Allen and I ventured up the Mediterranean Steps on two occasions during our visit. It is classified as a hard walk, but as long as you go steady it is pretty straight forward if a little tiring.

There is some very good habitat ‘on the back’ of the rock, which includes some of the rarer flora to be found in Gibraltar. I have been walking the steps for a dozen years or so and at one time certain stretches were a considerable danger. Glad to say they are now in a better state of repair and well worth a walk.

I wish I could remember the name of this plant, some sort of Arum Lily I think

O'Hara's Battery. The Levanter Cloud can be seen over the centre of the rock. Spain in the distance is bathing in sunshine.

You eventually exit the steps at O’Hara’s Battery the highest point in Gib. When we walked up on the Wednesday a troop of Barbary Macaques were feeding at the Battery. Although they are known locally as Gib or Rock Apes (also a term of endearment to many serving in the Navy) they are in fact Monkeys.

Barbary Macaque, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

No one is exactly sure of their origins but it believed they may have been brought over by the Moors around a thousand years ago. Although it is still possible they are the last of a relic European population. What is certain is that they were present long before the British. A local superstition suggests that if the Apes leave the rock so will the British. Winston Churchill ordered a restocking of the population after the Second World War as there were only 7 individuals left. Today the population is nearer to 250 consisting of 5 troops.

Barbary Macaque, O'Hara's Battery, 14 Oct 2009

Steve Copsey