Day 7 – Gibraltar – well, almost!

What a wild ride the ship had last night! Ross and I were watching the very large swells from our window and could feel the shudder from the pounding of the waves. W e loved the experience! With the ship being as long as it is, it spans the waves mostly, but consider the little vessels of the early explorers and Pilgrims riding up and down the waves!

So, we woke up to the Rock of Gibraltar! It was enchanting to see in the early morning mist. Just from our window alone we could count 14 ships - we were the only cruise ship. At breakfast the captain announced over the PA system that no one would be allowed to disembark today because of the sea conditions. No one moaned or complained. All announcements are given in English, German, French, and Portuguese – everyone seemed to understand the situation. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a peaceful time in the harbor most of the day soaking up the rays, reading, listening to some fantastic musicians, and catching up on some rest. I guess we’ll have to wait for another time to see the famous Barbary monkeys and the Rock of Gibraltar. Maybe it’s just as well that we didn’t. They are apparently quite aggressive and have been known to steal purses, wallets, anything shiny and even pluck an eyeball (Ross added) – the little varmints. Winston Churchill declared long ago that as long as the Barbary monkeys remained in Gibraltar, the British would remain in Gibraltar. Well, they are still here, and so are the British – who feed them!

Tonight for dinner Ross and I both had roasted lamb with mint jelly! Yum!!! Every night, John, the little Irish man, gives me a history lesson from his county of Tipperary. Tonight he revealed President Obama’s Irish descent and how he plans on visiting his ancestral home when he visits later on this month. I commented that he certainly didn’t look like an Irish man. Of course, I don’t think I look very Irish either. Becky and Chris showed us some of their wedding pictures! They were married at the Toledo Zoo and did some wonderfully creative things like having merry –go-round rides for the reception and the train providing transportation to and from the wedding site. Dinner always seems to end too soon for all of us!

The show tonight was a tribute to the movies. The high energy singing and dancing were just marvelous! This entertainment and the music from the different venues around the ship always complete these delightful days at sea.

Backside of Rock of Gibraltar

(We were at dinner when we rounded the point to the other side)