Lettie Goes Travelling

My “memorable holiday moments” normally involve one of two things…

stunning vistas or great people.

If I get both at the same time, that’s holiday gold.

On my trip to Gibraltar, it’s been the people moments… and completely unexpected ones at that.

I had two full days planned to explore the Rock. Entry to the Nature Reserve is £30 per day — an expense I had already factored in.

When I bought my ticket on day one, there were three lovely guys in the booth. I explained that I was planning to split the Rock over two days and asked their advice — was I being realistic? Locals know best, right?

They agreed with my plan… but then immediately said, “Come in through this gate tomorrow, we won’t charge you.”

That really wasn’t my intention at all… but they insisted.

Such a small thing — but incredibly kind.

I carried on up the Rock, with my first stop being the WWII tunnels, including Spitfire Hall — an amazing place.

Now, I live in Kent — “Hellfire Corner” as it was known during the war — and we still regularly have Spitfires flying over us. I’ve also visited the tunnels at Dover, so there was a bit of a personal connection there.

At the entrance to the tunnels, I ended up chatting with the guys in the booth again. It was quiet, so we had a bit of a laugh — I joked that they should make sure I came out before they went home.

When I came back out, we got chatting about the Spitfires… and it turned out two of them had been to Canterbury and had seen them flying as well. They were fascinated by the idea of seeing them from my garden.

It was one of those really simple, reciprocal moments… we all got something from it.

And then the next day, when I returned to St Michael’s Cave after being turned away due to a power cut… the ticket guys just waved me through.

“No charge… just go in.”

It’s these small, unexpected moments of kindness that make travelling — especially travelling alone — so enjoyable.

Because when I look back on this trip, yes, I’ll remember the Rock…

But I’ll remember the people more.