This feature was prepared for a Maltese transport magazine, which used it as a centre-spread to accompany an article on the northern open-top sightseeing tour. My aim was to capture the splendid but challenging terrain over which the service operates. I was fortunate in being able to take a number of pictures specially for the feature, by staking out the regular public service, but I had no idea of the composition until I'd laid out the images. The title 'Northern Blue' seemed natural, given the livery carried by the buses. I had no interest in photo-sharing websites at the time but, when a need unexpectedly arose, it was convenient to develop the Northern Blue theme. The text reads:
"The highlight of the northern open-top route is surely the spectacular cross-country section from Rabat to Mgarr, over steeply graded and largely single-track roads. Rabat buses were traditionally blue under the pre-grouping scheme, so it is appropriate that this colour has been adopted for the new operation. This sequence of pictures was taken in June 2008, when there were three blue buses in use, Leyland Titans COY 009/10 and Volvo COY 011, supplemented by other vehicles as necessary. The second Titan evaded our camera on the scenic parts of the route, so we focus here on the other two vehicles. However we can say that all three looked splendid and were handled with great skill. Driver opinion seems to favour the Volvo but only just. One point that intending photographers should note is that this section of the route runs in a northerly direction only, creating challenging photographic conditions (these pictures were mostly taken late afternoon). Whilst we hope to have conveyed something of the 'off the beaten track' nature of the route, the true splendour can only be appreciated from the top deck".
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