Today's 10km walk took me to the old village of Hal Qormi. I walked through the older part of Hal Qormi and up a long and winding valley where I ended in the nearby village of Haz Zebbug. The over-layed pictures are from the valley which is called Wied (valley) Qirda (which can mean moan or destruction). The site is designated as a nature reserve and a special area of conservation of national importance. The valley also has some interesting history.
It was quite sunny and this dragonfly landed in front of me probably looking for some shade. The sign (a small monument erected by the local council) on the other hand, is a poem by our National Poet who was from Haz Zebbug and recounts the bloody skirmish that took place between the Maltese militia and a detachment of French soldiers during the two years of French occupation.
Dun Karm recounts how he sees the sunset and the last young girl returning from the fields to the promise of shelter and peace at home. He then hears the groan of someone in pain as he bites the dust of the last farewell. It's a lovely sonett.
https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/bitstream/123456789/21276/2/Wied-Qirda.pdf
When I come down here in the lights that fade,
While spend-thrift Sun gives his last rosy store
I see, above the houses, palms displayed,
Black shadowed, but with edges gilded o'er.
Love burns as coals upon the ingle laid
In cosy room behind the fast-closed door,
And, homeward turned, I see a sun-browned maid
Weary, she bears the fan from winnowing floor.
Then from the ash and carobs on the shore
Comes forth a groan of one who, suffering pain,
With the last gasp in fury bites the dust.
Pale memory recalls the deeds once more
Of those whom, loved, I shall not see again :
And through the Wied I feel Death's passing gust.
