My old and delightful friends Leyla and Giovanni Pappalettera whom I met over 20 years ago have always believed in the development of the South of Malta. Not ones to dither,  after living in Sliema for some years they bought an old and interesting house in Cospicua where one was certain to meet interesting people at their dinner parties and ecumenical meetings. It was Leyla who started Soroptimists international in Malta and saw it through its first teething problems. Janatha Stubbs was its first president and much work was done in those days. Leyla was always promoting and working on projects for Cospicua. One thing I did learn from these two formidable women: self effacement. They were not there for their own glory or to build some little empire for themselves but to give service to others. I recall when Janatha lost her son, because some hospital in England would not take him when he was very ill, until the following day, she told me that although she was urged by relatives to sue the hospital she was not going to do so. Instead she told me:'Let us look after those who are alive,'. She is true to her word and has been doing so for all the years she has lived in Malta.

So Leyla and Giovanni have now moved to Hilltop Gardens although still very active and as young at heart as ever. Leyla called me and invited me to a reception there. It was a good occasion to see them and catch up. I must say Hilltop is very impressive and there is a feeling of space everywhere you go. The swimming pool itself and the area round it is enormous, plenty of space to romp around for those with enough energy.

Leyla and Giovanni had reserved a table for themselves and their guests that evening as indeed, all the other residents had done. Fellow guests were Nana and Roger Bartolo and Maria Xuereb. I was in good company. There was an orchestra playing and the inimitable Pusé on his violin. I do love the way he plays and also his choice. Anglu Xuereb came to say hello. One has to admire his guts for undertaking such a project. I later exchanged a couple of emails with Jacqueline Camilleri, CEO, who had spoken about Hilltop in the course of the evening. Being frivolous I wanted to know whether her shoes, with their red soles, were Manolos. A friend who came with me insisted they were. No, she told me, they are a Kurt Geiger pair.

There was an open bar and a generous buffet and some took to the floor and started to dance. I must say it must be pleasant to live in such beautiful surroundings and to have others cater for your every need when you arrive in the twilight years of your life. I know however that these places are not for me. I have spent too many years at boarding school to want to go back to communal living. I hope to go on shuffling in my flat, doing my own thing until the end. I have made a pact with Above (in case it exists) that I will spend just two days in bed for farewells and then off I go.  But of course there is no knowing what is going to happen to us so one has to leave one's options open. A cousin of a cousin who was sitting at a table next to ours and who is in her late '80s told me she is thinking of moving to Hilltop. "My children and grandchildren are simply too busy with their lives so coming here means that I will have some company of like-minded people and all I will have to do is come down from my flat and join them." Jacqueline Camilleri told me that they have residents coming from all over...New Zealand, Northern Italy, French-Canada, Austria, Britain, Germany and Malta.  Sounds like there will never be a dull moment at Hilltop.

A birthday dinner at Hotel Juliani 

There must have been around 23 of us invited to this chic birthday dinner. The hostess in elegant midnight blue greeted us on the roof top of the hotel which, after twelve years of existence had been upgraded and looked clean and fresh: a little like some part of Santorini.  The turquoise colours used are completely in keeping with the colours of our sea and sky. Erika Cassar Rouvelas, Director, popped in to make sure all was going smoothly. By now canapés and Prosecco were being served.

The view of Spinola Bay from up there is picture postcard perfect.   I loved the bespoke mosaic, produced in Italy and designed to line a feature wall and for inside the pool.  This rooftop pool lounge is an ideal place for a drink or dinner during the summer months.

We ate very well too, that evening. We started with a local red prawn risotto with edamame beans and orange zest scented with Ouzo ­- after all Erika's husband is Greek. The Grilled veal medallions were exquisite and served with parsnip purée, veal patty and minted mashed peas, Vermouth and rosemary jus. New tastes and no potatoes thankfully. Dessert was Hazelnut Pavlova served with cream, fresh strawberries and forest berries. A big YUM.

It was a refined menu like the hostess who unlike me examines everything she puts into her mouth and is very careful in her eating habits which means that she does not have to go on sporadic and totally useless diets. It was a most enjoyable evening in every way. Guests were well and truly taken care of both by the hostess and the staff. Power to all their elbows.

At this stage I have decided to go with the flow. I don't seem to have any eating out events next week so I can diet seriously perhaps. Of course since it is the birthday of a grand daughter I am bound to receive a plate of cake and goodies. I agree with Dr Johnson, who insisted: "I mind my belly very studiously, and very carefully; for I look upon it, that he who does not mind his belly will hardly mind anything else."

So be it.