Diving: The clear blue waters make Malta an excellent base - for the novice to the experienced.

Expect to pay about £150 for a four-day course. I had my first dive - 20 feet down, it was an experience to remember!

Have you ever tried putting a wet suit on? I struggled heroically at the headquarters of SubwayScuba for about five minutes before finally succeeding.

YES!! I thought. Then Press colleague Nick Hyde told me gleefully: "You've put it on the wrong way around. The zip should be at the back!"

Ten minutes later I was ready . . . only to be told to undress as we had a 15 minute drive to the dive site at Popeye Bay.

The rain began to fall as we struggled to don our suits by the quay and I was already beginning to think - this is not such a good idea.

Then came the lead weights around our waists, the heavy oxygen cyclinders, the masks, and the huge flippers for our feet. We looked the part, but appearances came be deceptive, as I was soon to discover.

Chosen to go in first from our party of five, I felt fairly comfortable floating on the surface, tentatively ducking my head under the surface.

Then came the great moment. And down I went, accompanied by an expert from the subway school. An Australian chap, stopping off on the island during a trip around Europe had been nominated as the rescue diver (which I thought a bit ominous) and he was waiting at the bottom.

The pre-arranged hand signals allowed me to show I was okay. But in reality I wasn't. The current was knocking me this way and that, and whenever I tried to steady myself the flippers became stuck in the sand, making my attempts to stay upright even more difficult.

After about half an hour (or was it three or four minutes!) I decided enough was enough and signalled I wanted to go up.

Unfortunately I had forgotten the schooling and every time I signalled with my thumb to go up, my colleagues thought I was saying I was okay!

Eventually, my agitation became apparent and I was led gently to the surface.

Back on dry land, I began to take my wet suit off, but just when I thought I had completed this task successfully, I realised I had forgotten to unzip the ankles.

Hobbling around with the suit around my ankles I suddenly realised . . . diving was not for me.

But it was an experience I'm glad I tried and would recommend anybody to have a go. Out of five who went on the trip, three had a fantastic time, swimming with the fishes,

and were truly exhilarated by the experience . . .

Click HERE for more information on SubwayScuba

Horse-riding: Experienced guides take you on coastal paths with great views over the sea. The horses lead, you follow.

Try Jimmy The Horse at JohnMaryHouse, Triq il_Bdiewa, Bidnija, L/O Mosta. Tel 41410. Mobile: 0947 7227

Quad Biking: Great excitement for a couple of hours away from the pool.

For more information about Malta, especially outdoor activities available,click HERE

To book a holiday click HERE and follow the links to all the major operators