When people damage the environment and harm the neighbours’ health I flare up. I vent my anger through writing.

Santa Maria Estate is reputed to be a garden city. Tall trees, oleander bushes, the ubiquitous hibiscus all embellish private gardens and villas. Owners are proud to keep them spic and span. Yet, some residents care much less about their domain. When tree branches, shrubs and creepers overhang and block public pavements, pedestrians have to risk the dangers of speeding cars.

Taraġ il-Ħarrub, a popular short cut uphill to the village, is 150 steps high. It is overgrown with sprouting wild plants, shrubs and bushes. Worse, tree leaves and rubbish make it a risky passage and prone for one to miss steps. It is dangerous to life and limb. Continual phone calls to the local council have proved fruitless. Presumably, they have no say with their contractor who still gets paid, no matter what.

Neighbours also behave abominably. Their dogs are a nuisance. Pedestrians have to dance around not to step on the poo. Triq Għajn Żejtuna is a favourite promenade for dog handlers.

Another common enemy is the incessant barking of dogs at 4am. The cacophony goes on and on, waking up babies let alone working mothers.

I cannot complain about speeding cars because, to date, nobody has been murdered, though narrow escapes are frequent.

Not all that glitters is gold. This garden city exudes beauty entwined with solitude, silence and peaceful slumber.

This truth is a misnomer.

Yet, it is not as chaotic as the village main road. No wonder residents have learned to do their shopping elsewhere.

The council has a coterie of ladies with pleasant manners.

It needs a contingent of men to roam around and educate the wrongdoers of Santa Maria Estate.