Marsaxlokk & the Last Climb of the Year

Thought we'd finish off the year with a little swim down by 'St Peters Pool'. It's a beautiful little coastal cove near the fishing port of Marsaxlokk and on a calm day, it must be absolute bliss. However, waves were crashing in dramatically today, ensuring that getting in the water would have been a one-way trip!

From a geographical point of view, the coast is made of a very soft rock type and the sea has eroded all sorts of shelves and caves which made for a very interesting walk. As a tourist's point of interest, quite a few people were at the pool. It was interesting to note that we were the only ones to bother/be interested to walk along the coast any distance, where, in 100m, we felt like we had the whole island to ourselves.

 

You had to keep your eye on the ground though as there were also lots of these deep kettle holes that look like they are still in the process of being eroded.

 

Some hardy outcrops are resisting the forces of nature...but only just!

 

While we were nearby, we took a walk through the harbour or Marsaxlokk, which was busy with waterfront cafes and photographers who'd come to see the colourful fishing boats - of which there are plenty.

 

 

 

Once we thought the sun would have come around on the side of the Wied Babu Gorge, we set off to get a few climbs in - our last of the year. Rather than stay at the waterfront cafes (and miss the climbing), we stopped off at a Maltese Patizzie counter, where they sell little pasties and pastries. There was loads of choice, so we each got a few to try.

 

The sun had just made it onto the cliff when we arrived but didn't last there very long. It was too cold to be in the shade for any duration, so after completing a few three-stare star routes (more like one or two star in our opinion actually) we moved on after these:

Wied Babu Gorge:
- Rat Route, 5b***
- Overhanging Crack, 5b***
- Exposure, 6a+***

Then leaving the gorge behind, we packed our bags and got back up to the cliff tops just in time to watch the sun dip below the horizon for the last time in 2016. It was a stunner.

 

Back at the pad, we saw in the new year, watching the fireworks from the roof top terrace, with some bubbles in hand.

It was a lovely finish to what has been a fabulous year, with travels and adventures with great family and friends, spread far and wide across the globe. Plans are afoot, of course, to ensure that 2017 keeps up the pace, but to everyone who's been a part of the adventure that was 2016 with us, thanks very much!