Gibraltar

A stay in the south of Spain should include a visit to the historic rock of Gibraltar. Today we set forth and drove, Ian drove and I the trusty navigator, to La Lima the Spanish town on the border with Gibraltar. We parked the car and walked the final kilometer as the traffic going into Gibraltar was continual and heavy and where do you park when you get there. Walking is an easier option all round and gave us time to stare up at this huge rock. Customs was very casual, you held up either your passport or your E U card and walked through. To actually get to Gibraltar you literally walk over the tarmac of the airport. The police close of the causeway and the planes land as one did just before we arrived. The rock as I discovered has 3 peaks not the one visible from Spain and of course I had to climb them all. We actually did the touristy option took the cable car to the top and wandered the cliff tops looking out to the Med on one side and the Atlantic on the other and doing our best to avoid too many of the local apes also applying their cuteness for food. Morocco is very visable and only 15 km from Spain. Around the Moroccan coastline are 2 towns still part of the Spainish archipelago, serviced on a very regular basis by a continual stream of ferries.
Gibraltar after all these years remains stoically British with prices in pounds, signs in English and the populace definitely British. Duty free alcohol and cigarettes seemed a top seller with many many outlets all through the streets.
Gibraltar has definitely been a key strong hold from way back. When you stand beneath the city walls and gates you gain some insight to the strength of the fortification. I also began to appreciate the the pivotal position Gibraltar was for the British during WW 2. Seeing and being there was just something else.