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

[Malcolm Bolt]

Not a lot

Hi malcom , is there any reason not to do the R105 Agadir to Tafroute ?

You have more experience of driving over here than any of us newbies (I am not of course talking about vwalan etc. bow down, bow down, respect) it is a good road, two lane single carriageway tarmac. It is just that from Agadir for some short parts of the route you are on the drop side of the hill rather than the wall side. When we came the opposite way even local registered trucks stopped and let us pass rather than risk the drop. That is mainly due to the fact that there is precious little hard shoulder between the tarmac and the drop.

In short take care, be prepared to give way and stop at very short notice. On this road in that direction I would not feel comfortable taking in the view at the expense of loss of concentration.

The other way is longer but are you I still in a rush?

Enjoy the trip

 

[makems]

What a shit day,

It started OK.
We left Aiberge Sid in Merzouga at 9:00 and Rvd with Kiwi at the petrol station at 9:30 as planned. We set off initially for Rissani so Colin could get some money.
While there I had trouble shutting the hab door, after a few increasingly hard slams it was obvious there was something wrong. The strut at the top that limits the amount that the door will swing had become detached from the door frame (probably due to the bouncing and vibration from the piste road to/from the Auberge). Easy fix! I dig the tool box out from the garage, locate the right Allen key and it's back in place.
But hold on, it won't open properly now! get the ladders out of the garage so I can see the top of the door. Feck! The slamming previously mentioned has caused the loose strut to mangle the slot in which it slides in the top of the door. I use a large flat blade screwdriver to widen the slot a bit and it now opens far enough. But the thing is pretty much buggered and will probably need a new door. I hope the Burstner warranty will cover the fact that it's due to a weak fitting coming loose.
On we drive, stopping just after Alnif for an hour for lunch. A short drive later and we arrive at our destination, the site at Tazzarine. We find it fairly easily but we have a problem at the entrance which is narrow on an equally narrow lane and has a steep slope down off the road.
First we scrape the silencer and then the Alko chassis gets grounded mid ships. It ain't gonna go in!
Now we have the problem of how to get back out again. Apparently we can't just reverse and continue in the direction we are travelling as the road gets narrower and there is nowhere to turn round. So we reverse out and pull forward to let Colin turn round before we try to reverse into the gate and then turn to go back the way we came. Amidst the 25 point turn that this entailed of course we had a couple of Moroccans turn up in cars tooting theirs horns and a few motorbikes who would just weave past as we manoeuvred:Angry:
Eventually we get the van turned round and head back to the main road.
Our satnav gets confused because the road layout has changed and unknowingly we head out to Zagora on the wrong road
Well it seems fine, a lot of it is new surface, no traffic, what more can you want?
Well for it to continue like that all the way for a start!oh:
About 50km from Zagora the Tarmac ends and the road becomes piste. For those who have never driven on piste let me describe it for you: it's like a ploughed field but you are drivingACROSS the ruts in the mud which have dried in the merciless sun to the consistency of reinforced concrete. Everything in the van shakes. Lockers spring open and their contents shoot out onto the floor. All the stuff that is on the dining table on non-slip mats that has stayed in place for the last few thousand miles in Morocco suddenly slides off the table; the satnav which sits on a beanbag contraption and hardly ever moves now dances across the dashboard like a whirling dervish, your ears can barely stand the sound of the rattling and banging, your brain hurts as it is constantly being bounced against the underside of your skull, and all the fillings are shaken out of your teeth.
Actually it's not that bad.
ITS TEN TIMES WORSE!:Eeek
We meet some Dutch cyclist going the opposite way and stop to ask them how far is before we find Tarmac again?
Only 50km to go!
And we can only drive at 30kph because any faster is just unbearable.oh:
Eventually, eventually we reach Les Jardins at Zagora.
It's late now, because it has taken us so long and there are only two places left, without electric. Colin stops to fill up with water and hose the dust off his van. We snake our way in to the corner, do a nice three point turn and reverse into our narrow slot to a ripple of faint applause from a handful of French eating their meal.
It's beer o'clock immediately after which we walk up to the town and eat a fairly average meal of poulet et frites before retiring for the night.
A lie in tomorrow I think.
Gwen deserves one after driving through that little lot. :thumb:

 

[Peter & Elaine]

Please tell me our black pudding is safe :thumb:

 

[Scattycat]

Hi Scattycat, not the European health Card the "Carte Vitale" which is your French health registration card, if you are resident in France and have applied for one. The one the Doctor and Pharmacist pokes into their machine. It has your photo on it.
We were told by our French neighbors and our Bank Manager that France would help you out wherever you are in the world, not tested it mind you but I doubt all these thousands of French Vans over here have bought Travel Cover they all rely on the French Health Service to get them out of trouble. If you know French people you can talk to have a chat about what they do. I certainly wouldn't trust cover you could buy at the boarder and I certainly saw nowhere at Tanger Med that fitted the bill!
Steve

Spoke today to our bank who we have our health and house insurance with.

Their comments are, house insurance will cover repatriation within France. Carte vital, top up health insurance will cover for all of Europe, but outside of France but within Europe, we will be covered but will have to sort out part via UK because now Uk Expats have a UK European health card whereas before the European card was issued by France
Axa will offer world wide health and repatriation cover at a cost of 319€ for 90 days

It appears though, according to the bank that our French bank MasterCard will give us 11,000€ health-and repatriation cover, butoh: we will have to advise them before any procedure can go ahead.
That being the case we'll stick with that and just hope that if anything happens and we need to use them then one of is will be in a fit state to call them

 

[tony_g]

EGR Valve

Suggy, I may be way off beam here but until recently I had a 12 year old Fiat Stilo which was not the first car of my acquaintance to exhibit 'sticky' egr problems. Given the age of the car, I nursed it through the last couple of years by liberally dosing the diesel with some proprietary form of diesel injection cleaner or other and taking the, predominantly urban car for a violent high rev motorway thrashing. With the off the record blessing of my local Fiat dealer, I might add. It never cured it but kept it going for a while longer.

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[canopus]

Tazzarine

Sorry to hear of you troubles in Tazzarine Mike and Gwen

We went down that same narrow road (4 vans) to Camping Amasttou and Suggy drove in but had to turn round inside with a French van right in the middle of his manoeuvring area. One by one we had to perform 58 point turns in the entrance to the site avoiding jutting out concrete pillars on the building opposite.

Back to the crossroads we crossed the bridge as you must have done and stayed at the Hotel just on the other side - the one Suggy said avoid at all costs - it was Hobsons choice. oh:

I had remarked to Lynda that the road outside the hotel went to Zagora but am truly grateful to Allah that we didn't take it from Zagora.

We are now faced with a similar predicament - do we take the R106 from Taliouine to Tafroute? Had a reply from Dazzlin saying they'd done that route, but looking on Google it looks a long slog 103 miles and it may well be piste in parts. :Sad:

Consequently Mike & Gwen, I think you may have made our minds up for us - if in doubt leave it out. :thumb:

Once again hope you get settled in at Les Jardins. If its any consolation the little older guy who is the patron - not the guy in the Berber kit, can supply you with wine at 150dh a bottle

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

It appears though, according to the bank that our French bank MasterCard will give us 11,000€ health-and repatriation cover, butoh: we will have to advise them before any procedure can go ahead.
That being the case we'll stick with that and just hope that if anything happens and we need to use them then one of is will be in a fit state to call them

Hi Scattycat,
Only one other thing to ask, usually you have to buy your holiday with the French Card for it to Give travel cover, our Bank Manager suggested we upgrade to the Gold Card for our USA cover, but luckily I asked, and got the Oh no, I forgot that.
I don't know why they keep mentioning the EHIC, that is just for European Union. If you are French Resident with a Carte Vitale and you get stuck abroad the French Government will sort you out. That is what all French people we have talked to believe, remember the Gadafi thing, the French were in there within 48hrs and took everyone out, without permission, the British took about two months faffing about asking permission of the Gadafi Government.
It is usual with French insurance to have to first get permission then pay for it all and claim back after.
The AXA at €390 seems much higher than ours but then all our insurance is with them and we have turned all our friends over to them and negotiate hard for best prices, it is interesting how that loss of business concentrates their minds, every year we get a lower price! But then it is world wide so push for twelve months for the same price and it is much cheaper than the UK.
Hope you finally get it all sorted.
Steve

 

[MrMotorhome]

Wonderful, I have been waiting for this last one. I recognised this music from my belly dancing years! What a great time you had, well done and I would still really like a dvd with all your clips on. They really give the atmosphere of your trip. Many thanks, and hope to see it myself one year!

Catherine

Hello Catherine,

I will be makng a DVD copy of all 7 clips of 'Morocco 2014' for the Tonka Trio and will will make an extra one for you and keep it in the van until we meet. :thumb:

 

[Viennese]

Thanks so much Andrew. I shall be at Peterborough, Newbury and Malvern... any plans for those Fun meets? :thumb:

I can't see where you live from your profile, but we will be in central France in September.

Best regards

Catherine

 

[MrMotorhome]

Thanks so much Andrew. I shall be at Peterborough, Newbury and Malvern... any plans for those Fun meets? :thumb:

I can't see where you live from your profile, but we will be in central France in September.

Best regards

Catherine

No plans yet, but sure we will be at one of the meets. :Cool:

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[hilldweller]

Wine

I bought an assortment of Moroccan wine, some really good, from Mekness.

So are there wineries to visit in Mekness ?

 

[SueBaz]

Sh*t Day

It started OK.
We left Aiberge Sid in Merzouga ........ and we arrive at our destination, the site at Tazzarine. We find it fairly easily but we have a problem at the entrance which is narrow on an equally narrow lane and has a steep slope down off the road.
First we scrape the silencer and then the Alko chassis gets grounded mid ships. It ain't gonna go in!
Now we have the problem of how to get back out again.......

Hi Mike and Gwen

So sorry to hear of your travails. Apologies if our recommendation for the site at Tazzarine added to the distress of the day. You are the second group to have had problems so maybe not so good - perhaps we were just lucky and happened to fit on our day .

Trust you have both recovered now

Take Care


Barry and Sue

 

[marjohn]

Having a great time

Morocco first post of photo complements of Malcolm Cathryn
Marjohn

 

[marjohn]

Just practising my photo technic

Hello everybody just got taught to use my iPad these our Margaret daughters and son in law

 

[marjohn]

RAID we stayed in marakech

Hello again burnt out this the second one some more to follow
Marjohn28-2-14

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[hilldweller]

And then there were more.

We are bit scattered but I think 6 here now that canopus has arrived.

Seriously hot one today.

 

[canopus]

Well after ummmingg and arrrrring about the route from Taliouine to Tafroute, I bit the bullet and went via the R106. Wow I needn't have worried good asphalt road for 97% of the journey and barley any oncoming traffic.

However what made it even more enjoyable was the scenery over the tops - absolutely stunning. Almond trees up in the hills in full blossom and very rural villages with friendly waves and even blown kisses en route.

A shepherd with his flock hailed us down waving an empty water bottle. We stopped and filled his receptacle with filtered water. He was very grateful. Then another few miles down the road in the middle of nowhere a guy thumbing.

We stopped picked him up and off we go again. Had to have the windows open as he was chucking up a bit. :Angry: He also asked for some water so Lynda gave him a bottle and a couple of Madelline buns. We assumed he wanted the next village but as he spoke neither French of English we struggled. However he did say Tafroute so he had a lift of about 50kM. God knows how he will get back.

Anyways we are here now pitched up in Tafroute and hoping to enjoy the festivities this weekend. Had a quick natter with Hilldweller , Chrisyboyo and Arnica, will see the rest later.

 

[marjohn]

Hello ken Lynda

Well after ummmingg and arrrrring about the route from Taliouine to Tafroute, I bit the bullet and went via the R106. Wow I needn't have worried good asphalt road for 97% of the journey and barley any oncoming traffic.

However what made it even more enjoyable was the scenery over the tops - absolutely stunning. Almond trees up in the hills in full blossom and very rural villages with friendly waves and even blown kisses en route.

A shepherd with his flock hailed us down waving an empty water bottle. We stopped and filled his receptacle with filtered water. He was very grateful. Then another few miles down the road in the middle of nowhere a guy thumbing.

We stopped picked him up and off we go again. Had to have the windows open as he was chucking up a bit. :Angry: He also asked for some water so Lynda gave him a bottle and a couple of Madelline buns. We assumed he wanted the next village but as he spoke neither French of English we struggled. However he did say Tafroute so he had a lift of about 50kM. God knows how he will get back.

Anyways we are here now pitched up in Tafroute and hoping to enjoy the festivities this weekend. Had a quick natter with Hilldweller , Chrisyboyo and Arnica, will see the rest later.

hello ken and Lynda glad to hear all is fine we hope to be there Monday you will have to let us know how you get on also what the camp sites our like marjohn:thumb:

 

[marjohn]

Like to go to southport in June

Hello I am trying to book southport in June with no success can any body help Marjohn 28-2-14 thanks:thumb:

 

[canopus]

Hi John & Margaret

Good to hear from you guys. Hope the holiday in Marakech with the rellies went well.
We will still be here when you arrive in Tafroute. We are in a wilding area very much like Tagazhoute. The co-ordinates you will need to reach the wild camping spot are North 29d 42.272' and West 008d 58.872'.

Once you see Camping Les Trois Palmieres we are another 500 mts further along the road on the right. You will see loads of camping cars. If I remember I will put the Motorhome Fun flag up so you can locate us easier.

Look forward to seeing you both again

Ken & Lynda + Jess
xxx

PS We will sort your booking out for Southport when you arrive at Tafroute.

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[SueBaz]

The Suggy DIY 'Moyen Atlas Tour'.

Hi All

The Suggy DIY 'Moyen Atlas Tour'.

Bit of a long post (again) but felt we had to pass this on. We've just enjoyed a brilliant few days travelling from Marrakech to Azrou

First a big big thanks to Suggy. We completed (most of ) his DIY Desert Tour south of the High Atlas and having enjoyed that when we finally left our 'deluxe' Marrakesh campsite and headed north we thought we'd try his 'Moyen Atlas Tour'. The following is our take on his suggestions, we covered this in 3 days but if we come back to Morocco we will take longer over it!

First Day:
1. The natural arch at Imi d'Ifni near Demnate is a MUST. Wasn't convinced till we saw it but it really was worth the visit. From Marrakech we took the N8 and R208 which in itself is a really nice drive and worthwhile in itself.
2. The Cascades d'Ouzoud is also really a must. The Rough Guide says if you only visit one Cascade in Morocco it should be this one....... We stayed at Camping Amalou (N32deg 00.820' W006deg43.040') and agree with Suggy, the facilities are 'not good' (we've actually seen better facilities at wild camps !) but it's a nice enough parking area and, er, you can empty the cassette ......HOWEVER it really is handy for the cascades!

Second Day
3. The route we took from the Cascades, can't recommend it enough. We took the road back south (to go north from the Cascades is apparently not recommended for motorhomes). We then turned East on the R304 to Azilal and kept following the 304 through Bin -el - Ouidane and Afourer to the N8. The panorama at the crest of the rise overlooking the lake at Bin -el - Ouidane was quite magnificent as was the journey past the dam towards Afourer but the view that will stay with me, the best in our 12 weeks tour here, was looking towards Afourer and the plains to the north as we started to descend from the Moyen Atlas. One can literally see for miles - it was like the view from an aeroplane but I had to remind myself that our particular 747 (Burstner not Boing) doesn't fly......... Quite breath-taking!
4. This won't be fir everyone. We stayed overnight at a Wildcamp on the N8 at Ouaoumana beside a lake (N 32deg 42.761 - W 005deg 50.972). It's in the Vacuous book No 143 on page 180 but the pictures don't do it justice, it's beautiful; if we weren't on a deadline Sue wouldn't have let us leave. IMPORTANT CAVEAT: The track down to the lake is very rough dirt/ stone and I personally wouldn't use it with our front wheel drive 747 in or after wet weather: but it's been dry and our old beast and RayV8s Sprinter had no problems up or down. It is rough though! Note also it's a lonely spot with no facilities or shops anywhere near it.

Third Day
5. We continued on the N8 and turned right at Khenifra (south) and followed the unnumbered road (marked with green edging on the Michelin map) through to Ain-Leuh and thence back to the N8 and to Azrou. Again truly beautiful scenery and bizarrely we even found Barbary Apes in a field above the snow line. The road in places is very rough but we've got used to that in Morocco and again it caused us no problems, as VW Alan said "Just take it easy.....". Biggest issue on this leg was around the Sources de l'Oum-er-Rbia (very popular with Moroccans) where some of the children selling and begging at the side of the road had no sense of personal safety, a few were positively dangerous.....

Staying now at Euro Camping, Emirates Tourist Center, Azrou tonight (page 139 Vacuous book (N33deg 26.584' W005deg 11.438') - very nice site.

That's it. Hope some of this is helpful to someone

Have Fun. :thumb:

Barry and Sue.

 

[SueBaz]

Moroccan Coach Drivers

:

Hi Everybody

I would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Allah, praise be his name, who decided that he would spare the coach driver, his passengers, the moped rider and the rest of us using a narrow and busy section of the N8 near Beni-Mellal on Wednesday afternoon.

Said coach driver had his bus moving fast and decided that as he wasn't going to slow down, and as the moped was in his way on his side of the road, the appropriate thing to do was to flash his headlights and use our side of the road. I was in front with space as he started the manoeuvre but RayV8 had no where to go and the 'miss' could probably only have been accurately measured using a calibrated Rizla...............

We read all the advice before we came and we have seen lots of very rude moves by all types of road users since we've been in Morocco. Providing one drives defensively most of the antics are more amusing than seriously dangerous (albeit sometimes you feel like you've somehow entered an episode of Wacky Races). But many Moroccan coach drivers are frankly something else.

A similar and quite unexpected 'must get past' move by a tourist coach overtaking Ray and I before a blind bend on the Tiz n'Tizka last week resulted in us all, including the car that appeared coming the other way, having to emergency brake to find room for him. One can only conclude that when things go wrong, as inevitably they will, the results are pretty unpalatable.

Take Care

Barry and Sue

 

[andeb]

The other side of Morocco !!

Spent 3 hours with the local Gendarmerie in Bouguedra this afternoon whilst en route from Marrakech to Safi on R204. The 2 little charmers who decided to chuck a stone at our MH whilst standing at the side of the road and cause damage, might think twice before doing it again.

I don’t think that they expected me to stop and give chase …..

When I realised that they were a little quicker than me I returned to the MH and drove up a piste track parallel to their escape route which surprised them somewhat.

When I jumped out armed with camera and started snapping telling them that I was going to the police with their photos they appeared a little worried for some reason …….

I found the nearest local Gendarmerie Station, they were very helpful, took me back in their car to the point of impact, so to speak, and lifted one of the miscreants and the brother of the other, placed one in handcuffs and we returned to the police station, it was not long before the other miscreant was bought in. Their details were taken, I wrote a statement, and we eventually carried on our merry (or not so merry) way.

Interesting to note that when we left the station the male members of one of the boys families were outside, the grandfather of one was quite upset that his grandson had caused us a problem and we got the impression that a bit of corporal punishment might be the order of the day !!!

 

[Carol]

Andy thank you for that, it will at least hopefully save some other motorhomer from the same fate.

 

[Scattycat]

Hi Scattycat,
Only one other thing to ask, usually you have to buy your holiday with the French Card for it to Give travel cover, our Bank Manager suggested we upgrade to the Gold Card for our USA cover, but luckily I asked, and got the Oh no, I forgot that.
I don't know why they keep mentioning the EHIC, that is just for European Union. If you are French Resident with a Carte Vitale and you get stuck abroad the French Government will sort you out. That is what all French people we have talked to believe, remember the Gadafi thing, the French were in there within 48hrs and took everyone out, without permission, the British took about two months faffing about asking permission of the Gadafi Government.
It is usual with French insurance to have to first get permission then pay for it all and claim back after.
The AXA at €390 seems much higher than ours but then all our insurance is with them and we have turned all our friends over to them and negotiate hard for best prices, it is interesting how that loss of business concentrates their minds, every year we get a lower price! But then it is world wide so push for twelve months for the same price and it is much cheaper than the UK.
Hope you finally get it all sorted.
Steve

Spoke to the bank direct and I they assure me that just by being a card holder we have the cover we need up to 11,000€. I'll check out the master card web site.
The bank also mentioned that if we took out the gold card the cover would be a lot higher and also would cover all the family. the gold card is about 120/ 130€, I can't remember exactly but the cost can be reduced because you get a discount of a few centimes against each purchase you make throughout the year so the following year could be a little cheaper

Sorry if all this sounds a bit off topic to some folks but it may be helpful to other expats venturing outside Europe in their motorhomes

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[Carol]

For the past two days we have been camped right outside the Royal Palace and golf club with armed guards 24 hours a day for 40 Dirums, can't be bad. Yet the strange thing is you can go in and look around

We had a walk around the souks today for our provisions all the time we have been in Morocco I have only shopped in the local markets and shops, today though I ended up with goat when I asked for lamb, wonder what that will be like in the Tagine.

Eddie thought he had better check the van for oil tonight, took the bonnet off and found two cats curled up inside the engine, My motto in Morocco expect the unexpected.

 

[andeb]

For the past two days we have been camped right outside the Royal Palace and golf club with armed guards 24 hours a day for 40 Dirums, can't be bad. Yet the strange thing is you can go in and look around

We had a walk around the souks today for our provisions all the time we have been in Morocco I have only shopped in the local markets and shops, today though I ended up with goat when I asked for lamb, wonder what that will be like in the Tagine.

Eddie thought he had better check the van for oil tonight, took the bonnet off and found two cats curled up inside the engine, My motto in Morocco expect the unexpected.

The goat will taste lovely we have had quite a bit

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Where are Malcolm Bolt and the lovely Cathryn ???

C'mon Malcolm, some words and pics for us less fortunate!!!

Regards, Bryan and Anna (from Spain)

Hi there
Sorry Bryan but I felt like I had a bit of me cut off - no not that bit. I cannot believe that with a five different bits of kit capable of internet connection plus a WiFi booster and a mifi with a signal booster I just have not been able to get on line.

Today I went into a Maroc Telecom shop and it transpires that the three supposedly Maroc Telecom personnel doing a promotion job at Taghazout were bloody rip-off merchants. I thought I had bought a three month connection but in fact it was only for one month.

I am now using Cathryn's hot spot - No not that hot spot - with my phone. If the set up will take the strain I hope to post a bit of our past couple of weeks later tonight. :thumb:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Morocco first post of photo complements of Malcolm Cathryn
Marjohn

Hi John
Good job well done.
I have enjoyed the other pics below too.
I did not realise you were using an ipad. I told you that you could post up to five pictures but others have said that with an ipad it is only possible to post one picture with each post.

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

For the past two days we have been camped right outside the Royal Palace and golf club with armed guards 24 hours a day for 40 Dirums, can't be bad. Yet the strange thing is you can go in and look aroundQUOTE]

Sorry Carol I have been a bit out of touch and may have missed some stuff but where are you?

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