Morocco 2019

[TerryL]

Best wishes and safe travels to everybody already in Morocco and those crossing today.
We're about 10 days behind you (trying to solve a faulty fridge problem).

 

[horshamjack]

Gas problem solved. Met a very nice couple today, Steve & Sam and got chewing the fat as you do. Well Sam turns out to be a mechanical problem solver who has been used by many big company's and still sought after by previous customers. I explain my problem and within minutes he's got it solved. The gas was going through all the time and I had assumed it was not because I did not hete the rush of gas going into the bottle as I had before. He established after undoing a couple of connections the gas was indeed going into the bottle and straight to the regulator then onto my services. So, all is well and I now have the one full Gaslow bottle shut off which I will use when we decide to leave Morocco. I am a happy bunny today.

Why didn’t you read my post told you to try again give it a min then try the gas stove ? anyone would think your the newby reading this thread with the maroctel and Gas issues

 

[PhilandMena]

Why didn’t you read my post told you to try again give it a min then try the gas stove ? anyone would think your the newby reading this thread with the maroctel and Gas issues

I just knew you would be on me like a rash when I posted this morning. Can't wait to meet up with you and drink all your cheap beer..........again. Pissing down now. Your fault!

 

[Hotelman]

I just knew you would be on me like a rash when I posted this morning. Can't wait to meet up with you and drink all your cheap beer..........again. Pissing down now. Your fault!
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And we crossed early this morning because you said the weather was good. Wait till swmbo catches up with you, and makes you drink Carlos’s wine

 

[PhilandMena]

And we crossed early this morning because you said the weather was good. Wait till swmbo catches up with you, and makes you drink Carlos’s wine

You sound like me ! Man up Oh Please!! Or you will end up like Marc! He's well and truly under the cosh! Sorry, got to go, Mena just told me to get off the Fiddlesticksing phone.

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[billym]

@River gypsys you really are making good progress down to the South..............we are still amblin down ......Ocean bleu in Mohemmedia is a pleasant site but not a lot around.Possible taxi to visit Casablanca and back for 400 dh .............cheap if you can join another couple.............but don't ask for Rick's Bar



Off to Oualadia tomorrow

We went to Casablanca with another couple today. 400 DH and the taxi man said stay as long as you want. We went on the Mosque tour(120 DH each) and had a walk around some interesting places for a hour or more.

We are off to Oualadia tomorrow. Do you know if we are better off taking the coast road from El Jadija or go down the new motorway and cut across.

 

[webby1]

We took the motorway as we are not as adventurous as some.

We leave Oualidia today for Essaouira and although the coast road looks reasonable, we have decided to go back to the motorway,although it is not much of a road to and from the motorway. I remember @PhilandMena took the coastraod from here towards Essaouira.

The parking down in the village is very busy but we are at Camping Laguna with a beautiful view over the bay,good facilities and free internet. It's a reasonable half hour walk winding down the rocks directly to the lagoon and then right along the track to the village

 

[abforfun]

Just been to Marco telecom in Assilah, got there at 8.40, beaten by some of the French but out an hour later and was able to recharge out 2017 SIM card

 

[River gypsys]

I think motorway is better much less stressful driving

 

[PhilandMena]

We took the motorway as we are not as adventurous as some.

We leave Oualidia today for Essaouira and although the coast road looks reasonable, we have decided to go back to the motorway,although it is not much of a road to and from the motorway. I remember @PhilandMena took the coastraod from here towards Essaouira.

The parking down in the village is very busy but we are at Camping Laguna with a beautiful view over the bay,good facilities and free internet. It's a reasonable half hour walk winding down the rocks directly to the lagoon and then right along the track to the village

The coast road from Qualidia is scenic and OK to drive. Like any other road in Moroc you just need to be aware of the odd surprise, pot hole, worn edge, oncoming French Motorhome. If I have seen one French Motorhome with a damaged wing mirror, on this trip, I've seen a hundread. Every time we come here it's the same. I think some of them dread driving near the edge of the road so keep towards the centre and hey presto collision with another motorhome (Probably French!)
This morning when I went to empty my cassette in hotel designated toilet, Herman the German followed me up with his and was promptly turned away. I pointed out to him he needed to get an agreement with the hotel to use their facilities and this could be easily achieved by eating there and simply asking to use the facilities. I also got 10 Lts of drinking water from them this morning (I have a 10 ltr Container) which they gladly filled for me. When we first arrived here there was 3 motorhomes now there are around 8 and the odd one parking at night and leaving first thing in the morning before the parking attendant arrives. The free Hotel WiFi is not available this morning, it has been switched off and I hope it's nothing to do with the amount of motorhomes here. Loads and Loads of people turned up yesterday and spent the evening walking along the long promenade here. I very gentle breeze coming off the sea and once again a spectacular sunset. We will stay for another 2 days I think before moving on.
A little story. End of November my motorhome was due its MOT. The windscreen wipers should have failed so I bought a cheap set of ebay for £16.00, ready to fit if Motorhome failed but it passed. Since we have been here in Moroc 3-4 guys have come up and said you need to replace your windscreen wipers and I have said how much and they are saying anywhere between 300-180 Dh. Last night, another one came round and did the same and I though sod it, I'll go and wind him up. So he spends 5 minutes replacing my blades and we havn't even agreed they should be changed or agreed a price. So when he finishes, I say thank you very much and go to get back into the van and he says money, money, money and I say how much and he says 300 DH and I tell him to do one and put the old ones back on and remind him this is not my first time in Moroc. Now he understands brings out his mobile and types 190. Dh and points the phone under my nose. I said hang on and goes into van and bring out brand new set I bought on Ebay show him and say Ebay UK 90 Dh ! He's gobsmacked has a good look at the wiper set (No brand name on packaging or blades) and he says 90 Dh and I say yes ! He starts shaking his head and hands me back his phone which now has 120 Dh on it and I say no put the old blades back on and he cant believe it. So now feeling a bit sorry for the guy offer him 100 Dh and a hand shake which he takes very reluctantly but agrees the deal in good faith. So now I have a set in reserve that cost me £16.00 and a new set on that cost me 10€ and both sets probably worth no more than £5.00. and last no more than 3 months LOL. Beautiful here this morning, not a cloud in the sky, very clear and bright with a nice clean, fresh breeze coming off the sea. Some of you will like this next bit.........I'm running low on my data card and might be off for a little time while I go and search out a Moroc Telecom shop. However, I have found out how to connect directly to one of the big masts and will be sending out all sorts of crap before the week is over. Keep safe, off for a walk with Memsahib.

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[PhilandMena]

I think motorway is better much less stressful driving

No doubt they are better roads and probably safer too, as on coming French motorhomes will be on other side of motorhway. But the odd donkey will not. (I shit you not!)

 

[vwalan]

take the coast road from oulidia and turn right just past the lighthouse at cap beddouza then drive down to the roundabout. very nice stopping place.
there used to be a restaurant with icicle style roof being built . must be finished these days . we used to have a few days there .
cant beat just hugging the sea.

 

[PhilandMena]

Had a bit of an adventure this morning. Walking along the prom. I saw a bird on the edge of the surf and thought another dead bird, took a look through my binos which I took with me by pure chance and I could see the bird was alive and snarled in rope/fishing line and though, go on Phil be Superman and go to the rescue, so I did. Had loads and loads of people watching me as I went up to the bird and it was big. It had rope of some sort tangles in the end of its bill and from there tightly wrapped round one wing and from there entangled in one of its legs. No way I could get it loose so grabbed hold of the thing, one hand on its neck and the other on its body. Close up it was stunning light blue/purple eyes and the same colour inside it's beak which was about 8 inches long and had a very sharp point. Anyway, even though it tried to stab me with its beak it couldn't because of the entanglement and I'm now up to my knees in the incoming tide I pick it up and carry it up the beach with loads of onlookers with some of them coming down to take photos. Mena goes back to van and gets scissors and a sharp knife and we spend the next 15 minutes hacking away at bits of rope and eventually free it and then it bites me, grabs hold of my hand with its beak and does not let go. Eventually it lets go and I place it in the sand and back off and it just sits there. I figure it's in shock and will need time to recover and we continue our walk and it's still there on the way back and I said stay here I'll get my camera and take a picture and when I return Mena says it's flew off. I'm elated, a successful rescue. Mena says let's go back to the van and clean your hand up as I don't want you to get an infection from a dirty bird. We then both piss ourselves laughing at what she just said.
The bird was a 3 year old Gannet.

 

[PhilandMena]

Been a bit wild here today. A strong wind comming off the sea with loads of white horses and big waves crashing up the beach. However, its clear, bright and very warm when sheltered from the wind. The Hotel guy said lots of rain in Marrikesh and Casablanca today, so I guess those of you North of us could be having a bit of a rough time. I went to the campsite here and asked if I could call in to empty my cassette and fill up with water, thete response, you have to stay for one night or longer to do that so continue to use the hotel which today gave me fresh drinking water for free. A couple of motorhomes have moved down beside us from the campsite as they say it's better here than there.

 

[GrannieAnnie]

Same here in Sidi Ifni wild wild wind but warm sun if you can find shelter. Nice little campsite here called camping Sidi Ifni (very original) camping Gran Canaria next door and another on road to beach all much the same cleanish good WiFi and friendly 80d a night including Electric which we don’t usually bother with but as it was included we thought why not? Saves on gas. A decent walk up to town where their are the usual shops and stalls. A market yesterday so able to fill up with lots of fruit and veg. There is even a bar here selling lager and wine. We did have a couple of beers at the bar just to be friendly but got plenty stocks on board.

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[TerryL]

Any thoughts on how busy Morocco is, motorhomewise please? Are there more French than recently?

 

[billym]

Thanks for the advice. We came on the motorway and along the bumpy road.

Another old Hymer has arrived here today. They came down the coast from El Jadija for about 15 km but turned back and came down the motorway. They reckon the bumpy road from the motorway to here is in much better condition than the coast road.

Laguna Park is a nice site and the sun has been shining and the sea blue!

The pitches here are ridiculously small and if it was busy here we might have found it a bit difficult . We are 7.75 metres with the bike rack. Anyway its not busy so no problem.

P.S. @webby1 we are not stalking you, honest.

 

[PhilandMena]

Any thoughts on how busy Morocco is, motorhomewise please? Are there more French than recently?

Terry, as was said in that great film Zulu 'fousands of them' There everywhere we have been and ten deep. Macron's tax increases must be having a huge impact on the country. Every Frenchie I've spoken too hates him with a passion.

 

[PhilandMena]

Same here in Sidi Ifni wild wild wind but warm sun if you can find shelter. Nice little campsite here called camping Sidi Ifni (very original) camping Gran Canaria next door and another on road to beach all much the same cleanish good WiFi and friendly 80d a night including Electric which we don’t usually bother with but as it was included we thought why not? Saves on gas. A decent walk up to town where their are the usual shops and stalls. A market yesterday so able to fill up with lots of fruit and veg. There is even a bar here selling lager and wine. We did have a couple of beers at the bar just to be friendly but got plenty stocks on board.

If you get the opportunity, you may find the museum of great interest, we found it on our way to the market place and it has a lot of military stuff as its about their fight against the Spanish. Worth a visit.

 

[dabhand]

Mena says let's go back to the van and clean your hand up as I don't want you to get an infection from a dirty bird.

Maybe a bit late for that!

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[Hotelman]

We are parked up in a side road, just under the mosque in Casablanca, a brilliant spot. The size of the mosque is amazing, and yes, we did have dinner at Ricks, really good value.
But the teatime drive through Casablanca is not for the faint hearted,especially in a 9.3m van, great fun, busy and a great challenge, all was going well until we hit a road closed sign near to the railway station, but was ok in the end. We drove around the mosque area using park4night and Campercontact, but eventually a couple of ‘street guardians ‘ helped us out.

Catch up with you all soon.

P.s what about all the plastic polly tunnels on the side of the motorway from kenitra to mohammadmedia ?, much much more than last year.

 

[billym]

We are parked up in a side road, just under the mosque in Casablanca, a brilliant spot. The size of the mosque is amazing, and yes, we did have dinner at Ricks, really good value.
But the teatime drive through Casablanca is not for the faint hearted,especially in a 9.3m van, great fun, busy and a great challenge, all was going well until we hit a road closed sign near to the railway station, but was ok in the end. We drove around the mosque area using park4night and Campercontact, but eventually a couple of ‘street guardians ‘ helped us out.

Catch up with you all soon.

P.s what about all the plastic polly tunnels on the side of the motorway from kenitra to mohammadmedia ?, much much more than last year.

We saw a few motorhomes yesterday by the Mosque. We thought they must have been barking mad !

 

[webby1]

We saw a few motorhomes yesterday by the Mosque. We thought they must have been barking mad !

As I said there are others more adventureous than us.
Don't worry @billym it's not that you are stalking us.......................it's actually that
"we are lying in wait for you ????"

We took the motorway down to Essaouira after the other half had been watching Serena in the tennis on that great sporting link you posted. Stocked up with "various important items" at the Carrefour and now at the "shithole campsite" as referred to by almost everyone. But as always, it has more facilities than a parking area and we managed to get some electricity, so it will do for a couple of days.

There is only day parking opposite and when we return this way from Marrakesh next week, we might stay at one of the better campsites (Esprit,Le Calme or Oliviers)and drive in for the day.................oh and visit the Carrefour.....AGAIN

 

[Hotelman]

We stayed at le calmed last year,’and it does as it says’. A great peaceful stay over.

 

[billym]

As I said there are others more adventureous than us.
Don't worry @billym it's not that you are stalking us.......................it's actually that
"we are lying in wait for you ????"

We took the motorway down to Essaouira after the other half had been watching Serena in the tennis on that great sporting link you posted. Stocked up with "various important items" at the Carrefour and now at the "shithole campsite" as referred to by almost everyone. But as always, it has more facilities than a parking area and we managed to get some electricity, so it will do for a couple of days.

There is only day parking opposite and when we return this way from Marrakesh next week, we might stay at one of the better campsites (Esprit,Le Calme or Oliviers)and drive in for the day.................oh and visit the Carrefour.....AGAIN

How good is hesgoal !!!!!!!! It's been going years and I live in fear of it disappearing

Mrs billym and her new " Bessie" have booked a cookery class at someone's house in Essaouira for Thursday evening so we are going there tomorrow.
We planned on staying on Oliviers and getting a taxi but the crap one is much more convenient.
So my questions are. How crappy is it( we are not fussy) and is it packed out.

Happy travels

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[River gypsys]

For all you newbies heading for tafroute , we've just had a lovely meal in " chez Nadya "
It's a bit hard to find but well worth it,
The best honey and peanut oil dips yet, not to mention the salad and tagines, the couscous royale is not for you if your on a diet tho, lovely fresh orange juice, rounded off with coffee and petit fours, what a way to spend an afternoon in yet more wall to wall sunshine

 

[Hotelman]

For all you newbies heading for tafroute , we've just had a lovely meal in " chez Nadya "
It's a bit hard to find but well worth it,
The best honey and peanut oil dips yet, not to mention the salad and tagines, the couscous royale is not for you if your on a diet tho, lovely fresh orange juice, rounded off with coffee and petit fours, what a way to spend an afternoon in yet more wall to wall sunshine

Can you take your own wine ?

 

[River gypsys]

Can you take your own wine ?

Don't know, will ask next time we go , keep watching

 

[webby1]

So my questions are. How crappy is it( we are not fussy) and is it packed out.

Well we cycled across to the Medina today and we've decided to stay an extra night just because of the convenience......................no hot water and only one s'hitter and 2 squatters each but we'll manage and there's a few spaces at the moment but only electricity on some.

Suggest you drive over and see what's available...............stock up at Carrefour just round the corner.....and it's only 20k back to Olivier if it doesn't suit

 

[horshamjack]

Has anyone changed money at the bank? if so what is the exchange rate sterling & euro’s
Tia Marc

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