Before that, it was out of bounds to civilians because it was used by the British Army for training and R&R, but I would say that the steps were there even then.

My children were practically raised on that beach along with many of their contemporaries and it was always just us – mothers and children – and maybe a few young tourists and random Maltese, plus the usual perverts hiding in the bushes, who the children knew to avoid.

That was in the early 1990s. The human floods began in the late 1990s.

I am the right sort of age and with the requisite beach experience to actually remember the trajectory. It really had nothing to do with paths or accessibility because all beaches were practically empty in the late 1980s and early 1990s, even Golden Sands and Paradise Bay (yes, Paradise Bay).

The real reason is the mass adoption of ‘going to the beach’ by great swathes of younger members of the population who grew up in households and environments where going to the beach wasn’t something they did at all.

‘Going to the beach’ was a habit and custom only coastal people had – and they wouldn’t generally get into cars and drive to the beach every day, but just cross the road for a dip.

I could write a paper on ‘Rajt Il-Beaches Jinbidlu’, including customs and practices.

In the early years (late 1990s) you could immediately distinguish between the people for whom ‘going to the beach’ was something fairly new, and those who practically grew up on the beach, like me and my friends at the time. All we had were our towels and flip-flops and a piece of cloth called a sarong or whatever to tie around our waist to get back to the car, while they came down equipped with picnic coolers, deckchairs, umbrellas, drinks, lilos, all kinds of inflatable equipment for the children, radios & c & c.

It was fascinating.

Ic-Cumnija is further north than Fomm ir-Rih. I think you’re confusing Fomm ir-Rih with Anchor Bay. Between Anchor Bay and Fomm ir-Rih there are three further bays; Golden Bay, Ghajn Tuffieha (Riviera), and Gnejna Bay. Indeed, Anchor bay used to be filthy before the sewage treatment plant. Fomm ir-Rih has always been very clean.

No, there is no gate. The access to the beach is not from villa. There is a public pathway that leads down from Bahrija.

The villa does have its own private access to the beach but that’s not the main access.

I go to Fomm ir-Rih very often. Many times I’m the only one there. It is so peaceful, calm, and the people who go there are generally very respectful of one another.

It is indeed my favourite beach. The access to it (from Bahrija) is perfectly fine and there is absolutely no need for improvement.

I agree perfectly that the area would be totally ruined.

Right now the Fomm ir-Rih bay is accessible through a rugged path down from the opposite side of the villa (nothing too difficult).

There’s also a little flat area half way down to the bay where you can pitch a tent.

Of course, in an island where “ipparkjat il-boghod” means more than two minutes’ walk to the car, people don’t appreciate the reward of hiking towards a quiet, natural space.

So if it’s not easy to get to, then it’s a waste and we have to somehow make sure we get the best value out of it.

It’s a question of national interest, eh.

And if someone happens to start renting deckchairs too, well it’s boosting the economy, making it more of a national interest.

Of course, at 20 and 30 you can conquer paths you can’t at 50, but still I was never one for rock-climbing.