An early morning start may not get the worm but sure beats the heat. Keeping the sun aligned,
another of our self-appointed functions. South Africans and Escom take note. This is how Spain
generates its electricity.
We're getting used to climbing boulders, hills and even mountains. Then our editor got this bright idea
and said how about climbing a large rock. Why not? She mentioned that we would have to leave Spain to do it.
"You don't think there are enough mountains to climb locally?" I asked, rather puzzled.
"Follow me," she said, which I did. We left Manilva early on Thursday heading for La Linea. The road was busy
as we reached the water but decided to branch off and park in an underground garage. Loaded with our packs,
we headed for the border post, left Spain and entered Gibraltar, on foot.
Following a two mile walk through the town, gazing at the massive rock outcrop to our east, we arrived at
a bus stop. It was a little late to take a bus as we had covered the route by then. Our editor pointed out
that we should eat breakfast before climbing the rock because the Barbary macaques (apes) would be attracted
to our scrumptious food. At the time, I thought the editor was plugging her culinary skills until I realized
even I could put together a meal of cereal and yoghurt.
The Rock of Gibraltar. A view for the birds,...looking into La Linea, Spain.
An ordinary gull but he/she posed for us just below the peak. Makes a change.
The Levy and Samit seniors know more about that vessel than most.
We gained 1,400 feet of elevation and then dropped down again before climbing to reach O'Hara's Battery,
the highest point. Gibraltar must be a thorn in the side of the Spanish, being linked to the country
by land and controlled by Britain. If nothing else, it sure portrays man's constant warring tendencies
with its military history, fortifications, cannons and tunnels. After passing through immigration,
pedestrians walk across the airport runway, a rather novel way to enter a country.
Always time for a rest as we sit slightly below O'Hara's Battery on the way down.
You never know what will crawl out from under a rock.
Jen captures the interplay of sun, sea and clouds.
People reach the summit mostly by taxi or cable car with a few walking up the couple of routes available.
The entry to the park is via Jew's Gate, rather direct and to the point. However, we were puzzled where
Gentiles would enter. On our way out, we were tickled by the road signs directing us to Spain. During March
in M'pumalanga, we led a group of youngsters in song to the tune: 'We are marching to Pretoria'.
The following month we jogged from Lesotho to South Africa down Sani Pass and now, Spain to Gibraltar and back.
They say the world is becoming a smaller place. They could be right. I'll put the foot down when the editor
suggests swimming across the Atlantic.
Haunting backdrop.
Couldn't resist another portrait near the top.
We raced the cable car up the slope. Guess who came second and third?
We are so used to struggling to communicate that we have developed a system to aid us in reaching
our destinations. Mostly, it seems to be working. While walking through Gibraltar, we stopped a rough-looking
young man to ensure we were on track to reach a commencement point to walk up the Rock, "Do you speak English?"
we inquired. He responded in a Cockney accent. So we guess he didn't speak the language.
When we approached the outskirts of Manilva, our latest home, we stopped an elderly man to ask directions
to the apartments. Jenni and the gentleman greeted each other in Spanish, both thinking the other could
only converse in the local language. Thereafter, they spoke in English—he was another of many Englishmen living
in the South of Spain.
A view into La Linea from the Rock.
Where to now, Jen? Who ever walked to Spain? Should we be in the left lane?
Returning via the Mediterranean steps, coming around the Rock nearing the bottom.
One for the rock...road
Cheers,
Jenni and Jeffrey
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