Gibraltar for the winter

After arriving in Gibraltar in October the time seemed to fly by and now we are in January and just thinking about updating the blog!  It seemed that we had so much to do before we were heading off to the UK for Christmas. So we started on getting a few maintenance bits done on the boat but also wanted to see some more of the Rock and make the most of any remaining sun.

One of our best adventures has been the Mediterranean steps which run up the outside of the Rock providing amazing views of not only Morocco but also into the Med and the snowy caps of the Sierra Nevada.  The steps are cut into the Rock face and although there is a handrail to help you out it is a bit of a trek but definitely good exercise.  We also have the opportunity to say a quick hello to the Monkeys although I am never keen on getting too close.  We managed to walk the steps a few times before heading back to the UK but could not persuade Abbie when she came to visit.

Gibraltar Bay with Morroco in the distance

Monkey at top of the Rock eating a banana

Shorts in November! Spanish mountains in distance

Some of the many steps.

We have had a few visits to the Botanical Gardens, these are free of charge to visit and although only small they are very pretty and relaxing since they are so close to the centre of the town.

Botanical Gardens

Mark in Botanical Gardens

We decided whilst Abbie visited that we would hire a car for a few days to allow us to explore Spain but also to enable us to get a few jobs done – it is so much easier for us to fill up fuel containers, carry multiple gas bottles, visit a DIY shop, get a big Morissons shop when you have a car which we had not done since leaving the UK (apart from when we very kindly used the car my dad had hired in Mallorca).  Good thing about Gib is that cheap for hire cars.

Tarifa is only about 30 mins away from Gibraltar and is one of our favourite places where we have holidayed in the past.  It has beautiful wide long sandy beaches which are perfect for wind/kite surfing and even if you are not having a go yourself (me) it is amazing to watch and the beaches are fantastic for a windswept walk.  The town still has lots of old twisty streets with lots of little surf shops.  It has a very relaxed feel to it and even though Mark & I have not visited for many years it still had not been over-run by tourism.  Being able to have a picnic on the beach in November was a treat.

Mark & Abbie windswept in Tarifa

We also had a day trip out to Rhonda which is an old Spanish town about 1hr 30mins drive inland from Gibraltar.  The town is built around a gorge and the views are spectacular and the old squares and churches are really beautiful. 

Rhonda

Rhonda

Bridge over gorge at Rhonda

Having a car also meant we managed to visit Michelle, Alex, Ziggy and Asher, so lovely to see them all as always and not much more than an hours drive from Gibraltar so easy to pop and see them for lunch.

During the weeks before we left for England I am still surprised we fitted so much in, Mark was busy on the boat:

Varnishing bits and pieces in cockpit

Coating the deck with protector for winter

Re caulking some of the deck

Replaced bulbs

I managed some spring cleaning with cupboards being emptied and everything getting washed.

In addition I joined the local gym which was good to get some exercise on the rainy days. We visited the local swimming pool – it is free, what a bargain,! I went to the yoga centre, very relaxing.  We met some lovely people in the marina, some were setting off on their travel to Canaries and onwards across the Atlantic others who like us are settled here for the winter. 

The marina is 5 minutes walk from town which has made it easy for us to get things done and settle into a bit of a routine.

Queensway Quay viewed from Top of the Rock

Mark also had a couple of trips up the mast for one of our neighbouring boats and took a few good photos.

Magnum is the one in the middle with the blue cockpit cover

We then had to pack up Magnum and get ready for heading back to the UK.