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maltatoday SUNDAY 4 MARCH 2018 41 Travel Snipes are stocky, very long-billed birds. All four European species occur in Malta but never in large numbers as we lack the marshes, wet meadows and woodlands these birds love. The most frequent of them is the common snipe (M. bekkaċċ) but it is still not an easy bird to see as it generally leads a solitary life, keeps a low profile, and thanks to its fantastic black-brown- white plumage merges perfectly with the vegetation. And well may it hide, as this is one of those unfortunate species listed as legal quarry, meaning that for five months (Sep–Jan) hunters can pursue and kill it with wild abandon. So Malta is not a safe place for snipe, and its best bet is protected wetlands like Għadira and Is-Simar nature reserves. A spring hunting season has just been announced, supposedly for quail alone. But as we all know, once a hunting season opens no bird is really safe. And that goes for the poor snipe as well. We are organising a two day live-in activist camp/workshop from Saturday 24th to Sunday 25th of March. The scope of the event is to learn how to cut down on plastic use and waste-generation on a personal level and also how we can take action to move towards a zero-waste society. 599. COMMON SNIPE Visit Friends of the Earth's website for more information about our work, as well as for information about how to join us. You can also support us by sending us a donation - www.foemalta.org/donate GREEN IDEA OF THE WEEK 502: Find out more and register: www.foemalta.org/camp Text Victor Falzon Photo Denis Cachia Zero Waste Camp BEST PLACES TO EAT Gastronomy is an important part of life in Normandy's capital and Rouen is not lacking in Michelin- starred restaurants. At the two- starred Restaurant Gill Chef Gilles Tournadre creates four menus each year, showcasing the freshest, high-quality ingredients available. L'Odas, tucked inside a 16th cen- tury mansion, has a single star and offers some French classic created by chef Olivier Da Silva. For those diners seeking out a more wallet-friendly option, Un Grain De is a great place to add to your list of culinary destina- tions in Rouen. Located near the Vieux-Mar- ché (old market), this restaurant offers a small menu inspired by local flavours. BEST LOCAL THING Rouen is a gastronomic dream with Michelin starred restaurants as well as more budget friendly options. Their traditions run deep and culinary traditions are treated with respect. Some of Normandy's best produce include di- ary and apples, making them superior produc- ers of butter, cream and soft cheeses and well as calvados. Younger drinkers will appreciate locally made apple juice that is offered in al- most every restaurant and café. Some of their best local dishes include duck, roasted on a spit and dubillion d'Elbeuf, which is an apple des- sert wrapped in puff pastry. BEST PLACE TO WIND DOWN AND ENJOY NATURE After wandering around what feels like the set to a movie set in the Middle Ages, it's nice to get out into the fresh air. Jardin des Plantes, Rouen's municipal, botanical garden dates back 1691 when Louis de Carel acquired some forest land which he turned into a walled garden and pavilion. In spring the wisteria irises, camellia and rhododendrons produce a riot of colour. In summer the rose gardens are in bloom, and autumn brings those famous reds and oranges. If you happen to be in Rouen in the winter, then life continues inside the garden's greenhouses where tropical species thrive all year round. BEST ADVENTURE ACTIVITY If you're travelling with kids and looking for something fun to do, just outside of Rouen you will find a number of treetop adventure parks. With trails adjusted for every level and for adults and children alike, you can swing from tree to tree like a monkey, making use of acrobatic trails, mon- key bars, zip lines, rock climbs and other obstacles. To ensure safety at all times a team of profes- sionals will supervise the entire experience. Normandy is home to camembert and some of France's best known soft cheeses Michelin starred L'Ordas is tucked away in a 16th century Gothic mansion Just south of the Old City is Jardin des Plantes, a rich botanical garden Travel from tree to tree like a monkey at one of the treetop adventure parks outside the city