Morocco 2013 (1 Viewer)

[Malcolm Bolt]

It was Gordon!
He's set off this morning for Zagora and plans to cross back into Spain in about 3 weeks. That means he will be tail end Charlie as we plan to cross in about 2 weeks.

Good to hear that you met u and that Gordon is OK. I was beginning to think we would not hear from him again.

 

[tonka]

Memories of "the tortoise"

For the Morocco group....

Memories.
Sorry about the dark video and Irene's singing...

[ame="http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8cykK64j1B8"]Motorhome fun Morocco 2013 "tortoise" - YouTube[/ame]

 

[HappyHermanKamping]

Agdz

When you pulled into Agdz yesterday did you by chance happen to see four brit vans parked across from you? The end one,the Euro mobil was us we left this morning and made our way across to Taliouine.Shame we didnt realise it was you.We will be heading back to Spain about the end of the Month.:thumb:

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[Malcolm Bolt]

Travelling on

Any way we were taken about 20km to a 'Secure and Safe place until they can find a garage with a big enough lift. For safe and secure read scrap yard with security fence, guard tower with night guard in it and two bloody great dogs that have not stopped barking running around the van loose. Just hoping that tomorrow they can find someone who is able to do the repair

We are all fixed up now and not at great expense but not without further problems.
Having grounded the back of the back platform when loading the van I removed the platform before he unloaded. Mistake - this time he grounded the van hitting the waste water tank empty valve. Not content with that, when he loaded us to go to the repair shop, he grounded again, this time pulling one of the Beeny boxes apart. Their mechanic knocked it back into shape replaced the broken rivet and put in three more. I then insisted on testing the integrity of the waste tank and had them put 50 litres of water down the bathroom sink. Thankfully there was no sign of any leak. Not wanting to further delay setting off to the repair shop I decided to apply sealant to the Beeny box at a later date.

Luckily the Fiat garage mechanic was able to inspect the gear lever linkage quickly and found the problem to be a bust connecting bolt. He explained that this was a specialist bolt and not held in stock. I commented that in Morocco the mechanic would have made one up and Cathryn and I went to lunch leaving him and an older colleague with their heads stuck under the bonnet.
We ate a very good Menu del dia (Large first course, large second course, dessert, 1 Fanta, 1 cafe con leche and a vino tinto (left the bottle on the table so you can help yourself) all at 16 euros for the two of us. Not Moroccan prices but good value all the same.
When we returned we found the van had been repaired. The mechanic had worked through his lunch time and when I asked about the specialist part he said no that would have taken a week even if it was available. He then smiled and said they had 'manufactured' one. No charge for expensive specialist parts and 90 odd euros total cost. Result.
Only time will tell, but for the moment the gear lever is doing what it should and yes we did get back to Gibraltar and Morrisons. :thumb::thumb:


Thanks for all the words of support. It means a lot when you feel you have been kicked in the teeth.

 

[tonka]

Good news Malc and Cath..:thumb:

Hope the rest of your trip is trouble free......oh:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

I have been unable to connect via INWI over the last few days and have chuntered quite a lot having to use Cathryn's ipad. Tonight Cathryn pressed the right buttons for me and hey presto I am proper back on line.

It had rained heavily overnight before we left Agdz. Speaking with Manfred who leads the restoration work on the Kasbah I made tentative arrangements to return next year to help out. (as long as it does not prevent attendance at Spain 2014).

I thought I had put this one on already but looking back cannot find it. Sorry if you have seen it before.

These are pictures of the Kasbah at Agdz.

A Kasbar is a house for a single family. It can be very large and can be occupied by several generations.

Opening shots are of the Riad. The term covers a number of different types of structures. We saw many 'Riads' in all areas of Morocco which were small Hotels/Guest houses. Here it is an area where guests to the Kasbah were and indeed still are accommodated. These include paying guests and those who have come to help with the restoration work. The white bordered rectangular areas of ground used to have orange trees before the drought of the eighties. The roughly circular brightly coloured ceiling decoration is modern. Later photos are of original work which is still vibrant today.

The broken down wall is about to be repaired using traditional mud bricks made on site. Outside large areas still need to be re-plastered to protect the bricks from sun, wind and rain.

The high polish finish of two of the pillars has been achieved using the local olive based soap. It is a traditional waterproof finish used in the steamy hammams.

Some doors are deliberately made with cracks to allow a cooling breeze flow into the Kasbah at low level' the air rises as it heats up and exhausts through the roof. This creates a cool central area during the hottest periods of the year.

There is a picture in here of a grey hairy thing that looks like a yeti's leg. Sorry for the quality of the photo. It is in fact one of the original palm tree supporting posts at the side of a door.

One room, decorated in blue was used for meeting and talking with visitors. The windows are noticeably set close to the floor. This was to enable those seated on the floor to look outside.

The first view of the roof shows a shed/hut type of thing which is the family's young son's pigeon loft.

The small cultivated patchwork beneath the palms is irrigated by a man knocking out and later blocking up holes created in the little walls, allowing only the required amount of water to flow onto each patch.

The Palmerie extends for miles and the hill is known locally as the teapot - Moroccan of course.

Between the smart building - restored using modern materials and the Kasbar - being restored using traditional materials and methods is a building in very poor condition. This is a Ksar which housed many families. This one was home to between 500 and 700 people until the 80's drought. The weather has taken it's toll.

A German man created the plaque. He was one of a group of people in Germany who learn their craft doing work only for board and lodging.

I would like to go back and contribute to the refurbishment.

Kasbah at Agdz
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhtbHHZjuI0"]My Slideshow - YouTube[/ame]

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[JockandRita]

Thanks for all the words of support. It means a lot when you feel you have been kicked in the teeth.

Malcolm & Cathryn, it's not a nice feeling, is it, when your fantastic holiday comes to an abrupt halt, and thoughts of having to leave behind your MH and all it's contents to the hands of complete strangers, soon take over. Fortunately, you've managed to avoid that scenario. Nice one. :thumb:

Have a safe and pleasurable return journey home. See you both soon.

Jock (& Rita).

 

[billkce]

When you pulled into Agdz yesterday did you by chance happen to see four brit vans parked across from you? The end one,the Euro mobil was us we left this morning and made our way across to Taliouine.Shame we didnt realise it was you.We will be heading back to Spain about the end of the Month.:thumb:

Hi Steve & Edna, Hows it going? We are enjoying Edna's photos on FB.:thumb:

Raining here, see you in a fortnight!:Cool:

 

[ValinFrance]

If any funsters are returning through France, we'll put the kettle on!

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[Malcolm Bolt]

Paradise Valley recall

On the 9th Feb I posted about our trip to Paradise Valley. At that time I had not found out how to use YouTube.

1. Having walked in we got as far as the first plunge pool.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLaY3eYsyJc"]+Paradise valley - Plunge pool - YouTube[/ame]

2. On the way out I noticed this drinking water spout fashioned from bamboo. It provides a stream of water from which you can fill a bottle. The source is a spring where water bubbles up out of the ground. (Sorry about the finger over lens) oh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMQwyKV3HYo

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Paradise Valley recall

On the 9th Feb I posted about our trip to Paradise Valley. At that time I had not found out how to use YouTube.

On the way in I noticed this drinking water spout fashioned from bamboo. It provides a stream of water from which you can fill a bottle. The source is a spring where water bubbles up out of the ground. (Sorry about the finger over lens) oh:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMQwyKV3HYo

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Paradise Valley Recall Again

Ok Here goes I'll try again

Paradise valley plunge pool
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzGPeShPnxM"]Paradise valley plunge pool 1 - YouTube[/ame]

Paradise Valley Eau de Vie
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMQwyKV3HYo"]Paradise Valley eau de vie - YouTube[/ame]

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[makems]

When you pulled into Agdz yesterday did you by chance happen to see four brit vans parked across from you? The end one,the Euro mobil was us we left this morning and made our way across to Taliouine.Shame we didnt realise it was you.We will be heading back to Spain about the end of the Month.:thumb:

Funnliy enough I did notice the van. We would probably have introduced ourselves but by the time Gordon had talked our hind legs off we were ready for dinner and after that it was dark and we were cabined up.

The day you left we were surrounded by about 20 German vans on a tour. I think thay had intended to go marching into Poland but took a wrong turning

Also 20 Dutch vans on a guided tour turned up so it was a fairly crowded site that night.

Next night we stopped outside Ouarzazate (No 115 in the book). Excellent facilities incl lovely pool.

Funnily enough the German Panzer Division followed us there!

 

[makems]

Some more from the desert trip:
Lunch on the first day we stopped at an oasis for lunch. The water literally (and I use the word correctly) comes up out of the sand. The proof is here:
https://vimeo.com/61839826

They had some Gazelles in a pen and here's a clip of the baby:
https://vimeo.com/61839827 All together now - "Aaaah, bless"

Stills:

1. This what happened to the previous tour!
2. The charming young man who seemed to look after the place
3. The family group of gazelles
4. This puppy was looking out from under one of the benches. All together again - "Aah, Bless"
5. Priscilla of the desert.

 

[makems]

After visiting the sand dunes we made our way to the bivouac. We stopped on the way at one of the wells where Achmed filled up half a dozen 25 litre water cans so we could have showers. https://vimeo.com/61841201
While we were there a local chap with a couple of camels just appeared: https://vimeo.com/61841204
https://vimeo.com/61841203

1. This young chap was very photogenic at the well
2. Achmed relaxing back at the bivouac with the shisha pipe
3. At 6:00pm we climbed up a nearby dune to watch the sunset which was quite magnificent
4. The sunset turns the sand amazing colours
5. The sky was on fire.

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[makems]

Sunset.

1. I took this one of Gwen and the French/Italian ladies
2. Then I turned around and about half a mile away there was another group on another dune! This looked like their leader
3. And here was their group posing for a photo
4. And here's one of Hassan who owns the camp site and runs the tour operation

 

[makems]

Last lot from the desert trip I promise!
We set our alarm for 6:00am because Hassan said it shouldn;t be missed. He was right. It was at least as good as the sunset the night before.

1. The view before we emerged from our tent
2. The moon was still in the sky
3. As it got lighter the sky got more dramatic
4. And the sand took on a fantastic colour
5. Unforgettable

 

[makems]

A few days ago we ventured up the Gorge of Dades.
It is quite psectacular and our orginal plan was to do a round trip up the Dades and back down the Todra Gorge.
The narrow part of the gaorge of Dades is very narrow. There had been snow on the mountains which was melting and creating a bit of a flood. We met a couple later who had found this part of the gorge unpassable. I can see why as the roadside is sandbagged.
Then comes the switchback where you climb a couple of thousand feet in a couple of miles by a succession of hairpin bends. https://vimeo.com/62114135
After that you keep climbing.
And climbing
And Climbing
It seems a bloody long way down! https://vimeo.com/62114856

We arrived at a village about 40 miles up the gorge only about n20 mile form the junction with the the road down to Todra. As we tried to work out which road to take we heard a voice shouting:
"Luvvly Jubbly, Hallo English, a thousand welcomes my friends"
Oh dear, we thought another poor sod trying to offload tourist tat, but no! He told us that the road ahead was closed by snow and we would have to go back the way we had come.
And he didn't try to sell us anything!
The journey back down is possibly more hair raising then going up. This section in particular where the rock overhangs, the road is only just wide enough and there had obviously been rock falls was quite "interesting" You can hear the pilots nervousness at the beginning of the clip https://vimeo.com/62114855

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[Malcolm Bolt]

All hail the pilot

Bloody amazing

Well done Gwen :thumb::thumb::thumb:

 

[bryandh]

Ditto the above.

Mike/Gwen thank you for your most recent sequence of vids and pictures..... they are quite extraordinary, particularly the pic of the young man in red, they certainly give us inspiration to go the "extra yard" next year. Gwen...... you are amazing !!

Bets regards, Bryan & Anna

 

[JockandRita]

Bloody amazing

Well done Gwen :thumb::thumb::thumb:

Yep, totally agree..........on both accounts. :thumb:

Cheers,

Jock.

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[makems]

We nearly became the latest members of the Moroccan Police For ace Benevolent Fund the other day.
Crafty b*ggers were parked about 300m outside the 60km speed limit just below the brow of a hill. So as you come out of town and think you can speed up they get you!
We got flagged down and asked for all our documents which took a while as they were all in the safe which is hidden and requires lots of things to be moved before I can even get to it. :Angry:
Then the man with the radar gun in his hand tells us we were speeding. I asked to see the display just in case he was kidding but no - clear as day it showed 69kph :Sad:
We then had to get out of the van and go speak to his oppo who was sat lounging in the front seat of the car while chummy with the gun went back to trying to catch more speeders.
The officer in the car had a form to fill in which clearly showed the fine for speeding to be 300Dh. He explained in French that Gwen had been driving 69 in a 60 limit and would have to pay the fine.
Gwen went straight into her "I've been driving for 40 years and never been done for speeding" routine.
While that is strictly true she failed to mention that she has been stopped for speeding several times but has always managed to escape a fine by means of playing dumb, a flutter of the eyelashes or a glimpse of stocking.
I've often told her one day she'll get stopped by a stroppy policewoman with PMT and the routine won't work.
I'm not sure they are used to many western women drivers and the office seemed totally taken in! He waved us on our way with an admonishment to keep to 60kph in future.
Afterwards Gwen said "So that's 300Dh I've got to spend now"
"How do you work that out?"
"Because I didn't have to pay that fine!" oh:

Women's logic

 

[makems]

Spotted in a shop in Ait Benhaddou:

Looks like a Berber bingo card to me....

 

[Polar bear]

Well done gwen, we managed to avoid joining the speed fine club while we were there, back in UK now cleaning the van for next trip (how does sand get into the top lockers?) Hope to see you both again later this year. Do not know where we are going yet but we are sighned up for the Trip to Spain next march.

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[makems]

Currently sat on the dock at Tanger Med watching g the ferry unload. It's 11:15 so we may only be an hour or two late in sailing. By recent reports that would be a result. Still got quite a few posts to sort out but they'll have to wait a couple of days til we get to Zahora.
Going to call in at Gibraltar first.
Don't know if we are tail end ChRlies or not as we haven't heard from Gordon since we saw him at Agdz a couple of weeks ago.
We were nearly proper Charlie's though as after filling up with diesel this morning I only had 4dh and then though "sh&t - what about the motorway tolls!"
Fortunately the last toll booth before the port also accepts Euros!
Phew.

 

[makems]

A big thank you to Tonka for his excellent detailed post on the procedur at Tanger Med. it went exactly as you put in your post on this thread Steve - took all the stress out of the process.
Thanks.

 

[tonka]

A big thank you to Tonka for his excellent detailed post on the procedur at Tanger Med. it went exactly as you put in your post on this thread Steve - took all the stress out of the process.
Thanks.

Glad to hear from you again, although it is as you leave Morocco..
Little bits of info do take the stress out of it all, only wish I have video of the entry and exit. Was unsure if anyone would come over shouting..

By all reports Gordon is last.... He will turn up no doubt :thumb:

I have to say thanks to Snowbird for the original idea, Dave and sue who Skyped with me and gave info about the arrival procedure and many others who contributed along the way and to those who have followed the thread.

We left for a holiday, had an adventure and came back with names of many people I am pleased to call Friends..... :thumb::thumb:

LONG LIVE FUN.....

PS... My Djallaba is washed ready for Stratford...

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[Malcolm Bolt]

A bit in the middle

Still got quite a few posts to sort out but they'll have to wait a couple of days til we get to Zahora.

Looking forward to that but in the meantime here is a bit of a gap filler. Not great but just to keep things ticking over.

The river bed here was dry the day before and down to a trickle again the day after.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gcyYknuTHdo"]Agdz to Zagora in Draa valley following 24hrs rain - YouTube[/ame]

I reckon they went out for a number 44 bus to M&S but hey this is Morocco
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT8gnqtE7h4"]Funsters camel ride at Taghazout - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YpeKhM3YbM"]Running out of petrol Moroccan style - YouTube[/ame]
This was on our way back from Paradise Valley. The engine had stopped twice already. This steering was to keep the little bit of petrol slopping about to keep us going. He almost did it too. After the first hiccup we must have traveled about five miles before it finally stopped 500yds short of the downhill run to the petrol station.

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

A little bit more

These mud brick villages fascinate me. I had always envisaged them in open fat areas on the plains not among the mountains.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DN7F4pwPrXg"]Mud brick village in foothills of the High Atlas - YouTube[/ame]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sUMaS4hLYtU"]Mud brick village south of the High Atlas in Morocco - YouTube[/ame]

There were quite a few parked up at Taghazout but I had not realised how many until I was on top of the van watching the guy fit the extra solars
.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-Ud_0eniDg"]Parking at Taghazout Beach fitting solars - YouTube[/ame]

 

[Snowbird]

That is what used to be the old campsite. My winter quarters used to be just to the right of where you were parked, just by the sea wall. The fat man who is fitting your panels once made me laugh when I was BBQing some pork chops brought from Spain in the freezer. He asked if he could have one, and I said "Allah is watching". He replied "Ah but now it is night and Allah cannot see me".

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