Up to day14

Rossy here

There is a saying in Africa: if a thing is worth doing its worth doing slowly - and so it would seem.

We got a really good deal on our ferry crossing but it was a good 2 hours late setting off and then when we reached Tanga Med we spent another 3 hours getting through customs! We were the lucky ones as some locals had to unpack all their belongings. Anyway our drivr through the mountains as the sun was setting was beautiful and the coast road to Martil, our 1 st stop, was surprisingly modern with lovely lighting along the long proms. At the camp site we met up with Sue and Jn who had been waiting all day for us. Eventually we all got to the restaurant  where we could take our own booze so that was a plus.

Next day , wagons ho, off we set in convoy to Chefchaoen on crumbling, dicey roads and the following day we went into the old town 2k down hill.the sun was out and the medina was fascinating -lots of little shops,fish , meat, fruit and veg markets all crowded together. We had lunch,the usual tagines, on  an upper terrace and the views over the the blue washed houses and the mosque and mountains was magical (as my sister would say) It was a steep walk back upto the site where we all gathered for drinks but as soon as the sun goes it drops in very cold.

Day12 it was raining on and off all day and we travelled on to Ouezzane with an eventful start as Ray inadvertently tried to take us all back into the medina round a hair pin bend and through the middle of town- not to be recommended!

We drove past miles of agricultural land with masses of broad bean plants etc. what do they do with them? You pass an odd person herding 2 or3 goats,sheep or cows letting them feedon the grass verges, people just watching the world go by or walking and you wonder where to or where from? Donkeys are the main form of transport out of town so they are everywhere. And this is the land of gnomes  as most men wear Jalabas - long garb and pointy hoods

We caught a "taxi" into Ouezzane . It was the most dilapidated  transit van with bench seats full of locals so standing room only for some of us.the one coming back was even worse as the back door was held closed with a piece of string and it took the driver all his time to get out of 1st gear .

Day13 drove to Volubilis to see ancient Romes furthest outpost-beautiful Roman remains and mosaics . After lunch travelled onto  Fez arriving in a rain storm.