Gibralta and La Linea
16 October 2014

If you thought we had fallen off the edge of the world I'm sorry. We have moved back over the border to the Alcaidesa marina in La Linea which is cheaper and the batteries can be delivered there and it is easier access for the tradesmen. And none of the silly Med style berthing.. Quite civilized like at home with fingers and pens. We still pass over the frontier to go and have the big English breakfasts served all day for 4.95GBP. The Gib as the Brits call Gibralta is little England with double decker buses, red pill box phone booths and for those of you who know them Marks and Spencers department store. There is a lot of history with a cemetery with graves from the Battle of Trafalga. It has always been a fortified area and no wonder the Poms want to keep it. The Spanish also claim it but do not have rule over it, so the Frontier between is a guarded controlled check point for crossing back and forth. This can be a pain in the neck for motorists as each vehicle is checked not just for immigration but customs as well. Most people park either side and walk across the run way of the airport. When a plane is coming or going the boom drops and the uniformed people oversee the ceasing of traffic. Leaving Gib are the Spaniards on foot with their duty free cigarettes ( taken out of their cartons so as to stash a few more packets) along with the English who work in Gib but live in Spain. . A lot of politics are going on at the Frontier as it is a bottle neck and at times there can be several hours delay getting there. Spain is now talking of facial recognition set up but it smells of catching people for tax evasion and other offences. The Brits are constantly on the radio ordering Spanish vessels from their waters and threaten them with military action. All a bit ridiculous!!!!!! While Gary and myself stay on board with the electricians Glen and Liz are off playing the tourists. While the work is being done the weather has been stormy and wet so perhaps being in the marina is fortunate.