The Basic Construction
A dry-stacked stone wall consists of two vertical stacks of larger stones with the space between them filled with rubble and earth. The sides are tied together every few feet with a bond stone that spans the entire thickness of the wall. The average wall is three feet high with a base at least two feet thick. If a higher wall is built, at least 8 inches of thickness has to be added to the base for each foot of height. Other necessities are that the wall sits in a six-inch trench, and that the ends and faces of the wall slope slightly inwards, just half an inch for every foot of height. Dry-stacked stone walls are built without mortar relying on friction, gravity, and the interlocking of the individual stones to hold the wall together. While construction techniques are straightforward, the stones may require some cutting and shaping to create good interlocking fits. The limestone rubble found on the island is easy to cut. When you are gathering the stones, look for angular shapes. Save the largest stones for the base course, the squarest ones for the ends and corners, and the flattest ones for the cap. Small and rounded stones are still collected as they are used for the rubble in the centre of the wall.

Traditional Games
Twice a week Gozo Adventures and Ta Mena estate offer opportunity to tour the estate and to learn about the farm and its produce. Also on offer is the chance to try your hand at ‘Bocci ‘and ‘Brilli’, two traditional Gozitan games still played on the island. Also included is archery – with targets located amongst the vines, and a thrilling go-cart ride down the hill of the Estate!

Fruit and Vegetable Picking
Get involved in fruit and vegetable picking and experience the preparation of traditional food products. Tour the island with Gozo Adventures to collect ingredients and learn to preserve them in the traditional pre-fridge freezers tradition of sun drying – using the Mediterranean sun and natural preservatives to stock up for winter.