Storm Harry may have left behind plenty of damage across Malta’s coastline, but in Marsaxlokk it also delivered a surprising little time capsule from the past.

While helping clean up the small beach at Għar Aħmar Bay, Victor Fenech came across something unusual: a plastic Pepsi bottle partially buried among the debris. Inside was a folded note, and a story dating back 16 years.

Curious, Victor carefully opened the bottle and unravelled the message, discovering it had been written in January 2010 by three friends: Nicola, Elly Cassar and Jeanette Bezzina.

Although parts of the note have been damaged by time and the elements, some lines are still readable. The message explains that the three friends, who were studying at the time, decided to empty a bottle and turn it into a keepsake ‘to make their friendship last forever’, signing off with a sweet declaration of friendship.

After more than a decade drifting at sea, it seems Storm Harry decided it was finally time for the message to come back home – a touching reminder of how the sea can carry stories across time, not just waves.

Have you ever sent a message in a bottle?