The mountain's nice, but I have to say that kind of reminds me of that planet from The Phantom Menace, entirely convered by buildings. Or whatever that planet from Asimov's Foundation books, the HQ of the Galactic Republic.
That "mountain" is "The Rock", one of the most sought after pieces of strategic land. Has beautiful views of Africa I hear.
I'm not sure of its strategic import now, but tradition must go on you know.
That last photo shows pretty much the whole of Girbralta, as far as I can tell from maps/satellite images. Indeed, the first photo shows all the traffic on the far side of the road backed up to the boarder crossing.
This series of photos has really put into perspective something most Brits intuitively know, but never really grasp.
"Indeed, the first photo shows all the traffic on the far side of the road backed up to the boarder crossing."
Gibraltar is so small that the air strip is not even in it! Wow.
I wonder if, with enough money, you could put a house on the side of such a rock? I mean, I'm sure you could, one would just have to make sure it's solid.
No, the airstrip is in Gibraltar, but the Spanish border is right at the top of that first picture, you can see a white roof over the road, that is the border control.
Check out the map, it's crazy how tight everything is on the flat.
Gibraltar apparently has more mileage of tunnels than roads!
Two hundred and some years sets a bit of a precedence. Is Gibraltar big enough to support itself. Do they want to be part of Britain, Spain, autonomous, or semi-autonomous?
There are many areas forcibly acquired in the last 250 years. Should they all be given back?
Personally I think France should give Brittany back to England, but England should give Wales and Scotland back.
Hmm, if Britain give back Gibralta, will America give back New Mexico?
There are many areas forcibly acquired in the last 250 years. Should they all be given back?
Probably. If it's practical to do so. In the case of Gibraltar, it is. Would they fight over it, the way they did over a few worthless islands (the Falklands)?
Personally I think France should give Brittany back to England, but England should give Wales and Scotland back.
How could they give Brittany back when it never belonged to England? As far as that goes, if the Norman king conquered England, does England still have a claim over Normany, or does that mean England should really be part of France?
I agree that Wales and Scotland should be released as they are of little value to England anyway. Most of the population of the UK and most of the money and industry is in England. It seems unlikely Wales and Scotland could survive on their own, though.
Hmm, if Britain give back Gibralta, will America give back New Mexico?
You would have to include California in that as well, and maybe other states I'm not sure. Arizona? I know that Mexico had California too.
What we're talking about with Gibraltar is a worthless rock of no strategic importance in this day and age. That's the only reason I'd suggest they give it back. Not because they necessarily ought to, but because they'd be better off. Same goes for ditching Wales and Scotland, and for that matter Northern Ireland too.
Looks like an RAF Tornado on #4.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures, my friend.
ReplyDeleteBritish Airways always has right of way, haha.
You can see a Junkers Ju 52 flying over our house today, at flickr.com/photos/mister-beep
What a buff fugly place.
ReplyDeleteAlways a ray of sunshine, you. Kudos.
ReplyDeleteThe mountain's nice, but I have to say that kind of reminds me of that planet from The Phantom Menace, entirely convered by buildings. Or whatever that planet from Asimov's Foundation books, the HQ of the Galactic Republic.
ReplyDeleteThat "mountain" is "The Rock", one of the most sought after pieces of strategic land. Has beautiful views of Africa I hear.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure of its strategic import now, but tradition must go on you know.
That last photo shows pretty much the whole of Girbralta, as far as I can tell from maps/satellite images. Indeed, the first photo shows all the traffic on the far side of the road backed up to the boarder crossing.
This series of photos has really put into perspective something most Brits intuitively know, but never really grasp.
What do they do about F.O.D.?
ReplyDeleteI'd hate to see what happens to jet engine after it sucks up a bucket of roofing nails that fell off a truck.
Pretty amazing pix!! Thinking it wouldn't be a very good route...for an ambulance! :-(
ReplyDeleteWhere's the security in an airplane taxiing through vehicle traffic?! Pretty WILD!!
"Indeed, the first photo shows all the traffic on the far side of the road backed up to the boarder crossing."
ReplyDeleteGibraltar is so small that the air strip is not even in it! Wow.
I wonder if, with enough money, you could put a house on the side of such a rock? I mean, I'm sure you could, one would just have to make sure it's solid.
No, the airstrip is in Gibraltar, but the Spanish border is right at the top of that first picture, you can see a white roof over the road, that is the border control.
ReplyDeleteCheck out the map, it's crazy how tight everything is on the flat.
Gibraltar apparently has more mileage of tunnels than roads!
Oh yeah, that picture was seen from the opposite side... Thanks.
ReplyDeleteWonder if it's a good place to live. Expensive surely.
That "mountain" is "The Rock", one of the most sought after pieces of strategic land. Has beautiful views of Africa I hear.
ReplyDeleteYes, thanks, but I doubt you could find anyone in the entire world who doesn't know that.
P.S. The British are kind of funny. As though England should have any claim over it today. The Empire is long gone, but tell that to an Englishman.
ReplyDeleteTwo hundred and some years sets a bit of a precedence. Is Gibraltar big enough to support itself. Do they want to be part of Britain, Spain, autonomous, or semi-autonomous?
ReplyDeleteThere are many areas forcibly acquired in the last 250 years. Should they all be given back?
Personally I think France should give Brittany back to England, but England should give Wales and Scotland back.
Hmm, if Britain give back Gibralta, will America give back New Mexico?
There are many areas forcibly acquired in the last 250 years. Should they all be given back?
ReplyDeleteProbably. If it's practical to do so. In the case of Gibraltar, it is. Would they fight over it, the way they did over a few worthless islands (the Falklands)?
Personally I think France should give Brittany back to England, but England should give Wales and Scotland back.
How could they give Brittany back when it never belonged to England? As far as that goes, if the Norman king conquered England, does England still have a claim over Normany, or does that mean England should really be part of France?
I agree that Wales and Scotland should be released as they are of little value to England anyway. Most of the population of the UK and most of the money and industry is in England. It seems unlikely Wales and Scotland could survive on their own, though.
Hmm, if Britain give back Gibralta, will America give back New Mexico?
You would have to include California in that as well, and maybe other states I'm not sure. Arizona? I know that Mexico had California too.
What we're talking about with Gibraltar is a worthless rock of no strategic importance in this day and age. That's the only reason I'd suggest they give it back. Not because they necessarily ought to, but because they'd be better off. Same goes for ditching Wales and Scotland, and for that matter Northern Ireland too.