Gibraltar and Bow Making

It’s been a week on the go; I’ve not stopped, packing in quite a bit, making the most of the bank holiday weekend and a few leave days.

Day 1 – Woodland outside Helperby, Yorkshire

Arriving early evening on Friday, we were led along a gravel track into woodland with deliverance vibes. For the next two days, we’d be hand crafting longbows.

Finding a flat spot between the trees I pitched my tent, set up my sleeping system and settled in for the night.

Waking up to sounds of the forest was pleasant. Listening to the birds and the squirrels chasing each other in the branches above was a relaxing way to start the day.

At 10am the instructors and our fellow students arrived. Following a quick demonstration of the tools we selected our lengths of wood and began shaving away, slowly carving the bow stave.

The work was hard, our only break was for lunch at one, but by 5pm I was at a point where it was ready for rounding.

For dinner we popped to a pub at the nearby village as the rain arrived. We’ve had weeks of heatwaves, droughts and forest fires; the two days of the year I’ve decided to camp, it rained!

Day 2 – Woodland

The patter of the rain on the tent was soothing; coupled with the day’s graft, sleep had no trouble finding me.

Shortly after 10am we were back at it, rounding the stave. Once stopped for lunch, it was ready for the notches and the string making. The latter the most fiddly task of the process.

Once strung, pressure applied to identify points the bow wasn’t bending. Which need to be corrected to ensure the force is even across each of the limbs.

A bit more shaving later I completed my bow. Ready to head to Manchester, we hit the road later than anticipated. In the early hours we’d be catching a flight to Gibraltar.

Day 3 – Gibraltar

A very quick turn around from getting to Manchester and waking for the flight. I was running on a couple of hours sleep, to be at the airport for 3.30am.

The airport was surprisingly busy, but with no luggage to check in, we were through passport control in no time. An airport beer later and we were in the air.

Three hours on, we were touching down on the rock. The oddity here, is the runway is practically the border and to get into Gibraltar you walk across it.

There is no need for taxis, for everything is in walking distance; 20 mins later we checked into our hotel, a quick shower, a couple of beers, then we went for an explore.

We tried out a few bars, got some food ending our first day in Gibraltar relaxing.

Day 4 – Gibraltar: The Rock

Despite wanting to sleep in, it was another early start. The nature reserve was on the cards today. To get the most out of it, we headed to the ‘Jew Gate’ at the south end of the Rock, for when it opens.

At the entrance stands the pillars of Hercules. The myth goes he held the world together by holding a pillar here and it’s counterpart over the Mediterranean; there is an equivalent monument in Morocco.

An uphill climb ensued to reach St. Michael’s Cave. A natural system full of stalactites that was believed to be a passage from Gibraltar to Africa, and thought to be how the Macaques entered the peninsula.

A light and music art exhibition illuminated the cave, highlighting the specific formation that has the appearance of an angel. It regularly used as natural concert hall.

From the cave, we reached the top to see O’Hara’s battery. A huge cannon with the range to fire a projectile over the strait into Morocco.

The microclimate that often shrouds the rock in cloud was on form. There were no panoramic views to be had. Across the top of the rock got us to the skywalk – with similar views.

The descent started here to the siege tunnels. Built in 1782, during the 3.5 year standoff between Britain and Spain. The aim was to reach an outcropping in the rock, known as The Notch. From this vantage point, the British could cover a sheltered area below, preventing the invading armies camping close to the rock.

The last bit were the WW2 tunnels, used to garrison the army. Kilometres of tunnels had been dug, for protection and storage; practically a small underground town. The Moorish castle would have been next, however it was undergoing works and closed off to visitors.

The long day of walking and Macaque chasing built up a thirst. We headed to Irish quarter for food and beer. Capping off the day.

Day 5 – Gibraltar: Wildlife Conservation Centre

We headed to Alameda Park to see the botanical gardens and the conservation centre. With the microclimate still in full swing, we strolled around the well maintained garden and explored the small menagerie.

Lemurs, reptiles, otters, a variety of small apes and birds were on show. The winding paths took is past the enclosures and even into lemur enclosure.

After midday we met up with a friend who lives in Malaga, and spent the rest of the day in the Irish quarter catching up, and having perhaps one too many!

Day 6 – Gibraltar: Europa Point

Our last day took us to the very south point of the peninsula. The red and white lighthouse marks the narrowest point of the Gibraltar Strait.

Although we could see the Rock today, out to sea, fog covered the horizon. The foghorns blaring from the cargo ships sailing within the murk. After a cold drink at cafe, we bar crawled our back to the main town, finishing at the square for food, completing our last day in Gibraltar.

The following morning we walked back across the runway, boarded our plane, then the microclimate struck. A thick fog rolled in, in a matter of minutes reducing visibility to 200m.

Gibraltar is a pilot only airport, meaning there are no autopilot capabilities. For planes to land or take off, there needs to be at least 1000m visibility.

We sat on the taxi spot for over two hours. Flights were being diverted to Malaga, chaos (which isn’t uncommon) ensued the skies. Thankfully the flight was smooth once we were in the air, and soon I was back in Blighty, making my way down the motorway home.