A couple of weeks ago Adam and I sat aside a few days in February for a mini-break. Our first getaway in the Lake District (read about it here and here) seemed a distant memory and we were itching to go exploring again.
Due to only having three days spare we decided a city break was the best option. We found super cheap flights to Gibraltar (£35 return!) and booked an Airbnb apartment right in the city centre.
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory on the the very southern tip of Spain and just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Morocco, with a history that dates back to the Moors of the Middle Ages. It’s not a place Adam and I had ever considered travelling to, but it fitted all of our prerequisites, so we thought ‘why not?!’
We leave this weekend. The weather will be considerably warmer than what we’re experiencing in Worcestershire at the moment (18-19° through the day and 12-13° overnight). We may see some showers on the day we land, but for the remainder of our time there the forecast is mostly sunny.
I’m basing my long weekend wardrobe on a colour palette of black, grey and blue. I think it’s a classic combination that can be easily dressed up for a night out, but equally hard-working for hours of sightseeing. Plus dark colours hide stains better – great for when I inevitably spill a cup of coffee or dribble ice-cream on my lap!
I’m packing two pairs of jeans (one black, one a dark wash denim), two 3/4 length stripe t-shirts, a striped cotton shirt, a black merino knit jumper and a grey merino cardigan. Merino wool is truly a wonder material – it keeps you both warm and cool and doesn’t smell, even after dozens of wears. I can layer up for the flight in and out and be smart and comfortable during the day.
My black pair of R.M. Williams boots are worn-in beautifully, so are a natural choice for airplane travel and have enough grip and support to handle long days. A quick wipe over and they’ll be smart enough for dinner out. I’m throwing in a pair of Country Road leather ballet flats as well. Good for strolls around the city centre, or perhaps along the harbour foreshore of an evening.
I’ll definitely need a coat on the day of departure and upon landing, so my old Portman’s trench that’s already been put to use on an overseas holiday a few years back and was a staple in my journalist-on-the-road wardrobe, was top pick.
I’m throwing in one scarf too, which I daresay I’ll also need on travel days – a merino wool number I picked up in Target a few years back. It keeps me warm but without the clammy feeling some synthetic scarves produce. The pop of burgundy is also nice against my muted wardrobe.
Adam and I can’t wait to check Gibraltar out, and I’ll share more about our visit next week on the blog. If you’ve been and have any recommendations, please let me know!
Wattle and Ash 