Rio de la Miel - River of Honey near Algeciras, Spain

March 13th 2017 

We went on a lovely walk to this beautiful area. The walk starts at 36.1177399 -5.4764904

which is on the Calle Maestra Maria Luisa. She was a school teacher between 1920- 1930.

We saw some great flowers. This one below is a Scrophularia trifoliata - a Figwort

This is the Tree Heather (Erica arborea), it grows to about 3 metres tall in Spain.

Gibraltar Flowers 2

This is a beautiful flower, and it's not an Iris. It is called a Barbary Nut (Gynandiris sisyrinchium). I found them in the flower beds at Europa Point. They are a small iris-like with a corm or swollen base of a stem (Iris plants have a bulb or tuberous rhizome). The flowers open about 2:30-3:00pm and for only the one day. 

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The Bird of Paradise plant (Sterlitzia reginae) ( a South African native) also grows in the conditions of Gibraltar. I have only seen it grown as an indoor plant in the UK. But it is growing in the front garden of my friends house.

Bird of Paradise plant (Sterlitzia reginae)

This lavender is a different variety - it is the Toothed Lavender (Lavandula dentata). It is a very common plant on the Rock of Gibraltar.

The seas off Europa Point were beautiful with quite a swell. This was quite calm compared to a couple of days later!!

... Gibraltar Flowers

We have had a great trip to Gibraltar to see my old school friend who lives at the most southerly tip of Gibraltar near Europa Point. We arrived on Sunday 12th March 2017. 

Europa Point Lighthouse

Looking south towards North Africa, on the left is Europa Point lighthouse - there is lots more information available here. A lot has changed since it was built back in 1841, this photo was taken back in 1879.

Europa Point Lighthouse 1879

Below is the view from down at the Cannon emplacement at Hardings Battery, looking North towards the Rock of Gibraltar. Just behind the fencing with the light coloured soil is Gibraltar's only cricket ground. In the mid distance you can see the Ibrahim al-ibrahim mosque while the University of Gibraltar is out of the picture further over on the left-hand side. 

Looking North at Rock of Gibraltar from Europa Point

We have seen some lovely flowers and birds. 

Black Kite (Milvus migrans)

This is a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) It has flown over from Morrocco and spends a bit of time hovering over Gibraltar before moving up in to Europe. More information can be found here. 

Melancholy Toadflax (Linaria tristis)

This beautiful flower is known as the Melancholy Toadflax (Linaria tristis), the leaves arequite bluish which suggests they can cope with a salty and/or dry climate. I found this one on the Eurpoa Road near the oil pipe line at Europa Point

Hottentot Fig (Carpobrotus edulis) 

This bright specimen is the Hottentot Fig (Carpobrotus edulis) agains this one was found at Europa point. It is so abundant and grows so very well that it is now considered a weed and an invasive species. The leaves are quite fleshy and succulent and the flower is just the perfect pink... ;) 

Mediterranean Beach or Sea Daisy (Pallensis maritima)

Also the Mediterranean Beach or Sea Daisy (Pallensis maritima) is an abundant plant - it is a native of the Canary Islands and southern Portugal. 

Shrine of Our Lady of Europe 

From our balcony we could see the Shrine of Our Lady of Europe which is a Roman Catholic church  and the national shrine of Gibraltar, the air conditional units belong to the University. 

Just above the oil pipe line there is a series of old caves, they look very old and not part of the military tunnels that exist. I didn't go and investigate this time,but maybe next time.

The monkeys are not actually monkeys but Barbary Macaques live on the rock of Gibraltar, this female is eating a flower, her young one poses very nicely for me and Dad sits pensively looking towards Spain.

Reconciliation

May God, who gives (this) patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 15:5‭-‬6 NLT

God gives patience and encouragement to (amongst other things) to help us live harmonious lives together so that in unity we can praise and glorify the Father.

Not partial harmony but full harmony;
Not some praise but praise with one joined up voice.

God gives us what we need to help us with our daily lives.

Update no.3

Well we are now back in the UK. So much has happened since leaving France.

The short story is that we are now church leaders at Lynton United Reformed Church.

Psalm 23:2

"He lets me rest in green meadows, He leads me beside peaceful streams."

Psalm 23:1

Packing up and moving from Southampton and coming to live at Le Vay in France has required us to live with less stuff. This in turn has meant clearing out loads of stuff.

Stuff I had held on to:
... In case I needed it like craft materials, sewing fabrics and wool. Fellow crafters, knitters and sew-ers ( not sewers!) will understand. I hadn't used my sewing machine in years and the leftover wool was not being used up. 

... which helped me feel of value - increasing my self-worth. Those things were all in boxes and bags in cupboards and not accessible. When I started clearing through I realised that they didn't actually make me feel valued nor increased my self -worth. I had bought them for a reason and I couldn't now remember why... 

The process of clearing out and getting rid of stuff - letting go - was painful at times.

The hoarding of stuff was not helpful to me and had held me in bondage to the past ( of any and every era in my life). It bogged me down with unfilled wishes and dreams. 

God worked in me so that I was able to clear out so much excess stuff in my life, which I hadn't been able to do a year previously. It has got easier and I have learned lessons. I have been able to move on and I feel lighter in my spirit. 

I have been here nearly two months living in a smaller personal space and I am not missing any of those things. 

I can truly say that - 

"The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need."