It is 5.30 pm ship’s time. The sun is blazing down on our balcony. The hillsides of Morocco are rising up from the South. On the starboard side of the ship, the Spanish coast is visible to the North. We are sailing away from Gibraltar at a rate of over 22 knots. It has been quite a day.
The minibus driver and courier were Bert and Ernie, comfortingly British. They drove us through the town to the base of the rock. We then took a ship’s tour up the rock on the cable car, squashed in a little glass box suspended from the overhead wires. The views from the top were breathtaking.
We strolled through the nature reserve in the land of the Barbary Apes. We watched them, they watched us. With uncanny human characteristics they carefully investigated each and every tourist.
There followed a long walk through St Michaels caves. We were amazed by lengthy stalactite filled passages which penetrated the hillside.
Then we explored the siege tunnels, built by soldiers to ward off invaders. It was an exceptional trip. Ernie and Bert filled us with history, until they finally dropped us in town to do the necessary ‘duty free’ chores. Another 15 minute walk took us to the ship for a late lunch and a well deserved rest in our cabin......or so we thought. As we approached our cabin, 6 maintenance men were clearing water from the corridor. Where on earth was that leaking from??? Uhem...where do you think....from the toilet in our cabin. So, yes, I am sitting on the balcony in the sunshine leaving Gibraltar, but inside our cabin a large blower is drying out the carpets, which will apparently be replaced tomorrow. We could have moved cabins, but I’ve grown rather fond of the place, wet carpets and all. We could no doubt make a massive fuss, but for now the free specialist dining meal we have been offered in Sabbatinis is enough to look forward to.
Sorry we never got to meet up, Anthea. Hope your sister is okay. Chris and I loved Gibraltar. We will return.
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