Is this my second wild swimming spot?

 

This looks promising for my next dip - if only the weather would improve. 

We managed to complete this Dartmoor walk this time - previously we had turned back because the path had proved too rocky for our old Lakeland terrier. The weather was not kind on Friday and the path ahead was shrouded in cloud but we decided to press on.

 

The path was not clearly marked and we were glad of the guide book and the map. We met two walkers who had turned back because the path had become very rocky and difficult to pass. The river was running fast after all the rain and the continuous noise reminded us of the power of the water. We seemed to be walking very close to the river bank and the rocks were very slippery. This river is claimed to be the fastest flowing river in England and I could believe it as it rushed past just below where we walked.

 

 It was just after this point that I jokingly said I would take the lead to prevent Younger Sister from falling into the bogs. Seconds after uttering this, my leg disappeared into a crevasse (unseen because of the boggy terrain). For a moment - I wondered what had happened and it crossed my mind that I might be following my boot into middle earth. I couldn't feel the bottom and Younger Sister rescued the top of my boot before it was totally submerged with my leg in it and pulled it out. Between the fits of laughter as I lay prostrate on the boggy ground, we did realise how carefully we had to be. This crevasse was completely concealed by the boggy terrain.

It was now time to head up out of the gorge - but finding the path was difficult. We had to head up into the cloud and the ground was running with water so it was difficult to work out where the tracks were. The visibility was not wonderful and it reminded us how you must always be prepared when you go out - a compass is essential. We were glad we had set off in the morning so there was plenty of day light.

Fortunately for us, it was not cold - just damp - very damp!

 

 You can see how wet the ground is in this photo.

But when the weather lifted the views were spectacular.

So.....all I need now is a little warm weather and the river to be flowing steadily and I will be back to test the waters!

Settling in with 'Positivity' !

A lot of rain and a little sunshine can make all the difference.

It's twelve weeks into the second half of The Curate's curacy and we are both still learning so much about this new parish. It is very different from where we were before and it does rain a lot! I thought I had reached the point where I could settle in as The Curate's wife more easily, having struggled in our last parish to come to terms with our situation. I know I want to be beside The Curate - but in what role? I am trying to practise positivity which (according to Jane Fonda in The Mail on Sunday today) is 

"an attitude, a way to approach life; it is expressed through humour, gratitude, forgiveness, playfulness, creativeness and adaptability."

In many ways I wish The Curate had given up his old life sooner and gone to college for his training. In that way I would have met others in a similar situation to myself and I would have had some introduction to this way of life. There are things that I have trouble figuring out. Here are a few of them:-

* Do I have to have a 'ministry'? Even on a positive day - I don't feel called to youth work, coffee making, flower rotas, prayer ministry  - is this my lack of church experience? (I do see a need to support The Curate - both practically and as 'a sounding board'.)

* Do I have to belong to a house group? It can be awkward when conversations turn to church management - as so often can happen in small groups.

* Do I go to church on my own - and risk sitting in the pew on my own for a few weeks - or do I follow The Curate when he is going to the other churches in the mission community and so become known to the other congregations ( even if it is only as 'The curate's wife)?

* Do I volunteer for the coffee rota and then find that I am unable to go with The Curate to the other churches ( one of which has been very welcoming)?

* How do we manage a social life together when The Curate feels church initiated social situations are 'work' and I see him doing a lot of listening but not really relaxing?

* Not having young children is a distinct disadvantage. I know how much easier it was to get to know others in our old village just by standing at the school gate or meeting in the park. There are no casual meeting places here so where do I start? ( I'm doing the gym - but we are all so puffed - no one speaks!!)

This is a positive blog - and these are just thoughts and I will return to them in a few months to see how things have changed. Perhaps you may have experienced similar as you settle into new homes. Am I just too impatient? 

Gibraltar - a very special place.

2 cruise liners dock and spill out their

 passengers

There are so many more architecturally superior cities than Gibraltar - think of Rome or Paris or Barcelona, Madrid or Seville. So why do we come back to Gibraltar? It is the popular stop of cruise liners. It is the hop across the border from Spain for cheap booze, petrol and cigarettes. It has fish and chips, red telephone boxes and English style pubs with British beers and people who speak English. There is tax free shopping in Mothercare, Marks and Spencers, British Home Stores and branches of British banks. There are the cute apes that will snatch your camera or packed lunch in a second or who can be tempted by the tour guides to pose on your shoulder. You are not tempted? None of these are the reason for The Curate and I returning to Gibraltar.

The main road crosses the airport runway.

There is constant noise - noise from the generators that power Gibraltar, noise from the  scooters that buzz around this outcrop like flies, noise from the mass of people who pass up and down Main street and sit in the open air bars and cafes exchanging news in a mix of Gibraltarian and English.  There is the noise of building, building on every possible scrap of rock and, if there is no rock, reclaimed land from the sea. There is the smell and noise from the engines of 500 or more cars an hour, squeezing themselves over the border onto this tiny peninsular. It doesn't sound like a holiday destination.

But look beyond the obvious, suppress your prejudices - look up above the shops, look round the corners and into the passage ways. If you are really observant you can spot the Rock's history in so many places. If you are exploring without a guide, you are helped with excellent heritage signs that explain what you are looking at. Gibraltar was a fortress and fought over many times. It is the northern Pillar of Hercules - sail pass this and you were in the unknown . It is thought to be the last outpost of  Neanderthal man  who lived in the caves in the limestone rock. 

In AD 711 it was conquered by the Moors and the Moorish castle still stands as evidence of their occupation. The Rock itself is riddled with tunnels - these helping it to survive 'The great siege' between 1779 and 1883. During the 2nd world war these tunnels were in full use  with hospitals and command centres being situated actually inside the rock. We were lucky enough to be taken on a tour when we lived in Gibraltar. Looking out to Spain from an opening high up on the north face of the rock, that you probably would not have noticed from ground level, is amazing These Siege tunnels are now open for everyone to see.
Gibraltar has a turbulent past - fought over by different countries and civilizations often because of its strategic position.


It is the last resting place of sailors who may have survived the battle of Trafalgar and there is a leafy green graveyard that you pass on the way to the cable car. It is a place to stop and rest, read and remember.  

We just scratch the surface of Gibraltar - each time we visit we discover something new and we see huge changes. Hopefully, despite the need to provide modern housing, the Gibraltarian government will value the old town. Hopefully all the Gibraltarians will learn the history of Gibraltar. Our taxi driver told us he only learned about Gibraltar when he became a tour guide and 'Did we know there had been a prisoner of war camp in Gibraltar?' .

This is only part of the reason we return to this unique, perhaps unlikely holiday destination. It is because here, towards the end of our posting here with  Royal Navy - my husband walked through our front door and told me that he knew all that he had been hearing in The Methodist Church - was true. And from that moment - the direction of his life changed ......and mine.

 And every so often, we both need to be reminded of this very special place.

Good morning

Waiting on our balcony this morning.

Tea and cake.

Can I recommend The Vicar's wife's malt loaf - Since seeing it on her Blog I have had several successful attempts at making it (and a couple of bricks due to my measuring skills). Here it is looking over Gibraltar towards Africa (which has got lost in the mist today). I added walnuts to this loaf and it has travelled with us and helped fill the gap between lunch and tapas in a very English tradition!

Spanish Markets

I love markets - abroad or in England I love browsing the stalls for bargains and unusual products. It is so easy to nip across the border into Spain and the market in La Linea so this is what we did today. In these markets ( found in many countries in rural areas) you get a taste of where food really comes from. 
When we lived here in Gibraltar we would always cross to the Saturday market and buy a kilo of small clams and a bunch of fresh parsley  and cook them with garlic and white wine for Saturday night. It was so cheap to eat like this. Of course - we made our mistakes such as buying three kilos of ripe tangerines and finding it impossible to eat that many - before they rotted.

 



Today we enjoyed the stalls ladened with bags of caracoles (small snails) and watched the ladies buying fresh bunches of herbs.

It's also the prickly pear season - and the fruit can be bought and peeled there and then for you.

 So many countries still have these markets -  where the prices are cheaper than the supermarkets.
Local produce for local people.

 Nothing is plastic wrapped and you can specify exactly what you want.

Both of us wanted to be back living here again.

We are not alone!

 There is a slight risk that our room may be visited by an ape if we leave the doors to the balcony open. This happened last year - although we did not leave the door open. An ape had learned to throw himself against the windows and on sliding down -caught the door handle and the door swung open! Others are opportunists and walk up and down the balconies waiting for a door to be left ajar. This morning three apes were on patrol - climbing between the balconies or sitting on the roof - waiting.

 This one was looking up to the balconies - I thought he had seen me and was heading towards us! They tend to sit outside on the balcony rail - which comes as a shock when you open the curtains.

They add to the flavour of staying here - and the apes have long been associated with this part of the world.
Once inside your room they know exactly what they are looking for - sugar and anything edible. They leave a trail of footprints but didn't touch anything else of ours last year.

This morning the apes put on quite a show for the guests as they waited for any opportunities to arise! 

This notice is attached to each balcony. 

Do you know where we are yet?