The provisional programme is as follows:
Thursday, 27 September |
Travel to Gibraltar either direct or via Malaga, taking the bus from Malaga. |
Friday, 28 September |
Exploration of Gibraltar following what we know of Borrow’s visit there in 1839 (see Chapters 51 to 53 of The Bible in Spain/!). 9.30 a.m. Tour of Gibraltar guided by Richard García: Meet at Casemates Square (where the land and sea entrances to Gibraltar converge). Walk round the Square, to envisage what it was like in the 1830s. See the Old Mole and the ramparts. Circa 10.15 a.m. walk up to the former Merchants Exchange on John Mackintosh Square. Circa 11.00 a.m. walk up to the Governor’s residence, The Convent, including a visit to the King’s Chapel. Circa 12.30 p.m. end of the walk in the city centre Lunch break 2.00 p.m. board the Calypso bus and drive up to St Michael’s Cave. Visit the Cave (you may like to remind yourselves of GB's stunning description of his visit in Ch. 53 of The Bible in Spain). Tour of the Galleries. Visit the Moorish Castle. Aim to return to Governor’s Parade at 4.30 p.m., for a cup of tea at the Elliot Hotel and a comfort break. 5.00 p.m. tour of the Garrison Library 6.00 – 8.00 p.m. Meeting for papers at the Garrison Library. |
Saturday, 29 September |
Coach excursion to Cadiz stopping briefly at Trafalgar on the way. Guided tour of Cadiz. Return via Medina Sidonia. |
Sunday, 30 September |
Members are free to explore Gibraltar further or visit Algeciras, Tarifa or other places nearby [Tarifa is a one hour journey by bus]. See Chapter 4 of The Zincali, or, The Gypsies of Spain. Evening: George Borrow Society dinner in Gibraltar. |
Monday, 1 October |
Some members staying on plan to travel to Tarifa and take the ferry to Tangiers for the day. |
UK members may obtain information on Gibraltar, including transport and accommodation, from the London office of the:
Gibraltar Tourist Board at 150,
Strand,
London
WC2R 1JA
tel. 020 7836 0777
e-mail info@gibraltar.gov.uk.
The Gibraltar office is at:
Duke of Kent House,
Cathedral Square,
Gibraltar
tel. +350 20074943
e-mail information@tourism.gov.gi.
See also the website at www.visitgibraltar.gi
For members who do not have The Bible in Spain or The Zincali: the Borrow texts mentioned above are available on line (follow the links).
Readers of the Oldie magazine will have noticed an article on Gibraltar on pp. 56–7 of the latest April 2012 issue.