In adding a few more memories (to what I now refer to as ‘My Gibraltar’) I naturally tapped into my old ones (as points of reference) in beginning my week on the Rock. After spending quite a considerable time at the summit I finally decided to begin my walk down and one of the first places I encountered was St.Michaels Cabin. 

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(2016 St.Michael’s Cabin)

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Readers will know that the Cabin was the very first place I took Carol to for a meal when she flew out to join me in 1976 (see blog 2:15 St.Michaels Cabin) and so I held the place in very high esteem and as a special place in our lives. Prior to flying out (on this occasion in 2016) I’d done some research (because I’d hoped to take Carol back there again for a meal) but found that the Cabin was no longer what it was as its designation had changed from a restaurant to a cafe.

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Back in 1976 the Cabin was truly a lovely restaurant serving bespoke meals in an enchanting environment. All these years later I still remember the fabulous French onion soup (to die for) served to the sound of live musicians playing beautiful instrumentals in the background. The lights were low, the ambience was beyond words and the views from the little windows were mind bogglingly beautiful.

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Standing outside the Cabin and looking at it as it is today, quite unkempt (to me) and commercialised, was by far one of my saddest of experiences in years. I found it impossible to reconcile how such an amazingly situated venue overlooking both Gibraltar and Spain could decline so and be allowed to be reduced to a glorified ice cream shop. 

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Not able to bear the thought of going inside, or even remaining any longer, I took my leave (lump in throat) and continued down the Rock towards the town. Thankfully the St Michaels Cabin image and ambience I had stored away in the memory bank of ‘My Gibraltar’ was the 1976 version; and on this occasion I preferred to cherish the past over the present.

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