Why can't we sit in the Gozo sunshine?

Obviously I am wrong in thinking tourism is of some importance to Gozo - if this is not the case then please correct me and at the same time please pass the message to the mindless bureaucrats who are doing their best to kill the tourist industry. Why on earth are they forcing bars and restaurants to remove outside seating?

Do these misguided people not realise that holidaymakers wish to take full advantage of the weather and that this is the main reason for their visit?

Who in their right mind wants to sit in sometimes dim and dark buildings when the sun is shining?

Every country I have ever visited encourages the freedom to make the best use of the fresh air - even in London this is now the norm.

What is more worrying is, where will this stop? Will local people have to remove plants and pots decorating the pavements - will they not be allowed to sit outside their houses as they do now when the day cools down?

This would mean tourists would no longer be able to amble through the villages being greeted by some of the friendliest people in the world.

All would become dusty deserted backwaters which no one would enjoy. Oh how it is going to affect the quality of life for every Gozitan!

Perhaps they should all rise up now to defend their freedom or better still, sit down on chairs once a week, every week, on the same day and watch these crazy bureaucrats tear their hair out in frustration!

Please don't let them use the excuse "safety issue" because I have already seen the danger of people forced to stand outside these establishments and inevitably spill into the road.

The danger is that many people would think twice about holidaying again in Gozo as there are many alternatives and the word would soon spread. I can visualise it now: "If you want to enjoy the sunshine don't go to Gozo".

On a completely different subject we so often read about the rudeness of bus drivers - unfortunately I have also witnessed this on several occasions.

However, imagine my surprise when boarding a bus at Qala to be greeted by a smiling face, polite words and enjoying the smoothest ride ever to Victoria. Even on potholed roads this driver skilfully took us all on the most pleasurable journey by bus I have ever experienced on Gozo stopping carefully to let passengers on and off and still arriving on time at our destination.

This driver, who was female should receive a bonus for the example given - please let there be many more. I am a mere male just to show there is no favouritism or bias!