Usman-Smith
@usmansmith.bsky.social
Now enjoying Malta sun & sea.
A life behind me of curious change and interesting people.
From Mancunia and yet travelling in both time & space here.
Join me for the craic & childlike adulting.
A life behind me of curious change and interesting people.
From Mancunia and yet travelling in both time & space here.
Join me for the craic & childlike adulting.
Reece captured this character's story.
Etching spoken lines into his 'acting' face that seemed so real.
Telling that story in the same way a street artist somehow creates a living story in paint.
A story that sits on top of time worn bricks.
Both dress one face with the mask of another.
An artist.
Etching spoken lines into his 'acting' face that seemed so real.
Telling that story in the same way a street artist somehow creates a living story in paint.
A story that sits on top of time worn bricks.
Both dress one face with the mask of another.
An artist.
November 15, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Reece captured this character's story.
Etching spoken lines into his 'acting' face that seemed so real.
Telling that story in the same way a street artist somehow creates a living story in paint.
A story that sits on top of time worn bricks.
Both dress one face with the mask of another.
An artist.
Etching spoken lines into his 'acting' face that seemed so real.
Telling that story in the same way a street artist somehow creates a living story in paint.
A story that sits on top of time worn bricks.
Both dress one face with the mask of another.
An artist.
Locations too, hotel receptions trigger so many what ifs!
Building bricks, scattered throughout the day & night that can walk off a chapter.
Building bricks, scattered throughout the day & night that can walk off a chapter.
November 15, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Locations too, hotel receptions trigger so many what ifs!
Building bricks, scattered throughout the day & night that can walk off a chapter.
Building bricks, scattered throughout the day & night that can walk off a chapter.
Rochdale.
A town I know well.
Birthplace of the Co-Op.
Gracie Fields
Lisa Stansfield.
Magnificent Town Hall even Hitler loved from afar.
A jewel set in the folds of the pennines & magnificent moors.
The rain is gone!
The urban street art festival made it a town even more worthy of a visit.
Stunning
A town I know well.
Birthplace of the Co-Op.
Gracie Fields
Lisa Stansfield.
Magnificent Town Hall even Hitler loved from afar.
A jewel set in the folds of the pennines & magnificent moors.
The rain is gone!
The urban street art festival made it a town even more worthy of a visit.
Stunning
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Rochdale.
A town I know well.
Birthplace of the Co-Op.
Gracie Fields
Lisa Stansfield.
Magnificent Town Hall even Hitler loved from afar.
A jewel set in the folds of the pennines & magnificent moors.
The rain is gone!
The urban street art festival made it a town even more worthy of a visit.
Stunning
A town I know well.
Birthplace of the Co-Op.
Gracie Fields
Lisa Stansfield.
Magnificent Town Hall even Hitler loved from afar.
A jewel set in the folds of the pennines & magnificent moors.
The rain is gone!
The urban street art festival made it a town even more worthy of a visit.
Stunning
Finally in the UK for a family visit.
Wet Wet Wet.
Windy.
Cold.
A strong reminder of why Gozo is my happy place.
Left this morning, baking sunshine over clear blue seas.
I have become a cold wet miserable sponge after five hours here.
A warm caring family masks the horror.
Move back here?
Hell no!
Wet Wet Wet.
Windy.
Cold.
A strong reminder of why Gozo is my happy place.
Left this morning, baking sunshine over clear blue seas.
I have become a cold wet miserable sponge after five hours here.
A warm caring family masks the horror.
Move back here?
Hell no!
November 14, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Finally in the UK for a family visit.
Wet Wet Wet.
Windy.
Cold.
A strong reminder of why Gozo is my happy place.
Left this morning, baking sunshine over clear blue seas.
I have become a cold wet miserable sponge after five hours here.
A warm caring family masks the horror.
Move back here?
Hell no!
Wet Wet Wet.
Windy.
Cold.
A strong reminder of why Gozo is my happy place.
Left this morning, baking sunshine over clear blue seas.
I have become a cold wet miserable sponge after five hours here.
A warm caring family masks the horror.
Move back here?
Hell no!
The Mount.
My aunt lived there alone in the 1960's.
Rooms long abandoned, furniture draped in grey dust cloth, ghosts of past tragedies.
The kitchen.
Huge black range fire & oven, her evenings whispering to.
The grounds.
Giant rhododendron bushes I played under.
Cool shadowed dens.
Childhoods end
My aunt lived there alone in the 1960's.
Rooms long abandoned, furniture draped in grey dust cloth, ghosts of past tragedies.
The kitchen.
Huge black range fire & oven, her evenings whispering to.
The grounds.
Giant rhododendron bushes I played under.
Cool shadowed dens.
Childhoods end
November 12, 2025 at 10:21 PM
The Mount.
My aunt lived there alone in the 1960's.
Rooms long abandoned, furniture draped in grey dust cloth, ghosts of past tragedies.
The kitchen.
Huge black range fire & oven, her evenings whispering to.
The grounds.
Giant rhododendron bushes I played under.
Cool shadowed dens.
Childhoods end
My aunt lived there alone in the 1960's.
Rooms long abandoned, furniture draped in grey dust cloth, ghosts of past tragedies.
The kitchen.
Huge black range fire & oven, her evenings whispering to.
The grounds.
Giant rhododendron bushes I played under.
Cool shadowed dens.
Childhoods end
When a close friend & his wife are building an orphanage in Gambia & the locals drop by!
These two have done so much for charity the world over & in the UK despite age & health challenges.
I feel honoured to know them.
They are there for three weeks & inspire me.
These two have done so much for charity the world over & in the UK despite age & health challenges.
I feel honoured to know them.
They are there for three weeks & inspire me.
November 12, 2025 at 7:46 PM
When a close friend & his wife are building an orphanage in Gambia & the locals drop by!
These two have done so much for charity the world over & in the UK despite age & health challenges.
I feel honoured to know them.
They are there for three weeks & inspire me.
These two have done so much for charity the world over & in the UK despite age & health challenges.
I feel honoured to know them.
They are there for three weeks & inspire me.
AJ Aberford.
The Inspector George Zammit series.
Set on Malta & Gozo & an enjoyable exciting ride through Malta with unforgettable characters.
A book signing & Q&A at Gozo library today which was well attended.
Great friend of mine and if you have ever been to Malta read these.
Fascinating.
The Inspector George Zammit series.
Set on Malta & Gozo & an enjoyable exciting ride through Malta with unforgettable characters.
A book signing & Q&A at Gozo library today which was well attended.
Great friend of mine and if you have ever been to Malta read these.
Fascinating.
November 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
AJ Aberford.
The Inspector George Zammit series.
Set on Malta & Gozo & an enjoyable exciting ride through Malta with unforgettable characters.
A book signing & Q&A at Gozo library today which was well attended.
Great friend of mine and if you have ever been to Malta read these.
Fascinating.
The Inspector George Zammit series.
Set on Malta & Gozo & an enjoyable exciting ride through Malta with unforgettable characters.
A book signing & Q&A at Gozo library today which was well attended.
Great friend of mine and if you have ever been to Malta read these.
Fascinating.
Every day I do feel blessed.
Even dusk now is heart filling.
Even dusk now is heart filling.
November 11, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Every day I do feel blessed.
Even dusk now is heart filling.
Even dusk now is heart filling.
SAD is what drove this Englishman abroad.
November.
I am still HAPPY.
Emerging Christmas decor in the sun.
An island of 300+ sunny days a year.
Visiting family next week back in the UK.
So it's still home.
But I will not stay.
I will be cold.
The darkness cooks my soul. Memories of why I left.
November.
I am still HAPPY.
Emerging Christmas decor in the sun.
An island of 300+ sunny days a year.
Visiting family next week back in the UK.
So it's still home.
But I will not stay.
I will be cold.
The darkness cooks my soul. Memories of why I left.
November 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
SAD is what drove this Englishman abroad.
November.
I am still HAPPY.
Emerging Christmas decor in the sun.
An island of 300+ sunny days a year.
Visiting family next week back in the UK.
So it's still home.
But I will not stay.
I will be cold.
The darkness cooks my soul. Memories of why I left.
November.
I am still HAPPY.
Emerging Christmas decor in the sun.
An island of 300+ sunny days a year.
Visiting family next week back in the UK.
So it's still home.
But I will not stay.
I will be cold.
The darkness cooks my soul. Memories of why I left.
Times remnants across nature's canvas.
Gone, yet clinging on.
Not forgotten & likely ready for resurrection as another holiday home.
The view.
The sea.
The sky.
The future is bright.
A mixture of centuries constantly stirred by adding people.
But what a feast for the eyes, the soul & heart lifted!
Gone, yet clinging on.
Not forgotten & likely ready for resurrection as another holiday home.
The view.
The sea.
The sky.
The future is bright.
A mixture of centuries constantly stirred by adding people.
But what a feast for the eyes, the soul & heart lifted!
November 10, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Times remnants across nature's canvas.
Gone, yet clinging on.
Not forgotten & likely ready for resurrection as another holiday home.
The view.
The sea.
The sky.
The future is bright.
A mixture of centuries constantly stirred by adding people.
But what a feast for the eyes, the soul & heart lifted!
Gone, yet clinging on.
Not forgotten & likely ready for resurrection as another holiday home.
The view.
The sea.
The sky.
The future is bright.
A mixture of centuries constantly stirred by adding people.
But what a feast for the eyes, the soul & heart lifted!
Calypso's cave.
I understand how Odysseus was here for seven years, captivated by beauty.
Hers & Ramla Beach.
Gozo.
Island of a thousand viewpoints.
The Knights submerged breakwater can be seen.
Slave ship stopper.
The square outlines at the rear of the beach on the right, a buried Roman villa.
I understand how Odysseus was here for seven years, captivated by beauty.
Hers & Ramla Beach.
Gozo.
Island of a thousand viewpoints.
The Knights submerged breakwater can be seen.
Slave ship stopper.
The square outlines at the rear of the beach on the right, a buried Roman villa.
November 9, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Calypso's cave.
I understand how Odysseus was here for seven years, captivated by beauty.
Hers & Ramla Beach.
Gozo.
Island of a thousand viewpoints.
The Knights submerged breakwater can be seen.
Slave ship stopper.
The square outlines at the rear of the beach on the right, a buried Roman villa.
I understand how Odysseus was here for seven years, captivated by beauty.
Hers & Ramla Beach.
Gozo.
Island of a thousand viewpoints.
The Knights submerged breakwater can be seen.
Slave ship stopper.
The square outlines at the rear of the beach on the right, a buried Roman villa.
Gozo tries to emulate that vibe & almost succeeds.
Across the sea.
Small island, big ideas!
Across the sea.
Small island, big ideas!
November 9, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Gozo tries to emulate that vibe & almost succeeds.
Across the sea.
Small island, big ideas!
Across the sea.
Small island, big ideas!
I do enjoy a bar that wears it's sporting heart on its sleeve.
November 9, 2025 at 12:16 AM
I do enjoy a bar that wears it's sporting heart on its sleeve.
The Gambia.
A close friend of mine who has already built so many charities in the north west UK.
He worked with me on one for years and is truly a force of nature.
A man of talent & trusted by so many.
Nadeem, you inspire me.
Inshallah this will be yet another gift to humanity.
Stay safe.
Hero.
A close friend of mine who has already built so many charities in the north west UK.
He worked with me on one for years and is truly a force of nature.
A man of talent & trusted by so many.
Nadeem, you inspire me.
Inshallah this will be yet another gift to humanity.
Stay safe.
Hero.
November 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
The Gambia.
A close friend of mine who has already built so many charities in the north west UK.
He worked with me on one for years and is truly a force of nature.
A man of talent & trusted by so many.
Nadeem, you inspire me.
Inshallah this will be yet another gift to humanity.
Stay safe.
Hero.
A close friend of mine who has already built so many charities in the north west UK.
He worked with me on one for years and is truly a force of nature.
A man of talent & trusted by so many.
Nadeem, you inspire me.
Inshallah this will be yet another gift to humanity.
Stay safe.
Hero.
Correct. 🤣
The Grand Harbour is the gateway to so much jaw dropping stonework.
Today for me a walk around Nadur & down to San Blas.
The Grand Harbour is the gateway to so much jaw dropping stonework.
Today for me a walk around Nadur & down to San Blas.
November 8, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Correct. 🤣
The Grand Harbour is the gateway to so much jaw dropping stonework.
Today for me a walk around Nadur & down to San Blas.
The Grand Harbour is the gateway to so much jaw dropping stonework.
Today for me a walk around Nadur & down to San Blas.
A wander on foot & car over past Nadur village, down to San Blas beach.
Weekend chill out.
Weekend chill out.
November 8, 2025 at 5:17 PM
A wander on foot & car over past Nadur village, down to San Blas beach.
Weekend chill out.
Weekend chill out.
At night the veil between what is
& what is not lifts
In that sleep what dreams may come?
As I age dreams become stronger
Better plotted & structured
Making me consider
Awake or asleep
Where is reality?
The mind?
Where we dwell
No inside or outside
There just is
My body is fading
My mind
My Refuge
& what is not lifts
In that sleep what dreams may come?
As I age dreams become stronger
Better plotted & structured
Making me consider
Awake or asleep
Where is reality?
The mind?
Where we dwell
No inside or outside
There just is
My body is fading
My mind
My Refuge
November 8, 2025 at 4:37 AM
At night the veil between what is
& what is not lifts
In that sleep what dreams may come?
As I age dreams become stronger
Better plotted & structured
Making me consider
Awake or asleep
Where is reality?
The mind?
Where we dwell
No inside or outside
There just is
My body is fading
My mind
My Refuge
& what is not lifts
In that sleep what dreams may come?
As I age dreams become stronger
Better plotted & structured
Making me consider
Awake or asleep
Where is reality?
The mind?
Where we dwell
No inside or outside
There just is
My body is fading
My mind
My Refuge
Message just dropped into my inbox.
Blue sky seeking my bank details to remove a temporary block on my posts?
Roses are red
Scammers now blue
I feel it's a con
Did you get one too?
Shame if I close this account, but I shall see if it perseveres after me.
Until then?
Sunset tonight.
Test card!
Blue sky seeking my bank details to remove a temporary block on my posts?
Roses are red
Scammers now blue
I feel it's a con
Did you get one too?
Shame if I close this account, but I shall see if it perseveres after me.
Until then?
Sunset tonight.
Test card!
November 7, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Message just dropped into my inbox.
Blue sky seeking my bank details to remove a temporary block on my posts?
Roses are red
Scammers now blue
I feel it's a con
Did you get one too?
Shame if I close this account, but I shall see if it perseveres after me.
Until then?
Sunset tonight.
Test card!
Blue sky seeking my bank details to remove a temporary block on my posts?
Roses are red
Scammers now blue
I feel it's a con
Did you get one too?
Shame if I close this account, but I shall see if it perseveres after me.
Until then?
Sunset tonight.
Test card!
How green is my valley?
Today I am just standing here.
I feel my life has been hard but in my old age I am blessed.
To live here?
Pages of paradise.
Six years & it never gets old.
Sadly I do.
But my heart is hugged by a view that my eyes drink in.
Even in rain I love it.
Rarely rains!
Never frosts.
Today I am just standing here.
I feel my life has been hard but in my old age I am blessed.
To live here?
Pages of paradise.
Six years & it never gets old.
Sadly I do.
But my heart is hugged by a view that my eyes drink in.
Even in rain I love it.
Rarely rains!
Never frosts.
November 6, 2025 at 9:18 AM
How green is my valley?
Today I am just standing here.
I feel my life has been hard but in my old age I am blessed.
To live here?
Pages of paradise.
Six years & it never gets old.
Sadly I do.
But my heart is hugged by a view that my eyes drink in.
Even in rain I love it.
Rarely rains!
Never frosts.
Today I am just standing here.
I feel my life has been hard but in my old age I am blessed.
To live here?
Pages of paradise.
Six years & it never gets old.
Sadly I do.
But my heart is hugged by a view that my eyes drink in.
Even in rain I love it.
Rarely rains!
Never frosts.
Fajar's moon silver
A golden time of day
To pray
Over Ramla
The valley
The bay
The distant lights
Zabbar
Ggiantijas stones
Five century temple
Histories bones
Bleached white
In moonlight
Paul was here
Then left for Rome
Gozo my home
Phoenicians & Ottomans fear
Slavers here
Salt trade
Memories
Fade
A golden time of day
To pray
Over Ramla
The valley
The bay
The distant lights
Zabbar
Ggiantijas stones
Five century temple
Histories bones
Bleached white
In moonlight
Paul was here
Then left for Rome
Gozo my home
Phoenicians & Ottomans fear
Slavers here
Salt trade
Memories
Fade
November 6, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Fajar's moon silver
A golden time of day
To pray
Over Ramla
The valley
The bay
The distant lights
Zabbar
Ggiantijas stones
Five century temple
Histories bones
Bleached white
In moonlight
Paul was here
Then left for Rome
Gozo my home
Phoenicians & Ottomans fear
Slavers here
Salt trade
Memories
Fade
A golden time of day
To pray
Over Ramla
The valley
The bay
The distant lights
Zabbar
Ggiantijas stones
Five century temple
Histories bones
Bleached white
In moonlight
Paul was here
Then left for Rome
Gozo my home
Phoenicians & Ottomans fear
Slavers here
Salt trade
Memories
Fade
Still flowering here, mild winters caress the skin.....
November 5, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Still flowering here, mild winters caress the skin.....
Small staff.......
November 5, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Small staff.......
High & dry, riding out the winter.
For repair or scrap?
Winters here are mild & kind.
I hope these family relics return to the sea next year.
For repair or scrap?
Winters here are mild & kind.
I hope these family relics return to the sea next year.
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
High & dry, riding out the winter.
For repair or scrap?
Winters here are mild & kind.
I hope these family relics return to the sea next year.
For repair or scrap?
Winters here are mild & kind.
I hope these family relics return to the sea next year.
Timeline cleanse.
The moon this morning.
Another nice day, a hint of change in the air?
The moon this morning.
Another nice day, a hint of change in the air?
November 5, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Timeline cleanse.
The moon this morning.
Another nice day, a hint of change in the air?
The moon this morning.
Another nice day, a hint of change in the air?
Tea.
A very British thing.
Tea leaves from India.
Teapot cup & saucer from China.
That's the point.
Even the term United Kingdom ensures you know it's a group of nations that, through historical events, work together.
The current idiotic right wing posturing & flag waving?
A recent aberration
Fools
A very British thing.
Tea leaves from India.
Teapot cup & saucer from China.
That's the point.
Even the term United Kingdom ensures you know it's a group of nations that, through historical events, work together.
The current idiotic right wing posturing & flag waving?
A recent aberration
Fools
November 4, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Tea.
A very British thing.
Tea leaves from India.
Teapot cup & saucer from China.
That's the point.
Even the term United Kingdom ensures you know it's a group of nations that, through historical events, work together.
The current idiotic right wing posturing & flag waving?
A recent aberration
Fools
A very British thing.
Tea leaves from India.
Teapot cup & saucer from China.
That's the point.
Even the term United Kingdom ensures you know it's a group of nations that, through historical events, work together.
The current idiotic right wing posturing & flag waving?
A recent aberration
Fools