Category: Gibraltar

Gibraltar, Trans Oceania

Trans Europa Gibraltar

We’re staying here for a day’s decompression. Another European Royal squabble (Spanish Wars of Succession) and Britain gained Gibraltar in 1713 after Battle of Trafalgar. Kept it since, hence the predominance of fish’n’chips shops. Which had to be sampled.

Nothing changes
Busy place
9 missing
Pedestrians slowdown
Yarn

Excellent bus services. No2 to Europa Point please. We’re in competition with the Scottish Youth Netball Team supporters who are here for the World Championships.

Gibtel
Godtel
Sat on something
Moving statues

A rich prehistory, going back to the Neanderthals. Well earlier than that: a continuing tectonic pressure and the Rock is still rising. I hope the vast number of new highrise buildings take account of this.

Europa Point

A picture brings out the strategic importance of this place. Including to migrating birds crossing continents without passports.

Africa
Working

The lighthouse is a focal point. We were fortunate enough to have access (thanks Andy and Terry) to the inner working. Dates back to the 1830’s. Take your hats off to the skills of the craftsmen who built and now maintain these unique structures.

Inventory

Time to pack…..

Gibraltar, Spain, Trans Europa

D57 Trans Europa Ronda – Gibraltar

There’s always something bittersweet about the last day of a good trip. Looking forward to and sad about the approaching end point. As I said to those who kept saying “It’s the final day”: “It’s the first day of the rest of my life so we’re going to make the most of it, and enjoy it”. Carpe Diem.

Creative instructions
Fallen out?
Enjoying downhill

So we grasp the final 1000m over the first 30k with all four wheels. Shortly after meeting Barbara’s friend from Neath at a view point (they were on holiday), a great descent to the plains below.

Home on the range
Return of the storks

At least they are honest here. One road sign said, to effect, we were entering the municipality of Cadiz. Below it read (more politely put): “the roads are now shit”. Which they were. Just like home, an inexplicable difference crossing county borders. Sadly we can no longer blame it on EU funding.

Fishy things
Smelly things
Learner
Learning
Back at work

After enjoying being inland for a while in always interesting landscapes and places, it was also nice to be back by the sea. Industry reappears, offering a change to the views.

Entering Gibraltar

Neil Diamond loved the view of Gibraltar so much he wrote a song about it. No surprise. It is an impresssive lump of rock. You know of course you enter it (if on foot or bike as cars now have a tunnel) by crossing the runway. Then mayhem: busy and narrow roads; cars careering around, ignoring the cyclists wobbling up it’s slopes.

Arrived, bikes boxed, relax. And start the cheerios. No M&Ms left – wait, somebody has left a present outside the door! Diolch!

The final 8