We had a fairly chilled morning as the satnav told us we were less than an hour from Alcaidesa - where we were meeting Eric (Pete's uncle) and his wife Sue. The border crossing into Gibraltar is apparently pretty terrible and we've been told that the Spanish would take our van apart to search it. This sounds like a complete nightmare, so we are leaving WEX in Alcaidesa (at Sue and Eric's other house) for a week. The drive was really nice and we got a good view of Gibraltar as we came over the top of the headland. We met Sue and Eric easily and got in their car to drive to Gib. Their house is on the rock in Gibraltar - right at the entrance to the 'upper rock nature reserve' - and has incredible views out to Spain and Africa. We had some lunch on the balcony and then me and Pete decided to take advantage of the fanstastic weather and went for a walk on the rock. We managed to get in for free because when the guy asked us for money Pete angrily said 'no I live here' and the man apologised and waved us through! We took a small track up to the top and looked out at the views of both sides of the rock. We also saw quite a few of the Barbary apes that live up there - which Pete is terrified of after being attacked as a kid! But we didn't have any food on us so they left us alone. It was a lovely walk. In the evening Sue cooked gammon for dinner, which was delicious, and we had a lovely time chatting and catching up - Pete hasn't been here for about 11 years!
Our first view of Gibraltar. ^
(England flag) ^
East side of the rock and view to Spain. ^
Apes! ^
21st January
We got up early-ish and after brekkie headed into town. We walked down through the botanical gardens and on to Main Street. It was quite bizarre to be surrounded by English accents, BHS, Marks and Spencers, red telephone boxes and English pubs! We even had to go to the bank to take out some English pounds. We wandered up and down the main road - really like any high street at home - and then looked around some of the smaller streets in the old town. For lunch we found a small takeaway sandwich shop selling really good chicken tikka rolls. We also walked down to Queens Way Quay and sat in the sun looking at the posh boats. After so much walking we were feeling thristy, so we headed back to Main Street and went to one of the English pubs for a pint. In the afternoon we went, with Eric and Sue, to Moira's apartment (another aunty) for tea. She was really lovely and we had stayed and chatted with her for a while before heading home to meet Simon (Sue and Eric's son/one of Pete's cousins!) Another lovely dinner cooked by Sue and a really nice evening catching up with Simon.
Botanical Gardens. ^
Main Street. ^
Old Town. ^
Queens Way Quay. ^
Pub. ^
22nd January
Today we wanted to cross the border into Spain and go to La Linea market. Luckily Eric was driving to the border anyway so we got a lift with him. We had to wait a while as the road was closed over the airport runway whilst a plane landed (the main road goes across the middle of it!) and then we parked in Gibraltar and walked over the border - much quicker than queuing in the car. The market was quite big and fun to walk around, although we didn't buy anything. The huge piles of live snails were pretty cool. We had a coffee on the Spanish side before crossing back into Gib. For lunch we met up with Moira in town and she took us to a great Spanish tapas place - which we would never have discovered on our own. We had calamari, tortilla and callos (a really yummy tripe and chickpea stew type thing.) After we'd eaten she gave us a little tour around town, showing us the churches, the library and the museum. (Library and museum were closed for lunch - it's still a bit Spanish here!) In the afternoon we said goodbye to Moira and met up with Simon. He took us to his 'local' bar in Queens Way Quay and we had a fun afternoon drinking beers in the sunshine. When it got dark we headed back to Sue and Eric's for dinner - Simon had already prepared Moroccan meatballs and couscous earlier. The food was amazing - another great evening.
Market in La Linea with view to Gib. ^
Walking across the Airport runway. ^
Aunt Moira and Pete. ^
In a church. ^
Beers with Simon. ^
23rd January
We woke up to a gorgeous day (I forgot to mention that we wake up to a view of the Moroccan Mountains out our bedroom window.) After a cuppa me, Pete and Simon set off to the rock for a walk. Simon was taking us to the Mediterranean Steps - a very steep track around the southern end of the rock. The walk was fantastic. The sun was hot and the views out were stunning. It was a pretty steep walk but we took it easy and it was well worth it. Simon also took us to a cave, where we had to climb a huge gate and scramble up some rocks to get to. He said he had spent the night here before, which gave us some ideas if we come here again in summer! It was an amazing cave - and one we would never have seen if weren't with Simon! The day carried on being glorious and back at home we soaked up the sun on the balcony all afternoon. We even did some sunbathing. In January! In the evening we planned to meet a few of Pete's cousins (there are 12 in total plus partners and babies!) Half the cousins came out - 13 of us altogether - and we went bowling. It was really fun! Pete was excited to see everyone again after so long. After bowling we went to the restaurant in the leisure centre and all had big burgers for dinner. A really great evening.
Med steps with Simon. ^
Chilling afternoon. ^
Bowling with the cousins!
Ingrid, Nicholas, Ethan, Jenny, Pete, me, Simon, Katrina, Adam, Genevieve, Shae, Stuart and Martin.
24th January
We had a nice relaxed morning and then went out to see Audrey (another aunty.) She invited us to her flat - which is gorgeous, with an amazing view to the south. We went out and took Bertie the dog for a walk - we followed the coast along past Camp Bay, where we haven't been yet. It was another incredibly sunny day. Back at her flat Audrey had to go out, but she left us with a huge plate of cheese, crackers, chorizo and fruit. We ate lunch on the balcony and we were so hot that we decided to go to the beach for a swim. We walked down to Little Bay, but it was quite windy when we got there and we didn't swim in the end. We did sit and sunbathe and read for a while though, before heading back up the hill home. We had a lazy afternoon and got ready to go out for the evening. When Simon was home from work we headed out to Ocean Village for a drink. We met up with his girlfriend Jenny and then headed to Spain - very strange to go to another country for dinner! Here we also met Alex (Simon's Brother/another cousin!) We went to a tapas bar in La Linea and it was great. We had steak and sausage and pesto dip and everything was fantastic. After eating we headed to the English style pub next door for the night. We played pool and table football and danced and drank way too much. It was really fun.
Lunch at Audrey's. ^
Around. ^
Sunset from the house. ^
Drinking with Jenny, Simon and Alex. ^
25th January
We were extremely hungover and did nothing other than sleep and watch TV. In the evening Pete cooked and we had lovely dinner with Sue, Eric and Moira.
26th January
In the morning Eric was kind enough to take us on a tour around Gibraltar in his car. We drove out to Europa Point - the southern point - where there is a lighthouse and a lovely big mosque. We then drove around the end, came through the tunnels and passed the three beaches on the eastern side of the rock. After coming around and back through town we drove up to the top of the rock - the end we haven't seen yet - and enjoyed a great view down to Spain. After our tour we came back home and chilled out for a few hours. In the afternoon we were meeting some family for lunch in town. We were picked up by Audrey and Manolo and drove to Casemates - the main square in town. We went to a busy restaurant with a few cousins as well and ate a ridiculous amount of food. We had two salads, calamari and sprats and I thought that was it - and I was full - and then a massive paella came! It was outrageous. The afternoon was really lovely - the sun was shining and the square was full of people eating out. We got home and had to lie down straight away. Simon came home in the evening and we watched a movie and then Sue made a lovely dinner which we just managed to squeeze in. We have put on so much weight this week! We could barely move after dinner and we had an early night.
The mosque at Europa Point. ^
Sandy Bay. ^
Catalan Bay. ^
Me and uncle Eric. ^
Moorish Castle. ^
Lunch with the family. ^
27th January
Today we were meant to go on a dolphin safari. Annoyingly the weather was looking a bit cloudy and grey (for the first time since we got here!) but we headed out into town anyway to check it out. We went to the office for the dolphin safari and they said they didn't think they would go out today because it was too choppy and raining. So that was a bit disappointing but we had a wander round town anyway and managed to see some people doing glassblowing in the Gibraltar Crystal glassworks. We also had a look in the old garrisson library which was pretty cool. After a couple of hours in town we went over to Moira's, where she fed us a massive lunch and then cake and tea and Sue and Eric joined us and again we were stuffed and needed to lie down. In the evening we went to Katrina's to see her and Adam one last time. Back at home Sue cooked us a lovely spag bol for dinner. We have eaten enough food this week that we won't need to eat again until we are home.
Glassblowers. ^
Garrisson library. ^
Thank you to all the family for welcoming us here and looking after us so well. We have had an amazing time - a real highlight of our trip. See you all soon!
