Warm down in Gibraltar

Today was the first day when I didn't have to set an alarm so I was super happy. Unfortunately I had a rubbish nights sleep as the walls in this hotel must be made of Rizla paper. The lovely couple next
door must have been out partying and got back at 2:30 am and decided to talk for 2 hours. Really loudly. It was as if they were in the room with me.

Breakfast was a buffet and I got down there for about 10 am just in time to enjoy the last of the scrambled eggs. Lucky for me I like them as hard as cauliflower and stone cold.

This morning was going to be filled with the joys of shopping for trainers, a rucksack and possibly a beanie and raincoat as there was rain forecast today.  Rain follows me wherever I go. 

It was also important for me to make good use of the mountain bike I had been lent by the lovely people at Cycle Center.

So what do you do to relax when marooned in Gibraltar after doing a cycling endurance challenge.....  Yes. Go for a bike ride up a mountain.

I left the hotel and first had a hunt around La Linea for some sports clothes shops for some trainers and luckily I  found one no problem. New treads and a rucksack bought I went across into Gib for a days tourist activity.  I added this to Strava too...

Data here.....  https://www.strava.com/activities/6901289752

It is a cool place with loads of history after being an overseas territory for so many years. It is tiny, I was shocked at how small it was, just 2.6 square miles.  It is like a theme park imitating a British town with M&S, Toy R Us and Early Learning Centre alongside dozens of other UK brand shops lining the streets. Obviously, the main attraction is the massive rock which makes up about 80% of the square footage. Due to this the populated area seems crushed in and densely populated to one side on the western shore. Hidden all over the rock are dozens of tunnels and hidden wreckages of old defenses and battery's. I wish I had more time here.

It started to rain so I headed to get that rain jacket and a beanie hat and then looked for somewhere to sit it out in the town.  The best place I found was the University café which was also a favourite for the many financial services people dressed in their expensive suits, chain smoking themselves through deal after deal on their phones. They looked so stressed out. 

Rain subsided so a circuit of this tiny country was my next plan.  It would not take long....

Circular tour done I headed up to see how far I could get.  I got completely and unashamedly and happily gloriously lost !!!  I love getting lost sometimes.  You discover stuff you wouldn't normally ever see.

I found the Northern Defenses hidden near a car park of a block of flats.

Gibraltar Airport...

North Front Cemetery 

The Devils Tower

 It was about 2:30 pm now so I thought I would go and get the bike as Mike had rang me just as I was going through the Dudley Ward Tunnel. I headed down the hill to Cycle Centre and dropped in the MTB.  Henry was now all boxed, secured and ready to fly the next day.  Cheers lads, what a fantastic bike shop.  Really great guys and so friendly.

I then had to carry the box down the road, across the runway and by the time I was at the airport my arms were falling off. At least I only had to get it here the once....

  

I was in such a fantastic mood, nothing could upset me.  I was going home tomorrow...

Then I got to the left luggage desk and they told me I was too late,  the scanners were just switched off and I could not leave the bike here overnight.

Not happy but there was no point arguing with a security guard carrying a gun so off I went to begin the next challenge of this trip....carrying this box all the way to my hotel.......   in Spain !!!

Oh well, I needed a work out !!!

Cheekily I tried to use an airport trolley but the security guard (with the gun) came after me.  He just laughed and said " Nice try mate...see you tomorrow "

When I got to the customs hut I suddenly realised that I may have issues here.  I was basically now importing a bike into Spain and it dawned on me what a prat I had been booking a hotel in Spain.  There was a perfectly nice Holiday Inn across the road from the bike shop !!!!  AAAGGGHHHHHHHH

Oh well, deal with it.

The security guy made me open the box up to see the contents and inspect the bike.  I thought he was looking for drugs or hidden guns but he said he just needed to see it was an old used bike not a new one which meant it was subject to import duties going into Spain and also on the way back again !!!!!!

I could not believe it. 

Now I am sure the look on my face and one look in the box told him 2 things here...   I was obviously weather beaten and looking tired after a weeks long distance cycling and the second thing in my favour was he could tell my bike looked almost as old as I did. Covered in sand and blackened dirt caked all over the frame and chainset.  No problems my friend get the security tape and we'll box it back up.  Phew !!!  So me and Henry were saved by looking old and haggard.  I was relieved but also a little sad !!!  I needed rest.  No rest for me though...  get carrying.  It was so awkward and heavy as I had added a load of my bags and unused contents to the box too for Mike and the lads to put with Henry...

When I got to Ohtels Campo I took Henry the Box to my room....

Lift for 2....

I collapsed through the door and fell onto the bed for a nap....

About an hour later I woke and got showered and with renewed energy and so excited to be going home I got dressed and went back into Gib to have my solo celebration night out.

Customs House Gibraltar,  aka   The Changing Room.....  It's a strange experience going through with a face mask on and then when you get into Gib you immediately take it off and over the other side of the road you see people queuing up to get from Gib into Spain putting them on.  When will life be normal again.

Look left, look right if no planes are coming you can cross.....

When in Gib you have to eat on Casemates Square,  it's the place to be.  So I did....

Nom  nom  nom......

Cheers....

I also had some body repairs to attend to.... including first dab of deodorant since leaving Ellesmere. Also I had developed blisters on my feet for the first time ever when cycling ??

The ibuprofen was for aching arms, legs, back, fingers, toes.,.........  Everything.

After this and 2 large glasses of wine I went in search of karaoke !!!

Irish Pub number one....

Cheers......

I am such a lightweight, after this I was ready for my bed......

 

I really hope that couple next door have checked out...   luckily they had so I got a fantastic nights sleep.

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

Next morning I had brekkie early, I was there at opening at 8:00 a.m. and the scrambled eggs were good, the coffee was hot and the day was off to a great start.

Checked out and carried the box back to the changing room where as expected the guy on the British side wanted it opened again.  No problem matey, do whatever you want.  Nothing was going to get me down today.  I was going home to my wife 

He sealed it back after one look at the state of him and added some lovely Gibraltar Customs tape to seal up the box. I thought that would make a good souvenir.

I got to the airport super super early and was first in line at check-in.  While I was waiting I checked in online and bought myself an upgrade to Business Class for £10.  WooHooo   Worth every penny I thought.

Poor BA...  that £10 profit has gone already and I haven't even got on the plane yet.   I filled my stomach with the free food whilst chilling watching the flights come and go.

The flight was about 4 hours so I sat back and enjoyed the journey sipping Aviator G&T and reflecting on the week. 

I landed into Heathrow and then had to get me and the box and my rucksack to the underground to get to Euston for the Crewe train where my bestie Marc would be waiting to pick me up to get me home.

This was an experience I will also never forget.  I thought the Londoners might be shocked to see this on their commute but they were oblivious to anything other than the phone in their hands. This was the perfect conversation starter but no chance. Attempt to start a conversation in London and you can be arrested for being northern...  Haha

There is no place like home.......

I know I will look back on it in years to come very fondly indeed and the hard days in my memory will be replaced by very happy memories of how absolutely bloody fantastic every second of every day was and will be.  

" Life is good. "  me, now and forever.