The Corinthia Summer Kitchen is a favourite of mine. I am basically a 'winter' person and prefer the cold to the heat of our summers, especially since our winter weather is generally mild and even sunny. However, one thing I do like about summer is the outdoor dining. Whether it is in a courtyard, a balcony or in a sumptuous garden possibly next to a pool, eating al fresco is truly representative of the Mediterranean way of life.

So, the launch of this year's Summer Kitchen menu at the Corinthia Palace, is one event to which I look forward.  I knew that executive chef Stefan Hogan and his team would have been perfecting something fresh and different months ahead.

The evening of the launch, some weeks ago, as we were greeted by our host, GM Adrian Attard, I really did feel as if I had entered into a different world. Now I know the Corinthia very well as I have been there numerous times over the years. But the poolside area, that evening, with Sicilian ceramics of oranges and lemons on each table and plants and trees surrounding the pool were so refreshing and a contrast to the aridness outside as summer begins to take its toll. There was indeed magic in the air. You couldn't fault its glamour.

This year the Summer Kitchen menu seemed even more extensive than usual. It was more than a tasting menu. The Corinthia are always very generous with their hospitality. I also find it reassuring to see some staff members who are familiar faces and one can almost say friends. They certainly know how to look after their guests.

Justine Trepa Torres and Sarah Woods

If you are one of that growing breed  -  vegan, vegetarian or a gluten-free diner -  fear not because there are items on the menu prepared just for you and they are delicious, too.

The Tofu Berger and Kale Salad; the Pumpkin & Seitan Ravioli, oven roasted peppers, almonds and herbs; the broad bean falafel paired with the Tahini wholemeal pitta; the Burrata with Panzanella Heritage Tomatoes - all these and more encourage healthy eating even if one isn't on a special diet.

I loved the pulled pork empanada with rose harissa and crème fraiche and ate several of them, hoping the rest of the table, among them our attentive host Adrian Attard and two amusing DJ's, would not notice. It is my fault if I don't like rare meat as the charred beef tenderloin was pronounced especially delicious.

I loved the lamb pastillas served with quince jelly. Pastillas are related to Cornish pasties and pork pies, I suppose. But although not too keen on meat I do love lamb and these pastillas were very tasty.

Capocollo served with smoked peppers and almonds was enjoyable. I like any sort of salami and this smoked pork meat which is taken from the neck is not commonly found in supermarkets here.

An array of glasses of the colourful Knickerbocker Glory, which reminds me of Eton Mess, were temptingly displayed on one of the tables. I had eaten far too much already. One has to know when to stop. I looked away and pretended I had not seen them.

My stuffed marrows seemed very dull the following day, after such a feast. I planned to go on diet straight away but a visit to Portugal put a stop to that.

Last Concert at Bir Miftuh: Promenade à Trois Voix

Summertime means friends coming from abroad, heat (not to mention dust) and the reluctance on my part, to do very much that needs any exertion at all. So I go out as little as possible except if I travel to cooler places.

I look at my wardrobe and decide, that really, I cannot face putting on any of those clothes even if they are cotton or linen.

I did, however, manage to go to the last of the Bir Miftuh concerts which I always enjoy.

This year I found the Promenade a Trois Voix with three excellent musicians/singers un po' troppo. It was sponsored jointly by the Italian and French embassies, The Alliance Française and the Istituto Italiano di Cultura.

It was a too long a programme of early music by Italian and French composers. These were sacred chants and folk songs.

The musicians were truly gifted, sang in Italian and French, danced and played different instruments, including ancient ones such as the viola da gamba and the lira da braccio.

The three of them have a distinguished cv. One of them, Florian Villain is Professor of Philosophy in Paris, Head of Sociology at the University of Caen and plays the chitarra battente, an ancient guitar from southern Italy, as well as mandolin and percussion. A high achiever indeed.

One certainly could not fault their music. However, I found the programme too long, too esoteric.  A few pieces in a programme made up of more popular pieces would have been more enjoyable and less demanding of the audience on a hot and humid summer's evening.

Simone Mizzi  redeemed the evening with her speech in which she spoke in English, French, Maltese and Italian. Also the 'new' executive president of Din l'Art Helwa, Prof. Alex Torpiano did not mince his words even if I don't remember what he said. But in an interview he gave in April he points his finger squarely at the Planning Authority and at politicians as the biggest culprits of the mess our environment is in. I shouldn't think he has changed his views since then.

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