Spain, Gibraltar, the UK and Family

19th July 2015

Well, brief but bountiful …..

Morocco
But first a little lingering memory of Morocco: on our first day, all the young blades, the old, young girls and women were dressed in their finery for the celebration of the end of Ramadan. It was an eye-popping, rich tapestry of colour and styles. Unfortunately, we were quite unable to confront the crowds of people on the pavements with our cameras as they approached and passed us; it seemed just far too intrusive so – no pics. The following photos may give you some idea, but fall far short of the real, colourful and beautiful designs. Daily, even after Ramadan, Moroccan streetwear clothing presented us with a kaleidoscope of colours and styles anyway: Ali baba trousers; gorgeous flowing gowns; full, black-robed niqab and burka-wearing women; and young men wearing the most modern and stylish designer jeans, shorts and t-shirts (styles ripped off in Turkey and sold here much cheaper and of good quality). The variety of clothing was entertainment in itself.

Our arrival at the end of Ramadan, on the other hand, was perhaps not the best time to arrive as there are another two full days where most of the shops and food producers are closed – we’ve struck this before. However, the rudiments were there, but nothing to compare with in-between the Ramadan fasting period when Moroccan food production and snacks excel.

Return to Algeciras
What’s to say? We both like this big port city but it can be very grubby and the current heat-wave doesn’t help. We are once again staying near the port itself, but had to change our accommodation after a couple of days because we couldn’t sleep in the oven-like, non-air-conditioned room. We managed to score a much bigger, spacious-and-cool room in another small hotel just 50m away. It had air-con and cost the same (30 Euros per night).

There seems to be more street hookers about lately – none of them too young. Maybe the heat brings them out.

Off to the UK in a day or so to visit my Uncle in Buckingham (flying out from Malaga), then down to Eastbourne to visit an old friend and his missus. After that (about a week to ten days maybe) we’re off on a mystery tour with Rachel at the helm, counting down our last days of this holiday.

Old Algeciras

Of course, we walked over to Gibraltar across the runway from La Linea (on two separate days) and visited my family; an enjoyable walk-down-memory-lane experience for us both.

The outer suburbs of Algeciras are surprisingly well kept and in some parts very flash. We passed through them on a local bus on our way to the neighbouring beach of Getares and the village of San Garcia. It isn’t a bad part of this corner of Andalucia though clearly developed in the holiday-villa style. It is a pleasant break from our gritty (but savoury and colourful) current domain. A lot of the locals in these outskirts keep horses and mules, and not for steeplechasing or shows.

It is incredibly hot and humid today, and we are assured by locals that this is not typical for this time of the year – we are in the midst of centennial, if not greater, climate change.

Rock of Gibraltar in background from up above Getares Beach

 
This horse in Algeciras’ outskirts has just been given a cooling hose-off

 
The beach of Getares