Last week, I happened to be in the vicinity of the King George V recreational gardens, in Floriana. As I had half an hour to kill before my appointment, I found myself wandering around this extremely beautiful garden.

I was very impressed with the cleanliness and the general upkeep of the place as well as the breathtaking views.

When I approached the brightly-coloured red London phone box placed in the middle of the gardens, I was rather surprised that I could not see a telephone set inside.

However, the biggest surprise of my visit to this wonderful place was yet to come.

You guessed it: the public convenience. The stench as I opened the door was utterly disgusting and nauseating.

There were only two toilets and both were full of paper and material to nearly the top.

It was not just the cubicles that called out for attention but the whole toilet area.

Needless to say, there was no toilet paper inside but, nowadays, one does not expect toilet paper in the majority of public conveniences. The most you can get is perhaps two or three thin sheets of paper, which is utterly ridiculous.

My only consolation was that the British businessman I had to meet outside the gardens was late and I only met him as I walked out to the exit alone.

Perhaps the Floriana local council, which, I presume, is responsible, can make a comment on what I have written.