Back in Blighty for the day, the weather is as one might expect - overcast and cooler. At least to start, although the humidity regulator is turned up to full, and as the day wears on the other dials soon join in.
We start walking south as near to the water as we can, aiming for the most southern point in Gibraltar, the lighthouse at Europa Point. It takes roughly five miles to get here, passing through the outskirts of town, parks, Governor's Residence, naval shipyards, building sites and more. Not all is idyllic, but it’s a flavour of the area.
At Europa point we aim first for the Shrine of Our Lady of Europa, a church since 1462 and hugely important to seafarers, but it was closed.
Next we pass the impressive university area and playing fields to go to the lighthouse and various guns. We learn about the recent and not-so-recent history of Gibraltar.
Did you know the Mediterranean dried up around six million years ago, when the tectonic plates of Europe and Africa drifted together and closed the strait? Roughly another million years later they opened again, after a massive earthquake, the resulting waterfall between the Rock of Gibraltar and the opposite point in Africa caused by the Atlantic refilling the Mediterranean bowl can be considered to be the biggest ever in the history of our planet.
On more recent times, Britain and The Netherlands stole Gibraltar from Spain in 1704. In order to stop us causing further agro Spain gave us the land forever in 1713. Of course they regret that now, but it’s not very different to the bit of Africa that Spain nicked, Melilla and which we’ll visit in a few days time.
We retrace our steps for a short while before starting our ascent, past a few nice houses, until we reach the Jews’ Gate, one of several into the national park that is the Rock of Gibraltar.
Up and up, dropping once to walk across the suspension bridge, we climb again.
St Michael’s Cave has to be one of the most spectacular caves we’ve ever visited, and it’s lit so well it is truly amazing. There’s also a son et lumiere giving an idea of the formation of the caves, held in the 450 seat performance space right in the cave.
Next we press on, climbing until we've arrived at the skywalk, pretty obvious what’s going on here! The view is spectacular and both sides can be seen down to the water thought the cloud - just. Although not the absolute top, we’ve climbed 1717 feet by now and in this heat that’s quite enough thanks! Pill-boxes can be found dotted around.
The macaques are mostly well behaved, even a little slow in the heat and humidity, but we see one fight, and hear later of stolen food, bags etc.
On our return we detour to see the town hall, then return home for a well earned burger and fries - Seabourn fries are the best ever!! The view from my office improves in the afternoon.
Standard afternoon, followed by drinkies with Sheffield friends via FaceTime. Dinner is at TK Grill again, excellent prawn cocktail (note our cousins don’t do Marie Rose, they like a spicy horseradish tomato kind instead) and lobster. Mains are veal T and sirloin, though of course it’s called a New York Strip - I’ve often wondered if this is because it resembles the island of Manhatten but I don’t know. Finish with chocolate cake and lemon meringue tart, the latter rather spoiled by an unnecessary lake of raspberry coulis.
The show is just fabulous - shows and movies, the Company excels itself.
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