Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

I agree with the comment about going there and seing for yourself. You might surprise yourself and like it. I think my Spanish friends like it more than I do. The problem is, I can't put my finger on why I can't wait to get out of the place when I'm there. To be fair, I know a few people who actually quite like Gib and it definitely looks much prettier than it used to.

Very interesting history and people- a mixture of many different languages and cultures. True Gibraltereans (is that the correct way to describe someone from Gibraltar) are called Llanitos in Spanish and it can be very amusing listening to young people switch from both languages indiscriminately. ( When I was there the other week I heard a girl say;"!Vaya; no puedo encontrar mi deodrant! ?Where did I put it?"

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

I had this romantic image of Gibraltar having heard descriptions of it on Two-Way Family Favourites on the radio in the dim and distant past. I went there once about twenty years ago and vowed never to go back. Never was an idealistic impression ever more comprehensively destroyed.

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Now before we start, this is not an easy drink. It will not make your tastebuds wax lyrical about 'hints of this or 'nuances of that'. It is completely flat, so you're not going to see those refreshing bubbles trickling to the surface. Nor will you be able to see through the glass after pouring, for it most definitely not translucent. Although it is undoubtedly mass produced, it is about as close as you're going to get to the real thing (scrumpy that is) off the farm.

This is Old Rosie Scrumpy, as produced by good old Weston's of Much Marcle in Herefordshire. While writing this I am thinking in a slurred West Country brogue and I believe that is very apt for this particular product. It sloshes into the glass at 7.3% alcohol by content. Personally I think that must be approximate and one should err on a cautious higher side of that number. So we're talking about something a little weaker than one of those awful sparkling wines you find in the kitchen at parties.
It is a cider that, at one time, you could only buy in Herefordshire or along the Welsh borders. These days scrumpy in general has become popular with the organic chattering classes and you will find this stuff in a number of outlets across the UK. It is also on sale on draught in most Wetherspoon's pubs and is available online. It comes in 20 litre boxes which retail at £54.88. In my local Wetherspoon's it comes at £1.99 a pint but I've noticed on my travels that prices vary greatly in those places. If you're looking for an alcohol hit, this is cheap indeed sitting in a pub!

This next paragraph could be a little scary for those used to Strongbow!
If you buy this in a pub and take it to your table, don't wait for it to clear. You'll be there till midnight. It's supposed to be cloudy. Now the smell. It will smell a touch vinegary with a 'nuance' of sulphur. Don't take it back, it's normal. The bad egg smell wears off and is a consequence of the fermentation process. In the old days, they used to throw a slab of lean meat in the fermenting barrel (the dead rat is apocryphal!) in order to absorb some of the sulphur compounds produced during fermentation. They use a chemical these days but nevertheless you still get a little whiff when it's poured.

It tastes extremely dry and sharp with a heavy musty, earthy, appley aftertaste. I'm not being poetic here; it actually tastes musty and earthy. Be warned! It is nothing like the mainstream ciders such as Bulmers, Woodpecker etc. It usually comes at room temperature, like a real ale, but if you have it at home it might benefit from some time in a fridge.
It is very strong and the alcohol starts to work quite fast. It's a different kind of effect, a little dreamy. I quite often have a couple of pints on my own in my local Wetherspoon's if I need to get away and daydream for a while.

If you're not used to farmhouse cider, this will be an unusual drink, but give it a go. Similarly, this is only for those who like the effects of alcohol. The strength of scrumpy goes beyond its alcohol content. It gets to your head very quickly and can overcome moderate drinkers with sometimes amusing results.
I like this cider, but wouldn't drink it all the time. It has its uses, especially in the summer. Above all it's about as natural and organic a cider as you can get. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :thumbsup:

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Does anyone know if the shops in the main street are open on Sundays in the run up to xmas?

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

I think they will open all december. Not sure

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Is Scumpy cider made from apples past their sell by date.

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Good question. I think its sour apples. So you must be right

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

I´d like to know this too, particularly M&S

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Working in Gib and living in Aljeciras or other surrounding villages might not be too bad, if your goal is to learn Spanish

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Hello!!! My partner and I (and all our family) are all born in Gib. The two of us are now in Barcelona but I go to Gib every year and you can PM me and questions you may have!!!

Let me answer some of yours!!.......

Ok .... Your research is good, British pounds and the national Language is English but they speak 'llanito' which is a language of both English and Spanish mixed together. You will learn Spanish there but not the 'correct' Spanish which you will learn in Madrid for Example. Gibraltar and Andalucia are renowned for cutting of the last few letters of most words :p

As for whether I would recommend you living/working there? There are very few houses in Gib, you will prob be looking at a flat which is the most common housing (obviously depends on your money situation too). But the jobs look after you and I have worked there and have found that you are looked after very well.

It has around 30 000 plus people living there and the difficulties you can encounter is that many people in Gib have been there their whole lives and have their social circle, so be prepared to maybe wait a while to make a group of friends etc....... but obviously this is dependent on the person.....

Anything else you want to knw, don't hesitate to PM me :thumbup:

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Is Gib suffering from this recession.

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Best to go see for yourself. It might be a good option if you are not sure about moving to Spain full time until you have seen a bit of both. Salaries are not as high as UK - but cost of living ON the rock is.... (hence most people live across the border and commute in!).

It really is the 'marmite' syndrome. I used to say to clients (when a holiday rep) -'What is your favourite seaside town'? 'What is your WORST NIGHTMARE seaside town...?'
It is very tacky and run down...
and expensive (except the tax free bits!)...
Give it a whirl if you want to get out of the UK.
Good luck :)

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

Hi

I work in Gib - all I can really say is that I am glad I live in Spain!! Yes the weather is unpredictable - it does get very cold and wet - the salaries are I would say def lower - Gib £ is the same as UK £ the only thing is you can't take Gib money to the UK but you can the other way round - if you need banking LTSB on Main Street so far are the most efficient, the other 2 take forever to open and the queues are mad!! The main language is English and there isn't really much chance to practice your Spanish as they speak Gibraltarian!!! Similar but not Spanish as you would want to learn it.

Enjoy the experience :-)

Re: What is Gibraltar like?
 

We can go there more often now as the pound sterling is now the equivalent to the Euro. Lets have it. Yeah :beer: