Jul 16 2012

Jake’s Sunday Post: Solid


Jake’s Sunday Post theme this week, ‘Solid’, immediately brought to mind that old saying which I believe must be a universal idiom, “As solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.” This term is used to describe any person who is totally reliable and trustworthy, or any thing that has strength and endurance that is indestructible.

The Rock of Gibraltar, which is the Crown property of the UK, was known to the Romans as Mons Calpe. This enormous rock is 426m high and is the northern of the two ‘Pillars of Hercules’, which in ancient times, according to the Phoenicians, marked the limit to the known world.

We visited the Rock when we did a tour of Spain, Portugal, Morocco and Gibraltar, a few years ago. The charming Mediterranean town’s main street was jammed with pubs, restaurants, cafes, tiny shops, as well as a handful of famous British chain stores such as Marks & Spencers.

We had a minibus ride right to the top of the Rock, stopping en route to see the ‘Tower of Homage’, Gibraltar’s first permanent settlement, built around 711. This castle was rebuilt after the second period of Moorish occupation, in the early 14th century.

Here I am with my friend, who didn’t want to miss the photo opportunity.

No this isn’t my travelling companion, but one of those cheeky Barbary Macaques which seemed to be everywhere. We were warned not to have any food visible, as it would be snatched, and sure enough, one of our fellow travellers was followed onto the bus, and just as she was about to enjoy her packet of chips, it was stolen right out of her hand by one of these fearless bandits.

Here is our farewell view of this massive rock, as the ferry transported us across the Straits of Gibraltar to Morocco for the next leg of our tour. Looks pretty solid to me.

55 comments on “Jake’s Sunday Post: Solid”

  1. Great choice for the Solid challenge. And lovely photos.On our trip through Spain and Morocco, we didn’t get off at the Rock.

  7. Pretty solid! The two Pillars of Hercules and you is my favorite! Beautiful smile… Thank you for sharing!

  11. Another place I would love to visit. It always brings to mind a movie from the early 70’s featuring Glenda Jackson on an illicit weekend with her married lover in Gibralter. While doing the dirty she said “Oh look you can see the Rock of Gibralter from our window” and her lover twisted around to look for himself and put his back out which led to lots of comic moments and explanations.

  12. Oh good one! I was only there a couple of weeks ago and took a photo of my friend from Australia sitting on the very same spot!

    Did you enjoy St Michael´s Cave?

  13. The British piece of rock looks more solid than Sir Lowries Pass!
    Cheeky monkeys abound everywhere. At least we’re used to them right here.

  14. I’m enjoying this ‘travel series’ … very much. Are we off to Morocco tomorrow? your posts are unfailingly interesting with good photographic support. A joy to read and I look forward to new ones.

  15. Hi AD, fascinating place. Spain seems to have given up on their claim to the Rock, too many problems of their own these days I guess 😉

  18. I like the way the traffic stops for landing and taking off aircraft where the main road into Gib crosses the runway. But feel desperately sorry for the British Bobbies, dressed as they do in England. Way too hot.

    • Yes, those Bobbies looked to be very overheated. That’s interesting about the main road crossing the runway. I vaguely remember our guide telling us, but we didn’t have to stop, so didn’t witness this phenomenon. 😉

  19. Really enjoyed this! That “cheeky” little guy was hilarious, posing with you 🙂
    Now I am off to my tread-mill…you look Mah-ve-lous!!

  20. Sjoe you can’t go anywhere with snacks these days, eh? Around the corner someone is waiting to tuck in 😉

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