Doc on tour, France, Spain, Morroco.

[Northernraider]

Early start this morning as I was awoken at 6am by the very loud prayers in the mosque.....it started off quite low and rather pleasant chanting and singing then goy to the motorbike going past at 100mph hour stage at which point I gave up and got up .... it stopped just after 7am .

So I had a couple of croissants and a coffee and then we headed out for a walk to try and go see the ruins on top of the hill.

Quite a climb.. disturbed all the local dogs who sleep in the hills ....watched a French man with one dog get all hysterical when a few strays approached him and immediately start picking up stones , I can't understand the mentality of any dog owner immediately going to hurt another dog ... I have 4 and when the strays approach barking I find it works better to either talk to ,sooth them or just stamp a foot and shout sssshhhhhh etc . Most bark because they're nervous or afraid not because they want to attack.

Anyway the dogs left him alone gave mine a wide berth and got on with their day.

Met an auld boy up the top of the hill ....started off just chatting...he spoke English French German Spanish and Arabic, and then he pulls throws out his bag that apparently his wife makes lol. Started at 300dh ....I told him I had no money on me just walking the dogs , I got a speal about the medina being mafia and high prices etc etc ....for me special price 200dh ....I told him again no money only phone and keys as walking the dogs ... 150dh ....for you special price lol. Still no money.....he Says promise me you come back ....

I escaped , he followed me for a while ....you can see him in background of a few photos .. I'm back at van and expect him to turn up any minute lol


Few guys with donkeys drying skins up there too.

Just having a drink then I'll go explore the medina

Few nice photos

 

[Mikey RV]

First look thought that’s a scabby looking donkey, then relized he is covered in skins.

 

[bellabee]

Beautiful photos, Tam.

 

[Northernraider]

First look thought that’s a scabby looking donkey, then relized he is covered in skins.

Yeah I thought the same then I saw 3 of them lol .. this is the place for skins , they're everywhere.

 

[Northernraider]

Hard bit of negotiation but I've got my sheepskins , same seller I bought from the last time , he started at 250dh a piece but I got all 3 for 500dh in the end .

They're lovely and soft and I picked the best 3 of the ones he had on display...but he has dozens there as they do all the work on them on site .

Well pleased .

Blu is obsessed with them lol.

Likes the smell it seems.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Minxy]

Careful or the dangly bit will disappear ...

 

[PaulW2]

Blu may have animal sympathies. "I wonder what the sheep did to piss him off..."

 

[Northernraider]

Blu may have animal sympathies. "I wonder what the sheep did to piss him off..."

I told her the sheep kept pulling....that's what'll happen if she don't listen

 

[Northernraider]

And I got my sandals too ....120dh ..

I'm knackered now ...been about 2.5 hours in that medina . Time to move now

 

[Minxy]

I told her the sheep kept pulling....that's what'll happen if she don't listen

Might be an idea to spray them with air freshener or something that won't taste nice otherwise next time you leave her in the van unsupervised you'll likely return to a sheep skin massacre!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Northernraider]

Might be an idea to spray them with air freshener or something that won't taste nice otherwise next time you leave her in the van unsupervised you'll likely return to a sheep skin massacre!

They have their own sheepskins .. one of which she's pulled bits out of before.

If she chews my new ones she'll be replacing one with her own skin

 

[Minxy]

They have their own sheepskins .. one of which she's pulled bits out of before.

If she chews my new ones she'll be replacing one with her own skin

Well she does have a lovely coat ... She might look a bit weird without it though!

 

[Barryh]

And I got my sandals too ....120dh ..

View attachment 1013728


I'm knackered now ...been about 2.5 hours in that medina . Time to move now

Arrgh. Never put new shoes (or sandals) on the table. It’s bad luck.

 

[Northernraider]

Arrgh. Never put new shoes (or sandals) on the table. It’s bad luck.

I thought that was a hat on a bed or opening an umbrella indoors ?

 

[G-RMPS]

And I got my sandals too ....120dh ..

View attachment 1013728


I'm knackered now ...been about 2.5 hours in that medina . Time to move now

It’s bad luck to put shoes on the table - old wives tale

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Janine]

I thought that was a hat on a bed or opening an umbrella indoors ?

Don’t worry - you have probably run out of back luck by now

 

[Grummyb]

I have to say ive really thought about visiting Morocco but sinec ive read this and Just smiffys threads i realsie why the pictures just make it look like a souless dessert or building site its definateley not for me

 

[PaulW2]

I have to say ive really thought about visiting Morocco but sinec ive read this and Just smiffys threads i realsie why the pictures just make it look like a souless dessert or building site its definateley not for me

I also have little interest in going. There is maybe a disconnect for some of us.

We think some reliable sun and a bit of exotic interest would be good.

We would indeed get this. But what is on offer also seems to include miles and miles of sweet FA, threadbare infrastructure, hazardous roads, litter and rubble...

(For some of us at least it now also potentially serves as a port in a storm. A way of not falling foul of Schengen limits, and an inexpensive way of getting some work done.)

 

[pelican]

I have to say ive really thought about visiting Morocco but sinec ive read this and Just smiffys threads i realsie why the pictures just make it look like a souless dessert or building site its definateley not for me

Maybe because being down on a small budget.

 

[scotzsue]

Arrgh. Never put new shoes (or sandals) on the table. It’s bad luck.

Any shoes for me, only superstition i have, mum and gran were the same.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[mackeellan]

Enjoying your thread once again Tam, great pictures, would like to see them in higher resolution but I know it's not practical on here. Good luck pal

 

[nicholsong]

I have to say ive really thought about visiting Morocco but sinec ive read this and Just smiffys threads i realsie why the pictures just make it look like a souless dessert or building site its definateley not for me

That is just the looks of the place, then there are the corrupt police, dirty restaurants and hassling from sellers and beggars.

Not for me thanks. Being resident in Schengen I am prepared to take the risk of exceeding 90/180 outside Poland, because anyway if I do it in 2 trips there will likely be no record of the first one when I start the second, so 90 days starts again.

 

[Northernraider]

We are now parked up overlooking a lake , reservoir. It was only 1 hour and 40 minutes drive to here from fez but I have to say it felt like 5/6 hours as the road was the worst yet....for one 20/25 mile section I couldn't go more than 30 miles an hour as it was just ridiculous...it would be better just leaving it a dirt track instead of the broken holed tarmac ....the whole van rattles and shakes and stuff falls of the bathroom shelves etc, everything behind the rear axle gets tossed around and everything inside the garage and cupboards moves so when you open doors you get brained by stuff .

It's horrific in some places. , that said though the scenery is definitely better inland in the north, very green and hilly , the drivers are still maniacs even on the very bad roads they are right up yer arse trying to push you on ....I've not been in a car here but I find it hard to believe they're not all knackered the speed they go on these roads...the suspension components have to be shot and constantly need replacing.

I was the first camper here but have since been joined by a very young German couple in a vw t4 camper and a much older German couple in a vw t5 camper ..



Photos of the fez medina etc first and I'll post the pics of tonight's Park up after that .

Fez medina is definitely the one to visit , the prices of stuff for sale seemed very reasonable compared to other places , it also has a bit of history and some old buildings around so out of all of the big Moroccan town I'd place that as number 1 , the sellers weren't pushy either and happy to make a deal and also happy if you decided not to buy , I had chats with a few ....they love a Scotsman but fir some reason everyone tries to sell me ganga, hash, Mary Joanna whatever you wanna call it lol.

 

[Northernraider]

Tonight's parkup .. quite busy with locals picknickin, probably be the same tomorrow. Not sure if I'll stay here tomorrow night too yet.

Might have a break from driving and I've a few bits to sort again. The bumpy roads have broke the strap retaining my engine battery and one of my USB sockets inside the van isn't working now either. I hate to think what the roads are doing to the ball joints etc on the van.

 

[Northernraider]

I have to say ive really thought about visiting Morocco but sinec ive read this and Just smiffys threads i realsie why the pictures just make it look like a souless dessert or building site its definateley not for me

The north is much greener , the roads are still shit and its a bit cooler overnight , daytime temps still 20+° at present so fine for me and the dogs.

North Coast isn't very pretty though although the med coast looked nicer last time. So maybe if I DID ever come back . ..and it is a big if I'd just stay inland or do some of the med coast as the Atlantic coast is a bit shit all the way down really.

If you want to do like the benidorm crew and sit on campsites for weeks with only the odd trip out here and there then you might like it. To escape shengen and get sun it's an option , but it isn't a cheap option overall by the time you include ferry , insurance ,wear n tear on motirhome etc.

There's a few gems here and there but there's only so much medina visiting you can do and there isn't a lot else.

I think it appeals to the young surfers and the auld campsite dwellers .... but for the inbetweeners it's lacking

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Riverbankannie]

I have been once and didn’t like it. Was a fly hotel type holiday. I particularly hated Marrakesh and the market square. Couldn’t wait to get out.

 

[Northernraider]

Nigel the Yorkshire man didn't last as long as me lol he's moved everyday since I last saw him and got on the ferry today at 3pm .

Mike and brenna are in casablanca tonight but their also heading north over the next few days and will likely re enter Spain same day as me

 

[Northernraider]

I have been once and didn’t like it. Was a fly hotel type holiday. I particularly hated Marrakesh and the market square. Couldn’t wait to get out.

I've not done marrakesh either time I've been , I've seen lots of photos and it just doesn't appeal to me at all . I think fez would be a better place to visit on a flying holiday .

 

[Langtoftlad]

We are now parked up overlooking a lake , reservoir. It was only 1 hour and 40 minutes drive to here from fez but I have to say it felt like 5/6 hours as the road was the worst yet....for one 20/25 mile section I couldn't go more than 30 miles an hour as it was just ridiculous...it would be better just leaving it a dirt track instead of the broken holed tarmac ....the whole van rattles and shakes and stuff falls of the bathroom shelves etc, everything behind the rear axle gets tossed around and everything inside the garage and cupboards moves so when you open doors you get brained by stuff .

It's horrific in some places. , that said though the scenery is definitely better inland in the north, very green and hilly , the drivers are still maniacs even on the very bad roads they are right up yer arse trying to push you on ....I've not been in a car here but I find it hard to believe they're not all knackered the speed they go on these roads...the suspension components have to be shot and constantly need replacing.

I was the first camper here but have since been joined by a very young German couple in a vw t4 camper and a much older German couple in a vw t5 camper ..



Photos of the fez medina etc first and I'll post the pics of tonight's Park up after that .

View attachment 1013926View attachment 1013927View attachment 1013928View attachment 1013929View attachment 1013930View attachment 1013931View attachment 1013932View attachment 1013933View attachment 1013934View attachment 1013935View attachment 1013936View attachment 1013937View attachment 1013938View attachment 1013939View attachment 1013940View attachment 1013941View attachment 1013942View attachment 1013943View attachment 1013944View attachment 1013945View attachment 1013946View attachment 1013947View attachment 1013948View attachment 1013949View attachment 1013950View attachment 1013951View attachment 1013952View attachment 1013953View attachment 1013954View attachment 1013955View attachment 1013956View attachment 1013957View attachment 1013958



Fez medina is definitely the one to visit , the prices of stuff for sale seemed very reasonable compared to other places , it also has a bit of history and some old buildings around so out of all of the big Moroccan town I'd place that as number 1 , the sellers weren't pushy either and happy to make a deal and also happy if you decided not to buy , I had chats with a few ....they love a Scotsman but fir some reason everyone tries to sell me ganga, hash, Mary Joanna whatever you wanna call it lol.

From this series of pics, it looks quite a nice atmospheric place to visit, the sort you see in the tourist brochures.

 

[Northernraider]

From this series of pics, it looks quite a nice atmospheric place to visit, the sort you see in the tourist brochures.

Which place?

Fez or the lake?

Both are nice though to be fair. I liked fez the last time hence coming back. And chefchaouen was nice too so I'll go there in a few days ..

Might just chill out here tomorrow as its me birthday and I can't be arsed moving .

That's unless I get moved by the bored police of course but I'm hoping not

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}