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.
Pink petals on green
Winters here seem
A gentle dream
A warm sun caressing
My face in passing
I capture the scene
outside my Gozo home
walking alone
holding a phone
that snaps up beauty
in all that I see
To live here lifts my heart
every day seems to start
With blue sky & sun
until the day is done
Winters here seem
A gentle dream
A warm sun caressing
My face in passing
I capture the scene
outside my Gozo home
walking alone
holding a phone
that snaps up beauty
in all that I see
To live here lifts my heart
every day seems to start
With blue sky & sun
until the day is done
December 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Pink petals on green
Winters here seem
A gentle dream
A warm sun caressing
My face in passing
I capture the scene
outside my Gozo home
walking alone
holding a phone
that snaps up beauty
in all that I see
To live here lifts my heart
every day seems to start
With blue sky & sun
until the day is done
Winters here seem
A gentle dream
A warm sun caressing
My face in passing
I capture the scene
outside my Gozo home
walking alone
holding a phone
that snaps up beauty
in all that I see
To live here lifts my heart
every day seems to start
With blue sky & sun
until the day is done
Simple daisy.
But to me it says why an old man loves it here.
Gozo in Winter?
My aches & pains are no longer coated in medication.
Yes, I am still taking some medication.
Some things when you are over 70 are with you for life.
But to get high on the life I worked so hard for?
Sunshine.
Family love!
But to me it says why an old man loves it here.
Gozo in Winter?
My aches & pains are no longer coated in medication.
Yes, I am still taking some medication.
Some things when you are over 70 are with you for life.
But to get high on the life I worked so hard for?
Sunshine.
Family love!
December 8, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Simple daisy.
But to me it says why an old man loves it here.
Gozo in Winter?
My aches & pains are no longer coated in medication.
Yes, I am still taking some medication.
Some things when you are over 70 are with you for life.
But to get high on the life I worked so hard for?
Sunshine.
Family love!
But to me it says why an old man loves it here.
Gozo in Winter?
My aches & pains are no longer coated in medication.
Yes, I am still taking some medication.
Some things when you are over 70 are with you for life.
But to get high on the life I worked so hard for?
Sunshine.
Family love!
A gentle walk across marsalforn this morning.
The sun's warm.
The sky's blue.
The flowers still bloom.
Winter here is gentle.
Some whitecaps on the waves, the sea is choppy.
After a week of illness I am tired but the sun feeds my love of life.
I hope wherever you are, this window on Gozo lifts you.
The sun's warm.
The sky's blue.
The flowers still bloom.
Winter here is gentle.
Some whitecaps on the waves, the sea is choppy.
After a week of illness I am tired but the sun feeds my love of life.
I hope wherever you are, this window on Gozo lifts you.
December 8, 2025 at 11:37 AM
A gentle walk across marsalforn this morning.
The sun's warm.
The sky's blue.
The flowers still bloom.
Winter here is gentle.
Some whitecaps on the waves, the sea is choppy.
After a week of illness I am tired but the sun feeds my love of life.
I hope wherever you are, this window on Gozo lifts you.
The sun's warm.
The sky's blue.
The flowers still bloom.
Winter here is gentle.
Some whitecaps on the waves, the sea is choppy.
After a week of illness I am tired but the sun feeds my love of life.
I hope wherever you are, this window on Gozo lifts you.
Open house at Christmas, full of family & friends.
It makes the honeyed stone walls glow with joy!
Sunsets plunged us into darkness now.
It makes the honeyed stone walls glow with joy!
Sunsets plunged us into darkness now.
December 7, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Open house at Christmas, full of family & friends.
It makes the honeyed stone walls glow with joy!
Sunsets plunged us into darkness now.
It makes the honeyed stone walls glow with joy!
Sunsets plunged us into darkness now.
Good choice.
I flew home to Gozo from Manchester last Sunday.
I am still not fully warmed up.
I am still coughing & sneezing.
I am still ashamed at how nesh I have become!
Join Lily.
Lily knows stuff.
I flew home to Gozo from Manchester last Sunday.
I am still not fully warmed up.
I am still coughing & sneezing.
I am still ashamed at how nesh I have become!
Join Lily.
Lily knows stuff.
December 7, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Good choice.
I flew home to Gozo from Manchester last Sunday.
I am still not fully warmed up.
I am still coughing & sneezing.
I am still ashamed at how nesh I have become!
Join Lily.
Lily knows stuff.
I flew home to Gozo from Manchester last Sunday.
I am still not fully warmed up.
I am still coughing & sneezing.
I am still ashamed at how nesh I have become!
Join Lily.
Lily knows stuff.
The sea today
And tomorrow
Always
Hiss of tide on pebble
Times clock
that we stop
At our peril
It never ends
It changes
As do we
Good or bad
The key?
Harmony
For we poison
We burn
Tides turn
The undertow
can pull us under
the dangers here
My steps behind me
Sand washed clear
I feel no fear
I should
And tomorrow
Always
Hiss of tide on pebble
Times clock
that we stop
At our peril
It never ends
It changes
As do we
Good or bad
The key?
Harmony
For we poison
We burn
Tides turn
The undertow
can pull us under
the dangers here
My steps behind me
Sand washed clear
I feel no fear
I should
December 7, 2025 at 4:50 PM
The sea today
And tomorrow
Always
Hiss of tide on pebble
Times clock
that we stop
At our peril
It never ends
It changes
As do we
Good or bad
The key?
Harmony
For we poison
We burn
Tides turn
The undertow
can pull us under
the dangers here
My steps behind me
Sand washed clear
I feel no fear
I should
And tomorrow
Always
Hiss of tide on pebble
Times clock
that we stop
At our peril
It never ends
It changes
As do we
Good or bad
The key?
Harmony
For we poison
We burn
Tides turn
The undertow
can pull us under
the dangers here
My steps behind me
Sand washed clear
I feel no fear
I should
NOT my Britain!
My family, as with so many others, started with someone fleeing poverty & working at the bottom of the social ladder so beloved of 'The Upper Class'.
Today generations later we have become cornerstones of the country in business, arts & sciences.
War claimed many of us.
Proud of us.
My family, as with so many others, started with someone fleeing poverty & working at the bottom of the social ladder so beloved of 'The Upper Class'.
Today generations later we have become cornerstones of the country in business, arts & sciences.
War claimed many of us.
Proud of us.
December 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
NOT my Britain!
My family, as with so many others, started with someone fleeing poverty & working at the bottom of the social ladder so beloved of 'The Upper Class'.
Today generations later we have become cornerstones of the country in business, arts & sciences.
War claimed many of us.
Proud of us.
My family, as with so many others, started with someone fleeing poverty & working at the bottom of the social ladder so beloved of 'The Upper Class'.
Today generations later we have become cornerstones of the country in business, arts & sciences.
War claimed many of us.
Proud of us.
Looks heavenly.
Lighthouse Gozo supermarket this afternoon in Zebbug, surprisingly nice view from the cleaning section.
Lighthouse Gozo supermarket this afternoon in Zebbug, surprisingly nice view from the cleaning section.
December 6, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Looks heavenly.
Lighthouse Gozo supermarket this afternoon in Zebbug, surprisingly nice view from the cleaning section.
Lighthouse Gozo supermarket this afternoon in Zebbug, surprisingly nice view from the cleaning section.
I feel I should be awarded the inaugural Bluesy peace prize.
I have not killed anyone or started any wars.
Ever.
This puts me streets ahead of yesterday's FIFA Peace Prize winner.
I also try to be nice.
Funny too.
Helpful.
If this starts trending I will start shopping for a nice tuxedo & bow tie.
I have not killed anyone or started any wars.
Ever.
This puts me streets ahead of yesterday's FIFA Peace Prize winner.
I also try to be nice.
Funny too.
Helpful.
If this starts trending I will start shopping for a nice tuxedo & bow tie.
December 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
I feel I should be awarded the inaugural Bluesy peace prize.
I have not killed anyone or started any wars.
Ever.
This puts me streets ahead of yesterday's FIFA Peace Prize winner.
I also try to be nice.
Funny too.
Helpful.
If this starts trending I will start shopping for a nice tuxedo & bow tie.
I have not killed anyone or started any wars.
Ever.
This puts me streets ahead of yesterday's FIFA Peace Prize winner.
I also try to be nice.
Funny too.
Helpful.
If this starts trending I will start shopping for a nice tuxedo & bow tie.
Sometimes I just remember.
My daughter is now me.
I am now my father.
It's enough.
My daughter is now me.
I am now my father.
It's enough.
December 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Sometimes I just remember.
My daughter is now me.
I am now my father.
It's enough.
My daughter is now me.
I am now my father.
It's enough.
Me too.
I left my little island to visit the UK.
I came back this week.
I am now wheezing, sick, shivering, depressed, can't sleep & brain dead.
On WhatsApp family is too.
Tomorrow had better be another day, this one's in a loop.
I left my little island to visit the UK.
I came back this week.
I am now wheezing, sick, shivering, depressed, can't sleep & brain dead.
On WhatsApp family is too.
Tomorrow had better be another day, this one's in a loop.
December 5, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Me too.
I left my little island to visit the UK.
I came back this week.
I am now wheezing, sick, shivering, depressed, can't sleep & brain dead.
On WhatsApp family is too.
Tomorrow had better be another day, this one's in a loop.
I left my little island to visit the UK.
I came back this week.
I am now wheezing, sick, shivering, depressed, can't sleep & brain dead.
On WhatsApp family is too.
Tomorrow had better be another day, this one's in a loop.
Gozo is Calypso's magical enchantment.
Enjoy the food, if going with Italians be prepared to pass multiple restaurants as they discussed the menus in detail.
I find having a snack before going out to eat is well worth the effort.
Think Asian wedding and food arriving on your table two hours late.
Enjoy the food, if going with Italians be prepared to pass multiple restaurants as they discussed the menus in detail.
I find having a snack before going out to eat is well worth the effort.
Think Asian wedding and food arriving on your table two hours late.
December 5, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Gozo is Calypso's magical enchantment.
Enjoy the food, if going with Italians be prepared to pass multiple restaurants as they discussed the menus in detail.
I find having a snack before going out to eat is well worth the effort.
Think Asian wedding and food arriving on your table two hours late.
Enjoy the food, if going with Italians be prepared to pass multiple restaurants as they discussed the menus in detail.
I find having a snack before going out to eat is well worth the effort.
Think Asian wedding and food arriving on your table two hours late.
It's what the internet is really for.
End of message.
End of message.
December 5, 2025 at 4:29 PM
It's what the internet is really for.
End of message.
End of message.
A wet cold day.
Yet drier & warmer than my UK visit was!
Us locals bemoan this awful winter weather!
17 c with a downpour for an hour before the sun burnt through.
Since returning from the UK I appreciate the weather in Gozo even more.
Call this a winter?
It would qualify as a UK damp summers day.
Yet drier & warmer than my UK visit was!
Us locals bemoan this awful winter weather!
17 c with a downpour for an hour before the sun burnt through.
Since returning from the UK I appreciate the weather in Gozo even more.
Call this a winter?
It would qualify as a UK damp summers day.
December 4, 2025 at 3:27 PM
A wet cold day.
Yet drier & warmer than my UK visit was!
Us locals bemoan this awful winter weather!
17 c with a downpour for an hour before the sun burnt through.
Since returning from the UK I appreciate the weather in Gozo even more.
Call this a winter?
It would qualify as a UK damp summers day.
Yet drier & warmer than my UK visit was!
Us locals bemoan this awful winter weather!
17 c with a downpour for an hour before the sun burnt through.
Since returning from the UK I appreciate the weather in Gozo even more.
Call this a winter?
It would qualify as a UK damp summers day.
The sunset here after the shower.
Love that song, it always lifts me up.
Red & Blue in both images to brighten the soul.
Love that song, it always lifts me up.
Red & Blue in both images to brighten the soul.
December 4, 2025 at 8:54 AM
The sunset here after the shower.
Love that song, it always lifts me up.
Red & Blue in both images to brighten the soul.
Love that song, it always lifts me up.
Red & Blue in both images to brighten the soul.
Gozo houses are often home to random statements in stone.
These two?
Echoes of our islands past.
Frozen forever watching a street in Victoria.
To them it was called Rabat before the British claimed the islands.
Every empire has left its mark here.
A crossroads of history.
But these two?
Timeless.
These two?
Echoes of our islands past.
Frozen forever watching a street in Victoria.
To them it was called Rabat before the British claimed the islands.
Every empire has left its mark here.
A crossroads of history.
But these two?
Timeless.
December 3, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Gozo houses are often home to random statements in stone.
These two?
Echoes of our islands past.
Frozen forever watching a street in Victoria.
To them it was called Rabat before the British claimed the islands.
Every empire has left its mark here.
A crossroads of history.
But these two?
Timeless.
These two?
Echoes of our islands past.
Frozen forever watching a street in Victoria.
To them it was called Rabat before the British claimed the islands.
Every empire has left its mark here.
A crossroads of history.
But these two?
Timeless.
Morning footsteps along Ramla Bay & it's unique red sand.
Calypsos morning view?
Odysseus too.
Calypsos morning view?
Odysseus too.
December 3, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Morning footsteps along Ramla Bay & it's unique red sand.
Calypsos morning view?
Odysseus too.
Calypsos morning view?
Odysseus too.
Time.
Taking bites out of those I know.
Icons of my youth too.
Every time one is gone a knife plunges into my heart.
Music & film preserve them for eternity.
But family & friends who slip away into the next room are lost forever.
As we get older this piece of sand we stand on gradually erodes.
Taking bites out of those I know.
Icons of my youth too.
Every time one is gone a knife plunges into my heart.
Music & film preserve them for eternity.
But family & friends who slip away into the next room are lost forever.
As we get older this piece of sand we stand on gradually erodes.
December 3, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Time.
Taking bites out of those I know.
Icons of my youth too.
Every time one is gone a knife plunges into my heart.
Music & film preserve them for eternity.
But family & friends who slip away into the next room are lost forever.
As we get older this piece of sand we stand on gradually erodes.
Taking bites out of those I know.
Icons of my youth too.
Every time one is gone a knife plunges into my heart.
Music & film preserve them for eternity.
But family & friends who slip away into the next room are lost forever.
As we get older this piece of sand we stand on gradually erodes.
🦶Footsteps.
🦶They mark your progress in times sands.
🦶Today that sand is silicone that holds the internet.
🦶Tides don't wash those footsteps away, they are here forever.
🐾So take care where & what they lead to. 👮
🦶They mark your progress in times sands.
🦶Today that sand is silicone that holds the internet.
🦶Tides don't wash those footsteps away, they are here forever.
🐾So take care where & what they lead to. 👮
December 3, 2025 at 9:03 PM
🦶Footsteps.
🦶They mark your progress in times sands.
🦶Today that sand is silicone that holds the internet.
🦶Tides don't wash those footsteps away, they are here forever.
🐾So take care where & what they lead to. 👮
🦶They mark your progress in times sands.
🦶Today that sand is silicone that holds the internet.
🦶Tides don't wash those footsteps away, they are here forever.
🐾So take care where & what they lead to. 👮
It's my happy place at home!
Quiet neighbours too...
Quiet neighbours too...
December 3, 2025 at 4:11 PM
It's my happy place at home!
Quiet neighbours too...
Quiet neighbours too...
Sunset over Marsalforn valley.
No wonder Odysseus stayed seven years here with Calypso in her caves above Ramla Bay!
Enchanted by her beauty & that of Gozo.
Home at last.
No wonder Odysseus stayed seven years here with Calypso in her caves above Ramla Bay!
Enchanted by her beauty & that of Gozo.
Home at last.
December 3, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Sunset over Marsalforn valley.
No wonder Odysseus stayed seven years here with Calypso in her caves above Ramla Bay!
Enchanted by her beauty & that of Gozo.
Home at last.
No wonder Odysseus stayed seven years here with Calypso in her caves above Ramla Bay!
Enchanted by her beauty & that of Gozo.
Home at last.
So true.
I retired at 57 & despite health challenges I am a functioning 72.
Another ten years feels possible & welcome.
Move to a warm place & refuse to leave.
Dance.
Music.
Fart.
Let others be serious.
Remember, the longer you live the more you can drag out of the accountants grasp.
Be frugal & fun
I retired at 57 & despite health challenges I am a functioning 72.
Another ten years feels possible & welcome.
Move to a warm place & refuse to leave.
Dance.
Music.
Fart.
Let others be serious.
Remember, the longer you live the more you can drag out of the accountants grasp.
Be frugal & fun
December 1, 2025 at 10:54 PM
So true.
I retired at 57 & despite health challenges I am a functioning 72.
Another ten years feels possible & welcome.
Move to a warm place & refuse to leave.
Dance.
Music.
Fart.
Let others be serious.
Remember, the longer you live the more you can drag out of the accountants grasp.
Be frugal & fun
I retired at 57 & despite health challenges I am a functioning 72.
Another ten years feels possible & welcome.
Move to a warm place & refuse to leave.
Dance.
Music.
Fart.
Let others be serious.
Remember, the longer you live the more you can drag out of the accountants grasp.
Be frugal & fun
The ticking is louder
In these my end times
Wiser & older
Effortless rhymes
A child of the 70's
Now 70 too
Blown on the breeze
To Gozo I flew
On wings made of music
To a sea of clear blue
Calypso has trapped me
Is this lies or true
The citadel calls me
Golden honeyed stones
Centuries built on bones
In these my end times
Wiser & older
Effortless rhymes
A child of the 70's
Now 70 too
Blown on the breeze
To Gozo I flew
On wings made of music
To a sea of clear blue
Calypso has trapped me
Is this lies or true
The citadel calls me
Golden honeyed stones
Centuries built on bones
December 1, 2025 at 10:12 PM
The ticking is louder
In these my end times
Wiser & older
Effortless rhymes
A child of the 70's
Now 70 too
Blown on the breeze
To Gozo I flew
On wings made of music
To a sea of clear blue
Calypso has trapped me
Is this lies or true
The citadel calls me
Golden honeyed stones
Centuries built on bones
In these my end times
Wiser & older
Effortless rhymes
A child of the 70's
Now 70 too
Blown on the breeze
To Gozo I flew
On wings made of music
To a sea of clear blue
Calypso has trapped me
Is this lies or true
The citadel calls me
Golden honeyed stones
Centuries built on bones
Home at last.
A home by the restless sea.
Of blue on blue days.
Clear & present.
Winter brushes light fingers on my skin here.
The evening chill draws me to fireplaces & fire pits.
The blazing sun dips & leaves a parting promise.
Tomorrow.
It will hurl itself into that blue sky, a golden halo again.
A home by the restless sea.
Of blue on blue days.
Clear & present.
Winter brushes light fingers on my skin here.
The evening chill draws me to fireplaces & fire pits.
The blazing sun dips & leaves a parting promise.
Tomorrow.
It will hurl itself into that blue sky, a golden halo again.
December 1, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Home at last.
A home by the restless sea.
Of blue on blue days.
Clear & present.
Winter brushes light fingers on my skin here.
The evening chill draws me to fireplaces & fire pits.
The blazing sun dips & leaves a parting promise.
Tomorrow.
It will hurl itself into that blue sky, a golden halo again.
A home by the restless sea.
Of blue on blue days.
Clear & present.
Winter brushes light fingers on my skin here.
The evening chill draws me to fireplaces & fire pits.
The blazing sun dips & leaves a parting promise.
Tomorrow.
It will hurl itself into that blue sky, a golden halo again.