finding such a consuming hobby is possibly the loveliest thing that could happen to one.

What’s your ‘day job’?I teach Art in Primary Schools.


Paintings are heavily dependent on colour to evoke the mood and depth that transforms them

into a work of art and leave the viewer with a lasting impact. Today there are a multitude of mediums available, and the varying effects of these have depends on their application and hue, tone and colour combination. As an artist, it is important to be able to have access to premium quality paints and products; like the famous artist Whistler, who was always concerned about the quality of his materials, all artists have their preferred mediums; brushes and paints that they find most suitable for their work, and it helps to know where to find them.

Vee Gee Bee ART’s new shop in San Gwann is a treat for any level of artist to visit, a haven of art materials. The shop is visually exciting, endless colours line the walls. The range of products are going to tickle the fancy of any level of artist whether they use oils and acrylics, water colours, additives, varnishes and primers, dyes, easels and canvases, it’s a one stop shop for all your art supply needs.

Major art brands such as Winsor and Newton and Caran Dache are represented; the Winsor and Newton range renowned for producing some of the world’s finest art materials, owing their reputation to the quality of pigments that they use and with such high standards, are very popular amongst professional and student artists alike. Their oils, acrylics and water colours range from Artist colours, the most professional quality, to Winton Cotman

and Galeria colours, still of excellent quality but more economical and perfect for the experimentalist.

Caran Dache, also a household name, have been around since 1924 and have mastered water soluble pencils. They have a high pigment concentration and were the first water-soluble colour pencil produced. A box of Caran Dache colours be it soft pastels or coloured pencils are a pleasure for anyone to own and be able to create soft velvety effects with.

“Today’s children are tomorrow’s painter’s”, with this belief in mind Vee Gee Bee ART offer an excellent choice of student materials and an array of art classes for budding artists of all ages.

There are a number of uses for some of the products, so instead of sticking to the materials you are acquainted with, be a little daring and try your hand at something new, the staff are more than happy to come up with suggestions and guide you with your choices. So with easy parking, and all the best brands under one roof why not have a peek inside and get inspired.

CreAtinG YoUr oWnArt WorK

Amber Knights tells you where to

Vee Gee Bee Art in San Gwann and Valletta offer art classes for all ages. A well equipped studio will soon be available to customers in San Gwann, to create their works of art in a serene setting where they can focus, get advice and have a range of products at hand.


iridesCent mediUmA medium that can be mixed with

water colours and the end result is a lovely pearlescent effect.

Bella Vista Street, San Gwann. Tel: 21385584

[email protected] | www.vgb.com.mt | VGB Art Club

Palazzo Ferreria, 309 Republic Street, Valletta. Tel: 21224585

Winsor and Newton products are easy to use and have Large amounts of mediums available which

can often seem staggering so here is a list of a few of the ones that caught my eye:

BlACK lAvA textUre GelParticles of small black flint are what make up this gel. It is a granular paste that allows

the artist to create a distinct effect.

GlAss BeAds textUre GelThis gel contains spherical glass beads.

When it is used with a transparent colour it gives off a wonderful effect.

heAvY CArvABle modellinG PAste

This product is designed to have little effect on colour change but

is fully carvable.

sAnd textUre Gel

A gel combined with fine purified sand. It leaves a very interesting

textured surface.

ColoUrless Art mAsKinG flUid

Has the same qualities as standard masking fluid but allows the artist to avoid any paper staining when using

softer sized paper.


He had met her at the Hungry Duck, in the heart of Moscow, where the

ladies can drink as much as they like free of charge until half eleven at night. The two of them happened to be at the bar. She with a Hanky-Panky, he a Vodka Martini. Their eyes fell first on the glasses; then, they looked at each other and realised that they were, kind of, alone. And it’s astonishing how, even in the freeze of Moscow, one word leads to another. And the following morning, he was a little surprised for as he was leaving her tiny apartment, Evelina hinted that she would like to meet him again. And so they did.

Six months later there she was, with him in the house he had inherited from his grandfather, in a small village in a dwarfish country somewhere between Sicily and Libya. Roża – the neighbour across the road, who administered the holy communion to the old ladies of the village – said that to find a woman he must have bought her. Others elaborated somewhat and said that he had bought her over the internet. And there were some who would smile whenever they saw them, as if they were some kind of joke. Of course, some of the priests and those who spend too much time with them, would look at

the couple as if they were seeing Judas Iscariot carrying a crate of Hopleaf beer. Because – quite obviously – they were living in sin. Not only were they having sex outside marriage, but they were regularising the irregular. They were living as if they were married. Even to the grocer’s, for Christ’s sake, they sometimes went together to buy butter. And they would give them that look, the look which seems to say ‘forgive them, for they know not what they are doing’.

They were happy. She took care of the house, decorated it, watered the bougainvillea, swatted the flies and

Pierre J. Mejlak is a novelist and short story writer. He won three National Book Awards and the Sea of Words European Short Story Award. His first collection of short stories, Qed Nistenniek Niezla max-Xita (I’m waiting for you to fall with the rain) was published to critical and popular acclaim in 2009. His second collection of short stories, Dak li l-Lejl Ihallik Tghid (what the night lets you say), will be published on June 22nd. A number of his short stories have been translated into English, French, Catalan, Portuguese, Arabic, Spanish and Italian and were read at numerous literary festivals around Europe and the Middle East. He is published in Malta by Merlin in the US by Words without Borders.

The Madonna round Evelina’sBy Pierre J. Mejlak (translation: Antoine Cassar)

Photo by Julia Turlejska


Dak li l-lejl iħallik tgħid (what the night lets you say)out June 22, 2011 Pierre J. Mejlak the author is that rare creature, morphing in his writing the wisdom of a hundred years with the insouciance of a twenty-something. Reading ‘Qed Nistenniek Nieżla max-Xita’, his award-winning collection of short stories, means experiencing all that is best about Maltese literature. Words that intoxicate like a vintage wine, smooth yet with a long finish. Mejlak’s new book has been awaited for over two years, and is set to be the Maltese publishing event of 2011. ‘Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid’ – the title a ream of poetry in itself – is being published by Merlin and launched on the 22nd of June. ‘Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid’ takes Mejlak to the next level in his literary maturity, as the emotions explored go deeper, the characters more scarred, the locations more lived-in. Where ‘Xita’ was carefree and imbued with the boundless freedom of a young life in big cities, ‘Lejl’ is occasionally dotted with the onset of regret. For every story like ‘L-Ambaxxatriċi’, where casual sex is practically worshipped as a religion, there is a mind-blowing counterpart like ‘Riħitu’, with its claustrophobic intimacy and chiselled emotions, or ‘Nixtieq ngħajjat lil Samirah’, possibly the most painful love story ever written in Maltese. ‘Samirah’, incidentally, won Mejlak the Sea of Words Short Story Award in 2009 – where he competed with over 200 authors from 40 European and Middle Eastern countries.

One of the first thing fans will notice, is that the stories in ‘Lejl’ are considerably longer than those in ‘Xita’, giving Mejlak scope to scour his characters’ innermost feelings and explore further the textures of the chosen background. Because backgrounds are an integral part of Mejlak’s stories: spanning from Catalonia to Malawi, from Gozo to Beirut, they invariably steal some of the limelight. There is no doubt that ‘Dar ir-Rummien’ is utterly dependent on its being set in Gozo; just as ‘Mort naraha, pa’ would be a totally different story had it been set in Germany instead of Catalonia. Fans who have been waiting for ‘Dak li l-Lejl Iħallik Tgħid’ will not be disappointed; and a whole new league of readers who have yet to discover the sound, texture and taste of Mejlak’s writing are in for a very special treat.

rode around on her bicycle, whilst he would shuttle home from work and to work from home. They never spoke much about religion, except for the obvious stuff, such as ‘see that over there, look, that’s a church’, or almost in passing, like when she took down a poster of the Last Supper from the kitchen wall because it didn’t match the decor, and he accepted with a hug. He was a Catholic. Baptised, first communion and confirmation. But as Evelina never mentioned mass or anything along those lines, he didn’t want to bring them up himself. Until one day, a Saturday morning, whilst Evelina was out on her bike, they brought them the Madonna.

“We brought you the Madonna,” said the neighbour, as he opened the front door.

The Madonna was passed around the entire village, from one end to the other, each house passing her to the next. Each home would keep her for two days, mostly in the kitchen with the oil from the chip pan slapping her face, or in the sitting room next to Super One TV.

What was he to do? Tell the neighbour he didn’t want it because it didn’t match

Evelina’s decor? Refuse the Madonna? Wasn’t it to her that he prayed whenever he was in the doctor’s waiting room squirming with pain? And now he should refuse her? No way. He took her inside, placed her on the kitchen table, and went back to cutting his toenails. Then, in came Evelina.

“What the hell is that?”

“What you want it to be, Evelina? That’s the Madonna.”

“And what is the Madonna doing in our kitchen?”

It was useless trying to explain what it was all about. There was no point in showing her there were people whose lives revolved around such things. Evelina took the Madonna and put her under the stairs, such that you had to crouch down in order to see her, as if having to go under a truck.

“The Madonna can stay there for these two days.”

And he did as was his usual. He remained silent. Unnecessary arguments annoyed him. But that evening, in the house named ‘In-

Nann’ (after his grandfather), strange things began to occur. First the lights went out. Theirs alone in the entire street. And as soon as he tried to flick the circuit-breaker, it spat out a flame which very nearly roasted his hand. It was too late to call Gużi the electrician, so they decided that just for that night they would go to bed early. And, with a slowly smouldering candle on either side of the queen-size bed, he lay down and began to stare at the ceiling, and at the strange shadows forming before his eyes. In their midst, a large shadow began to take shape. It was in the form of an arrow. No, actually, it was more like a Christmas tree. No. And then, clear as crystal, a woman appeared... with a veil. The Madonna under the stairs! Then began the nightmares. The fires of hell. The screaming. The chains. The sobbing. The devils and who knows what else.

The following day, when Evelina came in from her bike ride, she was greeted by the statuette of the Madonna on the commode at the front of the house.

“What the f*** is this?”

That day, for the first time, they quarreled fiercely.


indUlGe YoUr Kids

from the Comfort of YoUr oWn home


Doesn’t life feel like a daily indulgence when you have kids around you?And how! Take me here, do me this, buy me that, feed me this, I want this, no I want that! But how can we say no! Rather than saying no, say yes to your kids, to make them feel even more important, to giving them not only what they want but what they need to truly develop a strong sense of character. And do this knowing that at the same time, you too can put your feet up and enjoy a little time to yourself for a change!

Welcome to the world of online shopping… where you and your children happily get what you want. They get their treats and you don’t have to trudge around the shops with them, but flip through an online catalogue, choosing wisely and paying at the click of a button.

What’s more, there is delivery to your door. Why hassle with tantrums and parking, when you can have toys delivered to you at home? Pedigree Toyshops have come up with their latest solution and now offer a comprehensive online store offering a wide selection of Featured Products including all the latest crazes and trends as well as

classical toys, educational items and games for all the family.

The website is bright and bold, bursting at the seams with fun all around and features a Clearance Section, which offers a range of items at ridiculous prices, perfect for stocking fillers, party bags and small every day treats, that will definitely not hurt your wallet but will surely put a smile on your child’s face.

Customers and fans are well aware of the core values that Pedigree associates itself with; quality brands, with a focus on educational and good value for money. It is through the vast range of brands like Chicco, V-Tech, Fisher Price, Barbie, Ben 10, and many more that it secures this branded promise, backed by years of experience and its local household name.

Pedigree’s new website is a modern extension of this brand promise, keeping in mind the exigencies of today’s parents and the limited time available. Our stores feature thousands of products, and the virtual site will be an excellent start to browse through the latest products, and plan your toy shopping, even well in advance to the ever busy Christmas season.

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So when it’s really time to indulge them, make your toy shopping as fun as possible, with the best choice, the best prices, free delivery with 30 Euros spent, loyalty card offers, online fun and 5 outlets around the Maltese Islands to assist your every need! What more could you ask for?

Why hassle with tantrums and parking, when you can have toys delivered to you at home?

Check us out soon at www.pedigreetoyshops.com


sUmmer hAir CAreGoRDon Mayo of Toni & Guy GiveS uS aDviCe on


As the Summer season approaches, it is important to remember that it is not just our skin that needs protection from the sun. If we do not take care of our hair and treat it properly, the effect of the sun’s rays can be damaging. The combination of chlorine found in swimming pools with any chemicals we have in our hair can be equally damaging.

When asked what dangers the hair faces from the sun in the Summer months, Gordon says “The first thing to understand is that Summer inflicts chemical damage on our hair, especially when the hair is wet. Prevention is better than cure. If we really want to avoid chemical damage to our hair, the precautions should start in Spring. Even if the hair has never been touched by colour or any other products, our hair is still prone to damage.

“People with coloured hair need to be vigilant if swimming in a swimming pool with chlorine, as the colour can change if the hair comes into contact with chlorine – people with blonde-coloured or highlighted hair can see the colour change to a greenish-blue! Other products like straightening creams or perms also react negatively to the sun or chlorinated water.

“One thing to avoid is changing hair colour in the Spring just before Summer. It is always advisable to change hair colour in the winter.”

Gordon emphasises that the important thing is to treat and condition the hair properly before hitting the beach. Professional treatments should be carried out before and throughout Summer. “The latest keratin treatments on the market are fantastic. With this kind of treatment you can wash your hair after a day at the beach and let it dry naturally as with this treatment the hair remains naturally soft and shiny. There are also a number of keratin emergency treatments available.”

Gordon also advocates the use of shampoos, conditioners and other products of the same brand as these are specifically created to balance each other out and if a mix of different brands is used you will not obtain their maximum benefits. Where possible use professional products as these are made by hair care professionals after extensive research, are ph-balanced and contain the right ingredients for protection against the sun.

Have a carefree, problem-hair free Summer!

Gordon Mayo, Chairman and CEO of TONI&GUY Malta, started hairdressing in 1972 and furthered his studies at the London Institute of Hairdressing. He opened his first salon in Malta in 1976. Gordon was granted the Maltese franchise of TONI&GUY in 1994, and has since overseen

the launch of five salons in Malta and Gozo.


I love packing for holidays; I feel it is the ultimate style challenge. You are without the choice of your full wardrobe, but wanting to dress differently every day and look good enough for the photographs which are a constant reminder of your time away.

I start by taking out all my favourite ‘of-the-moment’ things and choose a key colour to build my week’s worth of wardrobe around.

The essentials for both men and women are pretty similar - a pair of white linen trousers and a white linen shirt which look great day or night and can be dressed up or dressed down, a pair of shorts – choose a dark pair for everyday wear, with 3 t-shirts. Remember to take at least one that covers your shoulders if you are prone to sunburn. Add a pair of neutral trousers (or a skirt) and take a matching colour top. A maxi dress will take you from day to night (just change shoes and accessories). Add something for a special night out too ! This year I’m going for gold, navy and white with a splash of coral as my accent of choice.

PerfeCt PACKinG GUide

MAriSA GriMA ShAreS her


Whether going by plane or boat, the bag you take is important – on airlines, where weight is of the essence and on boats where space is limited – the best option is to take a soft bag that is both light and foldable; look out for one with pockets for storing shoes and toiletries – and my biggest tip is to take another folded bag with you, for all the goodies you will buy while overseas!

For shoes, take one pair of beach/comfortable to walk around all day in shoes and one pair of evening sandals. Wedges are big this year, elongate the legs and are great for cobbled streets and dancing in! Pack them in shoe bags and take shoe wipes with you.

Remember to take swimwear and a pareo (which can double as a top), underwear, belts, sunglasses and jewellery and decant toiletries into small bottles and pack in a plastic bag within a wash-bag. Take a tube of handwashing liquid if you are going somewhere that has no shops….

Pack shoes at the bottom of your bag unless there is a separate compartment for them. Put your beach towel in next. Lay all your clothes on top of each other on the bed, before folding as if one item – to reduce creasing. Tuck accessories and underwear into any gaps.

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Summer is just round the corner, so why go out when you can entertain

yourself, and friends under the stars (or sun), in the comfortable surroundings of your own home? Some of the many benefits we enjoy here in Malta, are the good weather - endless blue skies and a relaxed lifestyle.

So when you have friends around, there is no need to stand on ceremony. Surely the aim is for everyone, including the hosts, to have a good time and feel right at home – or in this case, the garden.

Al fresco, or literally translated, ‘out in the fresh open air’, is best enjoyed during the warmer months of the year which we enjoy for about 10 months and whether yours is a roof top, a garden, along a pool side, or a balcony, enjoy every moment!

Without wanting to stress too fine a point on the catering aspect (not my speciality), I find ‘sit-down’ food is often easier to enjoy and deal with. This leads me to what kind of outdoor furniture

one should consider. Nowadays, on the local market, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to home furnishings, and so too for outdoor pieces and accessories.

The setting does tend to set the ‘mood’, so I shall vary the mood by addressing a series of options.

Besides what may be labeled as traditional gardens, I have also experienced more contemporary garden conversions, featuring aspects like wood decking, a lawn, even a Japanese garden feature.

Gardens can be made best use of both during the day, at lunch or a tea party, as well as at night.

LightingWhen using the garden at night, an important aspect to seriously consider is your lighting, which could well offer a mix of electric lighting as well as live illumination, such as candles, ‘fiaccoli’ and lanterns in trees.

Take care to choose and care for plants as these play such an important role in the appearance of your garden. Hence, planning of your outdoor space should be given the attention required, and not just taken for granted. See the article by Gaia for a good indication of what works locally and incorporate these into your master plan. Considering furniture positioning, walkways, flower beds, paved areas, seating, benches, shaded areas, sun orientation and prevailing wind is necessary.

Outdoor furnitureOutdoor furniture available on the island is varied and suitable to all budgets, and while the standard white moulded plastic is still common, dark-coloured, weaved and rattan are also in demand and much more. The shapes and materials available today include loungers, L-shaped sofas, individual armchairs with a multitude of multi-coloured cushions, made from adequate water repellent material.

live in style, al frescoJeAN-MArC BiANChi ShowS US how to

picture of familty


To compliment the above, a dining table, chairs or stools are worth the investment, and for the more adventurous, bar counters and swing chairs can also add that extra attraction in embellishing your outdoors.

Floor finishesFlooring materials come in various finishes and styles, and these, besides being a permanent solution, need to be well selected, at the planning stages. Outdoor floor tiles, possibly with a non slip surface, are available in different sizes, be they square or rectangular, and offer endless possibilities of laying out different configuration and patterns.

Timber decking is also a very comfortable underfoot finish, besides also being very attractive and ‘nautical’ – to further enhance both a floor tile or a timber finish, one can ‘edge’ the perimeter with a selection of various sized and coloured pebbles or wood shavings.

And what about a lush green lawn? Not necessarily a naturally grown one,

as this requires a lot of attention, but alternatively, an artificial material that looks very close to the real thing?

enclosuresWhat better than even using an external balcony / terrace as an extension of your living area, even on a chilly evening, giving you the ability to enjoying the view. ‘Enclose’ the space with novelty ‘glass curtains’.

Gazebos, or a conservatory type enclosure also offer protection during the day from the sun’s rays, as well as offering a ‘roof over one’s head’ during an evening function.

BBQOther additional features to supplement one’s “al fresco” way of life would be the indispensable BBQ, be it a permanent element or a mobile unit. Personally, I tend to find the mobile unit a more functional feature due to its flexibility of movement as one can locate it accordingly.

Water featureWhat could be more pleasant, at least for some, than the sound of water cascading over a stone feature, offering a serene background ‘music’?

So, whether planning to throw a lunch party or an evening dinner…don’t forget to check out the weather forecast, and enjoy your great outdoors!

Jean-Marc Bianchi pursued his interior design studies in Rome and has gained 30 years experience creating unique designs for businesses and

homes across Malta and offers a vast range of knowledge and solutions to meet clients tastes and needs.

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Summer has arrived and the warm air, filled with scents of summer flowers, lifts our spirits and puts us in the mood for some good old fashioned entertaining! When the only real

thing that can give us happiness in our fast- paced crazy lives, is connection with family and friends, out comes our barbeque and our zest for all things tasty and refreshing!

The trend for merging indoor with outdoor and vice-versa, has, in recent interior design blogs and journals, encapsulated this very point. Why compromise on your outdoor space, when you can make it as beautiful and as functional as possible, with little or minimal investment, time and money? With land as scarce as it is in Malta, every square foot of outdoor space should be maximised and enjoyed. From the traditional town house with a small back yard, to a rustic house of character with its central courtyard and roof terrace, to the more modern houses with stylish gardens and decks, to the epitome of apartments and penthouses, that enjoy sizeable terraces for entertaining. Where outdoor space is available, let’s make the most of it!

sUmmer oUtdoor livinG


Wood decks on the other hand are the ultimate real thing. There is nothing on earth that can replace the warmth and invitation of real wood for outdoor living and entertaining. It does require extra care, however if you choose your wood wisely, your deck can outlive your composite decking by many years. Whether you choose wood for your decking material or composite decking material is entirely a matter of choice and finance for most people.

There are many factors about each that make them appealing to buyers. At M. Demajo (Timbers) Ltd we help you make the right choice for your outdoor space. Visit us at Olive Square, Qormi or call us 21 487078 or email us at [email protected].

More information may be found on our website www.demajotimbers.com and we are also on Facebook. Make this summer, the summer you truly enjoy your outdoor space and we’ll make sure you won’t regret it!

If you are considering decking for your outdoor space, then you are probably weighing the decisions of whether or not to use wood versus composite decking material.

The fact of the matter is that each has both advantages and disadvantages. Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) decking is an attractive, affordable and dependable decking solution that will withstand the test of time. Each piece is knot free and consistent in size, colour and length, therefore eliminating the search for the perfect piece. It looks, smells and handles like wood but has the durability of plastic. It is also a very eco friendly choice since composite decking may very well last forever. WPC is weather proof and stands up well to water, which makes them an ideal choice if you are planning decking around a swimming pool. Another feature that makes them an attractive choice to those building decks, is the fact that it will provide a uniform look for your entire deck. You do not have to worry about natural variances or even knots making an unwelcome appearance in your decking project.


Rudolf Ragonesi of the Gaia Foundation, asks

How GReen iS youR

GArden?


Plants are put in different categories, starting with the endemics, which are specifically native to our islands, having taken a unique evolutionary path cut away from mainland continents. Then you have the indigenous, which are common to a specific region like the Mediterranean, or even the central Mediterranean, and the archaeophitic, which were introduced to the islands in the pre Columbian period, prior to any influence from the Americas. Last comes the alien species which are not of this region, some of which would be defined as invasive, owing to their ability to spread easily and take over local habitats.

A Maltese garden would be a rich mix of both endemic and indigenous plants. The Maltese Rock Centaury, the endemic national shrub, is always a safe starter, and grows to a healthy size, with very pretty purple flowers in late Spring. The Maltese Everlasting, another endemic, as its name implies, is part of the Helicrysum family and boasts fine yellow flowers; it is actually endemic to the Dwejra area in Gozo. The Maltese Salt Tree and the Cliff Orache are other coastal shrubs found along rocky cliffs -all four of these plants are extremely hardy and resistant to drought and salt laden windy conditions. The Maltese Stock has pale purple coloured flowers, unlike their non Maltese counterparts, which usually have white ones.

A number of indigenous plants can be added to supplement the endemics and increase variety. The Narrow Leaved Rock Rose, with bright white flowers and the pink flowered Hoary Rock Rose, which unfortunately have become quite uncommon in our natural landscape, have dark green leaves which contrast with a number of endemics with lighter ones, and add a very pretty touch to the garden. The Fringed Rue, with yellow flowers, is known for its distinct smell, but also for keeping mosquitoes at bay. It could be good to have it handy in the garden as it has traditionally been used to relieve joint and muscle pain when the juices of its leaves, released through heating, are applied topically.

A beautiful garden is a green one, yet going green is also a way of describing the environmental

and ecological measures taken in any given exercise. While foreign plants can also look very beautiful, and are sometimes referred to in a marketing oriented world as “exotic”, they are often very high maintenance, requiring replanting and constant watering, taking up both valuable time and resources and could be more susceptible to disease. A typical Maltese garden, on the other hand, can offer an array of colour and beauty without bringing with it a lot of ecological baggage and running costs, or take up precious time.

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The Tree Meddick is a shrub that grows to well over a metre, and should be given ample space so as not to choke your other shrubs. The Sea Samphire, with yellow flowers, has succulent leaves, remains fairly low and is very pretty. The Yellow Horned Poppy, as its name suggests, has distinct yellow poppy flowers that are very eye catching. The Lavender is a must to every garden, a sheer beauty of a plant with many fine purple flowers in the Spring. There is an endemic variety, which is however hard to find, but the indigenous one would do just as nicely.

Shrubs should be kept in clusters of the same family, some 3 or 5 together, with other types close by. You can afford to have them in close proximity, 50 to 60 cm apart if you would like to have your garden one mesh of shrubs growing together and covering the ground, keeping weeds under pressure, or space them out a bit more to leave paths between them. If you have space for trees, you should work with the wonderful Mediterranean Buckthorn, the Sandarac Gum Tree, which is the National tree, and is part of the Juniper family, the Olive, the Almond and the Common Elder. The first three are evergreen, while the last two are deciduous. If parts of your garden are not so rich in soil you can add some Lentisk trees, which in that case would remain low, under two to three metres. If you go for an olive tree make sure it is self pollinating unless you have space for more than two, in which case you can have a variety with at least one pollinator.

While most plants as a rule thrive in lots of soil and water, all the varieties here are very hardy and can get by with less, with some actually being part of garrigue or cliff habitats. However you should help them along for the first two dry seasons, and from then on you can see them flourish with very little intervention. Unlike many so called exotic plants they are so well adapted to local conditions and resistant to disease, that, once established, you can take a round the world trip for a year, come back and find them all thriving. A lush Maltese garden is not only pleasing to the eye, but almost maintenance free in the third year, and helps to minimise consumption of water, which is fast becoming a major environmental problem for our islands.

further information can be obtained from Gaia’s “elysium” indigenous nursery at Ghajn Tuffieha, which specialises in over fifty types of indigenous and endemic plants. www.projectgaia.org

you can take a round the world trip for a year, come back and find them all thriving


Renovating garden furniture may seem like a daunting chore, but if you haven’t ordered new by now, follow our simple guide to breathe fresh breath into a bench - in a morning.

Get your iPod ready with your favourite tracks, a wire brush, some goggles and a big fat dry paintbrush or a hand held vacuum.

Put your iPod on at full blast and get stuck in to cleaning the metal surface, brushing away the old paint.

When satisfied the bulk of the paint is off, use a little water and mild detergent, and wipe down. Leave to dry thoroughly or dry with a cloth.

Replace any broken slats, sand any rough ones, and stain them to match or choose a coordinating or contrasting colour to really give it the wow factor.

Using a brush, apply Hammerite to the metal parts of the bench. Make sure you cover all the metal because as Hammerite Direct to Rust can be painted striaight onto minor rust patches, by covering the area completely, you will protect and save your bench from falling to the same fate! Hammerite Direct to Rust acts as a primer, undercoat and top coat all in one, saving you time and effort - as well as tired items.

Now prepare the lunch – and by the time lunch is over, your bench will be dry enough to have digestivos on!

One tin of Hammerite and a little elbow grease will have it looking as good as new.

Before

After

Don’t throw away that garden bench!

Indulge / Summer 2011 – 31

2 South Court, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann T: 21 389690 [email protected]

Hammerite is available in a range of colours in smooth and hammered finishes, from leading hardware and paint stores.

Palazzo Parisio 29, Victory Square Naxxar NXR 1700, Malta • Tel: +356 21412461 Email: [email protected]

indulge yourself

with breakfast

morning coffeelunch

afternoon tea& dinner

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I hope that you have enjoyed the theatre over the last few months and although I am not here to talk about the past productions I must share one photo of the play that took place recently “Keeping Up Appearances” if only as a memento of playing the cameo part of “Daddy”. Although I did not show my face, many of my friends recognized my legs or my gait as I staggered on stage chasing “Hyacinth”.

Anyway, three months have gone by and here we are again looking at what the theatre has to offer us over the Summer. My recommendation does not necessarily mean that these are the only productions to see but purely my choice of what I am going to see and what appeals to me. As we kick into Summer the theatre normally slows down or goes Dark but it seems that there are quite a few productions taking place which will keep you stimulated theatre wise and will give you something other to think about apart from the beach and BBQs.

At the PrePArAtions for UPCominG shoWs

Martin Azzopardi as Daddy in

Keeping Up Appearances

MArtiN AzzoPArDi tAKeS US BACKStAGe

MADC has assembled a cast of established actors and young talent who will appeal to all age groups and include:

Manuel Cauchi as Malvolio – a steward to Olivia

Edward Mercieca as Sir Toby Belch – Olivia’s drunken Uncle. He has feelings for Maria.

Simone Spiteri as Viola – twin sister to Sebastian. When disguised as a man, she is known as Cesario. In love with Orsino.

John Marinelli as Orsino – Duke of Illyria. In love with Olivia

Polly March as Maria – a Lady in Waiting in Olivia’s household. She has feelings for Sir Toby Belch.

Colin Willis as Sir Andrew Aguecheek – a simple minded companion of Sir Toby’s. Wooing Olivia

Philip Leone Ganado as Sebastian – twin brother of Viola

Luke Farrugia as Feste – Olivia’s jester, ironically very clever and some wonder if he knew Viola was a girl the whole time

Victor Debono as Antonio – a captain and friend to Sebastian.

Polly March

Manoel Cauchi

John Marinelli

Edward Mercieca

Simone Spiteri

MADC is continuing with its tradition of presenting a summer outdoor production of a Shakespearean play with a presentation of “Twelfth Night or What you Will”

This light comedy set in the mythical kingdom of Illyria, was written around 1601 as entertainment for the Christmas festivities and is considered one of the Bard’s greatest comedies about deception, disguises and madness, not to mention cross-dressing and mistaken identities.

It is this element of fun and buffoonery that has prompted MADC to move away from the traditional Elizabethan costumes and “men in tights” with director Dave Barton taking the play into a 20th century setting.

Shakespeare’s deep understanding and portrayal of human nature has given his plays human qualities which are timeless and therefore bring these characters to life today.

TWelfTh NiGhT

2nd, 3rd & 8th - 10th July M.A.D.C. will be staging Twelfth Night at the open air Greek Theatre in the grounds of the Maria Regina Junior Lyceum Blata L-Bajda


ShAKeSpeAre ClASSeS 5th ,12th & 19th Juneat MADC Clubrooms

Whilst in Malta director Dave Barton will be conducting classes on Shakespeare at the MADC Clubrooms on three consecutive Sundays, starting Sunday 5th June from 10.30 am and 12.30 pm.

These include approaching the text of the plays as well as a brief overview of Shakespeare’s history and people’s misunderstandings or illusions about his work. There will be a discussion about scansion and iambic pentameter, interpretation of the Elizabethan language, the poetry and emotion and pronunciation including assignments for participants to prepare a recitation from a selected text and give a competent and meaningful rendition.

A maximum of 20 students will be accepted for these classes on a first come, first served basis. Fees are €40 for members and €50 for non-members. All those interested in participating in these classes are to contact Adrian Buckle on [email protected]

You’Ve GoT hATe MAil3rd - 5th June , 10th - 12th June & 17th - 19th Juneat St James Cavalier

Mellow Drama will be staging You’ve Got Hate Mail at St James Cavalier

(Additionally there will be two special late night shows on Saturday the 11th and Saturday 18th starting at 10pm.)

You’ve Got Hate Mail, a new off-Broadway play, is a hilarious farce told entirely through emails sent from laptops, iPhones and BlackBerries – a broadband comedy of errors for the Internet generation. The story focuses on Richard, a young high-flying lawyer who can’t keep his hands to himself. In an attempt to keep his wife, Stefanie, happy at home he buys her a laptop and opens her up to the world of online communication. Unfortunately for him, one fateful day Richard accidentally sends an email to Stefanie which had actually been intended for his lover, Wanda. As you can imagine, things go rapidly downhill from there. What ensues is a frantic and hysterical story packed with twists and turns as the couple’s best friends – Peg and George – get caught up in the tangled web of lies, deceit and naked photographs of Hilary Clinton!!. Written by Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore, You’ve Got Hate Mail has been loved by audiences and received wide critical acclaim. The New York Post described it as “the perfect bedroom farce!”, Show Business said “it doesn’t get better than this!” and Star Ledger wrote “LOL! The audience is guaranteed to do just that - Laugh Out Loud!” The local production of You’ve Got Hate Mail stars John Montanaro, Julia Calvert, Wesley Ellul, Pia Zammit and Jo Caruana.

For more information either visit the website www.mellowdrama.com.mt or www.sjcav.org.

The iMporTANCe of BeiNG eArNeST CApTured2nd, 5th, 10th & 25th Juneat St James Cavalier

LIVE in high-definition from the American Airlines Theatre on Broadway.

The Importance of Being Earnest is a comedic masterpiece written by Oscar Wilde about class, courtship and good old-fashioned name dropping. Tony Award winner Brian Bedford directs and stars as Lady Augusta Bracknell in this trivial comedy for serious people. The Lady Bracknell part is a larger than life character played in the past by many famous Actresses such as Dame Edith Evans. This landmark Roundabout Theatre Company production of The Importance of Being Earnest delights audiences and critics alike!

For further information check out their web site www.sjcav.org

MeT operA MATiNeeS - de WAlKure- riChArd WAGNer12th Juneat St James Cavalier

The Met has assembled a stellar cast for this second installment of Robert Lepage’s new production of the Ring cycle, conducted by James Levine: Bryn Terfel is Wotan, Lord of the Gods, in his first performances of the role with the company. Deborah Voigt adds the part of Brünnhilde to her extensive Wagnerian repertoire at the Met. Jonas Kaufmann and Eva-Maria Westbroek star as the Wälsungen twins, Siegmund and Sieglinde, and Stephanie Blythe is Fricka. “The Ring is not just a story or a series of operas, it’s a cosmos,” says Lepage (La Damnation de Faust), who brings cutting-edge technology and his own visionary imagination to the world’s greatest theatrical journey. Levine, who has conducted every complete cycle of Wagner’s masterpiece performed by the Met since 1989, says, “The Ring is one of those works of art that you think you know, but every time you return to it, you find all kinds of brilliant moments that hadn’t struck you with the same force before.”


CoNCerTo All’ iTAliANA4th Juneat Teatru Manoel

The Concerto all’Italiana is being presented by Fiesole Artistic Productions and the Italian Cultural Institute in celebration of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy. It will feature world leading baritone Orazio Mori from Cremona, together with an Italian tenor, soprano and “cantattore” (singer-actor). They will be performing selections from, “Un ballo in maschera”, “Il Trovatore”, “La forza del Destino” and “La Traviata” by Giuseppe Verdi; “Elisir d’Amore” by Gaetano Donizett and others, including songs from different Italian regions.

For further information please check out their web site www.teatrumanoel.com.mt


heArTBreAK BeAuTiful17th 18th & 19th June at MITP Theatre Valletta

It is not unusual to see youngsters involved in the local theatre scene but it is rare to have the opportunity to experience a performance that has been completely built from the ground up by a group of young, enthusiastic actors. With the help of a brilliant script by Christopher William Hill, and under the experienced direction of anthony bezzina, the Royal Blue Class from Masquerade Theatre Arts School has strived to create a dynamic, comic and ultimately entertaining production. The fast-paced HEARTBREAK BEAUTIFUL is a complete riot from it’s opening scene, as the play follows the story of a group of teenagers with different aspirations and different attitudes towards life. AJ is the best athlete St Bart’s Comprehensive has ever seen; his brother, Dan, wants to push him to the limit. Amber has other ideas: desperate to settle down with AJ, have kids, get fat and watch daytime TV. AJ, however, has only got eyes for Ellie, a geek with a heart of gold and a lethal set of dental braces .But the course of true love never runs smooth, and Oscar is determined to pair up with Ellie himself, no matter what the cost – even if it means breeding an army of killer bird-bees.

The MASquerAde SuMMer experieNCe18th till 31st July Between the 18th and 31st July Masquerade will be holding a fortnight of workshops in the Musical theatre conducted by Top Practioners from the West End in London.

For further information please log on to www.masquerademalta.com

The CherrY orChArd30th June & 1st 2nd 3rd July (Relayed Live Performance) at St James Cavalier NTLive 2010/2011

Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard, directed by NT Associate Director Howard Davies, whose recent productions of Russian plays (including Philistines, Burnt by the Sun and The White Guard) have earned huge critical acclaim. Zoë Wanamaker will play Madame Ranevskaya


Well have a great summer and I hope you will enjoy watching these plays and operas and to casts and crews involved in all productions… “Break a leg!”

The play gives these young actors opportunities to shine individually, but it’s the group dynamics that truly takes the performance to the next level.

The bond between the cast members is not only present behind the scenes, but is also reflected in the natural chemistry felt throughout the play, making it highly enjoyable as their contagious energy creates an atmosphere in which there is never a dull moment!

The cast is made up of Ema Marie Attard, James Camilleri, Janelle Caruana, Daniel Galea, Thomas Galea, Vikesh Godhwani, Alexander Gatesy Lewis, Harley Mallia, Amy Marsh, Ariane Micallef Borg, Martina Rizzo and Iana Said. For further information please log on to www.masquerademalta.com

All information given was correct at the time of writing.


Then I remembered how much better tea tastes out of fine quality bone china than out of any other material (melamine is ok for orange squash, I suppose) and the better the quality the tea the more noticeable the improvement.

That is so also for drinking vessels made from glass. Just think of wine - and the procedure of doing justice to a top-quality claret by keeping it warm in the hand. The most important thing about a drinking glass is that it is practical to use. I don’t mind stating the obvious - it should not be too heavy to hold; nor too cumbersome that it is difficult to drink from easily. Vessels with trumpet-flare brims are best for that - and usually also pleasing to the eye.

The other parts that go to make up good design play a large though often unwitting part of the satisfaction to be had in handling and using a well-designed drinking glass, contributing to a more relaxed occasion and ‘nutritive’ or even ‘medical’ value of whatever liquid is there to allow our watery metabolism to do its stuff. The most-used shape for wines is the tulip bowl stemmed type.

What is crystal clear is that classical designs and shapes have become so precisely because they succeed in every way, both in practical terms and aesthetically. The latter, if they are antiques of known provenance, would fetch anything between 200 and 1200 (you name the cash) for the less rare pieces.

Julian Calascione gives us

“Something of a challenge” I thought to myself after recovering from the slightly uncomfortable prospect of having unthinkingly accepted an invitation to write about drinking glasses. How does one write about such banal articles that aren’t all too plainly obvious?

A crystal clear guide to using the right glass


how to keep your glasses cleanDon’t use the dishwasher. Your dishwasher is designed to remove baked on food and this is way too rough for delicate glassware. If you must use a dishwasher, don’t use the rinse aid. As the role of the rinse aid is to help dry the dishes. Water on plates and cutlery or any polished surface will form a ‘bead’. So when it dries, it leaves the outline of the ‘bead’ on the plate. The role of rinse-aid is to break down the surface tension in the water so it runs off the plates and doesn’t ‘bead’ on them. So rinse-aid is especially wine glass unfriendly as it leaves a coat of ‘detergent’ on the glass.

Wash glasses by hand in hot water. The best possible clean is to rinse your glasses in hot water and let them dry naturally and don’t wipe. While your glasses are still hot from the rinse, put them upside down and let them air dry. Even the cleanest tea towel will leave some fibers on the glass.

Use as little detergent as possible. Remove lipstick on the glass by giving them a scrub before rinsing several times.

how to get rid of the white grey filmThis will affect your crystal glasses most, but the solution is easy. Soak in a weak vinegar solution for an hour or two – the vinegar eats away the clouds – rinse properly and air dry as above.

Modern lead crystal of traditional shapes, whether tumblers for shorts or stemmed wine glasses, can be very expensive to buy – but that certainly does not mean that they should be left in the vetrine. If you want to test the quality of crystal glass pinch the brim with the index finger nail to produce a pinging sound – the higher the tone and longer they sustain the higher the quality; but don’t risk doing this if the glass is not yours to experiment with!

Size (liquid capacity), at least in stemmed glasses, does not matter - whether the glass is designed for hock, Burgundy or fortified aperitifs - the shapes, delicateness (appropriate thinnesses or thicknesses of sections) and tinting or embedded colour design in the piece are the things that up the value.

Julian Calascione, has experience, dedication, qualifications and a specialisation in fine dining, including a 2 Michelin-starred venue. Since then he has set up restaurant management styles for various restaurant venues and is sometimes consulted by the

leisure industry. Leisure time is dedicated to family, seaborne activities and nature-watching.

Sometimes, just to be polite, we have to tactfully tolerate prized ‘must have’ shapes that fall short in the usefulness rankings, making satisfactory noises about so-and-so’s ‘cool’ ideas about design whilst privately wondering how best to hold those inexcusable lop-sided tumblers from the northern hemisphere that have to have exaggeratedly weighted bases just to stay upright when filled.

Standard proven shapes can be of any volume in the range, whether for aperitifs or long drinks, for example there are flutes for sherry (10 cl) as there are also for carbonated beverages (25 or 30 cl) – but mugs or steins for beer can be anything from 50 cl to 100 cl.

Velvety reds may be taken in large glasses, whilst dessert wines need a smaller internal surface area to channel the aroma.

A proper drinking glass is about channeling a scent not for quenching your thirst – for that any old billycan would do nicely.

test the QUAlitY of CrYstAl

GlAss, PinCh the Brim With the

index finGer nAil to ProdUCe A PinGinG soUnd


BArt

MethodIn a bowl, beat together the butter, chilli, garlic, salt and pepper. Leave the butter to firm up slightly in the fridge then form into a roll 4-5 cm in diameter. Wrap tightly in clingfilm then chill until firm.

Preheat the grill to high. Brush the corn with oil and grill for about 10 minutes, turning several times.

Cut the butter into slices and serve with the corn.

GRILLED SWEETCORN WITH CHILLI GARLIC BUTTER

Serves 6

Preparation Time - 30 minutes

Cooking Time - 15 minutes

Ingredients 150g butter, softened

1½ tsp Bart Chilli in Sunflower Oil

1½ tsp Bart Garlic in Sunflower Oil

salt & freshly ground black pepper

6 large cobs sweet corn

a little olive oil

CRUNCHY CHICKEN

Serves 6



Ingredients6 skinless chicken breasts

225g ball mozzarella, sliced

150g semi-dried tomatoes, chopped

150g brown breadcrumbs

3 tbsp Bart Hanbury Poultry Rub plain flour

2 eggs, beaten

3 tbsp olive oil

Method

Make a small incision in the side of each chicken breast and stuff each with a quarter of the mozzarella and a quarter of the chopped tomatoes.

Mix together the breadcrumbs and poultry seasoning and spread out over a shallow tray.

Carefully roll the stuffed chicken breasts in the flour, shake off the excess then dip in the beaken egg and finally roll in the tray of crumbs. Place on a plate, cover and chill for 20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 180c/Gas 4. Heat the BBQ and place the chicken breasts for 3-4 minutes on each side, until just golden brown. Transfer to a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 20-30 minutes until cooked through.


have a barbeque with


RED PEPPER & FETA BBQ PARCELS

Serves 6



Ingredients

1 bunch spring onions, sliced

3 baby courgettes, sliced

6 cherry tomatoes, sliced

12 black olives, pitted

150g feta cheese

olive oil

3 red peppers, halved & de-seeded

4 tsp Bart Zatar Seasoning

Method

Mix together the onion, courgettes, tomatoes and olives. Crumble in the feta and drizzle with olive oil.

Divide the mixture between the pepper halves. Sprinkle with the seasoning and wrap each pepper half in foil.

Arrange on a rack on the barbecue and cook for 30 minutes or until the vegetables are tender.

SERVE WITH MULTIPLE TEQUILA SUNRISE COCKTAILSIngredients for a pitcher

lime cut into wedges

12 ice cubes

Las Iguanas Margarita Edge Salt

270ml tequila

Method

Dampen the edge of a chilled glass with a lime wedge and dip the rim into the Margarita salt.

Place the ice cubes in the glass and pour in the tequila and orange juice.

Carefully add the grenadine so that it sinks to the bottom.

Garnish with an orange slice.

CHEDDAR AND CELERY SEED BISCUITS

Ingredients

100g butter

100g plain flour

1 tsp Bart Celery Seeds

100g grated mature cheddar cheese

1 egg yolk

MethodRub the butter into the flour, then stir in the celery seeds and grated cheese.

Form the mixture into a ball, then roll the dough into a sausage shape, about 4cm in diameter. Wrap in clingfilm and leave to chill for 1 hour.

Cut into thin slices and place in baking trays.

Beat the egg yolk, add a little cold water and brush over the biscuits.

Sprinkle with a little more grated cheese and bake in a pre-heated oven at 200c/Gas 6 for 8-10 minutes.

1l orange juice

Few dashes of grenadine

orange slice to garnish

GREAT WITH COCKTAILS



Decanting is much discussed but little understood, largely because its effect on a given wine is unpredictable. Many

questions are regularly asked during wine tasting sessions.

LorrAiNe MiCeLi DeMAJo exPLAiNS

When & hoW to deCAnt Wine

lorraine Miceli deMajo, A.I.W.S. is a working mother of two, advises clients on wine lists, organises wine tastings, and chooses wine we will consume. She likes to garden and entertain and even finds the energy to voluntary work.

Some old wines can“die” if decanted too early


Why is wine decanted?

Why are some bottles decanted and others not?

How long should you decant for?

Which wines should you decant?

Decanting is simply the process of pouring wine from its bottle into a container, normally a decanter to serve wine. Decanters vary in shape, size and design and are usually made of an inert material (such as glass). These normally hold one or two bottles of wine.

Decanters have played a significant role in the serving of wine throughout history. Wine was originally stored in amphoras that could not be brought to table, therefore decanters were invented as these could easily be handled by a single servant and also looked better at table.

The Ancient Romans pioneered the use of glass as a material. After the fall of the Roman Empire, glass production was scarce causing the majority of decanters to be made of bronze, silver, gold or earthenware. The Venetians reintroduced glass decanters during the Renaissance period and pioneered the style of a long slender neck that opens to a wide body, increasing the exposed surface area of the wine, allowing it to react with air. In the 1730’s British glass makers introduced the stopper to limit exposure to air. Since then there has been very little change to the basic aspects of the decanter.

HOW TO DECANT WINE

Decanting a young wine is easy, all one has to do is just splash the wine into the decanter. The more it splashes into the decanter, the more it comes in contact with oxygen. Let the wine settle and rest for a while (1/2 – 2 hours, or follow producer’s information).

Decanting older wine with sediment requires a bit more time and experience. First of all it is better if it is left standing for at least 24 hours to allow the sediment to settle. Remove the cork gently and smell it, then remove the entire capsule from around the neck of the bottle using a knife as you will have a clear view of the bottle neck while decanting. Next wipe the lip of the bottle to make sure there is no cork or dust that can fall into the wine. Then light a candle or use a torch or table- lamp, and position under the neck of the bottle and pour gently into the decanter. By keeping the neck of the bottle over the light source you will be able to see the arrowhead of tannin approach the bottle shoulder where they should collect. When this happens, stop pouring as the sediment should not be allowed to spill into the bottle neck. If decanting has been done correctly only half a glass of wine with sediment should remain. Should the cork break or disintegrate one can also use a coffee filter or a muslin cloth not washed in detergent to pour the wine through them.

It is also important when using a decanter to make sure it is clean and dry and free from any musty cupboard aromas. Rinse it with mineral water to remove any residual chlorine odor. Never clean your decanter with detergent, because the shape of a decanter makes it very difficult to get soapy residue out. Instead, use a mixture of crushed ice and coarse salt. These will remove any residual wine without leaving behind any aroma of their own.


The most obvious reason for decanting wine is to separate it from any sediment which has formed, as is the case for well cellared wines, these include old red wines (approx. 10 years and older), unfiltered wines or vintage and crusted ports. Sediment is a combination of yeast, grape skins and other ingredients that over time precipitate in the wine and lead to an unpleasant taste while drinking. By removing the sediment, the wine will taste less bitter and/or astringent, also the texture of the wine will be smoother. Most wines on the shelves today, however, have no real need for decanting as modern winemaking processes ensure that wine is thoroughly clarified before it is bottled (even though this strips the wine of some flavour) by a process of fining and mechanical filtration. Although these wines are best served from the bottle, many others still benefit from decanting.

Another reason being, full bodied wines like Barolo, Bordeaux, Rhone, Cabernet Sauvignon or Tempranillo wines from Spain when young, can benefit from decanting. These wines can taste bitter and/or astringent and have an overpowering taste of alcohol when young. Allowing air to get across the surface area breaks up tannins and allows the flavour and aroma molecules in the wine to come out.

White wine can also be decanted, an example of these are premium Burgundies, like aged Montrachet, a young Mersault or Chablis. Wines made from age- worthy Riesling can also open up with decanting bringing out the beautiful petrol- mineral nose evolving Riesling is know for. If white wines are too cold, decanting can also help warm them up for their aromas and bouquet to come out, these would have otherwise been masked if white wine is drunk too chilled.

Wine is also decanted if it is suffering from excess CO2, SO2 or reduction. This helps them to quickly exit the wine and “blow off” before it is poured in a glass. A final reason to use a decanter is because it adds to the ambience of a beautifully set table and prepared dinner.

Those who feel most passionately opposed to decanting wine argue that there is a danger of losing some fruit and flavour or oxidising the wine while it is poured into and evolving in a decanter. Most notable of these is the oenologist Professor Emile Peynaud. His advice is to only decant wines with sediment and then only just before serving. It is certainly true that some old wines can “die” if decanted too early. These delicate wines are normally decanted before serving or even left in the bottle and then put in a wine cradle and poured carefully not to upset the sediment at the bottom of the bottle.

Aged Burgundies are also best left in bottle or decanted just before required as mature Pinot Noir is fragile and can deteriorate faster than you can consume it. It is also the case for aged Rhone wines both from the north as well as the south and the delicate wines from Chianti. Therefore if one is opening an aged wine of a particular brand for the first time it is wise to be cautious and to leave it in bottle and monitor the wine as it evolves in the glass as well as the bottle taking notes for the next time.

REASONS FOR DECANTING WINE

REASONS FOR NOT DECANTING WINE

www.demajowinesandspirits.com

DR

INK

RE

SP

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SIB

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Wines fromAlto Adige, Italy


At the CAPtAiN’S tABLe

Monique Chambers goes for lunch on board the Concordia.

When not cooking, creating or cloudspotting, Monique Chambers enjoys reading and renovating homes.

“the sauce draped like a velvet ribbon over the pinky pastry”


On board the Concordia, there are two main restaurants which wouldn’t look amiss in a five start hotel, as well as a number of others, thirteen bars from the sports to the piano, the art deco cocktail area to the classical pianist in situ bar, a poolside buffet with a kaleidoscopic array of salads, and wait for it, a chocolate bar which you can smell the length of the enormous deck.

I had lunch with two couples who have booked a trip on the sister ship around the Greek islands; the Concordia going to Palermo, Rome, Savona, Barcelona and Majorca before heading back to Malta from now till November. Luckily, we were escorted to the restaurant – the ship is indescribably huge and I would need a sat nav to find my way around – a week would not be long enough to get my bearings!

We were in a restaurant at the bow end and almost as soon as we sat down, we were attended to by one of the 1000 staff on board. Water was poured and wine ordered with menus detailing the day’s offerings in Italian and English. The 3780 Passengers are predominantly Italian, with a dose of French, a lot of Spanish and about 100 Maltese on each trip.

I chose the merluzzo with fennel and grapefruit to start – the intriguing combination didn’t let me down. Crispy shredded cod, served on a bed of wilted in grapefruit juice sliced fennel. Delicate yet pungent. My main was a rice strudel with basil sauce. Not quite as tasty as my version but much more beautifully presented. The sauce draped like a velvet ribbon over the pinky pastry dish. The rice was bound and didn’t fall of the fork, which is important to graceful dining.

What impressed me – and in hindsight was obligitory, was that the quality of olive oil on the tables was higher than that of 99% of restaurants I have visited in Malta. Such a small detail, such a big impression.

For desert, I couldn’t resist the chocolate mousse cigar with Bailey’s cream. The ends dipped in chopped hazlenuts to add to the heavenly texture. One was wonderful, but if you had to have a week eating like this every day, a few kilos would find their way to your waistline.

The others had a selection from the menu, and while I thought it impolite to ask for a forkful on account of quantative research, they did seem to enjoy the dishes presented. The choice was impressive from a squid salad to pasta with asparagus, steaks, salmon and chicken and ample choices for vegetarians.

An Italian cheeseboard was available with the desert trolley showing sugar free yoghurt, ice creams, sorbets and fresh fruits.

I wanted to leave the group and explore on my own – read ‘fall asleep on the teak deck’ or maybe in the 4D cinema. There is food available at almost all hours with room service around the clock. There are shops and salon services available for when you are not eating, drinking or playing in one of the many pool areas, a library, chapel and hospital. And thank goodness there is a well equipped gym.

The Concordia is operated by Costa, the agents in Malta are SMS Travel, Tel: 2123 2211

Can you imagine cooking for 5000 people a day, catering for a multitude of tastes and cultures with the added challenge of making each meal memorable and different, yet the same quality as you would find in a fine restaurant?


A TRADITION OF STYLE, QUALITY SERVICE, EXPERT GUIDANCE AND VALUE FOR MONEY SINCE 1898

CUTLERY SETS COME IN A VARIETY OF STYLES TO SUIT THE MOST DIVERSIFIED OF TASTES AND NEEDS. AVAILABLE IN SOLID STERLING 925 SILVER, SILVER-PLATED OR 18/10 STAINLESS STEEL.

EXCLUSIVE TABLE SETTINGS FROM TIMELESS CLASSICS TO MODERN TRADEMARKS


There is nothing quite like a summer sea breeze to sharpen the appetite. What could be easier and more enjoyable than sailing towards the horizon while tucking into a delicious hamper of treats? Whether you are taking to waters to catch up with friends or on a romantic trip for two, serving delicious food on board or at some secluded bay will add to the fun.

At The Wembley Store you will find the ideal ingredients for your onboard picnic. Choose from an exquisite selection at www.thewembleystore.com. Take your pick from the Cheese, Charcuterie or Gourmet Food selections or opt for one of our ready filled picnic baskets, packed with a variety of special foods, chosen to combine gastronomy and practicality without compromising taste and quality.

One such selection includes Ballancourt Lobster Terrine with Fresh cream, Citterio Prosciutto Cotto, Camoscio d’Oro Cheese, Grissini Schiacci and two fresh Baguettes, accompanied by a bottle of Ratchis Pinot Grigio and Bristot Petit Fours to follow. This treat for two comes in an attractive

wicker basket and as good food deserves to be treated well, wherever it is served, you can opt for the ultimate picnic tableware. This consists of two sets of Saturnia Tivoli china plates, Bromioli Rocco wine glasses, Salvinelli stainless steel forks, knives and spoons and complete with a wine bottle

opener. These come in a wicker basket that fits snugly within the food basket and are reusable. For those

with cooking facilities on board the Pasta Trio would impress. Three varieties of artisan pasta; Garganelli al Pettine, Strozzapreti al Peperoncino e Basilico and Fusilli di Grano Duro served with these respective

stir-in sauces; Salsa Tartufata, Pesto Etna and Pesto di Pistacchio. This colourful dish can be prepared in 20

minutes and you use just one pot!

No picnic is complete without a decent bottle of wine – check out our comprehensive selection available to complement this meal.

Hampers ordered before noon are delivered to our door or the pontoon the next day.

indulge in our exclusive food Corner

Picnics afloat & ashore.


The year is passing quickly and so we race merrily towards the time of long weekends, languishing on the water.

There has been a marked increase in activity in the local yachting scene over the last few years. It is the main growth leisure sector on the local scene. The beauty of yachting is that it provides a great activity for the whole family – either as a group or individually. Children can learn dingy sailing (all year round). Teenagers can pit their wits and strength and independence against the sea, the wind and their peers and there is no better alternative to the increasingly worrisome scene in Paceville.

The sea provides a perfect classroom to allow people to develop skills that would otherwise not be acquired to such great a degree. Teamwork, respect, independence, responsibility; and what is more it is all good clean fun.

Everything to do with the sea is an adventure and in Malta that adventure is available all year round. What the summer does is allow us to put is on a more social footing.

Snorkelling, scubadiving, motor boating and sailing along with all the other activities are here. The big question is how to experience them. Well, in terms of the first two, we are all able to find our way. With respect to the latter two it is not so clear.

Boats and yachts are available to buy, lease, rent or charter. Obviously you would have to decide which of those four to take however I hope to provide some insight and answer the basic question “how to do it”.

Malta’s yacht brokers are well established and reputable. The local business started in the 60’s and the two oldest local companies are S&D and Ripard Larvin Ripard (RLR) found their inception in those years. Since then a host of energetic and professional yacht brokerage companies have added competition and different products to the public. It is a competitive market place and as a result by and large all the companies make every effort to ensure that they offer prospective clients good value. That said, as with every aspect of modern life, from banks to girlfriends, it’s best to shop around.

Leasing boats is fairly new to Malta but is a possibility, however it does require greater planning from your end (dates, scheduling) and also a greater understanding of how you intend to use the boat. I would caution someone as follows; as if done

Ben Stuart helps us

Get on the WAter


properly it can be the perfect fit. If done improperly (i.e. it doesn’t completely fit your vision) it will never work. So the key there is to fully understand what it is you envisage and put it down on paper. This brings it out of the dream in your mind into a practical world. Then talk about it with someone independent. Then look around.

Renting a boat I classify as somewhat different to chartering. Industry professionals will no doubt disagree on my delineation and that’s fine.

Renting a boat for me is about taking a boat out for a few hours and then returning it. In order to do this you will have to be qualified. So if you are not qualified... go and do that first. It is now possible to rent a yacht or a fair sized rib for a couple of hours or more. In Grand Harbour Marina we have an excellent company who do just that. What that means to me is that on a Sunday when my family turn to me en masse and ask what we are going to do today, instead of engaging my brain I casually fold down the corner of my Sunday paper, build the suspense by taking a sip of my tea and then say let’s go for a sail after lunch and then grab a bite to eat. A phone call later and it is set with no great disturbance to the rhythm of the day. Of course, I realise that now that I have shared this idea, you might all beat me to it! There are a number of other companies that can offer the same, I love the harbour itself and am happy to spend my weekends ‘at work’.

Then there is chartering; for some the holy grail of yachting. This is the magazine dream that can be taken all the way, indeed as far as your bank manager will allow. The newest and most expensive charter on the market, get ready for this, costs a breath taking 1m euro a week - oh yes, plus expenses.

So, for us mortals who are humble enough not to be inclined to spend that kind of money, just lower your sights a little. Consider that a motor boat will be crewed, but privacy is still there and any of the professional companies who operate charters will sit with you and find out what is important to you and what you are looking for from your charter.

If it is a sailing boat and you are qualified you can skipper it yourself. Depending on what you are looking for. I consider the following rule of thumb to be a nice getaway; 1 to 3 days is local cruising, longer trips; head over to Sicily. Marina di Ragusa is a good start where the nearby beaches (walking distance) are terrific for the children and the food is exceptional. Further than that is in your hands.

The waters around Malta are governed by the Maritime directorate of Transport Malta. There are clear areas that are out of bounds for boats as there are speed limits and restrictions in other areas. People who do not respect the rules will be fined so it is advisable to make sure you are aware in advance. A word of advice outside of that is... Avoid those blessed ‘Party Boats’ like the plague. If one of those turns up in the early evening, chances are they will park right next to you and play all manner of obscenity that makes you feel part of a nightmare holiday in the Costa Del Sol. I don’t know what the answer is to this particular hazard...

I suppose the first point of reference people look for is; where can I learn/take lessons/ qualify/experience?

There are a number of individuals on the island who are qualified to instruct. Check out these websites to get you to start living the dream or pop by to see me or the Royal Malta Yacht Club for some advice.

www.transportmalta.gov.mtwww.u-sail.comwww.maltasailingacademy.com

Ben Stuart, General Manager at Grand Harbour Marina, talks to us about the pleasures and practicalities of yachting in Malta.

The newest and most expensive charter on the market, get ready for this, costs a breath taking €1m a week - oh yes, plus expenses.

S & D Yachts LtdTel: (+356) 2133 1515, 2133 9908 • Mobile: (+356) 9947 7753 • Email: [email protected]

... where comfort & performanceis standard ...


With numerous ways to arrive at our closest neighbour, we tell you of a few of our favourite places to indulge in Sicily

iNDULGe iN SiCiLY

BroNTeleVANZo (eGAdi iSlANdS)MoNreAle

TAorMiNACATANiASCiACCA

AGriGeNToeNNArAGuSA

The hotel Baglio della Luna boasts watchtowers overlooking an enchanting veranda with a view of the Valley of Temples. Recent renovations have enhanced the ancient eighteenth century building which are nestled in a garden which must be close to that of Eden.

Ragusa comes in three guises, the old town- Ibla, the new town and the seaside. It also has three of the best restaurants in Italy with Il Duomo, Don Serafino and La Fenice

Don serafino – the most charmingIl Duomo – very chic, but be very hungryLa fenice – try the seafood antipasti

Sciacca is noted mostly for its beautiful beaches, its numerous artisan shops which specialise in ceramic ware, and its Thermal Spa complex.

Levanzo is famous for the “Grotta del Genovese” with Neolithic cave paintings and Palaeolithic graffitoes. Take A picnic then come back up for air and a famous ice cream.

The Cathedral of Monreale is one of the greatest examples of Norman architecture and was started in 1174. Worth the climb – it is considered to be a national monument of Italy and one of the most important attractions of Sicily.

The best place to get a view of the surroundings and of Dittaino Valley, is Lombard Castle; 6 of its original 20 towers have survived with Pisan being the tallest. If you time your visit well, you could be lucky enough to witness a play in the courtyard which serves as an open-air theatre in the Summer months.

Over indulge at the pistachio feast at the end of September beginning October – there is always a surprise recipe and jars and jars of pesto, and even more pistachio ice cream to sample!

Take advantage of the arts in Taormina all through July and August – tickets are essential – performances are at the magnificent Geek amphitheatre.

How about a romantic trip on a steamtrain visiting Militello, Vizzini, Grammichele, Caltagirone, Castiglione or Randazzo? Most days July to September. Information from the main train station.

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Terms and conditions apply.Level 20, Portomaso Business Tower,St. Julians STJ 4011, Malta • www.iigbank-malta.comFor more information call us on 2248 4513 or send us anemail on [email protected] Bank (Malta) Ltd, company registration no. C48767,is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority.The Bank is a member of the Depositor CompensationScheme, which covers deposits denominated in any EEACurrency up to €100,000, or equivalent. US Dollar depositsand deposits of companies that are not eligible to fileabridged accounts are not covered by the scheme.

Despite the hassle caused by having to take multiple chargers with us for our phone, laptop, GPS, camera, iPad: the list goes on.

In this issue, I shall be sharing with you some thoughts about gadgets and technology for travelling.

GpSWhile until recently you may have travelled with a GPS, particularly if you intended driving, Smartphones today offer the same functionality as a dedicated GPS without the need for an additional device. Smartphones have effectively replaced the dedicated GPS with fully functional software combined with higher screen resolutions as well as an easier means to keep the software and maps updated through iTunes or the Android Marketplace. With its bigger screen, using the iPad in a car is excellent, although sometimes hard to wedge it somewhere in the car.

While many of the traditional players like TomTom and Garmin have a presence in this market, there are many others available. I use Navigon which includes Malta maps on an iPad and iPhone. Also check out the excellent free navigator called NavFree for the iPhone or iPad. Be careful to use a navigation solution that downloads the maps to your device before you travel rather than relying on access to maps via the Internet as does Google Maps, as this may result in massive roaming charges and a shocking phone bill.

John de Giorgio tells us about

teChNoLoGY for trAveLLiNG


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Level 20, Portomaso Business Tower, St. Julians, STJ 4011, Malta www.iigbank-malta.com

For more information call us on 2248 4513 or send us an email on [email protected].

IIG Bank (Malta) Limited, company registration no: C48767, is regulated by the Malta Financial Services Authority. The Bank is a member of the Depositor Compensation Scheme, which covers deposits denominated in any EEA Currency up to €100,000, or equivalent. US Dollar deposits and corporate deposits of companies that are not eligible to file abridged accounts are not covered by the scheme.

IIG Bank (Malta) Ltd

Diamonds are always a worthwhile investment provided the diamonds you invest in are of excellent quality. Certifi cation is a must when purchasing a gem.

An HRD, GIA or IGI certifi ed diamond will guarantee the quality of your diamond knowing that it was examined in a diamond grading laboratory. Every gem is unique and so is its report – giving you all the information you need to know, such as the polished diamond’s exact measurements and carat weight, as well as the details of its cut, colour grade, clarity grade and plotting diagrams.

The price of diamonds is based on the 4 Cs: Carat, Clarity, Cut and Colour and the larger the diamond the better your investment prospects.

One should always opt for internally fl awless (IF) diamonds when assessing clarity as well as Top Wesselton colour grade when determining colour.

The Cut which is the essential ‘C’ refers to the proportions of a polished diamond, vital for its brilliancy as this will ultimately defi ne its appearance.

SOME BRILLIANT ADVICE WHEN INVESTING IN DIAMONDS.“A diamond is not created overnight, nor is our Expertise and Flawless service which is trusted for generations”

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If there is one place where gadgets can be really useful, it is when we are travelling.


John de Giorgio has been a gadget-man as long as he remembers with a long-standing interest in how things work. He has run a software company for the last 27 years, keeping him close to technology

internet ConnectivityWe have become so reliant on the internet 24x7 that being unconnected while travelling can be a big inconvenience. You basically have 3 options for doing this: pay the data roaming rates of your mobile provider (ouch), scrounge around for a wireless connection or “go local” by buying a local pay-as-you-go SIM card. SIM cards usually cost very little (certainly lower than your data roaming costs) and are often loaded with an equivalent amount of credit.

Some providers require you to pay a monthly fee for Internet access which, for someone travelling in the country for only a few days or weeks, will not work. Others provide a service on-demand. For instance T-Mobile and Vodafone in the UK allow you to connect to the Internet, at which point you are charged for a day’s usage (maximum download limits apply). If you do not connect again for 2 months, there is no additional charge until you next connect for the day. Simple and cheap. What you need to look for is convenience when turning this internet service on and off. Until recently in Italy both TIM and Vodafone required the service to be enabled via one of their shops or their call centre but the service only became available after 48 hours. Terrible. I know from my last visit that Vodafone Italy have remedied this and implemented a system like T-Mobile’s in the UK. Hopefully others have or will follow.

The trouble with purchasing a local SIM card is of course that, unless you are willing to disable your Maltese number during the trip, you realistically need 2 phones: one for your Malta SIM card and the other for the foreign card. Some phones support dual SIM cards in the same phone but then these phones tend not to be very smart and functional compared to an iPhone or Android phone and offer limited Internet capabilities.

Sharing your internet ConnectionAnother issue is that when travelling with business colleagues or family, they also may need internet access. A recent upgrade to the iPhone software supports tethering, a process

through which the internet connection of the iPhone is able to be rebroadcast as a wireless hotspot to other authorised Smartphones, iPads and laptops in your close proximity with up to 5 devices sharing the same Internet connection. The net effect is one Internet connection serves up to 5 devices.

Another option is a MiFi, a device that looks like a small mobile into which you plug your local SIM card and which also acts as a wireless router connecting to the Internet via the SIM card.

ChargingWhat’s the use of all these gadgets if you cannot keep them juiced up with electricity when travelling? Of course, there is travelling and there is travelling. If you are on a business trip bouncing between offices, airports and hotels, electricity is going to be close at hand but if you are trekking or out in places where electricity is not so reliable and available, then charging becomes more of a challenge. More so if you use a Smartphone which soaks up power quicker than dumber phones.

However, help is at hand. Everything from solar chargers to wind-up chargers, all with multiple adapters to support different makes of charger for different devices. Cigarette lighter converters are another option.

Power packs can also help. These are additional battery packs that plug into your phone, assuming it supports the adapter for your phone, and give you extended power. Charger them as you would a phone and then plug them into your phone when you are low on power.

And when travelling, do not forget your converters.

Have a safe trip.

sedUCtive seville

We offer a full service beach club in an idyllic location, with outstanding service, great restaurant serving local,fresh produce, and all the comforts of a home away from home. Book a table for lunch, a Mandalay for the afternoon, a watertaxi to and from your boat by calling Baia Beach Club, Armier Bay.

Tel. 21573421. Last orders 10pm.Open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in Winter.www.baiabeachclub.com

Applications Adoption of tablets is being driven not just by their convenience and usability for on-the-move computing but also by the applications available. While exact fi gures for available applications are inconsistent, no one doubts that the iPad has a much bigger choice of applications today.

Usability The usability that Apple has become famous for is not missing in the iPad. The Galaxy’s Android operating system is designed for phones and does not scale well to a tablet. The iPad comes out fi rst in usability of the features and the seamless synching available with iTunes is far ahead of the Galaxy.

Keyboard Both devices use a virtual keyboard and the iPad’s bigger screen makes typing a lot easier, especially in landscape mode.

WHAT IS A TABLET?

A tablet computer is a fl at touch-screen device designed mainly for browsing, e-mail, social networking, and media, all while on the move. Having only a virtual keyboard, tablets are optimised for consuming information rather than creation. Essentially, a tablet is more than a phone, but less than a laptop.

John de Giorgio has been a gadget-man as long as he remembers with a long-standing interest in how things work. He has run a software company for the last 27 years, keeping him close to technology.

John de Giorgio

Apple iPad or Samsung Galaxy?

Tablets have been around for many years but, despite the Apple iPad being less than a year old, Apple have revolutionised the tablet market in the way they did

Smartphones with the iPhone.

After various failed attempts by various manufacturers at developing a competitor, enter the Samsung Galaxy, which is carving signifi cant market share and the battle lines seem drawn: iPad or Galaxy? Each device has certain advantages over the other and the competition is driving innovation in the market. We explore the two devices and provide you with some tips to allow you to make your choice.

The Galaxy tablet runs Google’s Android operating system which, while having less applications available than the iPad to date, is more open and supported by various hardware manufacturers.

TAKES THE PAIN OUT OF CHOOSINGTHE RIGHT TABLET AND DISCUSSES

We offer a full service beachclub in an idyllic location, withoutstanding service, greatrestaurant serving local,freshproduce, and all the comforts of a home away from home. Book a table for lunch, a Mandalay for the afternoon, a watertaxi to and from your boat by calling Baia Beach Club, Armier Bay.

Tel. 21573421. www.baiabeachclub.com

May – June Lido is open daily 10.00 –19.00 (closed on Mondays)

Restaurant Open every day for lunch (closed on Mondays) Open for dinner on Fridays & Saturdays only

July – August Lido and restaurant are open daily for lunch and dinner (Mondays closed all day)

Restaurant Closed on Sunday evenings, only snacks and drinks are served

Nestled amongst a sprawling new town is the mix of Moorish and Baroque architecture in what is surely the epitome of Spain. Orange trees line the cobbled streets; the scent fresh, addictive, the stones demanding Cuban heeled shoes. The pavements over-spilling its tapas tasting guests with free flowing ‘gin tonica’ and jugs of more lethal than it looks sangria. The chatter and laughter just masking the unmistakable sound of flamenco lessons, the compas livens your heartbeat and you know you are somewhere special.

Hotels are scattered around the cathedral, some obvious, some cleverly disguised - the ubiquitous pot plants at the main doors giving their secret away. The city has restricted car access owing to the very narrow streets and a strict conservation policy. We stayed at the Doña Maria, a pleasant, traditionally decorated hotel smack bang opposite the cathedral, and what had to be the liveliest street in town.

Monique Chambers claims that whoever stated that New York is the city that never sleeps - hadn’t been to Seville.


We dropped off our baggage and headed straight out to soak up the atmosphere and have our share of the regional Rioja. Planning our foolishly short 4 day agenda I already knew I’d be back. We had hired a car so as to visit the nearby Jerez de la Frontera for a sherry tasting and also Cordoba for its cathedral to satisfy my love of historical Moorish culture. This left us with just two days to see everything in Seville. And of course, to shop.

The cathedral is the largest in Europe its decor is living proof of its life - a social history museum if you will- simple, symmetric Islamic art juxtaposed to the gold and gaudy Catholic. Massive. Mesmerising. The organ has a network of 7000 pipes and is used to this day, resting only four times a year for maintenance. Buzzing with tourists, but still enough space to coo in your own corner.

Dwarfed in height is the Alcazar, just behind the cathedral, but with gardens which are an absolute delight to wander around. Aged wisteria, wild roses, flowing fountains and waddling ducks intermingle with the ornate tiled benches and wrought iron windows and walls which surround the building which if I won gazillions in the lotto, would convert into a magnificent hotel. Or maybe just keep it to myself...

Numerous courtyards which seem impossible to reach are scattered; missing is a restaurant in my humble opinion. You could really be taken back in time with the dishes of the day being served and enjoyed in situ. We took hundreds of photos, none of which do the intricate designs justice. The aspect available to the lens is not as to the eye, the beauty and perspective is lost. You would have to see it to appreciate it fully. I could have stayed for hours, had I not been hungry.

I do think though, that the Spanish have the eating thing right. Tapas is the way to go; not necessarily the actual food items but the concept. Finger food from noon till night - like a prolonged party but where you can change guests by simply moving to the next venue, next door. Most places serve similar choices, paella, tortilla, a multitude of hams, a delectable choice of cheeses with jams made of chestnuts, quince or oranges. The bread is a bit of a misnomer but toasted and drizzled or used as a dipping device, it’s acceptable. Luckily, the desserts make up for this minor food failing. Bavaois with berries - the dish that turned me on to food (on a trip to Barcelona) many moons ago - and ice cream in colour concoctions to rival the flamenco dresses.


ice cream in colour concoctions to rival the flamenco dresses.

The wine selections are almost exclusively limited to local, in fact, regional produce, with foreign varieties being in the higher price bracket to dissuade you from choosing them I’m sure, the local more than adequate and then sherry is the drink to drink at a certain point in the day. Meandering between courses or until you over order at one bar and find yourself settling in, seems to me a good way to spend the evening, a bit like the once fashionable dinners where one changed house per course. (Let’s revive that - while desserts are my weakness, desserts are my weakness...)

The other benefit to this wandering is you can do a spot of window shopping. Wedding dresses and flamenco shops aside, there is plenty else to feast your eyes on. The home of Mango and Zara is also home to worthy of note stores like Adolfo Dominguez, Bimba y Lola, H.A.N.D. and V&L that offer something offbeat and stylish without overly high price tags. Shoes are divine with shop after shop of every shape, size and colour, buckle orientation and lace up method imaginable. And milliners? This is a great place to pick up elegant headgear.


Pack a picnic and head for Parque de María Luisa on Avenida de la Borbolla / Paseo de las Delicias.

Named after Princess María Luisa, who donated part of the grounds from her Palacio de San Telmo to Seville in 1893, the park has been well designed and is heavily planted with trees, shrubs are flowers from around the world. The park’s most impressive features are the Plaza de España and the Plaza de America parts of which formed the centrepiece at the famed 1929 Seville Exposition.

CordobaJust over an hour’s drive from Seville is the magical citadel of Cordoba. Enter from a bridge that spans the river and you are met by a walled cathedral that is a blend of the Alcazar with the greatness of the Cathedral. Winding streets give the illusion of being in a souk with a departure from Spanish styling and more in favour of the Moors. Take your bathing suit as the Hammam is still open.

Jerez de la FronteraA half day is all that is required to visit the home of sherry - pick your producer or bodega, and hear its inevitable heroic history. Because of the long production cycle, you may not see much, but the tasting is worth the drive. We definitely learned a valuable lesson - sherry comes in many guises and can be enjoyed at any time of year.

Why not mooch around a local market?

Mercadillo de la Alameda - Plaza Alameda de Hércules

This large, open-air Seville market is full objects d’art as well as Spanish dolls, flowers, fruit and vegetables, clothing and even some antiques. Open Sundays from 0730 to 1500

Mercadillo del Duque la Magdalena - Plaza del Duque / Plaza de la Magdalena

This Seville craft market is full of stalls selling jewellery and other accessories plus a variety of other hand-made items. Open Thursday to Sunday from 1000 to 2100

Mercadillo Filatélico - Plaza del Cabildo

The open-air market’s slightly quirky venue is where collectors of antique coins, stamps, postcards and many other items convene to swap and talk shop. Open Sundays from 0800 to 1500.

ClAssiC CAr? stArt here

1953 Ford Anglia 100E

Lifestyle, nostalgia, exclusivity – these are some of the words that come to mind when thinking about classic cars. Those of us who can afford to indulge will be on the look-out for how to get the maximum value, overcome the sentiment and make a rational decision.


If you are seeking to invest in a car that is at least 30 years old, you have to have somewhere to keep it. By that, I am not just referring to a garage, drive-in or a car space in a subterranean store below one of our newly constructed ‘mixed use developments’. The ideal environment is one where you can control the temperature and humidity that can wreak havoc on susceptible metal parts and electrical bits and bobs

Unless the car you have in mind has been in the family, most classic cars you will cast your eyes on will have come through one or more owners. Every car has a history, with some more colourful than others, but, independently of its history and who owned it, your top priority is to select limited edition models.

Some manufacturers – Ferrari comes to mind – deliberately restrict production to a certain number of units depending on the model. Others just happened to have a restricted run, either due to commercial considerations, quirks of history or other factors. I do urge you to do your homework or to engage an expert who can guide you through the process of at least first identifying what make and model you should be looking for.

Otherwise you will go for emotion or nostalgia (or both), with models like the VW Beetle, Triumphs, MGs and Minis being potential candidates.

Another consideration influencing your choice is the potential to join a car owners’ club. Again these vary from the American Car Owners’ Club, for example, to specific makes or even models, with other clubs, like the Old Motors Club, bringing all classic car owners together. You may have an eye on joining a club overseas, thanks to your ownership of the particular car, and also consider taking part in a classic rally, like the Mille Miglia.

Your next major decision is whether you are going to embark on a rebuild of some type or other, or go for a fully restored version of your chosen model. You need to ask yourself here whether you have the time and aptitude (forget the budget – I am assuming that is not

an issue) to do this from start to finish. There must be thousands of cars lying about in garages and eventually sent to the scrap yard because a restoration project never happened or was abandoned.

Of course, once you start shopping around both locally and internationally, first over the internet and then ‘kicking rubber’, the reality of the individual model you have chosen will start to sink in. A car auction may also be a possibility but that could be a subject of an article in itself.

Classic cars, especially the older ones, are not as reliable as modern cars. Some may have a tendency to leak oil and in summer there are issues with

overheating if you are driving in traffic (forget air-conditioning and other mod-cons). You may have to put together a checklist of things to do before going on a Sunday drive.

Having done your homework, identified the model and agreed a price, to make sure you get full value for your purchase you have to know someone who can keep the car on the road – I am not just referring to a mechanic. You also need to be able to source parts that will be needed from time to time (both regular maintenance parts and other parts that may need to be replaced).

Enjoy your treasure and bear in mind that it is part of the nation’s heritage, a tourist attraction and a crowd-puller at the many classic shows we have from time to time around our islands.

Malcolm J Naudi has been writing about the car business for over 25 years and is a pioneer of motoring journalism in Malta.

Lamborghini Countach LP400 Periscopo Volkswaagen Cheetah Cabriolet

“every car has a history, with some more colourful than others.”


CriCKetPhiL GiBBS exPLAiNS

When was cricket first played in Malta?The game of cricket has been played in Malta for over a century. The first game was played by the English services in 1878 between the Kottonera Servicemen and Valletta Servicemen at the Verdala Palace, and Valletta won by 118 runs. They were playing for the Governors Cup. The Malta Cricket Association was founded eleven years later in 1989.


What are Tests and ‘the Ashes’Cricket is a team game, and exists in many forms. At the highest level, the longest version of the game is played over a 5 – day period, and is called a Test match. This version of the game is played by the following countries; Australia, Bangladesh, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe and is much publicised.

The most famous of these games are a series played between Australia and England named “The Ashes” - so called, because in the Test series between England and Australia in 1882, Australia won for the first time. A mock obituary was published stating that English cricket had died, and the body would be cremated and the ashes taken to Australia. The English media dubbed the next English tour to Australia as the quest to regain The Ashes, and the name stuck! A small terracotta urn was presented to the England captain at some point during the 1882-83 tour. Its contents are purported to be the burnt remains of some cricket equipment. It remains in the MCC Museum at Lord’s cricket ground in London, whoever wins!

how many forms of the game are there?Cricket is played in two distinct forms. The first, called professional first – class cricket, is of limited duration, in which a specific number of hours of playing time are allocated over 3, 4 or 5 days, and each team plays two innings.

The second is limited overs, in which each team plays one innings of a pre-determined number of overs, the usual choices being 50, 55 or 60.

Recently, an abbreviated form of the game has been developed -Twenty20 - a maximum of 20 overs per innings.

All limited – overs matches are played on a single day. Either a red or a white cricket ball may be used, and play under artificial lighting is common.

Each innings is complete at the end of the stipulated number of overs, no matter how many batsmen are out. If ten batsmen are out before the full number of overs are bowled, the innings is also over. If the first team’s innings ends in this manner, the second team still has its full number of overs to score the required runs.

how many players are there in a team?A team consists of eleven players, plus the twelfth man (substitute). Games are controlled by two umpires, and the score is recorded by a scorer. Cricket can be played by both males and females.

Where is cricket played?Cricket is played on an oval shaped grass field which can vary in size. A rectangular strip 22 yards long runs lengthways down the centre of the field. This is called the pitch, and is where most of the action - the bowling and

batting - happens. At each end of the rectangle is a wicket, consisting of three vertical sticks called stumps, each 32 inches long, stuck into the ground just under a ball width apart, on top of which are placed two small sticks called bails, making an M - shaped target for the ball to be aimed at. About 4 feet in front of each wicket, a line called a crease is marked. It is used for three reasons - the first is as a mark from which the bowler must bowl from or behind, secondly as a mark for the batsmen to stand at when the bowler delivers the ball and thirdly for the umpires to judge whether a run has been completed.

In Malta, all games are played at the Marsa Sports ground, as it has the only cricket ground available in Malta. The outfield is grass, but the bowling pitch is an artificial one, due to the dry weather conditions making a grass pitch impossible to maintain safely.

how is cricket played?

In simple terms, one team has to score more runs (points) than the other to win the game. They score runs by running between the two creases. Runs can also be scored by not running, but hitting the ball to the edge of the outfield


along the ground, or over the boundary without touching the ground. These are called boundaries, and score 4 and 6 runs respectively.

in cricket there are three main skills areas – namely batting, bowling and fielding.

Batting is when a person uses a bat to stop the ball hitting the wicket and tries to make runs by hitting the ball away from the wicket and running to the other end before the ball is returned. There are two batsmen on the pitch at any one time, one being bowled at (the striker) and the other waiting to run at the other end (the non-striker)

Bowling is when a person delivers the ball over-arm with the elbow straight from one wicket at one end of the pitch, and either tries to hit the wicket at the other, so bowling the batsman out, or tries to get the batsman to make other errors. A bowler bowls a minimum of six deliveries (an over), and then is replaced by another bowler at the other end who also bowls an over, after which the process is repeated.

Ten fielders (including the wicket - keeper) on the bowler’s team, stand in various positions on the pitch and either stop the ball after it has been hit and return it to either wicket, or catch the ball after it has been hit and before it hits the ground. A ball caught in the latter way means the batman who hit it is out.

There are other ways to be out, apart from being bowled or caught, such as ‘L.B.W’ (when the ball hits the batsman’s pad and is adjudged that it was going to hit the wickets by the umpire), ‘hit wicket’ (when a batsman is playing a shot and for whatever reason falls or hits his wickets), ‘stumped’ (when

a bowler bowls a ball, which is missed by the batsman when he is in front of his crease and not in his designated area, or ‘ground’, the wicket keeper fields the ball and takes off the bails from the wickets) and ‘run out’ (when a batsman is trying to make a run and does make his ground before one member of the opposing team uses the ball to break the wicket he is running to).

Once a batsman is out, he or she leaves the field. The next batsman takes his place, and play continues until all ten batsmen are dismissed or the designated number of overs is used up. The innings is then over, and the teams swap places for the next innings, the bowling team in the first innings becoming the batting team in the second.

do i need any special equipment?Cricketers traditionally wear white trousers and shirts, although professional teams playing limited overs games wear coloured team strips. You will also need a pair of cricket shoes or boots, pads to protect your legs, gloves for batting and wicket-keeping, an (optional) helmet to protect your head, and a bat. Other protective items are also available. Home teams will prepare the wickets and supply the ball. Teams will have spare equipment you can use if you want to try the game out before buying your own.

how do i learn to play the game?

A coaching clinic for all newcomers is held at the Marsa Cricket Club on Saturday mornings from 9.30am until 11.30am. Teams also hold evening training sessions called ‘nets’ at various times.

For more information, contact Mike Caruana at [email protected]

how many teams are there in Malta?There are eight registered teams playing in Malta. These are Marsa C.C, Melita C.C, Betfair C.C, RMG C.C, Gozo C.C, Overseas C.C, Mellieha C.C, and Krishna C.C.

In addition to Maltese players, there are many different nationalities playing for these teams.

The Malta Cricket Association has also been trying hard to get the game going in schools over the years. As a result, there are at least four schools which include cricket in their P.E. Lessons, which includes girls’ schools.

Marsa C.C also hosts games played against touring teams throughout the year, mainly from England, but also from other countries throughout Europe.

does Malta have an international team?The short answer is yes! Malta has participated in international tournaments biannually, and has generally done very well! This year Malta will play in June in Belgium and again in Jersey, if promoted.

how many people play cricket in Malta?Over the past 10 years the numbers of people playing cricket have grown substantially. In 1999, there were barely thirty people, but now there are well over one hundred, including women and juniors. There are also other ways to participate in cricket, without actually playing. For example, at there are 10 internationally – qualified umpires in Malta, 8 qualified scorers, 10 level one qualified coaches, and one level two coach.

phil Gibbs is a qualified rugby referee, cricket umpire, and weight-training instructor. He plays for Malta Marauders Veterans rugby team.

plongeur / one concept. unique to all.

first edition


OuR FLORIANA OuTLET IS OPEN ALL dAy FROM 09.00 - 19.00 HRS FROM MONdAy TO FRIdAy I SATuRdAy FROM 09.00 - 13.00 HRS


Spezzo Mediterranean Cuisine, The Civil Sports Club, L’Hostel de Verdelin, 113, Archbishop Street, Valletta • Tel: 21228500Opening hours: Lunch - Tuesday to Sunday 12pm - 2:30pm • Dinner: Tuesday to Saturday 7pm - 11:00pm

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VallettaNot all the changes in Valletta are negative. It is slowly regaining its former glory as a destination for evening entertainment. The waterfront, the theatres, the backstreets are alive again; why not pop into one of these for a capital culinary delight?


PremierDuring the Second World War, Café Premier was the place to go to enjoy great Music whilst Dining or socialising in lavish surroundings. Sailors and Locals who frequented the establishment could forget all their troubles and Eat, Drink and Dance the night away. Café Premier became one of Malta’s most famed Café’s during this period.

Now known as ‘Premier’ and restored to its former glory, it offers a wide variety of cuisines, including Traditional Maltese Specialities, Italian, Seafood and Tapas. These cuisines can be enjoyed inside the elegant interior of ‘Premier’, underneath the arches of the looming Bibliotheca or in the beautiful and relaxing surroundings of Pjazza Regina (Republic Square).

Great food is not the only thing to enjoy at ‘Premier’, the establishment has been named as the prestigious ‘Artisti Del Gusto’ by Illy. This acknowledges the service, presentation and quality of the coffee that ‘Premier’ offers.

‘Premier’ has always been known for great Music and this is still on show now. Friday Night Live Sessions run the whole year through and are host to some of the leading Musicians in Malta, with the likes of Airport Impressions, Red Electrick and Pete & Papps to name a few.

From June to September, Il Puse performs every Wednesday. Guests can enjoy a lavish Buffet while Il Puse thrills them on the Violin and Saxophone. Once the great food has been enjoyed by all, it’s time to Dance under the watchful eye of Queen Victoria…

DevoN CottAGe orGANiC fUDGe

For traditional, crumbly, melt-in-the-mouth fudge like no other, look no further than Devon Cottage Organic Fudge. Handmade in large Cooper Pots using Organic and Fairtrade ingredients, the quality of this product certainly shines through. Available in a whole range of divine flavours for utter enjoyment. Choose from original or Ginger, to Rum & Raisin or Belgian White Chocolate covered fudge. Crumble over ice cream if you dare.

We have left no stone unturned, we have searched high and low to bring hand picked readers, a hand picked selection of the finest foods available on the island...here’s our pick for this issue!

MANUKA hoNeY ACtive 10+

Manuka Honey is gathered from the unspoiled wilds of New Zealand where the honey making process is enriched by the pollution free environment. Recognised more and more by different cultures as a theraputic remedy to treat skin conditions, the quality of the what’s known as ‘Active’ Manuka honey is highly apparent. A rating known as the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF) highlights the advantageous properties of ‘Active’ Manuka Honey, with a rating of 10 or more being considered suitable for therapeutic medical use.

These products and more can be found exclusively at The wembley Store, 305 Republic Street, valletta.

visit www.thewembleystore.com for more great gourmet goods and specialities and benefit from delivery all over Malta.

Effortless Entertainment.

Anytime is a good time to throw a party, it doesn’t have to be an occasion.

Inviting friends for dinner and would rather be the hostess than in the kitchen? Events can be arranged and catered for at Villa Arrigo or one of our other properties, a public or private beach or other location - even at your own home for 12 or more guests. Of course you may wish to host your event aboard your own boat or a charter yacht - all are possible!

All our food is freshly prepared and delivered in relevant containers and our professionally trained staff clear up and remove all traces of the event.

See our guidelines on menus on www.osbornecaterers.com or contact us on tel: 2142 3214, or email: [email protected]

L’ESCLUSIVA QUALItA DEI DIAMANtI

first edition

St ANNE StREEt, FLORIANA tEL: 2122 2949, 2123 3715 I HILtON MALtA, PORtOMASO I www.victorazzopardi.com

OUR FLORIANA OUtLEt IS OPEN ALL DAy FROM 09.00 - 19.00 HRS FROM MONDAy tO FRIDAy I SAtURDAy FROM 09.00 - 13.00 HRS

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