Cambridge University Footy Presentation Dinner

In the middle of April Gemma and I headed back to Cambridge for the Cambridge University Aussie Rules Presentation Dinner. It was a black tie affair, which I was woefully under prepared for. I did my best to obtain the correct attire for the evening, but alas came up wanting. So I wore a ...black tie.

This is a good photo of Gemma and I. The photos taken later on progressively show my inability to stand with her support.

The dinner was held at Downing College with a champagne reception, free flowing wine, and an awesome two course meal. Not surprisingly a large part of the night was presentations. Speeches were made, medals were presented, and the msot skilled and best-looking of the players won individual prizes. 

The dinner

Now, I am not going to lie, I was a little tipsy by the time the presentation part of the evening rolled around so I am a bit unsure of all the individual winners. Sandy won the MVP, Phil (the other Phil) won something, and I got the Golden Trowel!

Using the Golden Trowel to eat dessert.

There was a whole big story to the Golden Trowel. It was used to dig the holes in the footy ground to put up the goal posts and they stumbled across a skeleton (or something like that). The trowel is now given out to best newcomer each season. Donal proudly told Gemma and I that he had won it the previous year, snatched the trowel to show us where his name was engraved, and then sheepishly remembered he had gotten outrageously drunk at the presentation dinner and lost the original Golden Trowel. Mine was the replacement.

The team.

Finally, after copious amounts of wine and a plethora of team photos we hit the town. I don't remember much from this except been a demon on the dance floor. Most importantly the Golden Trowel survived the trip to the club.

 Donal, Aoife, Phil (the other Phil), and me. Proud to say I am yet to lose the Trowel.

Malta: The Return of the Gatt

It was only a matter of time before I returned to Malta to do all the things I had missed previously. 

Advertising in Malta: Hilarious.

Part of my plan was to visit friends made from EF, but unfortunately many were either not there (Damn you Matt, Australia, really?!?) or busy studying for the uni exams. Not to be deterred I set out to see the rest of the greatest littlest island.

A deserted beach near Mehiella Bay.

There were some sites I specifically wanted to see. The Rotunda of Mosta was one such site. A magnificent church in Mosta. One of its claim to fame is that it boasts the third largest unsupported dome in the world, however, that is nothing compared to the miracle of WWII. 

The Mosta Dome, a small aberration can still be seen in the ceiling where the bomb crashed through (look straight up from the 'l' in ceiling and count about 6 diamonds up).

On April 9, 1942 over 300 locals were gathering for mass when a 500kg bomb crashed through the dome, bouncing amongst a congregation. Not only did the bomb not explode, but it did not injure a single person in the church.

A replica of the bomb.

I also found my way to some ancient sites including the places of worship Ħagar Qim and the Hypogeum of Ħal Saflieni and the prehistoric cave of Għar Dalam; all stuff I wanted to do the previous time I was in Malta. Ħagar Qim is a temple complex built in 3600-3200 BC, one of the oldest in the world. Like many ancient temples it has doors and markings that line up with heavenly movements and solstices and was built of massively heavy stones (like 20 tonnes heavy). 

A 20 tonne rock.

The Hypogeum is the only prehistoric temple in world and it is estimated to have been dug between 3300-3000 BC. In Għar Dalam the bones of many pygmy prehistoric animals were found, such as mini elephants, rhinos, dear and bear. Yup, Malta had elephants and they were bonsai!

The entrance to Ħagar Qim.

I went on a couple of runs around Malta. One on the southwest coast from Dingli cliffs to Wied iz-Zurrieq. 

The cliffs at Dingli, and, in the distance, the radar.

This took in the cliffs, a radar station, the church of St Mary Magdalene, bronze-age village sites, 19th century aqueducts, and the beach at Wied iz-Zurrieq.

Me with a Peregrine Falcon (cross) at Wied iz-Zurrieq.

I followed another one on the north east coast from St Paul's Bay to St Agatha's Tower. Here I went past Selmun Palace, 18th century farming houses, Mehiella Bay WWII pillboxes, and St Agatha's Tower.

St Agatha's Fort.

I also happened across some places awesome I had never really expected to go. One of which was the Chapel of St Paul the Hermit hidden in the valley of  Wied Il-Ghasel. This was particular hard to find and get to. I had to enter and leave the valley by sneaking past a military munitions depot. I tried to leave a different way to where I entered by scrambling up the sides of the valley but the paths I followed led nowhere, and I managed to drop a massive rock on my shin (scarred to this day).

The hidden Chapel of St Paul the Hermit.

Another was Fort Rinella at Kalkarra, I would have to say one the best tourist destinations I have ever been to. Not only was there a 100 ton gun, but they held awesome demonstrations on WWII fighting techniques such as bayonet drills. 

Small Nation with a massive gun!

The BEST part was their armoury. Not only did you get to look at a variety armour, swords, crossbows, and guns but you could pick them up and wear them. To top it off, the employee I spoke to had a in depth knowledge of swords technology and development. 

Sign me up for the tourism industry!

I asked a simple question about the broad sword I was holding and BAM! I learnt about the reasons behind the many different sword types on display. It was awesome. 

Gladiator Gatt

If only I hadn't left Baiky at home. He does love cannons...