PM says rambling did him good

"This walk was most enjoyable and has done more good to my health than a month's workout on the treadmill," the Prime Minister said when he joined members of the Ramblers Association before he departed to Australia for his whirlwind tour. The Prime Minister and Mrs Gonzi joined the ramblers on their trek in the limits of Bahrija to the remote beauty spot of Il-Blata tal-Melh and Qlejgha hilltop - the latter being the island's largest Bronze Age village site with several storage silos and remnants of a defensive wall still evident.

Both sites are off-limits to the public because of gates and no entry signs, in spite of the fact that the sites hold high landscape and archaeological value, Alex Vella, secretary of the association said.

Footpaths had been in the public domain until recently.

The Prime Minister was able to view at first hand the difficulties and harassments ramblers have to face in trying to practise their right to enjoy such beautiful sites, Mr Vella added.

During contacts that the association has had with the Office of the Prime Minister on accessibility in the countryside and the foreshore, the Prime Minister had expressed his desire to join the ramblers on a walk, said Lino Bugeja, association president.

"The Prime Minister thanked the association for giving him this relaxing opportunity to enjoy a marvellous place he had never visited.

"He also announced that it was Mrs Gonzi's birthday, at which ramblers gave her a resounding cheer," Mr Bugeja said.

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