Cycling to England

Gibraltar, 27.2.22, 10 PM

This morning at half past 6, I ordered maps to avoid toll roads in Gibraltar. The result was 470 km = 5:35 hours. It took me almost 7 hours. I would have liked to take the toll highway to the Spanish border, but you can only do that if you have a toll box in your car. Nobody accepts cash anymore, like in Italy and France. So, I ended up driving in the hinterland of Portugal for a while. From Spain onwards, the highway is toll-free, but Seville completely confused me. I must have wandered around for an hour. 'If possible, please turn around'. That's something you do on a city highway.

The Spanish state has always had a problem with Gibraltar, as can be seen from the fact that there is a signpost 9 km before Gibraltar. Shortly before Gibraltar, the road goes downhill for a long time and strangely enough, the weather kept getting worse, very British. Fits perfectly. In fact, there is a parking space right on the border in a boat harbor. That's where I went.

It was 12 degrees and very windy. I dressed warmly, took my passport and cycled to the border, 200 m. The Spaniards really wanted to see my passport when leaving, and the British also wanted to see it 10 meters later when entering. In the middle of Europe. Unbelievable.

At an Indian money changer, it's Sunday, I exchanged some British pounds and had a pint at 'The English Friar'. The second one was strangely cheaper.

Then the weather actually got better and I cycled around Gibraltar. Sensational. On very steep slopes, they have carved tunnels in and through the Rock of Gibraltar. I think the tour took about an hour. I didn't climb up, next time.

To end the day, I had Guinness, fish & chips at 'Lord Nelson', and Chelsea vrs Liverpool was playing on the TV.

The fish & chips were actually the best I've ever had. When I paid, the waitress told me that my £20 note was no longer valid, that happened to me in London as well. While I was riding back to Spain, I realized that the English waitress ripped me off by £3.

Now I'm sitting on the bus, typing up the experience on my laptop, the heater is on, and in front of me, there are lots of sailboats and behind me is the Rock of Gibraltar. Perfect.

I'll leave the waitress alone, but I'll declare war on India tomorrow morning.