Resting in Gibraltar 6-10 Sept
Nimue
Wed 10 Sep 2008 18:46
|
We had always planned to spend a few days in
Gibraltar and I also wanted to be there to see the Gibraltar National Day
celebrations on 10th Sept.
So after a night at anchor in La Linea, Spain, we
crossed the end of the aiport runway into Gibraltar. As our mast was more
than 20 metres high and therefore a risk to incoming/outcoming
aeroplanes, I was required to contact Gibraltar Harbour control on the
VHF to be given clearance. Then onto the waiting pontoon in Marina
Bay marina and after completing the usual paperwork we
moored 'bows to' to the concrete pile pontoons. Although a pain
to get on and off the boat, we felt this much safer, in so far as protecting the
Hydrovane. We have known other yachts to incur damage to theirs
when large swells hit the marina. In fact whilst we were there an
English yacht did incur such damage!.
 View of the Rock from La Linea,
Spain
The weather in Gibralter was very hot and humid and
so was not ideal for sorting out the forepeak (the sleeping compartment in the
bow of the boat), which is being used as our storage area.
However, this was a necessity as Michael's Dad (Den) was flying in later that
day to spend a few days with us.
Nimue was only about 200 metres from the edge of
the runway, so we thought we would see the plane land, but we missed it as
it landed 45 mins early, as we were out shopping. Luckily our paths
crossed at the marina and the next few days were spent catching up on all the
news back home and visiting the sights of Gibraltar.
Fortunately, we chose the clearest day to take
the cable car up to the top of The Rock and the views over the
bay were breathtaking. Naturally we encountered one of Gibraltar's
best known attractions, the Barbary Macaques (tailless monkeys), but took
heed of advice not to take any plastic bags with us, as the monkey's
think they contain food and can be quite violent towards you.
 The Barbary Macaques
      Various views from the top of the
Rock
The next few days were taken up with bus
tours around the island and wondering around the City Centre. The
main thing that struck us about the whole place was that it is fairly
run-down and tatty and had a feel of the 1960's era. However, it was
noticeable, especially around the marina that alot of redevelopment was
going on and some places were extremely smart.
One good thing was that everyone spoke English,
which just made asking for things that bit easier. I was also able to
do a big shop at Morrisons and pick up some of those things you just couldn't
buy in Spain or Portugal!
The restaurant fare overall was fairly bland
(Fish & Chips and burgers), but after speaking with a lady at one of
the bus stops, she recommended a restaurant in the marina, which did excellent
Paella (altough needed to be pre-booked, as Paella wasn't officially on the
menu). We took her advice and I pre-booked the meal at the Little
Mermaid and I think it was one of the best paellas
we've ever had, so was well worth
the recommendation !
Gibraltar National Day is always celebrated on 10th
September and commemorates the 1967 referendum when the people of Gibraltar
voted to reject Spanish sovereignty by a massive majority. The day is a
public holiday during which most Gibraltarians dress in the national colours of
red and white and among other events, attend a rally, which culminates with the
symbolic release of 30,000 red and white baloons representing each person living
on the Rock today. This was an extremely colourful day and it made quite
an impression, especially to see some of the Spanish residents dressed
up and seemingly more patriotic to the Britain than some of
the British are??
   Anyway the 10th also saw Den fly back to Blighty
and this time I did manage to get a picture of his plane taking off! The
evening finished with a fabulous firework display and we then prepared
Nimue for an early start the next day.    Bye Bye Den
|