So after several bottles of wine last night we didn’t get up too early, but we did make breakfast!

Faye and I were woken up by a very loud and large seagull on our balcony.

The botanical gardens were right by our hotel so we decided to pay them a visit. These gardens are also called La Alameda gardens and span around 15 acres. The gardens were commissioned in 1816 by the then British governor of Gibraltar, General George Don. He wanted the soldiers stationed in the fortress to have a pleasant recreational area to enjoy when off duty. An area where they and could enjoy the air protected from the extreme heat of the sun.

We entered via the side gate and the first thing we saw were some butterflies feeding.

We immediately passed the workers memorial which was placed in the gardens in 2018. Unite the Union believes there should be better laws in place to protect the safety of workers and placed the memorial to remember the dead and fight for the living.

There were loads of beautiful flowers and amazing trees to see.

We also had a little posing session amongst the plants.

If you come in the main gates you come across a huge statue of George Augustus Elliot guarded by four 18th-century howitzers.

The gardens are also home to a very small animal park. The Alameda Wildlife Conservation Park began in 1994 as a collection of parrots, tortoises and monkeys,  all confiscated from illegal traders who were passing through Gibraltar.

The park has also become important for the care of native species that are considered for future re-introduction to the Upper Rock Natute Reserve.

I think my favourite animals were the otters.

After the gardens we sat by the pool for a bit before heading into town for some lunch – chips and gravy.

We then wandered down to Morrisons with the intention of buying some cheap gin, but they didn’t have what we wanted so we picked some up in town on the way home.

In the evening we had some pre-drinks on the balcony.

We ordered a taxi to take us to to the restaurant and as we waited we watched the sun setting.

We had a really delicious meal at The Ocean Restaurant.

After a very filling dinner we walked down to some little bars which were very lively.

We walked back to the hotel and then left for home the next morning.