The DWP stopped Marie’s pension when she was in hospital in Cyprus, and her local authority is now taking her to court over her council tax

Advertisement

An 84 year old stranded in Cyprus after becoming ill, whose pension was stopped for being out of the UK too long, is being taken to court for not paying council tax. Marie Collins, from Narborough, Norfolk, flew out to the island for a fortnight’s holiday in September. But after she developed a serious chest infection, doctors told her she was not fit to return home.

She has not received any pension payments since the beginning of November. She said she has been told this was because the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) thought she had died.

Breckland District Council is also taking her to court because they say she owes £875 in council tax. Marie was ordered to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court – but she remains stranded in Cyprus with no funds to get home.

A spokesperson for Breckland District Council said that they were unable to comment on individual cases. They added: “We can confirm that when we are notified that a resident’s circumstances have changed, it will trigger a reassessment of their council tax bill and their eligibility for support and discounts.

“We have a responsibility to collect council tax from all our residents and to pursue any missed payments on behalf of the public purse. However, we always take a collaborative approach with individuals and work with them to understand their individual situation.”

Marie, currently living with friends, is still awaiting clarification from the DWP regarding her pension payments. After recovering from the chest infection, she suffered a fall and has since undergone physiotherapy, but still has limited use of her hand and “no pressure” in her fingers, leaving her unable to write properly, reports the Mirror.

She stated that doctors provided letters confirming she was unfit to fly, and both local and specialist medical evidence was sent to the DWP. Despite repeated contact from Marie, her niece, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy, and the British Consulate in Cyprus, her payments remain suspended.

Mr Jermy expressed his commitment to assisting Marie as a “matter of priority”. “My team and I are actively supporting Marie and have been pursuing every possible way of getting this situation resolved for her as a matter of priority,” the MP said.

However, Marie said: “They have still not given me a penny after five months. This keeps going around in circles. The DWP is just making excuses. They assumed I was dead.”

The ongoing struggle has taken a toll on Marie’s physical and mental health. “I don’t know how much longer I can live going on like this,” she said.

Marie recounted spending “weeks and weeks” attempting to reach the DWP’s offices by phone, often waiting on hold for hours before being disconnected. She asked her niece in Yorkshire to intervene on her behalf, but was told that the department could not speak to her niece without power of attorney.

Marie organised the necessary documents and dispatched them via recorded delivery in early January. Although tracking confirmed its arrival, her niece was subsequently informed that the department had no record of it and remained unable to discuss the case. At one point, Marie stated she was unable to make international calls due to exhausting her mobile credit, leaving WhatsApp as her sole means of communication.

The DWP has been approached for a response.

Professor Tim Spector has shared that these supplements may help lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes

Advertisement

A nutrition expert has revealed a widely-available supplement that may help reduce the likelihood of a severe health condition. According to Professor Tim Spector, regularly taking this tablet could lower your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

However, he admitted that we still don’t “fully understand” how this supplement works. And certain research indicates it might not be as advantageous as some claim.

During an episode of the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast, Prof Spector explored the possible health advantages of taking vitamin D. Prof Spector, an epidemiologist and Zoe’s founder, detailed how scientific evidence regarding vitamin D’s effects has changed through the years.

This included vitamin D’s use for osteoporosis – a condition that weakens bones, leaving them fragile and at greater risk of breaking. He said: “I was a big promoter of vitamin D back in the day for osteoporosis.

“The early studies of vitamin D showed that it worked. And everybody worried about osteoporosis, trying to prevent it, should be on vitamin D medication. But when it actually got to the big studies with fractures, there was no difference.

“And that’s now why osteoporosis experts know that vitamin D is not useful for the vast majority of people in preventing fractures.” The Royal Osteoporosis Society confirms on its website that vitamin D assists your body in absorbing and utilising calcium, which maintains your bones and muscles “strong”.

Additionally, the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG) states that calcium and vitamin D support bone health. However, it recognises there is “little” evidence that vitamin D supplementation by itself decreases fracture occurrence, though it “may reduce falls risk”.

Prof Spector added: “It’s been promoted for a hundred different diseases, and I would say in 98 of them, it’s complete rubbish. It’s probably useful if you’re at risk of multiple sclerosis, reduces by a few hours if you take it during a viral infection.”

Vitamin D and diabetes

Prof Spector then summarised the connection between vitamin D and diabetes. He said: “But the latest studies show that it can reduce your risk of getting type 2 diabetes.

“So it’s a really interesting compound, which we still don’t understand.” A meta-analysis of research published in Diabetes Care journal in 2020 discovered that among people with pre-diabetes, consuming vitamin D could decrease the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

During the research, the team identified eight suitable trials involving a total of 4,896 participants. They discovered that vitamin D supplementation “significantly reduced” the risk of type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

This advantage was observed in non-obese participants but not amongst obese participants. The reversal of prediabetes to normal blood sugar levels (normoglycaemia) was seen in 116 of 548 (21.2 per cent) participants in the vitamin D group and 75 of 532 (14.1 per cent) in the control group. The study’s authors stated: “Results from this meta-analysis show that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of T2DM in participants with prediabetes. Reversion of prediabetes to normoglycaemia was significantly increased by vitamin D supplementation.

Advertisement

“The benefit of the prevention of T2DM appears to be confined to non-obese subjects. Individual participant data meta-analyses are needed to confirm the overall result and identify subgroups that benefit the most from supplementation.”

Another study, published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences in 2025, found: “Moreover, vitamin D has been reported to reduce the likelihood of developing diabetes by 15 per cent, particularly in doses higher than the traditional recommendations for bone health. Despite promising evidence, discrepancies in study designs, serum vitamin D measurements, and population-specific factors highlight the need for standardised methodologies and personalised approaches.

“In conclusion, vitamin D has complementary therapeutic potential in treating type 2 diabetes, revealing gaps in research, such as optimal dosing and long-term effects across populations.” However, a different review of studies, published in Cureus in 2022, discovered that “most studies” examining this topic demonstrated “no significant improvement” in blood sugar levels amongst type 2 diabetes patients.

The study’s authors stated: “Most studies conducted to discuss the effects of vitamin D on glucose metabolism supported the hypothesis that appropriate vitamin D supplementation may improve the metabolic regulation of glucose levels in type 1 diabetes; in contrast, most of the studies showed no significant improvement in the levels of hemoglobin A1C in type 2 diabetes with supplementation of vitamin D. As the prevalence of diabetes rises and vitamin D insufficiency is quite common, more investigations and research are required to figure out the exact link between vitamin D and diabetes.”

READ MORE: Dr Amir Khan shares liver issue that ‘most people don’t know they have’READ MORE: People with poor eyesight could be due up to £749 each month in PIP or ADP

NHS guidance

The NHS explains that vitamin D is essential for maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles. It warns: “A lack of vitamin D can lead to bone deformities such as rickets in children, and bone pain caused by a condition called osteomalacia in adults.”

The majority of our vitamin D comes from exposure to sunlight. Consequently, Government guidance recommends that everyone should consider taking a daily vitamin D supplement throughout the autumn and winter months.

The NHS website makes no reference to any connection between vitamin D supplements and diabetes risk. Should you decide to take vitamin D supplements, 10 micrograms daily will be “enough” for the majority of people.

The health body advises: “Do not take more than 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D a day as it could be harmful.” This guidance applies to adults, including expectant and nursing mothers and elderly people, as well as children aged 11 to 17 years. Youngsters between one and 10 years old shouldn’t exceed 50 micrograms (2,000 IU) daily. Babies under 12 months shouldn’t have more than 25 micrograms (1,000 IU) per day.

Civil unrest in the US, stock market chaos and ‘the destruction of Europe’ are just some of the consequences of Donald Trump’s attack on Iran, warns Professor Jiang Xueqin

The Beijing-based academic who has earned himself the nickname “The Chinese Nostradamus” thanks to his uncannily accurate predictions of geopolitical events has laid out a chilling timeline for the next few years. Jiang Xueqin’s outline for the next “two to four years” culminates in a dramatic change in the world order that will include “the destruction of Europe”.

Professor Jiang uses a synthesis of detailed historical analysis and game theory to predict the outcomes of current world events with astounding accuracy. He has already seen two relatively recent predictions come true with startling accuracy. In 2024, he correctly anticipated that Donald Trump would win the election of that year.

He then predicted that if Trump did become president again, there “will be a very strong likelihood that the United States will go to war with Iran”. Both, as we now know, are totally accurate.

And now he has made eight more chilling predictions amid the current conflict in Iran.

1. US will use ground troops

In a new lecture, he predicts the US will be forced to deploy ground troops in order to retain control of Iran, which is a vast and mountainous territory four times the size of neighbouring Iraq. That, Professor Jiang maintains, will lead to the kind of domestic unrest we saw over Vietnam in the 1960s, when thousands of young Americans refused to be drafted into what they saw as an unjust war.

“A lot of young people are going to refuse to fight in this war. And this is going to create protest,” Professor Jiang predicts. “Then America will have no choice but to deploy the National Guard. And this will create the recipe for a lot of civil conflict in America.”

But the fallout from President Trump’s so-called “excursion” into the Middle East will have much more far-reaching consequences than that, he says.

2. Destruction of the GCC

Professor Jiang says the Gulf Cooperation Council [GCC] – an economic and military alliance that unites Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in a broadly US-friendly coalition – will be obliterated.

“What’s happening in this war is that the economies of the GCC are being destroyed and that’s part of the plan,” he says.

Unconfirmed reports from within the US military have said that US troops involved in the Iran conflict have been told by their commanders that President Trump was “anointed by Jesus” to wage a holy war against Iran — even saying this could trigger Armageddon and mark Christ’s return.

Professor Jiang says this obsession with the End of the World, what is known as eschatology, is prevalent among the Evangelical Christians who have come to dominate the current US administration.

3. Turkey & Saudi Arabia will enter the war

This, he theorises, forms the background to the next phase of the conflict. He explained: “The third thing we can expect is that Turkey and Saudi Arabia will enter the war… because you want to use this war to weaken opposition to these eschatologies.”

Involvement in the war against Iran will do serious harm to Turkey, as it will the GCC nations, Jiang warns.

Taken together with Turkey’s involvement in the Iranian conflict, this represents disaster for America’s former allies. “We can expect the destruction of Europe—the end of NATO basically,” Jiang warns.

Advertisement

4. The Al-Aqsa Mosque will be destroyed

One of Islam’s holiest sites, the Al-Aqsa mosque lies at the very heart of Jerusalem. Professor Jiang pointed out this important site has long been a source of dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.

In April 2024, during a wave of Iranian strikes against Israel, Iran’s then-supreme leader Ali Khamenei tweeted in Hebrew: “Al-Quds [an Arabic name for Jerusalem] will be in the hands of the Muslims.” With fresh tensions between Israel and Iran, Professor Jiang believes the mosque is likely to be be massively damaged or destroyed.

5. The Rise of Persia

The professor adds that as Iran continues to fight against impossible odds, its leaders will re-embrace its ancient name of Persia.

That, again, connects to the eschatological analysis of the situation – that this current conflict is a prelude to a wider war that ends with Persian and Russian forces uniting to face a joint Israeli force at Armageddon – now known as as Tel Megiddo – in northern Israel.

6. Israel ascendant

Jiang believes that, as America’s economy is eclipsed, some multinational corporations will gravitate more to Israel: “Think of companies like Nvidia, Oracle, Microsoft, Google. They’ll probably transfer themselves to Israel because that is where the power will rest.”

7. Russian victory in Ukraine

With America bogged down in Iran, and NATO fatally compromised thanks to infighting over the Strait of Hormuz, Jiang says that, President Putin will take advantage of the growing chaos to finally defeat Ukraine.

8. Destruction of Europe

The ultimate endgame of all of these machinations, Jiang says, is a Europe hemmed in by Russia on one side and Iran – now occupying all or part of Turkey – on the other.

Against these two massive adversaries – both of which have advanced drone and cyber-warfare assets – Europe is unlikely to survive.

He adds that it’s entirely possible that Donald Trump could simply realise his mistake and withdraw his forces from the region, attempting to reassure his MAGA base that the military adventure achieved its objectives.

But even that apparently sensible move, Jiang says, carries a hidden penalty. He explained: “What happens is that Iran says to GCC, ‘Hey man, you attacked us. You destroyed our infrastructure. You destroyed our economy. You have to pay compensation.’”

Given Iran’s effective control of the Straits of Hormuz — the sole conduit for around 20% of the world’s crude oil — it could extract a toll from the oil-producing nations in order to extract this “compensation.”

That would make a significant dent in the US economy. Professor Jiang added: “So all this money from the GCC, before it’s going to United States to fuel the US economy… it goes to Iran.”

The outcome, Jiang suggests, is a resurgent Iran that uses its newfound wealth to industrialise and rebuild on an unprecedented scale, becoming the pre-eminent superpower in the Middle East “in five to 10 years.”

The rational move for Israel’s leaders at that point, Jiang says, would be to make some sort of peace deal with the Iranians. Meanwhile, the US economy could suffer enormously. He added: “Because the entire US economy is based on the stock market, on finance, on AI, on investment from the GCC.”

This may leave Trump with an impossible choice: commit ground troops to invade Iran and face a long and bloody war that will inevitably be a political disaster at home, or withdraw from the region and suffer almost inevitable economic collapse.

While either outcome will strike fear into the hearts of more rational US lawmakers, the evangelical voices that increasingly hold sway over Trump’s inner circle will see these disastrous results as a way to hasten the Second Coming of Jesus as predicted in the Book of Revelation, Jiang claims.

With Iran also dominated by theological influences, the prospect of a measured, diplomatic approach to this crisis seems remote. And if Jiang’s predictions are correct, the second half of the 2020s looks to be a very dangerous time for the entire world.

Sometimes, a trend is born from the most practical of sources: convenience. The penchant for doubling up bags seen outside fashion shows from London to New York, Paris and Milan, and on the catwalk at Fendi, is a case in point. One of the best examples of this was a London Fashion Week attendee pairing a cherry red calfskin Chloe clutch with a larger, slouchier tote in large-scale leopard print. Did she do it because the duo looked chic, or simply because she had more to carry than the clutch allowed? Who cares. The point is, why carry one fab bag when you could carry two?

As we move beyond the weekend, the weather looks set to give us a reminder that we are still in early spring – with high pressure expected to decline and chilly conditions due to make a return.

After a largely dry Monday, a band of rain is likely to sweep southeastwards during Tuesday.

Behind it, the winds will turn northerly bringing a surge of cold air, with temperatures expected to fall below the seasonal average in many locations.

While there will be some sunshine there will also be showers – which could even turn wintry over hills in the north of the UK.

You can always keep up to date with the changing spring weather prospects where you are by having a look at the BBC Weather website and app.

Erica Dixon, 26, from Lartington near Barnard Castle, hopes to become the fastest and youngest female runner with a learning disability (II1) to complete a marathon.

She said: “Running London has always been an ambition of mine, having previously completed the Manchester Marathon twice.

“Sport plays such a huge part in my life and I run, swim, play, and compete in as many Special Olympics GB competitions as I can around the country.”

Ms Dixon, a member of Special Olympics Teesdale, is one of 10 athletes representing Special Olympics GB at this year’s marathon.

The team is raising funds for the movement’s National Summer Games, where Ms Dixon hopes to compete in swimming, golf, and athletics.

She said: “Having been part of Special Olympics GB for more than 10 years, it’s fantastic to join other athletes and be part of the first ever team to run London.

“Hopefully our achievements will inspire other people with learning disabilities to get involved in sport and join a local club.”

Special Olympics GB uses the power of sport to change the lives of children and adults with a learning disability.

This year marks the organisation’s first National Summer Games since the pandemic, featuring eight single-sport competitions and a seven-sport, five-day event in Birmingham at the end of August.

Ms Dixon has been preparing for the London Marathon with other competitive events, including the Olympics Park Series 10K and the Middlesborough Half Marathon.

She will run the marathon with support runner Rhys Foster.

Both are members of Teesdale Athletics Club.

The team is also raising funds to help Special Olympics GB deliver its National Summer Games, which will give up to 1,700 children and adults with intellectual disabilities the chance to compete on a national stage.

David Raya has revealed that he was ‘very close’ to joining Bayern Munich instead of Arsenal.

Arsenal signed Raya on a season-long loan from Brentford in August 2023 and then made the deal permanent the following year for £27 million.

The Spanish goalkeeper has been a pivotal figure in Mikel Arteta’s side this season as they remain in contention to win four trophies, starting with the Carabao Cup this Sunday.

When asked about his decision to join Arsenal, Raya revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that a move to Bayern was also an option.

‘Just obviously the coach, the philosophy that when they came for me, the project that was there, the club was rising,’ Raya said.

‘I just wanted to make a big step in my career coming from Brentford and I think Arsenal was the best team to do it.

‘Obviously it was raising such a young squad as well and I think it was the best choice I’ve made to come to this club.

‘I was very close to go to another club but obviously everything happened with Arsenal because it was right in between and everything. I was very, very close to going to another club but luckily it didn’t happen and Arsenal in the end made the bid and I came here.’

Declan Rice and Thierry Henry praise David Raya

Declan Rice: ‘He deserves every bit of credit he’s getting. I wish people could come in every day and see how he trains. Because the intensity he trains at and the level that he trains at there’s no reason why he’s not doing what he’s doing on the pitch it’s incredible to see him every day. The effort he makes with the lads, he’s turned into a real leader for us and when you’ve got a keeper like that it gives everyone confidence and yes, he’s incredible.’

Advertisement

Thierry Henry: ‘This guy should be in contention to be player of the season because of what he does for Arsenal every single time. It’s very difficult sometimes to see what a goalkeeper does because he cannot always make you win the game. He can make you hope that you’re not losing it by making saves, but he does that two to three times every single game. It’s just outstanding.’

Asked to name the club, Raya replied: ‘It was Bayern Munich.’

Raya was also asked to name the toughest player he comes up against in training with Arsenal.

‘I would say probably Gabriel Jesus because he’s so technical, he can do anything inside the box,’ Raya replied.

‘It’s so, so tricky to go one versus one with him. He’s a flair player, he’s Brazilian, he has so much technique.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: Enzo Fernandez slams Chelsea board over Enzo Maresca exit

MORE: Rio Ferdinand tells Manchester United to sign ‘wonderful’ £80m midfielder instead of Bruno Guimaraes

MORE: Bournemouth 2-2 Manchester United: Junior Kroupi penalty rescues draw after Harry Maguire red card

Justin Timberlake struggled to perform field sobriety tests requiring him to walk a straight line and stand on one leg after he was pulled over in New York’s Hamptons in 2024 by police officers who suspected him of driving drunk, according to video footage released Friday.

The pop star tells officers at one point, “these are like really hard tests.”

The footage, which runs roughly eight hours, includes Timberlake’s initial stop after Sag Harbor police said he ran a stop sign in the village center, veered out of his lane and got out of his BMW smelling of alcohol that June.

The NSYNC singer-turned-solo artist and actor tells officers he had consumed one martini and had been following friends home in the former whaling village, which is among the affluent beach towns of the Hamptons, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) east of New York City.

When an officer asks why he is in town, Timberlake says, “I’m on a world tour.”

“Doing what?” the officer asks.

“Hard to explain,” Timberlake says.

After stammering a bit, he says “World tour. I’m Justin Timberlake.”

The officer eventually responds: “You are Justin Timberlake? Do you have a license with you?”

Timberlake, who ultimately pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, is asked by officers to walk heel-to-toe in a straight line on the road and lift one leg. At times he seems flustered listening to the instructions. He apologizes to officers and tells them his heart is racing.

“I’m a little nervous,” Timberlake says at one point.

In the back seat of the police car, he asks: “Why are you arresting me?”

Back at the police station, Timberlake is informed he will be held overnight, to which he says, “I’m going to be here all night? You guys are wild, man.”

He asks the officer to keep the light on in the cell as they lock the door.

The release by Sag Harbor Police comes after the village and Timberlake’s lawyers agreed to disclose a redacted version of the footage. The Associated Press was among several media outlets that filed a records request seeking the release of the video.

Timberlake’s lawyers had sued to block the release of the video, arguing it would “devastate” Timberlake’s privacy by revealing “intimate, highly personal, and sensitive details.” They also said it would cause “severe and irreparable harm” to his reputation by subjecting him to “public ridicule and harassment.”

But in a joint filing with the village Friday, Timberlake’s lawyers acknowledged the video “does not constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy under” the state’s public information law and agreed to its release.

Timberlake’s lawyers and representatives didn’t immediately respond to emails seeking comment Friday.

Sag Harbor officials, in a statement provided by the village’s lawyer, Vincent Toomey, said they are pleased the matter was resolved and they were able to comply with state public records law.

“From the beginning of this matter, after Mr. Timberlake’s arrest, the Village has attempted to comply with the mandates of the Freedom of Information Law,” the statement reads. “As would be true in any case involving records or video footage from our Police Department, such material is reviewed and redacted to address public and officer safety concerns as well as personal privacy considerations.”

Timberlake pleaded guilty to impaired driving in September 2024.

The Tennessee native agreed to give a public safety announcement against the perils of drunken driving as part of the plea deal that knocked down his initial misdemeanor charge to a noncriminal traffic violation.

He was also sentenced to a $500 fine, 25 hours of community service and a 90-day suspension of his license.

___

Hill reported from Albany.

___

Follow Philip Marcelo at twitter.com/philmarcelo.

The stunning Maltese island of Gozo boasts dramatic cliffs, crystal-clear waters, and 300 days of sunshine a year

When jetting off to a European destination during the winter months, travellers can’t predict too much about the kind of weather they’ll encounter.

Recently, Holly Clarke from the Liverpool Echo took a gamble with the weather and set off on a trip to Malta. Not only did she luck out in terms of climate, but the Mediterranean archipelago turned out to be an absolute gem.

From wandering the streets of the silent city of Mdina to soaking up the buzz and activity of the capital city, Valletta, there truly is something for everyone. This includes vibrant nightlife in St Julian’s, the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Lagoon, and enough churches on the island for every day of the year.

Holly left Manchester Airport at 7am and was strolling around the stunning Balluta Bay by 12pm. Flights are also readily available from John Lennon Airport and various other airports across the UK.

The Republic of Malta comprises three islands: Malta, Gozo and Comino. Whilst Malta has the largest population of the three at around 574,000, Gozo has just 39,287 residents, with only two inhabitants on the island of Comino.

Before she knew it, Holly was embarking on a ferry journey to the island of Gozo, which is in the process of developing a new £2million airport set to significantly reduce travel times from Malta. For now, the ferry service is direct and costs around 5 Euros for a return ticket.

Within a mere 20 minutes, she found herself on the stunning, less-visited island. The 26-square-mile expanse is renowned for its rugged landscape and breathtaking scenery, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. It offers everything from delectable seafood, awe-inspiring views, to crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming.

Gozo is an outdoor enthusiast’s paradise with its dramatic cliffs and deep valleys. Another perk of the island is that it enjoys 300 days of sunshine – a fact that clinched the deal for Holly!

Many tourists opt to spend a night or two on the island, but Holly knew she only had a day, so there was no time to waste. Her chosen mode of transport was a tuk-tuk, provided by Yippee Malta, which she thoroughly enjoyed.

Holly was chauffeured around by Joe, a lifelong resident of the island. As she sat in the back of the tuk-tuk, Holly admired the beautiful hills, which reminded her of the striking landscapes back in the UK. The key difference was the clear blue sky and bright yellow sun piercing through the clouds, a sight she hadn’t seen for several months back in England.

First on the agenda was a visit to a bay called Mgarr ix Xini for a climbing and abseiling experience, facilitated by Gozo Adventures. It offered the perfect opportunity to tap into a more adventurous spirit whilst taking in the breathtaking views of the valley.

Having never climbed before, it’s fair to say Holly’s legs were shaking slightly as she looked up at the peak of the valley she was supposed to be scaling. However, after watching Cornil from Gozo Adventures’ comprehensive demonstration, Holly gave it her all and felt fantastic afterwards. Having worked up an appetite, it was time for Holly’s favourite part of any trip: the food. She hopped into a vehicle and headed to a marina restaurant, Il-Kartell. The seafood eatery was the perfect spot for lunch, located on the waterfront, offering views of the shimmering Mediterranean waters.

The restaurant prides itself on being “casual dining by the sea”, so she chose the Linguini Al Kartell and she wasn’t disappointed. It will go down as one of the most memorable pasta dishes she has ever savoured.

It’s clear from just a few short hours on the island that life there is unhurried. Back home, it’s easy to find yourself grabbing a sandwich during your commute to work, or sometimes forgetting to grab anything at all.

In Malta and Gozo, both locals and tourists typically spend an hour or two relishing lunch. Starting with bread and olive oil, moving onto a pasta dish, and finishing with a double espresso, it was refreshing to take the time to slow down and appreciate the world a little more.

However, there was no room for a mid-afternoon slump as there was so much to discover before the ferry ride back to Malta. Next on the itinerary were the Qbajjar Salt Pans.

The northern coastline is characterised by a grid of rock-cut saltpans that are 350-years-old. They are fascinating to see and are also rich in history, part of the centuries-old Gozitan tradition of sea-salt production that has been passed down through many generations. On the eastern side of the island lies Għar tal-Mixta. Situated high above Ramla Bay, the cave offered the most breathtaking panoramic views of the bay and the coastline.

The cave can be reached via a brief 15-minute walk from Ramla Bay beach, and it’s certainly a must-see on a visit to Gozo if you’re able to make the trip. Holly entered the cave through a narrow gap in the rocks, then descended a few steps to one of the most spectacular views she has ever seen.

It was quite busy with other visitors, even for this time of year, so she patiently waited her turn to snap a photo overlooking the bay.

A visit to Gozo wouldn’t be complete without experiencing the iconic Citadel. Perched on a steep hill, the Citadel is a fortified city that dominates the Gozian skyline, visible from across the island.

Located in Victoria, also known as Rabat, the capital of Gozo, the Citadel stands as one of the island’s most recognisable landmarks. The Citadel was once a thriving city before being transformed into a castle during the Middle Ages. Many of the ancient houses and palaces here have been renovated into museums and shops, making it a favourite destination for tourists.

Entry is free, and you could spend hours delving into its intriguing history and exploring its main attractions. We marvelled at the Cathedral of the Assumption, built entirely from local limestone. A simple walk around the Citadel offers panoramic views of the entire island of Gozo. For just 5 Euros, you can also explore the museums and historical sites on offer. Sadly, it was time to catch the ferry back to Malta, otherwise she could have easily spent several more hours here.

Had Holly stayed overnight, watching the sunset at the Citadel or taking an early morning dip in the crystal-clear waters would have been the perfect conclusion to the trip.

Book it

For more information, visit visitmalta.com/en.

Holly stayed at the Malta Marriot Resort & Spa, with room rates starting from £147.

Ryanair operates flights from Manchester Airport to Malta starting at £42, and from Liverpool John Lennon starting at £32.

KM Malta Airlines offers flights from Heathrow to Malta starting at £111 and from Gatwick commencing at £86.