Monsoon season in Gibraltar

10-20-15
It is monsoon season in Gibraltar, raining three solid days now,
sequestering us aboard El Gato in Marina Alcaidesa on the Spanish
side.
Our first day here, during a respite in the rain (or what we thought
was a respite), we walked to the border and over to Gibraltar –
crossing the LIVE runway of the airport that lies between us and The
Rock. No-one even asked to see our passports as we entered this small
British enclave – greeted by a typical red phone booth, flowers, and
finally signs in a familiar language.
The area is steeped in history: at the bottom of Europe, across the
strait from Africa, at the cusp of the Atlantic and the 'New World.'
We wandered the streets (thankfully most shops were closed, being
Sunday, or Annie and I probably would have bought everything in sight)
until another downpour began, and we popped into a pub for Pimms, (us
girls) and a Crabbys Ginger Beer for Eric; who added a shot of rum to
make a Dark and Stormy, which the bartender had never heard of. But
he encouraged us to take the bus to Punta Europa, and so we scurried
out before the next squall.
From the point (which was much more impressive from sea!) we followed
a trail up a hill, through a tunnel, around winding streets ... I love
to think of what went on in these places and homes years ago, how
people lived then, and even now – so very different from my existence
in Santa Barbara. I would love to live here for three months. I would
love to live ANYWHERE for three months, lol!
We came upon a waterfall, along a deserted beach club (considering the
cold weather, I declined to jump in – and so cannot say I've been IN
the Med, only on it) and then to a skinny dark tunnel, which we
thought was the end of the road. But no cars were coming, so we
sneaked through and continued, now in a residential area, lined with
honeysuckle and tulip trees, and finally, as the sprinkles began
again, jumped on a bus to the downtown market area of Gibraltar.
From there it was another 20 minutes walk back to the marina, in the
pouring rain. We were like drowned rats, and have remained so for the
last two days. The weather promises to clear later today ... we hope
to tick off some more chores (and go see the Gibraltar monkeys!).
That's it for an update. Tonight Kim returns with our FULL tank of
cooking fuel (we will repay him in dinner and wine) and then I'll make
a few more meals to freeze, while Annie and Eric wrap up their tasks,
and hopefully set sail in the evening, or Thursday morning. Check our
our track at: http://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/ElGato