I feel very pleased with myself as I have just signed a petition, sent to me by that excellent organization Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar to oppose Government’s recent proposal to issue more land for building outside the development zone – what has been baptized ‘rationalization’. I don’t give a hoot if three Labour MPs are also going to benefit if this project goes through. This is always an old trick: be inclusive so that ‘the other side’ will not object, or will only object half-heartedly, since they are involved too. I’m becoming greener and greener though my heart is still red and will remain so.

I’m even wearing a lime green dress as I write this. But I do expect Labour to become more green as we simply cannot go on allowing our little islands to deteriorate further.

Mepa is responsible for a great deal as permits come out of that organization. Corruption there is but whether this is within Mepa or outside it I do not know. But it is still ultimately responsible for the permits: for what goes up and comes down.

We cannot allow for this ‘rationalization’ to go ahead. Not with some 22,000 empty housing units. As the construction industry is such a big employer we cannot stop building activity but as Flimkien has pointed out, the industry can be encouraged to ‘gear its activities toward renovation and rehabilitation rather than construction on virgin land.’

Perhaps Mepa should do what I am told the MFSA did recently and give one of these fashionable self-appointed PR whatever, a hefty contract to establish and maintain a favourable reputation with the public.

This age-old practice can be tracked back to the earliest civilizations in Iraq, ancient Egypt and Syria. Virgil, Caesar and Aristotle all dabbled with persuasive tactics for their distinct aims. And without being sacrilegious it can be said that the apostles did an excellent public relations exercise – one of the most accomplished in history – in the spreading of Christianity.

After all a good corporate reputation is an important business asset which Mepa, whether deservedly or not, certainly does not enjoy. The ‘Let the public be fooled and let the public be damned’ eras are over. The public has a right to know and is determined to get to the bottom of the truth. No amount of PR is going to help Mepa however, if ‘the water beneath it is filled with sewage’; with unethical behaviour. Ignoring the warnings of the general public, which is becoming increasingly angry, and devaluing the opinions of critics are not going to help us regard it or the government, with benevolent eyes. Activists – and there are many more of them these days and they are not merely tree-huggers – should not be taken lightly. The population in general is becoming more and more aware that all organisations but particularly public ones must be concerned with the consequences of their behaviour. People are demanding accountability especially of those who are being paid by their taxes. Activists must go on championing the interests of ordinary people against an unresponsive government and corporate structures. Let us not allow them to build more until a serious study of Malta’s housing needs is concluded. On an island where there isn’t much scope for investing your money against a decent interest, more and more are purchasing property to enhance their ‘property portfolio’. All well and good but let’s not let them destroy the environment for the rest of us. Yes, Mepa has to do the job it has been set-up to do and be more than just a rubber-stamping agent.

I popped in to Le Méridien St Julian’s for the launch of their Sundowner Evenings at the Ku dé Ta Bar and Terraces recently. These relaxed evenings are ‘happening’ on Thursdays and Fridays and the ambience is truly stress free with Claudette warbling away accompanied by her band in the background. I enjoyed a couple of exotic cocktails while I watched the Mediterranean sea playing and languid fishing boats looking picture-postcard pretty at Balluta Bay. There were barbequed snacks, prawns and kebabs compliments of Le Méridien. There is a 25% discount on drinks and if you go between 6 and 9pm you are bound to meet people you know. It is hassle free as the carpark is lovely and big and well-tarmacked, so your high heels will not get caught in cracks.

My darlings and their men came out for a family wedding which was lovely and held at the Malta Centre for Restoration, the former Royal Naval Hospital, Bighi in Kalkara. I have not been there in a million years and was astonished at its transformation. It’s a massive area and the best thing about it are the beautiful views, though not the government housing, with clothes hanging out to dry, alla Napolitana. The British were no fools when it came to location.

The original villa was built by Fra Giovanni Bichi , admiral of the Papal Fleet, for his own use, after his retirement. He was a nephew of Pope Alexander VII who was in Malta as an inquisitor from 1634 till 1639. The plan of the villa was designed by the celebrated Lorenzo Gafà of Vittoriosa and its building was initiated around 1675. Unfortunately Bichi became a victim of the plague in 1676 and did not see the villa finished.

Villa Bichi was distorted to Villa Bighi, as we now know it. When the British were invited to take over Malta and fight Napoleon Bonaparte, one of my few remaining heros, Lord Nelson himself suggested to the Admiralty in London that it would make a good hospital. And so it came to pass that in 1827, during the Battle of Navarino, many injured from the British and Russian fleets were transferred to Malta. Eventually the British extended the original villa and built a new hospital, now a magnificent place to be wed.

I attended two excellent dinner parties, both to say goodbye to the German ambassador who has been here for an incredible six years, and also to say hello to the new Italian ambassador and his signora. The first was at Maryann Kissaun’s delightful flat, which you may remember seeing in the My Favourite Room series in First. I feel breathess just looking at the wonderful spread she prepared for about twelve of us. Maryann always looks as if she has not dipped her fingers into a sink ever. Georg Merten was his usual smiling and happy self and looking forward to retiring in Cologne with his wife who, although a frequent visitor to Malta has her psychotherapy practice there. He said a few words towards the end of the dinner and is always full of good things to say about our little island.

The ‘new’ French ambassador Jean-Marc Rives and his wife Anne-Dominique, entertained about twelve of us at their residence in Zebbug. Again it was to bid goodbye to M. Merten. The garden was looking its best and since it is not yet too hot one could linger in comfort both outside and indoors. I was delighted to hear that they too have two daughters and one of them is called Camille, just like my eldest. Both his Excellency and Madame Rives speak very good English and from the looks of it M. Rives is also fluent in German. At table, after saying words of farewell in German, M. Merten seemed moved and congratulated him. It was all very entente cordiale and pleasant with the Italian ambassador Dott. Trabalza and Sig. Tabalza enjoying the French hospitality. They too speak very good English and have lived in very exotic places.

I was seated next to Dr Tonio Borg who seemed in fine fettle and did not partake of the excellent dessert – a lovely meringue filled with fresh fruit, but stuck to the fresh fruit only. This is not a state secret so I can divulge it…he threw at me an excellent quote – ‘I know you will like this’ but alas so much has happened in the meantime that I have forgotten it. I’ll have to take my black notebook and biro at the next occasion when he is likely to be there so that I can pass it on to you.

And well done to Grace Borg for walking out of Mr Bondì’s programme. She should never have gone there in the first place.