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

[SUGGY]

egr ... replaced

We are back on the road and with an engine that has power ... yeah

we got a tx come to garage at 10am part arrived at 11am
big discusion , will it wont it fit , they sent the water cooled version not air cooled
I looked at it , flanges both same , yes it will fit
ok says the foreman we fit it after 2pm :Sad:

why says i ?.

Lunch time says he ..oh:

2.30 mechanic starts fitting it , using his mobile as a torch :Cool:
3.30 fitted , recheck diagnostic
3.45 road test , i have power :thumb:
4.00 pay the man, with help from mohamed a young moroccan man we met at the garage 2 days ago we managed a bit of discount ,
Total cost 5,100 dirhams :thumb:

Turns out Mohamed and friend wants to go to Tafroute , so we go to his house ,pick up his gear, fill up with water,empty the casette , his mum gives us some bread she has baked and at 6 pm we set off for Tafroute

9.30 arrive at Tafroute (139 miles ) now parked up behind the Mosquee , been partying with locals ,

just come back to the van for some hairy soup ,

Will try n find the other funsters in the morning , dont think we will get much sleep for a while
the music is on until 4 am ...

 

[SUGGY]

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.

Hi Carol
Are you still in Cassablanca ?.
Can you put the GPS of the parking on a post , Please :thumb:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Moving on - but not very far

Last year others covered much more ground in Morocco than we did. This year we have travelled even less, for good reason. Since we got the van less than three years ago we have put twice as many miles on the clock as previous owners had done in 17 years. Time to throttle back.

On leaving Mustafa's yard we moved a little further south to Camping Tazerzite at Tiznit in order to get a bit of protection from the forecast high winds. As it turned out the wind wasn't too bad but we did escape the biting sand and dust of the coast, being huddled up beside the tallest bit of campsite wall. From there a few more miles and we reached Guelmim and the thermal baths at Abaynou. Nothing to shout about as a campsite, you stop in the baths' car park but the baths at a constant 27 degrees do have a certain appeal and the little cafe has a proper coffee machine with a chap who knows how to turn out an espresso much better than any from Star#ucks. He also provided hot milk to which Cathryn could add a couple of spoonfuls of Cadbury's - yummy. At 50 Drms a night including EHU it seemed a good price to me. :thumb:

In the morning we rose at the crack of about 10.00 and set off sometime later along a mainly well surfaced Tarmac road to Plage Blanche. A truck in front travelled slowly but was a good aid to spotting the odd pothole. The driver was well practised at judging speed and position and I felt comfortable following on. He was carrying concrete building blocks and it was only a short distance before our destination that he suddenly turned off and headed cross country on a barely discernible track. I don't know how far he was going but I couldn't see any signs of habitation before the horizon. As we drove past it was nice to see him give us a big wave, grinning from ear to ear.

The book "Camping Morocco" says Plage Blanche is exposed and suffers from wind blown sand. Yep that's the place we had arrived at. It was blowing a gale and visibility greatly reduced but to move on would mean going back the way we had come as the decent road ends right there. :Sad: 4x4s, quads and dirt bikes cross the river here and there is a track heading further south but for regular motor homes it was a definite no-no. So we parked end on to the wind and as close as we could to an old building, the faded sign on which indicating it had once been a Hotel/Restaurant and we were able to sleep well despite the rocking and rolling.

In fact we slept quite late. The wind must have died away completely by dawn and we opened up to a glorious day. It was so peaceful. Only a few vans on the top looking down on the beach where we were and a few more on the raised up sandy area in the river mouth. Down there it was could be a little more protected from the weather but the previous night the wind had been from the sea so for them it must have been like trying to sleep in a wind tunnel.

We spent three nights at Plage Blanche and it was the most relaxing time of the trip. Vans came and went but there were never more than 12 at any one time. Three separate fish sellers came by, at least one of them had caught his stock of three beauties line fishing from the beach. The only other locals were a couple of young women who offered bread for sale. There are no shops or services so I think they had baked it themselves. In fact there is little at Plage Blanche except Plage Blanche itself. There are a couple of government buildings - police and military and a coastguard post. There are the disused chalet units from the closed up hotel, two of which may be occupied on an unofficial basis as well as three or four houses. I got the impression from the comings and goings that these were occupied by personnel from the official buildings, along with their families.

This was the most southerly point of our visit and we thoroughly enjoyed it.

We are now meandering north once again.

All photos from Plage Blanche.

We were up overlooking the beach, which goes on for miles and the river mouth.
Some vans were parked down in the river mouth itself but I would have had to get back up the fairly steep incline and with the front end steering, rear wheel heavy of our van I did not relish the thought.

 

[movan]

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.

LOL. Carol, thank goodness Eddie checked. I had an old car once that I took into the garage as it wasn't running properly.... there must have been a cat curled up in it when I started the engine.... it was like a piece of old rope wrapped round and round the engine.... xx

 

[marjohn]

See in tagfroute

We are back on the road and with an engine that has power ... yeah

we got a tx come to garage at 10am part arrived at 11am
big discusion , will it wont it fit , they sent the water cooled version not air cooled
I looked at it , flanges both same , yes it will fit
ok says the foreman we fit it after 2pm :Sad:

why says i ?.

Lunch time says he ..oh:

2.30 mechanic starts fitting it , using his mobile as a torch :Cool:
3.30 fitted , recheck diagnostic
3.45 road test , i have power :thumb:
4.00 pay the man, with help from mohamed a young moroccan man we met at the garage 2 days ago we managed a bit of discount ,
Total cost 5,100 dirhams :thumb:

Turns out Mohamed and friend wants to go to Tafroute , so we go to his house ,pick up his gear, fill up with water,empty the casette , his mum gives us some bread she has baked and at 6 pm we set off for Tafroute

9.30 arrive at Tafroute (139 miles ) now parked up behind the Mosquee , been partying with locals ,

just come back to the van for some hairy soup ,

Will try n find the other funsters in the morning , dont think we will get much sleep for a while
the music is on until 4 am ...

hello Suggs and rose glad you got it fixed hope to see you all in tagfroute Monday all his well:thumb:1-3-14

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[marjohn]

Leave the painting to mustafi

Hello motorhome fun it got my solar panel fitted by one of mustafi boys sorry to say I didn't look over them a big mistake tried to phone mustafi no joy then he got in touch once and said he will send the lad out got fed up got it fixed by some one else enclose the photo how he left it horses for course marjohn

 

[marjohn]

This will cheer you up taghazoute

Just a quick from my learning album it's not all bad marjohn

 

[marjohn]

Riad in Marrakech

Just a photo of riad

 

[marjohn]

Finished job on solar panel

It looks good marjohn

 

[Peter & Elaine]

essaouira

We left marrakech this morning stocked up at marjane and set of for essaouira arrived at 3.30 and are now parked up on south side car park at the rear of sand dunes
Weather is good bright and sunny just a slight offshore breeze
Anyone else in town
Beer o'clock then we are of walk about

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[OldAgeTravellers]

It looks good marjohn

Hi Marjohn,
With the greatest respect although the job looks 10 times better, that French type plastic box is not waterproof, it may be fine for Morocco but when you get home if I were you I would change it for a proper one with good water resistant glands. Like this one from Amazon, singles are available.

Mount it with Sikoflex with the gland to the rear.
Good luck,
Steve.

 

[CherryPirate]

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

Hi John & Margaret
Good to see that you are using the technology. We are now home and catching up with what has happened since we left a couple of weeks ago. Did you get the MIFI in the end? Everything working?

Talk soon

Colin & Tina

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

Essaouira

We left marrakech this morning stocked up at marjane and set of for essaouira arrived at 3.30 and are now parked up on south side car park at the rear of sand dunes
Weather is good bright and sunny just a slight offshore breeze
Anyone else in town
Beer o'clock then we are of walk about

Hello!!!
We are parked up at the port ! Do you want to meet in the town?

 

[marjohn]

Hi Marjohn,
With the greatest respect although the job looks 10 times better, that French type plastic box is not waterproof, it may be fine for Morocco but when you get home if I were you I would change it for a proper one with good water resistant glands. Like this one from Amazon, singles are available.

Mount it with Sikoflex with the gland to the rear.
Good luck,
Steve.

Yes I understand but you think all the ones they fitted they would learn a lesson if know says nothing they think they have done a great job send you a photo what they done marjohn

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

the colors of Morocco

Today we are in Essaouira. We stayed on the port parking lot for 30 Drms and have just paid same again for tonight. Well happy. :thumb:

Walking about here you cannot fail to notice the vibrant colours everywhere. Yes ok you could look at all the dilapidated buildings and many poorly dressed folk of all ages but against that you have to stack the positives. There must be enough riads in the medina to be able to sleep in a different one every night of the year and eat somewhere different every mealtime.

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[marjohn]

Hi Marjohn,
With the greatest respect although the job looks 10 times better, that French type plastic box is not waterproof, it may be fine for Morocco but when you get home if I were you I would change it for a proper one with good water resistant glands. Like this one from Amazon, singles are available.

Mount it with Sikoflex with the gland to the rear.
Good luck,
Steve.

Hello steve he only used that box the wire goes through the box straight to the battery no connections till it gets to the regulator marjohn

 

[marjohn]

Hi John & Margaret
Good to see that you are using the technology. We are now home and catching up with what has happened since we left a couple of weeks ago. Did you get the MIFI in the end? Everything working?

Talk soon

Colin & Tina

Hello there we got the mi fi it's hit and miss going to taghfroute mob take care mar john and thanks for all the help

 

[makems]

Please tell me our black pudding is safe :thumb:

No black pudding was harmed in our travels over the piste. In fact I think I'll go and get some out the freezer now along with either some bacon or sausage. Decisions, decisions......

 

[makems]

When we arrived at Zagora a couple of nights ago we realised just how some individuals can defy the stereotype we tend to associate with the French.
Guy came out of his van next door, introduced himself and gave us the lowdown on which Ehu points worked and which didn't. He said the supply is poor and without a voltage stabiliser, the fridge would not work on 220V. He was right. I didn't bother hooking up as the only available socket was a duff one.
He became Colins bust buddy immediately when he said he was into rugby, knew about the All Blacks and the Hakka. He declined Colin's offer of a performance of the Hakka though.
Next morning loads of vans left so we moved into the corner where we are parked at right angles to Colin so we have our own private "courtyard" with bags of room.
Tonight the place is rammed full with three vans parked in the entrance road.
Yesterday Colin and I had a wander round Zagora while Gwen and Christina wandered in and out of every shop. Even though they all sell the same crap.
I tried to buy a voltage stabiliser from the shop recommended by Ken but the chap there didn't want to go below 580dh. I may have a more intense negotiating session with him tomorrow.
Beer o'clock started on time but was somewhat extended until 1:30 am! We were watching music videos and probably too loud so may not have been too popular with our Gallic neighbours. The girls had bad heads this morning and have hardly been out of the vans.
I gave the van a rinse to get rid of the heavy layer of piste dust and apart from nipping out to top up my Maroc SIM card and get some bread I've done pretty much bugger all else. It's been very hot.
Tomorrow is market day and then Monday we are moving on to Foum Z'guid and then Tata.

 

[makems]

Kiwis new bestest buddy Guy told us yesterday that there are 40,000 motorhomes in Morocco this year. I think he got that from one of the local French language tv channels.
That's a hell of a lot of motorhomes. And at least 35,000 of them must be French!

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[canopus]

Been into town (Tafroute) tonight and went to the famous chicken restaurant near where the big coaches depart for Casablanca, Rabat and other major cities. We had a hearty thick soup to start, then chicken breast, fries, lentils, dates and Morrocan salad washed down with water. Cost just over £8 for two.

Two Moroccan soldiers in civvies who play football for the army sat next to us and gave us some of their rolled up pancake which had honey and butter on. We had a good natter with them. Their vacated table was then taken by three women, two French and one Moroccan. The Moroccan lady spoke excellent English and we had another enjoyable chat.

From their we crossed town to the Almond Festival stage and watched a troupe of girls all in white who wore one long continuous veil and who all sang in a monotone pitch. They must have sung several songs but they all sounded the same.

The next turn was a more traditional Moroccan band accompanied by a singer, who could sing in tune, and four rotund ladies with glittery bits on their boobs and hips. They were very good and the audience were dancing in the square clapping and singing along.

Enjoyable evening but rather chilly

 

[SUGGY]

Hi Mike, when you go to the foumzoid campsite , just stop and walk down into the site ,
the entrance is better than it looks but check out the parking spaces ,
if you go to your left near the berber tent area there is room to turn round but if you straight on it gets very narrow and could be difficult to turn round ,

Suggy

 

[SUGGY]

Kiwis new bestest buddy Guy told us yesterday that there are 40,000 motorhomes in Morocco this year. I think he got that from one of the local French language tv channels.
That's a hell of a lot of motorhomes. And at least 35,000 of them must be French!

I read last year after the 2013 Funster Tour of Morocco that there had been over 30,000 motorhomes in Morocco in 2012 ,
if you think just how many more funsters have come over this time , you can see how morocco is growing in popularity ,

Better get the ferry booked for next December ........

So at the moment there should be plenty of room on the campsites n aires in France

 

[canopus]

Tomorrow is market day and then Monday we are moving on to Foum Z'guid and then Tata.


Mike

When you get to Tata park at the Municipal Swimming Pool and not the campsite next door as its ram jam full. The Pool camping is run by the same outfit but there is more room to manouvre. Try to get there lunchtime ish for a better pitch. There is a lovely patisserie just across the main road from the Pool, and the square is just beyond. Enjoy:thumb:

 

[Malcolm Bolt]

colourful people in Essaouira

We heard the music first, the drumming and the singing then the parade was upon us. The first carried a picture of the King. It was followed by the national flag. Then another picture and a banner. I have no idea what it was about but all involved were very happy. It was ofver as quickly as it had started but our spirits were really lifted. It's like that in Morocco.

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[makems]

Hi Mike, when you go to the foumzoid campsite , just stop and walk down into the site ,
the entrance is better than it looks but check out the parking spaces ,
if you go to your left near the berber tent area there is room to turn round but if you straight on it gets very narrow and could be difficult to turn round ,

Suggy

Which site is that Suggy? There are three in the Campings du Maroc book:
Sables D'Or, Khaima Park and Hotel Bab Rimal.
Cheers

 

[SUGGY]

Khaima Park , it is the one in town . I think all the 2014 funsters have used it ,

 

[Peter & Elaine]

We are no worked up on harbour guardian park in essaoira
With the bolts
It's lovely clean and modern in places
Looks like 2 days here

 

[OldAgeTravellers]

Hello steve he only used that box the wire goes through the box straight to the battery no connections till it gets to the regulator marjohn

Yes I realise that but you will find over time in the UK or wherever when it rains the box will gradually fill up with water which could then seep into your roof then BIG PROBLEM. Which is why I suggest you change it for a proper one ASAP.
I had the same problem in my house in France, I had a permanent fuse problem and finally found the previous owner had used one of those boxes which over time had filled up with water.
If it were me I wouldn't risk it.
Steve

 

[hilldweller]

It's music Jim, but not as we know it.

I think that sums up The Almond Festival. Pure old Berber Moroccan from the days when most would arrive on foot or donkey. To us Europeans it was to observe rather than involved enjoyment.

But it does not matter, Tafraoute is a joy of a place with real old Morocco and stunning scenery. Alas change is already afoot with a brand new area of flats etc glued on the side of town. Good change is all the new education building thought this is what is driving change.

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