2014 - MOROCCO .. All posts here now please..

[TerryL]

Rain ??? Wind ??????

Lovely hot and sunny here.. So much so it's now 3.30pm and I have had to come indoors.. PHEW.....

Looks like we should have come with you after all.oh:

 

[tony_g]

A bit off topic, especially as I am not currently in Morocco - not for a couple of weeks.
I have a small gas bottle from the last trip, the standard 'retired' Camping Gaz, by the look of it. Last trip I just used it with a small burner attachment screwed in and will take it back this time to swap for a full one. However, I would now prefer to keep it for connecting to my two burner stove or gas bbq, to eke out my Gaslow. Is it a daft question to ask what flavour of gas comes in these bottles in Morocco, butane or propane, as I will need a suitable regulator?

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

A bit off topic, especially as I am not currently in Morocco - not for a couple of weeks.
I have a small gas bottle from the last trip, the standard 'retired' Camping Gaz, by the look of it. Last trip I just used it with a small burner attachment screwed in and will take it back this time to swap for a full one. However, I would now prefer to keep it for connecting to my two burner stove or gas bbq, to eke out my Gaslow. Is it a daft question to ask what flavour of gas comes in these bottles in Morocco, butane or propane, as I will need a suitable regulator?

Not certain but will ask around tomorrow and will post if I get a definite answer. I think it may be a blend. They are used in all regions and there does not seem to be any markings on the bottles.

 

[tony_g]

I did wonder if it is a blend. Might make choice of regulator a problem. Difficult to find any with the right thread for what looks like a camping gas 907.

 

[Arnica]

Leaving Taghazoute

Congrats Gwen on getting yourselves out of a hole! It is well-known Taghazoute doesn't deal kindly with people leaving, if its any consolation our morning departure was delayed firstly by a flat tyre (which needed changing :Angry: ) followed by a flat batttery. Very grateful to Steve from York for his help, Malcolm for supervising & to Heinz et al (who had been patiently waiting for our bit of ground) for giving us a jump start to aid our exit! The tyre repair business opposite the Patisserie in Banana village provided a good service. So thanks everyone, without your assistance we would probably still be at Tag instead of rocking & rolling in the Wassey beach winds. Carol

All those who wander are not lost

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[Dazzlin]

Dazzlin are heading to wassy beach tomorrow so we will see you there arnica if you are staying. We may revisit agadir souk before leaving the town.
Catch up with any funsters in sidi ifni in a few days.
Wind been enthusiastic here today, bracing on the front.

 

[Arnica]

Dazzlin are heading to wassy beach tomorrow so we will see you there arnica if you are staying. We may revisit agadir souk before leaving the town.
Catch up with any funsters in sidi ifni in a few days.
Wind been enthusiastic here today, bracing on the front.

If you staying around Agadir tomorrow you may find dropping in to the Municipal Museum an interesting experience, round the corner from the Tourist Office on Hassan 11 Avenue, 20Dh, closed 1-2pm. Some lovely old Berber jewellery, not that I'm suggesting the stuff in the souk & Taghazoute beach isn't Think we probably be moving on to Tiznit or Sidi Ifni tomorrow, National Park not quite up to expectations!

All those who wander are not lost

 

[SUGGY]

hi
we are now at sidi ifni at baraka beach , staying another 24 cos kens got the s h 1 t s

60 d plus 15 for leccy gonna b ere for next 24 .....

then heading east for the desert etc .......

it is a bit blow blow roar roar ...hi ho welcome to morocco

 

[SUGGY]

A bit off topic, especially as I am not currently in Morocco - not for a couple of weeks.
I have a small gas bottle from the last trip, the standard 'retired' Camping Gaz, by the look of it. Last trip I just used it with a small burner attachment screwed in and will take it back this time to swap for a full one. However, I would now prefer to keep it for connecting to my two burner stove or gas bbq, to eke out my Gaslow. Is it a daft question to ask what flavour of gas comes in these bottles in Morocco, butane or propane, as I will need a suitable regulator?

ok

i decant my 907 and my spanish bottle from the moroccan bottle,
last year i took 3 moroccan bottles back to to uk and have saved a fortune on gas ,,,,,

if you can get maroc butagas it is better n cleaner gas than the maroc gas , you can get maroc gas but it is lower quality and others have had problems with lightning their fridges and heating boilers you can also get propane but it cost more but still less than uk

a full bottle complete cost around 140 dirhams about £11 refill about 40d £3.50

the thread i believe , is the same as the gas flow , left hand , as on the maroc bottle and you can buy a screw in tap to connect to a 907 for about £ 1 at any hard ware or market stall .

hope this helps

mustafagasbottle ....

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Not so good

Today started well enough with decent weather. We bid Mike & Gwen, Collin & Christina and Collin & Tina farewell as they left for Mustapha's 'put it right emporium' in Agadir.

Water bowser driver was summoned. Water tank, washing machine, 12 - 5ltr water bottles, rhino tub and bucket were all filled for less than £1.50. We set to with gusto to attack the endless washing of clothes. This is a protracted process along old fashioned lines.
First the lighter coloured items are washed, lifted out and squeezed so that the water leaving returns to the washer. Next, slightly darker items follow and so on until the dark blue and black clothes are washed in the same water. All the wrung out clothes are set to one side in a very damp pile. Once all the clothes have been washed the whole process is repeated so everything can be rinsed. The water is changed periodically as and when it darkens beyond acceptable limits. (acceptable is not an absolute concept)
At the beginning it seemed a very moderate number of clothes awaited attention but of course I was only looking at what was in the laundry bag. It did not include those items on Cathryn's 'I might as well just put this through to freshen it up' list.

Now our little machine will only take 3Kgs so that means a lot more wash loads than the launderette. My spirits were therefore somewhat dampened by the time we had our first visit from the local 'You buy my stuff - very good price' merchant. I still can't believe it but I succumbed to the pleadings of Mr - 'I am a very poor man I have five children'.
Today he was selling fish (sometimes it is bananas) and when he left I had taken possession of a pair of large Dorada. I like them as the bones are large and there aren't too many of them. Just right for a BBQ lunch I thought.

It was about that time that the wind got a bit bolder, the sun became quite shy and the rinsing was not halfway through. The awning and the attached clothes line had to be wound in. The aluminium stepladder was anchored to the ground using several steel pegs and a ratchet strap. A new line was then run between it and the van ladder. By the time all the clothes were pegged out the sun was nowhere to be seen, the wind had become a gale and the sand thought it fun to attack and sting every bit of uncovered skin. Rain threatened and then came down.

Cathryn has a wonderful sense of timing and now pointed out that she was hungry and it had been my decision to buy the fish and confirmed our previous agreement that fish would always be cooked outside and how was I going to do it.
OH A BLOODY CHALLENGE IS IT?

Now I know I could have left the fish for a day but I wanted fresh fish so out came the charcoal pan I bought at the market for £1.85 and the bag of charcoal for 7p. Huddled in front of the van I then proved all my purchases had been wise. The fish cooked in no time at all and it was great. The washing dried well in the sand storm and being dry the sand shook right off.

Then of course the wind died down a bit, the sun came out and the rain, well it hadn't lasted long anyway.

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[Malcolm Bolt]

Help
I have hit the wrong button and the type size is tiny. I am on windows 8 can anyone tell me how to get the type size back up please.

 

[TerryL]

CTRL/+

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

CTRL/+

Job done cheers :thumb:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

you can get maroc gas but it is lower quality and others have had problems with lightning their fridges and heating boilers you can also get propane but it cost more but still less than uk

My Spanish CEPSA Butane bottle ran out this morning. A short time later the man came round calling ''Propane gas''. He put my bottle into his tiny Renault van with loads of others stacked two high with others on their sides in the space above. He has promised to get it filled with Propane and bring it back the day after tomorrow. At Marrakech Peter was charged 156 Drms for a refill. I will pay 200 Drms but I don't have to drive to Marrakech. I have opted for Propane to hopefully avoid dirty gas.

 

[pinkie]

Finally arrived at Chefchouan after a whole day's driving! Perhaps my route wasn't the best, but I got here. As some teens told my I had to reverse because I couldn't get down a street, it was too narrow, an older guy with a fetching hooded robe (you know the ones, you've all bought one ) approached and I asked him about parking somewhere, he wanted to get in the van - no way! So I asked him about a restaurant with a glass of vino, Poppy sat there and shook her head...................to cut a long story short, I was first led to a carpet shop, then to a "dar" which had a fabulous restaurant (it didn't!) whilst he went a brought me a bottle of crap French red plonk for 200 dh, he collected us after the meal so we didn't get lost, still offering to get in the van to show us the parking place, I got directions and ended up trying to get into the police car park. Luckily I saw a sign for campsite and backtracked there instead. (I have to get cash out tomorrow and come back and pay them).

Although had no money left on me as he had asked for my last 10 dh for his help as he has 2 sons and 2 daughters.

It was dark when we arrived here, but I was so looking forward to Chefchouan, and it's put me off slightly, but will I ever learn...................no!

Poppy despairs oh:

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[SueBaz]

My Spanish CEPSA Butane bottle ran out this morning. A short time later the man came round calling ''Propane gas''. He put my bottle into his tiny Renault van with loads of others stacked two high with others on their sides in the space above. He has promised to get it filled with Propane and bring it back the day after tomorrow. At Marrakech Peter was charged 156 Drms for a refill. I will pay 200 Drms but I don't have to drive to Marrakech. I have opted for Propane to hopefully avoid dirty gas.[/

Hi Malcolm and Cathryn

Nice to hear we weren't the only ones on Tagazhoute doing the washing yesterday even better was watching RayV8 playing Jamie Oiliver on the barby yesterday evening

Anyway just a word of caution, Irish couple we met at Tagazhoute were complaining bitterly that they had bought propane from a chap delivering on the beach which, after they started using it, they were convinced was butane.

No idea how you test it however to decide. Anyone got any idea?

Take Care

Barry and Sue

 

[Bebe]

Finally arrived at Chefchouan after a whole day's driving! Perhaps my route wasn't the best, but I got here. As some teens told my I had to reverse because I couldn't get down a street, it was too narrow, an older guy with a fetching hooded robe (you know the ones, you've all bought one ) approached and I asked him about parking somewhere, he wanted to get in the van - no way! So I asked him about a restaurant with a glass of vino, Poppy sat there and shook her head...................to cut a long story short, I was first led to a carpet shop, then to a "dar" which had a fabulous restaurant (it didn't!) whilst he went a brought me a bottle of crap French red plonk for 200 dh, he collected us after the meal so we didn't get lost, still offering to get in the van to show us the parking place, I got directions and ended up trying to get into the police car park. Luckily I saw a sign for campsite and backtracked there instead. (I have to get cash out tomorrow and come back and pay them).

Although had no money left on me as he had asked for my last 10 dh for his help as he has 2 sons and 2 daughters.

It was dark when we arrived here, but I was so looking forward to Chefchouan, and it's put me off slightly, but will I ever learn...................no!

Poppy despairs oh:

You got there in the end. Safe travels

Stock up on the Argan Oil whilst your there. So expensive here and so good for your hair. :thumb:

 

[mogbl]

he road to morocco does not run smoothe

Our euphoria regarding having our van sorted out did not last long it started blowing fuses when the self levelling system was applied. Contacted our man who fitted it who I might add must be one of the most helpful people to deal with I have come across. He found someone who was 65 miles from us admittedly in the wrong direction who has done work for EP and could sort us out Jose was his name. Of course this meant that we had to had wait until Monday to drive there. Well he spent all day looking at it. We had to get interpreters as he spoke no English he cut a wire then joined it back up with a lock block tried to change the 7.5a fuse for a 20a, charged €108 and sent us on our way. Fuse blew when we were about a mile from our destination. Smell of burning, panic and anger. So here we are in Almerimar waiting for an auto electrician. I am of the opinion that some thing is telling us we were not meant for Morocco this year. May just stay in Spain and Portugal as time is running out
Richard & Mo.

 

[tony_g]

ok

i decant my 907 and my spanish bottle from the moroccan bottle,
last year i took 3 moroccan bottles back to to uk and have saved a fortune on gas ,,,,,

if you can get maroc butagas it is better n cleaner gas than the maroc gas , you can get maroc gas but it is lower quality and others have had problems with lightning their fridges and heating boilers you can also get propane but it cost more but still less than uk

a full bottle complete cost around 140 dirhams about £11 refill about 40d £3.50

the thread i believe , is the same as the gas flow , left hand , as on the maroc bottle and you can buy a screw in tap to connect to a 907 for about £ 1 at any hard ware or market stall .

hope this helps

mustafagasbottle ....

Thanks for the info. The rather battered Moroccan bottle I have is the small one and I only used it with the screw in burner/pan support because I couldn't find a regulator to fit. I used my external gas point on the van for the bbq and two burner stove. Now I have found a 28 mbar butane regulator which will screw into the bottle direct. As I only want to run the bbq and two burner I assume the 28 mbar would be OK if the Maroc gas is butane. Even if it is dirty it ought not to be critical for these appliances, unlike the fridge or boiler.

 

[Terry49]

As the numbers are changing at Tagazhout Beach, I thought I would try and describe it here.

I don't know how it works but it just does, as you go to bed at night you hang a carrier bag out side the van with 2 dirums (15p) in then when you get up there is a nice fresh baguette waiting for you. You wake up to sunshine and the shepherds going around the campers for there old peelings fruit/veg for the goats, I have 3 delightfull young children come each day with there mother for their breakfast banana from me, there smiles are beautiful .

Then the huge old water tank troundles around with fresh spring water to fill up your water tank if you need it 20 drums (£1.50p). The recycling men constantly go around the bins so there is never any rubbish anywhere on site, they have a toilet emptying site well away from the vans.

The enterprise of the local people at keeping the site running so helping the local community never ceases to amaze me. The van comes around selling the freshest oranges ever for 20 dirums a kilo, then the baker selling his cakes.
The local artist who skillfully puts beautiful paintings on the vans of those who want them.

Walk 30 seconds one way and you are on a sandy beach, with camels / horses and surfers a ten minute walk along it and you are in the local village where the fishermen sell there catches on the beach, the local hotel is spotlessly clean serving good coffee and good toilets . The Pizza restaurant is run by a French couple and there Pizzas are very good at 40 dirums enough for two.

There is a regular bus into Agadir at 7 drums each way. I don't think there is anything you can't get done, Solar Panels fitted / Mechanical things and all done so cheaply but to a really good standard .

The TagazhoutBeach experience has far exceeded my expectations, and with the great camaraderie of the funsters, the evening get together and day time laughs
If you ever get the chance it's one I would take.

Forgot to put nearly everyone bought tagines for 40 dirums and the smells coming from the various funster vans is great, all this for £1. 20p a night.

Hi Carol it sounds terrific. We are relatively new to motor-homing (2 years) and follow with great interest other Funsters adventures. Reading your post has given us the bug to be a little more adventurous and will put Morocco on our list of "must do". Thanks Terry and Barbara

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[makems]

Anyway just a word of caution, Irish couple we met at Tagazhoute were complaining bitterly that they had bought propane from a chap delivering on the beach which, after they started using it, they were convinced was butane.

No idea how you test it however to decide. Anyone got any idea?

Take Care

Barry and Sue

I had two propane bottles from that guy last year. First one I am sure was propane and caused no problems. Second one had at least a fair proportion on butane in it because it burned yellow on the stove. I only used half of it last year and brought it back with me this year. After 3 days using it my fridge was making that horrible stink you get when the gas isn't burning correctly because it's probably butane. It's taken three days back on Gaslow before the soot has burned off and the smell has gone.
I got the second bottle from him when we were leaving Tag and he knew it.
Maybe he thought he could get away with butane on the second bottle because I was leaving?
Anyway if I had seen him before we left Tag this time the tap end of the propane bottle would he been protruding from his arse:Angry::Angry:

 

[canopus]

As Suggy pointed out earlier, I had the Sidi Ifni squits yesterday teatime coupled with
chundering. After a poor nights sleep, I got up this morning feeling much better.

We decided to set off this morning as Sidi Ifni was a bit of an anti-climax for us. We headed over the tops to Guelmim. Didn't want to go too far today so we are holed up at a charming site known as Camping Coeur d'Oasis (no 100 in the book). Only just squeezed in as its very full. There are three English couples here who we've had a natter with. There are three vans parked up outside presumably waiting for someone to depart.

Had yoghurt for lunch - don't want to tempt fate

Bye for now

Ken & Lynda + Jess

 

[makems]

Ken it's a Good job you haven't got Lynda's cough.

Hope she's feeling better by the way.

 

[makems]

Re cough - Gwen's got it now and she's not happy.

 

[canopus]

Re cough - Gwen's got it now and she's not happy.

There were lots of cough carriers in the original group assembled at Assillah Mike. Some had even brought the Benidorm Bark strain with them . We do hope Gwen hasn't caught it from us :Sad:

Get some antibiotics pdq - Lynda is still coughing but not as bad as previously and she says she feels better in herself. No adverse effects to date from the antibiotics.

See you soon

Ken & Lynda

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[Malcolm Bolt]

Our euphoria regarding having our van sorted out did not last long it started blowing fuses when the self levelling system was applied. Contacted our man who fitted it who I might add must be one of the most helpful people to deal with I have come across. He found someone who was 65 miles from us admittedly in the wrong direction who has done work for EP and could sort us out Jose was his name. Of course this meant that we had to had wait until Monday to drive there. Well he spent all day looking at it. We had to get interpreters as he spoke no English he cut a wire then joined it back up with a lock block tried to change the 7.5a fuse for a 20a, charged €108 and sent us on our way. Fuse blew when we were about a mile from our destination. Smell of burning, panic and anger. So here we are in Almerimar waiting for an auto electrician. I am of the opinion that some thing is telling us we were not meant for Morocco this year. May just stay in Spain and Portugal as time is running out
Richard & Mo.

Really sorry to hear about that. Might see you a bit later. I think we will move north through Portugal this year.

 

[andeb]

Had a great evening with Tonka, Mr Motorhome et al at Sidi Ifni on Monday evening, chill day on Tuesday leaving yesterday heading for Fort Bou Jerif (No 85 in the book), the weather on route started to deteriorate to such a point that when we reached the 9km dirt track to the campsite and with the rain tipping down we decided that caution was better than valour and after a quick change of plan we backtracked to Camping de la Station Thermale (No 98 in the book) he managed to squeeze us in what is a very small site, incidentally site No98/2 in the book does not allow MH's to park overnight anymore and No98/3 was full.

This morning at early doors we moved across to Tafraoute (No 103 in the book) (65 Dh a night with electric) great journey across with some magnificent views and narrow roads, it all adds to the excitement the town was buzzing as we came through, so lots of exploring to do, we will most likely stay for a couple of nights.

 

[manda3000gt]

As Suggy pointed out earlier, I had the Sidi Ifni squits yesterday teatime coupled with
chundering. After a poor nights sleep, I got up this morning feeling much better.

I hope your not blaming the Christmas biscuits Father... They were Marks & Sparks you know :thumb:

 

[canopus]

Au contraire son. They were about the only things I could keep down

 

[makems]

Still here at Mustafas place.
We didn't get the dolly wheels fitted last night as expected so it took until lunchtime today. That's Moroccan Time for you!
Having said all that I am extremely pleased with the result. I went with Mustafa to the workshop where they fabricated and welded the brackets (see the pictures, no h&S worries here!
Then we went to another workshop where they were going to drill the holes for the axles and make the wheels from a solid bar of nylon. Each workshop in the street seemed to do different tasks ie welding in one, lathes in another drilling and milling in another. Mustafa seemed to know everyone in every workshop (and there were many).
This morning the parts arrived and there was a trial fitting followed by Liberal use of a grinder and a second trial to make sure things fit properly.
Then it was off to get the brackets painted before final assembly and fitting which was done at the roadside as not enough room for us outside the workshop.
We spent last night in the car park of a school a few hundred yards from Mustafas workshop which has a Guardiens for 20 dirhams (no services). and on his recommendation went for a meal at a local restaurant. The 0.5kg lamb tajine I shared with Gwen was fab and the roast chicken everyone else had looked rather tasty too.
We could have left earlier today but Gwen was having some jewellery repaired which wasn't going to be ready until 4pm today. We are going to stay another night for two reasons:
Q1. I have decided to have a5m led strip fitted below the awning andMustafa has sent someone to Inezgane in a taxi to get the parts. It will be fitted first thing tomorrow insh Allah.
Secondly Gwen has the Tagazoute trots so not wise to be going anywhere as she is the driver. I'm hoping Mustafa will find somewhere for us to empty the cassette as I dont want a cassette emergency during the night if the Immodium doesnt work!
Ps suffering from the "one photo at a time". Is it an ipad issue ?

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