Fai Tira Blog 14/10 

Fai Tira in Gibraltar Wednesday 14/10 36:08.98N 5:21.30W

Day three of our Gibraltar fortnight, prelude to the commencement of the rally, and the fourth day of our stay here.

What have we done so far?

The first thing that occurred was a game of musical chairs with the boats. As we approached the marina entrance, there was a call on the V.H.F. from our friends, Bill and Sue on Camomile. They were enquiring about our position, informing us of a mooring next to them while at the same time giving us some useful information about their refuelling experience, that provided us the opportunity to fill up for 40P/Ltr. How good is that!!

The marina is situated, in a position, very adjacent to the airport runway providing a ring side seat of all the incoming and out-going traffic. Very spectacular even if it is, a times, a bit noisy!

As we approached the berth Brian, from the marina office, was already waiting to take our bits of string and pass the pick-up line. And and within a short time we were secured and could relax. Wrong!! It wasn’t long before it was decided that, with our weight, the position was too exposed and also that all the rally boats should be grouped as closely as possible, so we were off again. Not far, but just a bit more aggravation. Oh well, spose it did, at least, provide another chance for some parking practice whilst at the same time providing us with a convenient berth right outside the convenience!

Straight away we were meeting up with people we hadn’t seen for a long period.

The socialising was under way, with what was left of the day being spent catching up accompanied by the inevitable lubrication. It eventually ended up with us getting together with, really interesting guys on a boat moored nearby, who although we’d only meet for the first time  made us feel really welcome, with kind invites to join them for a meal. I think it was probably only the feeling of the need to pace ourselves and fatigue (probably age related) that caused us to decline.

Once more the morning was greeted by bright warm sunshine. As we emerged, straight away we recognised the dulcet tones of Tony, one of the Rally Directors, as he spoke to Bill from the pontoon. All of a sudden for both of us, I think, the realisation had arrived that this is now really happening, all being reinforced at the official registration and the first chance to meet the others.

The rest of the day was free, so we decided to take the chance for some exploring on the bikes, with a ride along the coast road in the shadow of the rock and encountered our first wild inhabitant (that is, apart from all the motorists we’d managed to piss off with the slow, and slightly erratic progress of Pete and me along their narrow back roads) sat on the side of the road, munching a discarded biscuit, was one of the infamous apes.

It treated us with complete contempt and took absolutely no notice of us at all, we might just as well not have been there (also a bit like the motorists, but before we pissed them off!!)

 Bye for now. 

Regards Pete and John