Tam n pups winter trip 2022

[Northernraider]

Little frog/toad came to visit last night.

morning walkies , it was a nice spot we stayed last night, surrounded by nature ,could here the river running amd the frogs and other wildlife all night but nothing else which was bliss

we then left and headed to chefchouan this morning , found a parking spot on a bit waste ground and immediately had a 14/15 year old boy claiming to be a guard and asking 30dh each van to park , alan the fool paid him i told him to get lost, im a bit sick of the chancers and the attitude in Morocco that all tourists are cash cows or there to give handouts. ...forgot to mention the old guy this morning who turned up and the conversation went , bonjour , cafe ? , shoes? , lighter? ...fiona gave him a lighter , i gave him my old sandals , he walked off with not even a thank you or a goodbye..... fed up with it so the kid at the parking got told to.piss off. ....more on that later .

so from the parking chefchoun looks nothing like i imagined or had seen on Instagram etc ...it actually looked very run down and a building site

nice views to the mountains though

nice old merc behind the sprinter

cute goats i have 2 goatskins that colour now too that i bought today for 8 quid each

 

[Northernraider]

Chefchouan is a very pretty town once you get in to the narrow little streets, once again its a tourist hotspot so all the stray dogs in the town have tags in their ears etc to let the tourists think Morocco is dog friendly and cares for its animals ...it doesn't of course but it will keep the crowds of tourists following the guides around happy in that belief. Everything here costs dirhams , chancers trying to charge for taking photographs ( again they were ignored) spoke to a woman and 2 kids from Cambuslang who were almost in tears because they were struggling to find their hotel , one guy had said he'd show her the way took her in to the centre of the medina demanded 50dh and when she refused he called her a bitch and left her there ...as it happens she was nowhere near her hotel. We found it on Google and showed her the way . I bought 2 goatskins from a guy which was a good price, 220dh for 2 , they're a little bigger than my other 2

Had a nice walk around town , someone else wanted 20dh for the pic I took of the parrots lol. I blame the tourists who simply put their hand in their pocket constantly as they are simply encouraging this , if guys started asking for money in carparks in Scotland or tried to charge people to take photos of the city, abbeys , castles etc they'd get punched in the nose. Most of these guys are better dressed than me and smoking etc , not poor beggars.

Anyway here's pics of chefchouan

I also bought a couple of nice little paintings for 50dh each ,I'll post pics of them later

 

[15edward]

What an interesting place. Thanks Tam

 

[Northernraider]

So when I returned to the camper there were 2 lads about 17 , the first one from earlier was nowhere to be seen , they started touching bits on the van , the Ariel, the mirrors , the vent for heater etc etc ... one trying in French to ask for 20dh for parking, I told him to jog on , he uttered a few phrases I suspect was swearing etc. I started the van up to.leave and one was standing in front of the van the other at the window ...he kept saying 20dh , 20dh .. I said how about 50dh ...took a note out my pocket ...he put his hand out for it , I ripped it in 8 pieces and threw 7 out the window as I drove off. It's not the money , it's the principle, I refuse to be intimidated or harassed by these types , I think many of the tourists just give them money for an easy life and it encourages them. I've also met numerous cheeky kids who when told no either throw stones or just keep giving cheek etc and it does not work with me. I've given plenty sweets , fruit etc to kids who don't ask or are not cheeky but little shits get nothing. Arrogant guys who try to act all gangsta and demand money from tourists to park in free carparks get nothing either.

It's the biggest downfall with Morocco for sure

 

[Minxy]

Little frog/toad came to visit last night.

Tam ... you might have 'pulled' ... you should have kissed it!

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[dryad]

beautiful photos, what an amazing place, something that struck me, there appears to be no litter, no dog crap, all looks very clean..

.

 

[Littlewheels]

Very atmospheric the images just a shame many of the residents don’t compliment the town.Thanks.

 

[monzer]

I love all those places with steep, narrow lanes here there and everywhere. Probably no planning goes in to them at all but always ends up looking great. You see similar in Spain, Ronda comes to mind. Full of character.

 

[Just smiffy]

It’s all about the fast buck out there in the cities, now if they played the long game it would be so different for them, the one that guided the woman and kids to the hotel (not) for instance now if he took her to the hotel she may have given him something and then he could have said if you want a guide one day to tour the city at a reasonable rate he could have got more business and both parties happy but they don’t see it that way.

I’m like you Tam and if I’m allowed to browse in a shop without hassle I’m more inclined to buy something but as soon as I get hassled I’m outta there…

I’ve been to Morocco a couple of times but I’ve been to Tunisia lots and it’s the same there… they all know the English swear words when they want to… the best bits are away from the hustle and bustle of big towns, more honest and cultural people in the countryside…

I’m afraid that like you, I give them some short swift words…

Like on “itchy boots” she has met some wonderful native people out of the tourist spots and such generosity.

This is why I don’t like big crowded places and if I want to see something in a big place then I’m in and out asap…

But great pictures Tam…

 

[ontheroadagain]

They do like their blue paint.
Looks great.

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[Barryh]

It’s the same the world over, interspersed with moments of kindness. In a city in India, can’t remember which one, we needed a charger for a camera. We probably looked a bit lost and a ragged young man approached us and offered to guide us to the shop. Here we go I thought, but he took us straight there so I offered him a bit of cash, which he flatly refused. However many, many other instances of “guides” attaching themselves and asking for money for nowt, which is what they got. Enjoying your trip by the way.

 

[Gina M]

Tam, who is shouting AFRICA in the first mountain track video?

 

[Northernraider]

Tam, who is shouting AFRICA in the first mountain track video?

That would be me lol .

 

[Langtoftlad]

I guess if your income is from tourists and they're a bit thin on the ground, especially in the last couple of years then it can be a bit "competitive".
However, I do think 'hands out' is part of their culture.
Good with bad

Amazed you've got actual people in these photos .

Is there any reason behind all the blue paint?

 

[Northernraider]

I guess if your income is from tourists and they're a bit thin on the ground, especially in the last couple of years then it can be a bit "competitive".
However, I do think 'hands out' is part of their culture.
Good with bad

Amazed you've got actual people in these photos .

Is there any reason behind all the blue paint?

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[Northernraider]

Back on the coast now for my last couple of nights. Have 3 adult dogs and 5 puppies here tonight.

Nice little town with a quiet spot on the beach . Only fisherman

 

[Littlewheels]

So touching and such a variety, so individual it breaks my heart thinking what the future holds for them, this is one of the few moments of kindness in thier lives. I think you must have fed over 300 individual dogs on the Moroccan leg of this trip. Well done Tam.

 

[Northernraider]

So touching and such a variety, so individual it breaks my heart thinking what the future holds for them, this is one of the few moments of kindness in thier lives. I think you must have fed over 300 individual dogs on the Moroccan leg of this trip. Well done Tam.

I reckon we are nearer 450 -500 now over the 2 months , there were many I stopped quickly at the side of the road to feed that I couldn't take pics of as phone used for music and navigation.

 

[Gina M]

I reckon we are nearer 450 -500 now over the 2 months , there were many I stopped quickly at the side of the road to feed that I couldn't take pics of as phone used for music and navigation.

You are amazing Tam. Thank you for feeding the dogs and thinking about their need for water too. It has been difficult at times for me to read some of the stuff about animal cruelty. I cried when another funster told the story of a guardian beating a dog with a 10 foot pole. I stopped following here and on the other thread for a while it just made me feel sick.

 

[Northernraider]

This is the only guardian parking I like ....

Anyone moves out there and my 2 furry friends will tell me. And they ask for nothing but some positive interaction and a few biscuits.

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[Northernraider]

Morning walkies , discovered another litter of puppies along the beach belonging to a the other mum I suspect the male dog is father to both sets

All have had breakfast this morning

Pics are still the first litter from yesterday. Haven't taken any of the other set yet

 

[Langtoftlad]

Look at the size of that pup's paws!

 

[Northernraider]

Look at the size of that pup's paws!

Yeah you can see by mum and dad they are gsd sized

 

[Northernraider]

Here's the whole family

Although dad has 2 wives and families

 

[Onemanandhisdog]

Cute pups and pretty young still.

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[125BEER]

So when I returned to the camper there were 2 lads about 17 , the first one from earlier was nowhere to be seen , they started touching bits on the van , the Ariel, the mirrors , the vent for heater etc etc ... one trying in French to ask for 20dh for parking, I told him to jog on , he uttered a few phrases I suspect was swearing etc. I started the van up to.leave and one was standing in front of the van the other at the window ...he kept saying 20dh , 20dh .. I said how about 50dh ...took a note out my pocket ...he put his hand out for it , I ripped it in 8 pieces and threw 7 out the window as I drove off. It's not the money , it's the principle, I refuse to be intimidated or harassed by these types , I think many of the tourists just give them money for an easy life and it encourages them. I've also met numerous cheeky kids who when told no either throw stones or just keep giving cheek etc and it does not work with me. I've given plenty sweets , fruit etc to kids who don't ask or are not cheeky but little shits get nothing. Arrogant guys who try to act all gangsta and demand money from tourists to park in free carparks get nothing either.

It's the biggest downfall with Morocco for sure

Votra vous encou.......(I )

They might understand it.....

Cheers

 

[corconx]

Fabulous photos again. It looks so much better when down on the ground than from the air!

Cheers. Your holiday has been great to follow on here and Polarsteps so I thank you. Safe trip back across and don’t forget to pick up your drone and bike.

Carol

 

[Northernraider]

Had a quick visit to the old medina in tetoun, visited a proper working tannery and I got another couple of sheepskins which are a little bigger for a very good price, also another pair of sandals without the toe bar and 2 smaller tajines. Think that's now all my shopping done.

Parked up now at a nice beach for tonight , this will be my last night with Allan and fiona and Martin and Teresa as I will be heading to tangier med tomorrow for my ferry on Friday morning. Allan and fiona will be heading back inland for a few weeks as they have another month yet and Martin and Teresa will be returning next week sometime I think.

 

[ontheroadagain]

I have enjoyed following your adventure in Morocco.
Will you be spending some more time in Spain or are you homeward bound?

 

[Carol]

Thank you so much Northernraider Tam for sharing in words plus your wonderful photos it has been so nice revisiting all the places we have spent time and enjoyed, now we have sold our van to have those wonderful sights and sounds bought to life has been special. So a sincere thank you for the time and effort you put into sharing with us. I'm so pleased you experienced Morroco and all its different faces.
I'm looking forward to see which journey you take us on next.

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