PW_3_2024

Article

Gibraltar Jaunt Andy Marshall I have always been intrigued by this small slice of Britishness at the bottom of the Iberian Peninsula. So, when the opportunity to drop in arose, I decided to make it into a few days’ break and I’m glad I did. M y wife and I flew into Malaga and drove the 80 miles down the coast . It was an easy drive with a lunch stop on the seafront in Marbella. The weather on the Costa de Sol was warm with brilliant sunshine, however as we approached the rock it was shrouded in cloud… just like the UK we left earlier! We drove through with only a few minutes wait for the Spanish Police and Gibraltar Customs to check our passports. You instantly notice the change with red double decker buses and UK road signs but interestingly they drive on the right. We went directly to our hotel, The Rock Hotel which has a fantastic, elevated position with views across the town, harbour and bay towards Spain and Morocco. Booking direct you also get an IPA discount. After settling in we headed out for a walk into town, via the botanic gardens outside the hotel. The town has impressive colonial style architecture with historic sites every few metres. The shops are a mix of UK high street names and independent outlets selling tax free and very cheap jewellery, cigarettes, leather goods and alcohol. It also has a mix of very British pubs and more traditional Spanish style restaurants and cafes. We enjoyed a bit of shopping and exploring before heading to Ocean village a modern marina and entertainment hub just outside the historic defensive walls. I met up with Paul from the Royal Gibraltar Police and following an interesting chat about policing on the rock he kindly gave me a RGP tie, and we exchanged some coins and patches. Also, we learned they are recruiting UK officers.

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POLICE WORLD Vol 69 No.3, 2024