I just would like to share with readers how much I enjoy the lovely Maltese countryside during my early morning runs and daily commutes to work on the bike.

Although spring was rather short this year, the abundance and smell of wild flowers (which are mostly yellow) is such a pleasure.

When the alarm goes off at 5.20am I have to persuade myself to get up. (I have to admit I am not always successful.)

But once I am out running, with a beautifully lit Mdina glistening in the distance, birds waking up and chirping away, and once I have conquered the hill from Attard to Żebbuġ, the entire run is such a morale booster.

To see this enormous red sun rising above the sea really makes me smile, even when at times alittle voice whispers in my ear, are you really enjoying today’s run?

The other day my five-year old daughter suggested we go for an expedition through the fields near our house.

She was so excited when we ‘discovered’ a tiny new potato, two broad beans, figs not yet ripe and a huge bush of rosemary.

She told me we could have a feast. How adorable is that?As a farmer’s daughter, seeing the crops grow on my commutes to work is such a joy. Often I wave to two expert potato farmers who are carefully tending their spuds.

Unfortunately, it’s only a short wave because I need both hands on the handle bar to avoid crashing down on the wobbly path.

The other morning they began the harvest. I hope it will be a good one (although I do not know much about the Maltese farmers, Dutch farmers always find reasons to complain even with an excellent harvest…!).