Hello and welcome to Gibraltar Stories! My name’s Lindsay. I’ve been living here in Gibraltar with my family for almost 10 years.
When we first arrived, I knew very little about this Rock we now call our home. The longer I’m here though, the more I keep learning, and the more fascinated I become about the place and the amazing community that lives here. During our time in Gibraltar, I’ve developed a deep affection for the place and the people. Often, in media coverage beyond these shores, Gibraltar’s depicted as a tiny eccentric slice of Britishness on the edge of the Mediterranean Sea, with apes, tunnels, red telephone boxes and fish & chips and not much else. There is so much more to Gibraltar than that.
Despite having a population of less than 35,000 residents, the community has a diverse range of backgrounds and religions and has been held up as an example of how different groups can live side by side in harmony. Its geographical position at the gateway to the Mediterranean has made it an important strategic base over the centuries. From many locations in Gibraltar you can clearly see our two nearest neighbours; Spain and Morocco, the influences of which are clearly felt here.
Gibraltar has featured in film and literature, has a history going right back to the Neanderthals and has its own diverse and unique wildlife. It lies on the migratory route for many species of birds and invertebrates heading north and south as the seasons change. Marine life in the busy Strait of Gibraltar is varied and ever changing, from jellyfish blooms and dolphins to visiting pods of orcas.
The weather here too is rather different to nearby Spain and Morocco, with sea on three sides, we don’t get as hot or as cold as our neighbours. Atlantic gales, humid Levanter cloud, sea mists and micro climates though, can make for fast changing forecasts, not to mention the cross winds and visibility making for ‘interesting’ landings at the airport.
I wanted to share some of what it is that I love about Gibraltar and what makes it such a special place. This podcast is how I hope to do that. Each week I will speak to different people who have a connection to Gibraltar and who have interesting stories to tell. If you have a Gibraltar story which you think needs to be told, please get in touch.
Thank you for visiting, and I hope you enjoy listening to the Gibraltar Stories Podcast.