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  1. #61
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    Stage 20 “Foum Zguid to Zagora via The Road from Hell

    “Salam Alaikam”

    Off along the N12 main road again this morning to get to Zagora while we have been advised that the road is still OK it didn’t turn out to be correct!…..

    Coming out of Foum Zguid it was not long before we had to turn right with a ‘Police Check Point’ right on the turn…..







    While the BIG Water Pipes were a sign of things to come on the journey….











    Goat Herds on the hillside…..



    The stones on top of each other identify where those BIG Water Pipes have been laid across the road, while the road has yet to be completed….









    While just up ahead part of the road had collapsed and so far had not been repaired so it was single track around it with no warning signs….



    Interesting Sand Dunes over near the mountains of a completely different colour….



    With the odd dwelling just off the roadside….





    Our TomTom position in relation to where the road was supposed to be and this went on like this for a very long time…..



    The following ‘Dust Cloud’ had coated everything both inside and out on the ‘Tin Tent’ while the seals on ‘Flamenco Red’ worked a lot better…..



    Then we come to the ‘SECTION OF ROAD FROM HELL’ which started as a ‘Rough Piste’……



    Got worse….



    While the stones were intended to stop you going any further as the road had collapsed….







    Looking back from the ‘collapsed’ section…..



    While my good lady does a ‘Recce’ of the alternative to see if it is passable.…



    As it seems OK then off we go, very carefully as the first couple of bends in the track are quite tight to get around as the ‘Tin Tent’ axle is wider than ‘Flamenco Red’s’ axles with the Camper/RV following….



    We then pass the ‘collapsed’ section of the road….



    Coming to the end of the detour, there is a very short but quite steep climb back to the Piste which Flamenco Red & Tin Tent managed but not without leaving a nice ‘Clutch Burn’ smell behind, however for the Camper/RV being front wheel drive only it was a different matter for which we tried a tow rope between, but at 4+ Tonnes in weight it was a bit much for ‘Flamenco Red’….



    Even though with some carefully placed rocks to drive over we nearly made it….



    However luck was with us as a 4x4 Breakdown Modified vehicle came past on the way to a job on another vehicle in a campsite just outside Foum Zguid and 15 minutes later the Camper/RV was up and out of the detour….





    While we then came to another section of ‘collapsed road’ but with an easier ‘detour’ to manage….



    Having then cleared both sections it was time to open the bonnet/hood and let the engines cool down a bit with a cup of coffee or tea for us although the outside temperature was 27C, the dust could be felt on the back of your tongue…..



    Then once more it was off along the Piste, with at this point the surface started to comprise ‘Corrugations’ which you tend to see in sand in the dessert, but we think that these ‘Corrugations’ had been made by a tracked construction vehicle as the road is also being re-built……



    After a few miles we see this second track on our left which looked a lot smoother than what we were travelling on…

    I think we travelled the best part of 50 miles on ‘Rough/Piste road on this stage today….



    So we hung a left and got on it…..



    As it went from light brown dust to something like shingle that at times made you feel like you were driving on ICE as you could feel yourself slide in places…..







    While the ‘Dust Screen’ from behind was tremendous…..



    You can hopefully see the ‘Corrugations’ more clearly in the next picture….



    Water Pipes laid into the new road as it is on a large river bed…..



    Then in what appears to be the middle of nowhere we see a School Classroom…



    While a short distance later we come across ‘Cloches’ (Plastic Tunnels) in a growing region……





    Interestingly the completed ‘New Road’ was blocked off from being used by rocks placed across the road or mounds of earth also across the road, and also sacks…..



    While the dust from overtaking vehicles sometimes made it difficult to see ahead….



    Then just as we get very close to Zagora, Surprise Surprise! The Tarmac reappeared….



    As we passed this sign it felt like we had been to Tombouctou and back during the course of this stage today….

    The 78 Miles had taken over 6 Hours to complete!....



    Main street in Zagora….



    Campsite is just around the bend to the left of the hotel directly in front….



    When I looked at ‘Flamenco Red’ & the ‘Tin Tent’ after we got to the campsite I did not believe we had set off with a clean outfit this morning as the layer of dust was that thick in places I think we could have grown vegetables in it with a few drops of water thrown in, while inside the dust was everywhere, along with a broken cupboard door, 2 screws one of which we found where it came from the other we are still looking for the hole, and 3 yoghurts the bottoms of which had split in the fridge and the contents had run down the inside of the fridge!!

    Not a good day really.

    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

  2. #62
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    Stage 20A “Recovery Day in Zagora”

    “Salam Alaikam”

    After the events of yesterday today has been spent checking out and repairing the bits and pieces that broke, fell off or needed cleaning up as well as a short trip into town!…..

    Inside the Front Gas Locker, the BBQ is normally Red in colour….



    The rear wheels on Flamenco Red have this covering of light beige dust….



    While the front wheels are not much better…..



    When we came to prepare breakfast this morning I thought the Microwave had ‘died’ as the Porridge was not ‘cooking’ but it turned out after trying it with the Inverter that the campsite power supply voltage is quite low at 202V which was not only affecting the Microwave but the Fridges of a number of Campers/RV’s who have had to turn over to using gas instead of mains electric….

    So after Gas cooked breakfast, we set off for a short trip into the town….



    The main Traffic Island in the town centre, where moped users seem to regularly fall over as they go around, then pick themselves up and set off again, all without a crash helmet…



    Passing the entrance to a large school we saw this rather nice mural at the end of the entrance pathway….



    While a bit further down the road on the opposite side was this Basketball and Five a side court that was being completed….



    The Traffic Island from a different angle on our way back to the campsite….



    Next stage tomorrow and keeping fingers crossed for some decent tarmac, while I think this evening a large group have been doing their Homework Online as this Update with just 8 pictures, has taken 1.5 HOURS to upload 'Thanks' to the 'wonderful service' provided by Maroc Telecom…..

    If I had been able to use the campsite Wi-Fi I think I might have been up all night waiting for the wires to handle the data!

    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

  3. #63
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    Stage 21 “Zagora to N’kob”

    “Salam Alaikam”

    Left the campsite in Zagora at 08:30 this morning hoping to ‘Get out of Town’ before the traffic and scores of schoolchildren on cycles started coming along as sadly they have no safety training over here when riding a bike, and we nearly made it!

    Up to the main road and past the 05:30AM ‘Call to Prayer’ Mosque…..



    New building on the left which we think might be a sports hall….



    Not quite out of the city and we come to a Police Traffic Check Point….



    Then we pass one of the 45 Kasbahs that are along the route we are taking….



    Administration Offices for the town….



    Coming to another Kasbah we are ‘SHOCKED’ to find a NEWLY TARMACADEMD road surface!!! WOW…..





    And there is more of this nice clean ‘Black Stuff’!!



    With ‘Dusty Tyre Marks’ a bit further on from vehicles coming from a side road…..







    However it was short lived, and when we got to this Kasbah we were back on the ‘Old’ but still good road surface….



    Following the virtually dry river valley…..





    We reach the Gates for the area of Zagora….







    Just entering Tinsouline and the road suddenly becomes 4 Lanes, but everyone only seems to use the two lanes in the middle…..





    With yet more new construction alongside the main road……



    While it didn’t take long to pass through the town and back to the ‘Skinny Road’ but at least it was wide enough to accommodate traffic passing each other….







    Spotted a sign on a Garage that said Café & Restaurant, so we pulled in for a Coffee, only to find that they had NO Milk, so having admired the scenery which was much better than looking at the garage/café we started off again....





    Climbing up into the small village of Tamezmoute while listening to the Luvverly ‘Growling’ from Flamenco Red as the power comes in to get up the hill….





    Then over the top and winding our way down the other side of the hill….







    While once again following the side of the river, this lady coming towards us had a huge load in a large plastic bowl balanced on her head….



    We come to the road sign for our right hand turn which is obscured by all the bags and the pickup truck…..



    Right turn with the ‘Tourist Market’ stalls on the left hand side….



    Then pass over the Valley du Draa River…..









    As we stopped to give ‘Flamenco Red’ a well earned tank of Diesel in Zagora our friends in the Camper/RV passed and carried on, then stopped at this point for a ‘Home Made’ Coffee with a biscuit which we were able to join them in having just caught up…



    When I looked back I was glad if this was the ‘Old Road’ that we had missed it after our previous ‘journey’ as a couple of Mopeds went off along it!...



    Ready to roll again…..



    Slowing down again for the large herd of goats at the side of the road before the noise started a panic run….



    Strange rock formation, looks a bit like a large ‘Crusty Pizza’



    Temporary ‘Sun Porch’ for this guy’s car, well it is around 27C up here!…





    Then we catch up to this Transporter who has on board a Mechanical Digger with the same tracks that made the ‘Corrugations’ that we travelled on when coming along ‘The Road from Hell’……





    While the road at this point had ‘Potholes’ in at various places which thankfully by keeping the speed down you could avoid we were soon at the Gates for the area of N’kob (‘Nekob’ on the map)….



    Then a little bit further along the road and the town appears…..



    Entering the outskirts the Street Lights appear and the road also gets wider…..



    While just a bit further on the right is our next campsite.….



    Oh what a nice drive it has been today!

    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

  4. #64
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    Stage 21A “A day in N’kob”

    “Salam Alaikam”

    What a difference a ‘peaceful night’ makes!
    But as we woke to glorious Sunshine this morning the Solar Panels/Inverter came into play with the Microwave to produce breakfast as the mains voltage here is still very low, so it’s no wonder so many Campers carry Voltage Stabilisers to ensure they have 220V at all times…

    Firstly a few pictures of the campsite which is small but very nice…..

    The entrance gate, directly off the main road which we just got through…





    While inside was this swimming pool but as there has been no rain for 12 months there is no water to fill it….



    Inside the onsite restaurant….





    Now onto the campsite places…..



    While if you want to spend the night in a Berber Tent, then here they are in their own little campground….



    While the facilities are at the back of the next picture, they were very clean and fully usable….



    Off into the town centre, we pass this very large mural on the wall…..



    With this view of part of the outskirts of the town….



    Town centre ‘Main Street’….



    With a view from the café terrace when we stopped for coffee….



    Then looking the other way on a mixed weather day…..



    Next thing was a walk around the back of the town in among the Kasbahs….





    While another landscape presents itself at the back of one of the Kasbahs called Baha Baha….



    The building in the middle of the next picture is the main Water Well for the town, while too it’s left is we think what used to be the clothes washing area, and we did see and old manual well but that is just behind the large Palm tree…







    Off down the alleyway we go……





    Turning right and then left we come out and see this nicely decorated Kasbahs..…









    While on the other side of town is this house made of the mud style bricks that have not been rendered like the Kasbahs….



    While this is the road we will be on tomorrow for the next stage to Tazzarine….



    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

  5. #65
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    May 2012
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    Some interesting days travel.
    Your corrugated roads we would call wash board here.

    78 miles in 6-7 hours...you averaged 10 MPH. Not bad for getting stuck in the middle of no where. Just imagine how long it would have taken if you didn't notice the slight dips in the road where the water went through.
    Seems to be a lot more new construction this year. Somebody trying to keep people happy or is it just really needed?
    Interesting mix of countryside, barren rock to greenery. Odd to see the river with water in it.

    The one shot you have of the car and the trailer, it still amazes me how much bigger the trailer is than the car.

    Better campsite luck. Seems to be in a nice town.

  6. #66
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    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    Some interesting days travel.
    Your corrugated roads we would call wash board here.

    Maybe if we had had a closed bucket in the back with the dirty washing in, some water and soap it would have been washed by the time we finished travelling on that section of road!

    78 miles in 6-7 hours...you averaged 10 MPH. Not bad for getting stuck in the middle of no where. Just imagine how long it would have taken if you didn't notice the slight dips in the road where the water went through.
    I think we actually went faster than some parts of the M25 back around London!

    Seems to be a lot more new construction this year. Somebody trying to keep people happy or is it just really needed?
    The road repairs are really needed, but due to the heat in Summer, any repairs or building is only carried out in the Winter

    Interesting mix of countryside, barren rock to greenery. Odd to see the river with water in it.
    We thought that as well, especially as there seemed to be so much water in it!

    The one shot you have of the car and the trailer, it still amazes me how much bigger the trailer is than the car.
    There is not much difference in the length as I think Flamenco Red is around 15ft while the 'Tin Tent' is around 18ft

    Better campsite luck. Seems to be in a nice town.
    The town was nice till the wind got up, then it got cold very quickly, while the clouds came rolling over and now as I write this it's RAINING!!

  7. #67
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    Stage 22 “N’kob to Tazzarine”

    “Salam Alaikam”

    WOW! It actually rained last night with intermittent showers a couple of which were quite heavy, and continued through the day as we made our way to Tazzarine, so some of the pictures are of a dull and very overcast day….





    Water tower to improve the pressure….











    The rain certainly made no difference to these teenagers either making their way to or from school on their bikes…..











    Then no long after we set off as today was a short trip, we arrive at the next campsite…..



    No we didn’t get the ‘Tin Tent’ or Camper/RV through this entrance….



    We went through this one…..



    With room for about 8 units, it was smaller than the last campsite but just as nice with again clean facilities, and a brief showing of Sunshine that let us get set-up and look around….















    While the owner lets his Goats out of their pen which is just inside the entrance for their feed of corn and meal……



    While now it is RAINING again!

    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

  8. #68
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    May 2012
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    Rain equals free car wash.

  9. #69
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    Quote Originally Posted by ssicarman View Post
    Rain equals free car wash.
    ‘Rain equals Free Car Wash’?

    I think maybe not over here as we seem to have picked up quite a lot of dust in the showers.
    ‘Flamenco Red’ is absolutely filthy!





    Having said that, I much prefer a Sponge & Chamois Leather for cleaning the bodywork, than the dirty rag and water offered by the car cleaning fraternity over here, so I carry the necessary utensils and set off on a DIY Crusade ….


  10. #70
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    Stage 22A “A day in Tazzarine”

    “Salam Alaikam”


    Mixed night of more showers but around 01:00 Hrs they stopped and we woke up eventually to a nice morning, so the following pictures are a mixture of out in the showers and the dry weather from around the town and parts of the surrounding area ….

    While turning left out of the campsite gates following the road…..





    We see this place on the left a bit like a 4 turreted castle with a rather nice large double door….



    Then we see numerous ‘doors’ to growing areas behind the walls, and the doors have been made from old 45 Gallon Drums…..







    Into part of an old Kasbah…..



    Down another pathway…..



    We pass this rather old but nicely shaped door….



    While next door is this quite new door with nice patterns on either side…..



    Irrigation channel that goes around the village….



    While another lane took us back to the ‘Castle’…..



    Then back to the road and a rather fine double door and property which was quite large….





    While next door is this rather weather worn old building….



    Vegetation plot with what look like Cabbages that have gone to seed….



    Not sure what the buildings in the next few pictures are for, we suspect funerals, but could not understand why there was a large one and a small one very close to each other…..









    Mobile Phone outlet amongst other things, but it was closed…..



    Not sure if this was the ‘Instant Pram Repair Shop’ and the cartoons were to keep the babies amused while their buggy’s were being fixed….



    Flour Millers premises….



    Then as we entered an Old Kasbah we see this Water Well, which is no longer used, but I got to look down the hole and it seemed to go on for ever!....



    Some kind of parapet….


    With a roof made of Palm Tree Trunks….



    The view looking back to the parapet….



    Finally got back to the Town Centre and saw another of those white buildings….



    While inside a Café we see this nice mural….



    Then on our way a bit further we see another nicely shaped doorway….



    The ‘Rough Guide to Morocco’ says there is a good view of the Oasis from the top of the town after you climb the hill….





    As we took the pictures of the Oasis the building below which looked like a bit of a disaster in terms of being looked after turned out to be Military and while a person who came out gesticulating wildly about not taking pictures, it really wasn’t worth the effort, being as dilapidated as it was…..



    The road bridge across the river on the back road to Zagora….



    While back at the campsite we get to see the Prehistoric Rock Carving, found in an area close by…..



    With a series of sketches of other carvings that you can see after a 26km drive over pisted road to ‘Ait Ouaazak’ but you really need a guide to take you there….



    Meanwhile this is ‘Buck’ who lives on the campsite and was looking for something to eat in the palm tree….



    Then moved to another one and climbed up….



    While he then tries a ‘pushing match’ with the campsite owner as they try to push each over across the open ground…..



    I meanwhile settled for a nice Coffee Noir!



    On the road again tomorrow and hoping for more nice weather but the Tarmac might not be too good, so BELT UP and take a Motion Sickness tablet if you feel queasy please!
    I think ‘Flamenco Red’ has seen enough Popcorn lately to sink a Battleship!

    tisbah `ala khair (Arabic ‘Good night’)

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