All about Malta

4K Arizona Snowcap - Mammillaria Vetula ssp Gracilis cv 'Arizona Snowcap 4K Arizona Snowcap - Mammillaria Vetula ssp Gracilis cv 'Arizona Snowcap If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.  Matucana madisoniorum, Opuntia - Prickly Pears, Opuntia hystricina v. ursina ( polyacantha), Opuntia longspina, Opuntia microdasys,

Malta festival - single biggest firework ever !! World Record .... Sept 2017 For more posts about Malta please visit il-Manikata. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/home All about Cactus and succulents https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Golden Bay - Malta  October 2017 One of my favourite spots in Malta. Golden Bay is about 1 Km from Manikata. Golden Bay is probably the most sandy beach in Malta. The golden colour of the sand gives the name to the bay. The bay was called Military Bay before it became known as Golden Bay. The reason it was called Military Bay was because there were two military camps just above the bay. One was hosting a British Army regiment and the other was occupied by the RMA (Royal Malta Artillery). The beach was used frequently for military training. Occasionally the United States Navy visited the bay and performed amphibious landing training. If you visit when the sun is hot the sand becomes unbearably hot so be prepared. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/golden-bay

view from Manikata - Malta Manikata is a farming village close to Golden Bay. Il-Manikata is close to the seaside, Golden Bay being just 1 kilometer away and il-Mejjiesa is about (1.5 Km) both ideal for a walk to enjoy the locality. Being close to the seaside local fish is plentiful. Many Tourists visit this village all year round. Closeby is the Holiday Village of Hal-Ferh. Horse riding is enjoyed at Hal-Ferh. The word manikata is derived from the Italian word 'manica' (sleeve). The area may have derived its name from the abrupt turning of the main road (until recent times the only road). A Small village in the northern area of MALTA local farming is the main industry. Many visitors walk to the village from the nearby Radisson Hotel. il-Manikata is a typical Maltese rural village. You will find many reminders of how Malta existed before modern times. Malta is now more of a Holiday Island and farmers from Manikata provide fruit and vegetables to the tourist industry. Farming ar...

Chickens eating prickly pear. Prickly pears are an easy food supply for many birds. The  prickly pears are also a very taste snack for humans. Prickly pears grow abundantly in Malta and are an easy food supply for many birds. The  prickly pears are also a very taste snack for humans. Prickly Pears  Bajtar tax-xewk grow all over the Maltese islands. Opuntia - Prickly Pears - Tuna cactus Malta has an abundance of Prickly pear plants which never seem to stop growing and bearing fruit. The fruit is ripe in the summer and many people eat this fruit. For more posts about Malta please visit il-Manikata. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/home All about Cactus and succulents https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

Astrophytum myriostigma   The Bishop's Mitre Astrophytum myriostigma The Bishop's Mitre March 2019 A spineless cactus from Mexico. Plants may take up to six years to flower. If you have time visit my daily photo of a plant either from my garden or along the exercise stroll I take on a daily basis. https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm/photo-of-the-day

Cactus Pilosocereus pachycladus A cactus from Brazil If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Gymnocalycium horstii buenekeri  Gymnocalycium horstii  is a globular cactus with spines that are curved back towards the body If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Stapelia grandiflora and Gymnocalycium oenanthemum Flowering Stapelia Grandiflora - 2021 The plant is visited by flies which lay eggs on the flower. Carrion Plant - the Carrion flowers, also known as corpse flowers or stinking flowers, are flowers that emit an odor that smells like rotting flesh. Family Apocynaceae. Also known as carrion plant, starfish flower, giant toad plant, or starfish cactus

il Banda u murtali fil festa ta Had-Dingli, Malta Many villages in Malta hold a yearly celebration called il-Festa. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/

4K UHD video Cat playing with toy. WHy do cats like to play ?  They do the same thing when they catch a mouse. Weirdo cat going insane with Catnip Cats love catnip. They will go weird if you put catnip near them.

How to make Lemon Balm Tea.  Lemon Balm grows abundantly in our garden and making a cuppa with the leaves from the lemon balm is so easy.

Time-lapse -  Gozo to Comino boat trip This video was shot onboard the local ferry that visits Gozo several times a day. Comino is a small (3.5 square kilometers) island situated between Malta and Gozo. There are no cars in Comino. Comino is very popular for snorkelers and other sea activities. The Blue Lagoon is a popular attraction but Santa Marija Bay and San Niklaw Bay are also popular. Comino is also popular in winter where one can enjoy wild plants. Crystal clear sea at Comino The small island of Comino is re-known for it's beautiful clear sea. Very popular with many tourists. Ideal place for scuba diving. For more posts about Malta please visit  il-Manikata. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/home All about Cactus and succulents https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

View of the Malta's coastline, this is at Sliema, from a boat. For more posts about Malta please visit il-Manikata. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/home All about Cactus and succulents https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

CAFÉ DEL MAR Qawra, Malta CAFÉ DEL MAR Qawra is a wonderful place for a visit, a popular place for tourists. Worth a visit. For more posts about Malta please visit il-Manikata. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/home All about Cactus and succulents https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm

A visit to Oslo Norway memories from our visit to Norway. This was a very nice place to visit, however the food and other shopping was quite expensive.

Isabella plantation   Richmond upon Thames This is from a visit we took to the Isabella plantation   Richmond upon Thames.  Great for a family outing.

Cactus plants in the glasshouse at RHS Wisley Wisley is in Surrey UK. This is from a visit to Cactus plants in the glasshouse at RHS Wisley. Amazing place, well looked after.....you must visit. A visit to RHS Wisley Gardens August 02, 2017

Blackbird recital This Blackbird sings for many most days. Couple of people have suggested that this is a Carrion Crow.

Bee gathering pollen from poppy.  We need bees so keep your garden full of plants and flowers. Bees on lavender Bees love lavender and will visit to collect their goodies so have lavender in your garden. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Cactus Echinopsis with beautiful flowers If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. 

Lesser Stag Beetle Dorcus parallelipipedus Just spotted this wandering around outside our house in Surrey UK Is this an endangered species?

Gymnocalycium Ragonesei This beautiful cactus plant has flowered. I only got this plant in April 2017 and it seems to like the location and has flowered after a few months. This cactus is sometimes called Gymnocalycium Ragonesii. Gymnocalycium Ragonesei is supposed to be one of the most difficult to grow but it seems to thrive in my greenhouse in Surrey UK, originates from Argentina. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.

Tephrocactus Articulatus originate in Argentina, very easy to grow. If you have time visit https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail. Gymnocalycium horstii buenekeri, Euphorbia Obesa, Escobaria abdita, Astrophytum myriostigma, Disocactus flagelliformis, Echinocereus dasyacanthus , Lobivia, Echinocereus rigidisimus, Echinopsis, Euphorbia aggregata, Euphorbia restricta,

Valletta - Malta Valletta is the capital city of Malta. Malta is a very rich in history and is a popular place for tourists to visit.   Pictures - Valletta - Malta  (by Agnes Vella)

Some lovely pictures taken at Dingli Cliffs, Malta. https://sites.google.com/site/ilmanikata/ https://sites.google.com/view/dingli/

Memories of Gozo - Azure Window is gone Gozo is a small island near Malta. It is very popular with tourists check out my web site  il-Manikata

Two cats in the bath Our two cats are forever jumping into the bath ....not to have a bath but to make a mess. If you have time visit  https://sites.google.com/view/cactus-realm to have a look at some of my cactus plants in more detail.