Rock of Gibraltar, UK. March 3, 2022

 Well what can I say about Gibraltar:  ITS A ROCK!!!     It is the gateway to the Mediterranean.  This tiny finger of land, a British Territory since 1713 has a long and rich history.  It was a strategic military outpost with views across the Gibraltar straight to Africa, more specifically Morocco.   Within the rock series of tunnels were dug by defending British troops during the Great Siege in 1779-1783 and later by troops during World War II.  One can see the holes, which were not only ventilation holes for the tunnels but also sniper lookout points.  

On display at the Parson’s Lodge Battery is the 100 Ton Gun, that takes 400 pounds of gunpowder and 8 hours to load and ready it for firing.  It never was fired, as the enemy was usually long gone before the cannon could be put into action.  Wonder what they were thinking.  

The Rock does not get much rain, so they desalinate seawater.  Oddly they pump it up into the hills and the residual water which is very saline then gushes out of the mountain creating a fake waterfall. How cool is that.  

Besides the monkeys one other oddity is that the city consists of a serious of sea walls.  As the city grows and it has no where to go but up or out to sea, they continue to reclaim land by building new seawalls and getting dirt from Spain to make new land.  I wonder what that does to the International Water Boundary line?  

Our tours took us to the adjoining mountain to visit with the monkeys and to a view the “ROCK”. A short cable-car ride took us to the top and what a view.  Had too little time to appreciate  and watch the monkeys.  Drove out to see the famous cannon, light house and immediate area.  Nothing too exciting.  

Seagulls nesting on the rocky cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean Sea

The Rock

 

The Gibraltar Cable Car brought us up 1,351 feet to this viewing platform and view of the “Apes’ Den

And Barbary macaques” below.  The apes are not apes but monkeys.  

And of course the monkeys were milling about everywhere,  this fellow followed us.

They are so used to people they come right up to you and if you happen to have any food on you they will find it and take it out of your pockets and or backpacks

View as we ride up in the Cable Car

Fake Waterfall,  the water is pumped from the ocean to a desalination plant on top of the hill, the excess salt is then flushed with water back into the ocean.  Must get really salty at that spot!

View from our ship, and we saw this Creek mega Yacht at two previous ports;  is it following us??    It’s impressive.

Me and a Monkey at Gibraltar.  Now who is the cutest…..I think the monkey

Believe it or not, a road goes across the airports runway.  It’s a vary short runway and there is ocean on both ends.  It’s all up to the pilot, no instrument landing possible there.  There is also no control tower.  

Once you cross the airport you can peak into Spain.  There is actually a border control.  

View back onto one of the residential areas of Gibraltar

Catalan Bay:  If you look closely on a clear day you can see Morocco, Africa.  We could almost make out the shore line.

The Europa Point Lighthouse has guided ships since 1841 through the Straight of Gibraltar.