I think its a parking high rise.

We started our second day in Gibraltar with heavy, leaden skies threatening to rain. Visibility wasn’t great but we set off any way. This time we spent the 3.60 E and took the bus which used a tunnel under the end of the runway for a different perspective of getting into Gibraltar.

The construction and road work was just the same. The mess was as un inviting as ever. But it was a quick trip.

The Rock of Gibraltar contains about 55 km of tunnels to turn the Rock into an impenetrable fortress. They were heavily expanded during WW II and still used today for the storage of munitions and other military functions.

It is believed that nuclear warheads are also stored here as a deterrent. Being 300 ft under the rock to take them out would require sufficient blast to also wipe out the bottom half of the Iberian Peninsula and North Africa.

This was erected in 1932, commemorating WW I.

Tapestry in City Hall.

The only church we visited.

Gibraltar was an experience in three parts. The first was the general appearance as we entered the city. There was construction mess everywhere with no consideration given to the massive tourist trade pouring into the city every day. It looked and felt like the back streets of Bombay.

The second part was the old town and Main Street. This was neat and interesting with good coffee shops and restaurants. Third highest coffee price at 8.60 E and prices generally high and based on British pricing. You don’t come here for a bargain but the shopping and eating experience was good. It was very pleasant wandering the streets and enjoying the sights.

The third part revolves around the tour operators. With the cable car to the top of the mountain currently closed, a tour bus or taxi is the only way without a very big uphill walk. To a man they were pushy, aggressive and rude making the whole experience very unpleasant. In the end we gave up on them and left.

Overall I am glad I visited the Rock just to say I have been there but not sure how proudly I will wear the t shirt.

If you tell the GPS No Tolls, the 100 km to Ronda will take you 1000 m up into the mountains and into some magnificent country with some staggering drops of the edge of the road. It was quite a drive.

The hills are covered with wind farm generators but the cows couldn’t care less.

Towns spring up from out of hilltops and the sides of a cliff. All painted white with orange roofs they stand out on the landscape.

The river is dry at this time of the year. What looks like water is all shale rock.

The town of Gaucin even has its own mini zoo.

Thought this was worth posting. Hope you can read it.

Another pretty town.

At times it was like driving through a moonscape.

New friends Betty and Jasper from the Netherlands. See you in Tasmania guys.

Finally made it to Ronda, reputedly the prettiest town in all of Spain. Tomorrow we will find out.

David & Collette