FORTRESS STUDY GROUP

STUDY TOUR to PROPOSED TIMETABLE (V.2) 2nd to 10th May 2017 Inclusive

Daily routine. It is proposed to leave the hotel daily at 0800 hours to take advantage of the cooler morning. Dawn is about 0600 hours and dusk at 1800 hours. Return to the hotel by 1800 hours or so with Dinner at 1930 hours. Pack lunches to be provided by the hotel. Ensure you keep hydrated.

2nd May Tuesday PM: Harbour Cruise

Approximately 1500 hours dedicated boat tour around the Grand and Marsamxett Harbours. The objective will to be a view of all the defences from the sea. Approximately 4 hours. Arranged by Hera Cruises, depart from near the hotel.

3rd May Wednesday Day 1 – Valetta

0800 hours Bus from Hotel to Valetta. 0900 hours alight Kings Gate and then walk to the Interpretation Centre. Half Hour to walk around the Interpretation Centre then presentation from Stephen Spiteri on the adaption of Fort Tigne and Fort Manouel to British use. Walk the walls to Fort St Elmo. 1300 to 1500 hours Fort St Elmo. Visit Museum, Upper and Lower Fort, and adjacent areas. 1500 to 1530 hours Visit to Boom Defence and walk around outside of St Elmo. 1530 to 1700 hours walk back to Kings Gate for bus and return to Hotel.

4th May Thursday Day 2 – Lascarris & Pembroke

0800 hours Bus from Hotel to Valetta 0900 hours alight near to St James and walk to Barrakka Gardens. Visit to the Cold War Control Room and WW2 area in Lascarris.

Also visit to the Victorian gun covering the harbor (we are not sure what remains of the racers etc if anything?). Visit to the Saluting Battery and two 80 pounder RML positions. Walk along the Valetta Land Front and St James Cavalier. 1330 hours bus to Pembroke. 1400 to 1445 hours (School to be confirmed) Then Pembroke Battery, Pembroke Barracks. Walk to Madalena Tower, only Knight’s Tower converted by the British to be a Marello Tower, 12-pounder on roof.

5th May Friday Day 3 – Manoel, Tigne &

0800 hour depart hotel for . 0900 to 1100 hours Fort Manoel 1130 to 1330 hours Fort Tigne, Torpedo and batteries 1400 to 1600 hours Fort (Military) 1600 to 1700 hours visit to Garghar HAF Battery

6th May Saturday Day 4 – Victoria Lines Times to be confirmed

Fort Madalena (Note Fort Madalena must be on a Saturday). San Giovanni Battery Ghargur Searchlight position Victoria Lines Dwejra Lines Kuncizzjoni Searchlight position & (BUS ACCESS?) Field Gun Battery positon

7th May Sunday Day 5 – The WEST

0800 hours bus from Hotel. 0900 to 1130 hours 1145 to 1330 hours and the 100-ton gun 1345 to 1445 hours Positon Finding Station and 3.7ins Battery at San Pedro (St Pauls) 1500 to 1600 hours Delle Grazie Battery 1600 to 1730 hours Fort San Leonardo 1730 to 1830 hours St Thomas Tower

1730 hours return to Hotel.

8th May

Monday Day 6 – The THREE CITIES: 0800 hours bus from hotel. 0900 to 1100 hours Fort St Angelo for presentation and visit to the fort 1130 to 1300 hours Fort Verdala and St Clements 1300 to 1400 hours St Edwards School. Old British Hospital and 16th Century Magazine. 1415 to 1515 hours visit to British Magazine at 1600 to 1700 hours Corradino Lines and Moncrieff positions.

9th May Tuesday Day 7 -South

0800 hours bus from Hotel 0900 to 1100 hours visit 1115 hours to 1215 hours (Time to be confirmed Woolsey Battery visit to the battery. 1230 to 1400 hours (Time to be confirmed) visit Fort Fort Tas-Sil 1400 to 1430 St Paul’s Battery 1445 to 1530 Fort St Lucian 1545 to 1700 Fort Benghiza

10th May Wednesday Day 8 (Optional)

0800 bus from Hotel 0900 to 1200 hours Lines including 80 pounder gun emplacements. 1300 1400 hours Mistra Battery 1400 to 1600 hours 1600 to 1700 hours to be determined.

On a daily basis each member should carry: (a) Water (b) Light snacks (c) Torch (d) List of contact numbers & addresses (e) 50 Euros in cash (f) Smart phones with ‘Roaming Deal’ if possible. For those interested we will use WhatsAPP for digital communication.

(g) The bus will leave on time, so if people are late they will be left to make their own way to the next location or find their own way back to the hotel.

2016.10.14