Couldn't believe this was a genuine sign when I came across it in a London park. But it is.
Now what else could I add to the list? How about this one:
"Just don't come here at all" ?
Actually it was quite a nice park, and perhaps better for not having all those things done in it - who knows?
I mightn't hurry back to that particular park, but one place I WOULD like to be is exploring the incredible fortifications of Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta. I've just written a little piece about the island, and it reminded me so much of what it used to be like when I lived there as a teenager. What fun it was clambering around these huge ramparts - probably quite dangerous at times, but I didn't think about that.
My dad worked in the big building shown in the picture - it's called the Auberge de Castille. It was very grand. We would go to balls there occasionally. For a teenager it was rather amazing, and distinctly Edwardian, dancing quadrilles, believe it or not) wearing long evening dresses, in these vast, grand, wood panelled rooms. (Er, what century was that, again?)
If I could walk into that old picture I'd be able to go and visit my dad at the Castille. Then I could catch the huge rattly lift down to the launch, and go back by sea to the lido near our house, and my mum would be there, pruning the grape vines or something..
Sigh, oh well, those times are gone. I am glad I had the chance to do it, though. Malta's got a lot more developed since those days, and I'm glad I knew it when the dghajsas and luzzu (traditional boats) were used every day, and not just for tourists,
(Photo www.triporiginator.com)
....and donkeys were used to work the stony farms and we'd go and idle away hot afternoons with lemon granitas and cheese pies from the venerable Caffe Cordina.
It was a hard life for most people, though and I imagine most Maltese people prefer it the way it is now. I went back more than ten years ago to write a feature on it for an American magazine, and I was pleased that so much remained unchanged, although I doubt anyone dances quadrilles any more.
In fact I can hardly believe that we did it then. But we did. While searching for a clip I found this, which I think is quite brilliant. I love to see him changing partners, advancing, etc. all by himself. Actually when danced for real (rather than extra-carefully as a "historical dance") it's lots of fun.
Now what else could I add to the list? How about this one:
Actually it was quite a nice park, and perhaps better for not having all those things done in it - who knows?
I mightn't hurry back to that particular park, but one place I WOULD like to be is exploring the incredible fortifications of Grand Harbour, Valletta, Malta. I've just written a little piece about the island, and it reminded me so much of what it used to be like when I lived there as a teenager. What fun it was clambering around these huge ramparts - probably quite dangerous at times, but I didn't think about that.
My dad worked in the big building shown in the picture - it's called the Auberge de Castille. It was very grand. We would go to balls there occasionally. For a teenager it was rather amazing, and distinctly Edwardian, dancing quadrilles, believe it or not) wearing long evening dresses, in these vast, grand, wood panelled rooms. (Er, what century was that, again?)
Sigh, oh well, those times are gone. I am glad I had the chance to do it, though. Malta's got a lot more developed since those days, and I'm glad I knew it when the dghajsas and luzzu (traditional boats) were used every day, and not just for tourists,
(Photo www.triporiginator.com)
....and donkeys were used to work the stony farms and we'd go and idle away hot afternoons with lemon granitas and cheese pies from the venerable Caffe Cordina.
It was a hard life for most people, though and I imagine most Maltese people prefer it the way it is now. I went back more than ten years ago to write a feature on it for an American magazine, and I was pleased that so much remained unchanged, although I doubt anyone dances quadrilles any more.
In fact I can hardly believe that we did it then. But we did. While searching for a clip I found this, which I think is quite brilliant. I love to see him changing partners, advancing, etc. all by himself. Actually when danced for real (rather than extra-carefully as a "historical dance") it's lots of fun.
