Winter in Morocco in Pictures only 2017/18

[XCovlov70]

Return to Morocco 2017/18

Here are the Links to the start of our return again to Morocco over the 2017/18 ‘Winter’ period.

I have once again set them up as a Photobucket Slide Show which again I don’t think will be shown in their numerical order as Photobucket have still not resolved the issues with presenting a slide show!

While I have tried to obtain different pictures this time. As I am trying to enjoy this visit and make it a vacation, then once again there are NO words with the pictures as I was spending a considerable amount of time in writing the text and building the file that was subsequently uploaded.

BUT…….

We hope you enjoy them.

On our way to Morocco and while in Spain we took a day out to visit ‘The Rock’ of Gibraltar and we have to admit that our time there was not enough, so hopefully we will go back, but not on the way back to the UK.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Gibraltar

Across on the Algeciras to Tanger Med Ferry then through Moroccan Border Control where we once again have a difficult time explaining to the Customs Officer that the UK only have 1 registration number for both a car and caravan, while they expect to see different registrations for the car & caravan like the rest of Europe.

As we then get clear and head down to the old Portuguese city of El-Jadida.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/El-Jadida

Next stop was another old Portuguese city of Essouaria.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Essouaria

Our next stop was the campsite at Wassay Beach which to be totally honest has not even been maintained in its facilities, but we did get a couple of very nice Sunsets before we hitched up again and moved on.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Wassay%20Beach

Where our next stop was Tiznit.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Tiznit

We will be off again from Tiznit and I will hopefully be adding to this as we continue our tour/trip.

[XCovlov70]

A day trip out to a town called Mirleft which has an old French Fort from 1935 of which the Admin and Captains Office/Quarters are now a Hotel while the Fort at the top of the hill continues to fall apart!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Mirleft

[XCovlov70]

Sid Ifni: The campsite for our stay. Local ladies gathering Mussels from the beach. We find a small Octopus under a rock which we put back over the Octopus. Surfing & Fishing. The Sunday Market and shelling the fresh Peas after buying them.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Sidi-Ifni

[ssicarman]

The question is how many pounds of mussels did you get? Or did you go picking on your own?

[XCovlov70]

The question is how many pounds of mussels did you get? Or did you go picking on your own?

We went picking on our own and after a short time we filled a string bag, then brought them back to the campsite and washed them what we thought was thoroughly on the outside before cooking.

However after cooking and 3 more washed in clean water we still found a few had quite a bit of sand inside, not quite sure why, unless it was the time that we collected them and the state of the tide.

BUT........

Will try again as they were still very nice and tasty! [thumbup]

[XCovlov70]

Sid Ifni continued:

New Year’s Eve: Daytime Market, Sunset and the Full Moon in a cloudy sky.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Sidi-Ifni-New%20Years%20Eve

HAPPY NEW YEAR for 2018

[XCovlov70]

Final few pictures of Sid Ifni before we pack up and head off to our next stop.

The Full Moon as it rose up on New Year’s Day Evening. 3 more pictures from around the town on January 2nd 2018 and on the day we left we were treated to this rather nice Sunrise before we pulled out of the campsite.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Sidi-Ifni-January-1

[XCovlov70]

Next stop which was a return to Guelmim:

Campsite, Dromedary’s in the surrounding land, Sunset, The City, The little wood workshop full of sawdust! A mural on a school wall and a small picture in a garage.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Guelmim

After 2 days of nearly continuous rain we are now trying to dry out before moving on again!

[XCovlov70]

Coming out of Guelmim our next town and campsite was going to be in the town of Bouzikarne except the campsite which was a new one for us is around 1.5 miles outside the town with some nice landscape views when you got there.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Bouzikarne

[XCovlov70]

Just added 3 pictures to the Bouzikarne slide show as I didn’t realise that some pictures were being taken of the Solar Power Project that the campsite owner was putting in place and seeking help in achieving.

So I spent a few hours marking out the concrete base ‘track’ and then with the other guys cutting the shallow trench for the concrete to be added so the Solar Array can be easily turned to follow the Sun! [thumbup][thumbup]

[XCovlov70]

From Bouzikarne we headed to the town of Tata and like before we could not fail to be in awe of the scenery as we went along the road which you really have to see by eye as the camera does not do it justice.

Then after around 40 miles we had a wonderful surprise as around 75 Dromedary’s started crossing the road directly in front of us, so we sat there for around 10 minutes watching them with their BIG feet and Long Legs as they ambled from one side to the other as we then said ‘Hello’ to the man who was with them.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Tata

[XCovlov70]

Just added a few pictures from around the campsite but within walking distance of Tata.

The pictures are in the link above.

[XCovlov70]

While back on the road today to our next destination of Foum Zguid.

It was the turn of the Goats to decide to cross the road in front of us, followed by a rather windy sandstorm after which and having arrived at the campsite, we spent the next couple of hours cleaning out the sand that had accumulated inside the ‘TinTent’!

Just glad it was not a UK made ‘TinTent’ as they have a lot more ‘breather holes’ than the continentals in the floor. [nonono]

Not a good day for pictures from around the town so will go in tomorrow and see what we can get and add them later…….

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Foum_Zguid

[XCovlov70]

Just added a couple of pictures from around the town, the campsite and harvesting a few Dates from a Palm Tree close to our pitch on the campsite, which even though they were a bit dry they were still quite tasty!

Which like previously can be seen by clicking on the link in the last reply.

[XCovlov70]

Pulling out of Foum Zguid and heading to a place called Tazenakht which was a new place for an overnight halt.

The scenery once again was breath taking as we traveled along, then we see the fresh water well and pump with the Mug to get a drink while the little bird just took it out of the pump pipe!

Coming into Tazenakht we see the hand woven Berber Carpets and Rugs for sale.

With our place to stay outside the Police Station then a walk into the town where we see 3 JCB’s For Hire, and 20 minutes later one had gone!

The Atlas Mountains ‘Snow Capped’ and the Ford Transit having some ‘roadside repairs’ carried out!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Tazenakht

[XCovlov70]

After a not very quiet night thanks to a number of noisy dogs who insisted on barking through the night while the Police Station closed their door at 24:00 and 08:30 the following morning, it was time to get back on the road to Ouarzazate and the 5 miles of tarmacadam then the 35 miles of Piste!

We used this route last year to come from Ouarzazate to Foum Zguid, but didn’t realise or know that the condition of the Piste had worsened while the scenery was still fantastic, but our speed was strictly slow due to the rain making deep grooves in the Piste especially on the uphill sections!

So sit back and enjoy the scenery along with ‘Taking the firewood home’ ‘Swapping the punctured wheel on the 4x4 Tour Car’ and the ‘Cyclists all over the road’!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/T2O

[XCovlov70]

So we then after 3.5 hours of travelling over the Piste Road get into Ouarzazate and head off into the city after getting set up on the campsite, as we see the ‘Golden Sparkly Paint’ house.

We have a coffee in ‘Habous Cafe’ which was the most expensive we have had in Morocco.
The 'Items for sale' in the large square and hanging from the shop as well as the ‘Man on his bike’ who was off to try and sell his items on his small pitch in the town.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Ouarzazate

[XCovlov70]

Next stop was Skoura and one of our favourite campsites ‘Amridil’ with a few pictures of the village, the dying palm trees, the view at the rear of the campsite, a wonderful sunset and my 2 lengths of the campsite swimming pool that was a very cold 13C!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Skoura

[XCovlov70]

Couple of days later we decided to take a trip to a town called El Kelaä M’Gouna with a few pictures of the day……

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/EKM

[XCovlov70]

Monday 29th January 2018, at 03:00hrs I was awake and heard something hitting the roof of the ‘TinTent’. I got up to have a look and found it had started SNOWING outside as it was very large snowflakes hitting the roof (The dark picture in the slideshow is the start of the snowfall)……

The size and intensity of the snowfall was quite spectacular while at around 11:30 the sky lightened up as the snow stopped falling. The scenery around about at that point looked like a winter wonderland.

So we got out and built a Snowman as two of the teenagers had never seen snow before.

Sadly the temperature rose and the melt was very rapid.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Snow

[XCovlov70]

The morning of the following day saw the majority of the snow had melted overnight which left the campground in Skoura quite muddy.

As the morning went on the ground in places dried out quite a bit so after a quick trip into the town for groceries we decided to pack up and pull out as we watched this Camper being hauled out as the driver dug himself in up to his front axles, while for us leaving we had no problems!!

Then for us it was back on the N10 to Erfoud still with signs of the snow and BIG melt puddles to go through!

As it was just not far off darkness by the time we got to Tinerhir, we pulled into Camping Ourti to find it quite solid and dry underfoot so after getting set up and a nice hot shower we set off into the town for a meal and then spotted the illuminated trees while having a good laugh with a few of the locals who enjoy good humur as we wandered a bit further along the main road before heading back to the campsite and a nice cup of coffee!

More exploring tomorrow as we have decided to stay a bit longer here!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/Tinghir

[XCovlov70]

Just added a few more pictures to the slide show of Tinerhir of the campsite and views over the town from the veranda of the café on the campsite.

[XCovlov70]

From Tinerhir our next stop for a few days and hopefully nicer weather will be Aoufous and Camping Hakkou.

So it’s back on the road again. First through the centre of Tinerhir, then passed the new (Under construction) road bridge that does not seem any different from last year, next were the puddles in the roads, new buildings and nicely coloured WC designed for tourists walking with legs crossed!

Followed by the narrowing main road through another village, as we then got onto the N13 trunk road and to the campsite, where the sun was shining and the temperature was nice and warm…….

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/HK

[XCovlov70]

Just added a few more pictures to the Hakkou slide show.........

[XCovlov70]

Set off for a look around Erfoud today which is a town that seems to ‘specialise’ in ‘Desert Fossils’ except a large percentage do not come from the Desert as they are ‘hand made’ by men working in small enclosures in what looks like a ‘shanty town’ as you will see in the pictures with the red and white pedestrian barrier in front.

Then the man who was ‘cleaning up’ in his yard another manufactured fossil.

Inside the Fruit & Vegetable market.

Loved the army truck, just right for ‘Desert Adventures’ while the Nissan has a small flock of Sheep travelling ‘Upper Deck’!

Nice looking Hotel front but did not go inside to see what that was like.

Then an interesting side street.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/ER

[XCovlov70]

Next trip out was to Fesna which on the outskirts of the town has an underground irrigation/canal system that you can take a short tour to have a look around with a good explanation of what it was and did.

Setting off from the campsite, we passed a couple of small mountains that looked like the top half of a Tajine dish. Then the road took us through small towns where the road was quite narrow in places, as we arrived at the place with the name plate at the side of the road ‘Canal Kheitaras’.

The entrance down to the canal was not far away while a small hill with a 10 meter shaft down through the middle and water lifting frame on top.

Time to head underground, as our guide waited just inside the doorway.

It was explained that we were in the Berber canal as the Berber sign was pointed out. Each culture (Berber’s & Tuareg’s) built their own irrigation system which took water from the mountains to the oasis and the towns that grew and flourished.

As we then set off down the man/machine made entrance, all the canals were dug out by hand, and every so often where holes between 9 and 15 meters deep went up to the surface.

Very visible to see the rock and soil like a 'sandwich' in the canal walls as we went along.

Then it was time to head back to the entrance and up the steps to the entrance.

Then back on the road to the campsite we pass the palm tree leaves made into a wall to stop the sand from drifting.

Passing this Cooperative shop and although the place was closed the examples of what was inside were on display outside.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/FE

[XCovlov70]

Oops! Looks like possible 'trouble ahead'!!

After checking the weather forecast yesterday as the ‘European Cold Front’ seems to be going across Morocco as well, we found that our next destination Azrou which is on the north side of the Atlas Mountains to where we are had a forecast of 7 days SNOW and the road over the Atlas Mountains is currently impassable due to having around 1.5 meters of snow already on it!

That meant a case of re-planning an alternative route that would get us around the snow and back to the Ferry at Tanger Med which now involves an extra 250 miles (400km), but we really have no choice.

So off we go along quite a bit of the route we used to get to Aoufous and hope that the Tizi-N-Tichka Mountain Pass is open.

First stop was Tinghir and back into Ourti Camping with a few different pictures as we go into town for a few items with a bitterly cold wind blowing, while even the Geese were having ‘problems’ finding some grass with all the snow around!

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/RT1

[ssicarman]

Hope that you get through the weather safely.

[XCovlov70]

Hope that you get through the weather safely.

Thanks ssicarman.

We just completed the second bit from Tinghir back to Skoura which I am about to upload and the snow has melted/disappeared from the flatlands the further West we have come so it's fingers crossed and a rise in temperature! [thumbup]

[XCovlov70]

As we pulled out of Camping Ourti in Tinghir this morning we could not help but notice the snow on the mountains which had fallen last night as we also learned later that the snowfall had blocked both Todra & Dades Gorges which are close by to our route, so visitors could neither get in or out!

While travelling along we could see which way the snow had been blown last night but quite a lot had already melted which left the flatlands with either no covering or small patches while the mountains behind were still covered and the low clouds seeming to be dropping more.

As we got closer to Skoura the amount of snow around diminished so hopefully it will stay that way and we will as the weather is supposed to improve have no problem getting up and over the Tizi-N-Tichka pass!

Small problem as my good lady is taking the pictures as the roads are wet and muddy which results in a ‘speckled’ or dirty windscreen so apologies for the clarity of a few of the pictures.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/SKR

[XCovlov70]

Our first morning after we get back to Skoura with a wonderful bright blue sky, a frozen over car after a hard frost and a really nice view along the snow covered mountains from the campsite.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/SKR1

[XCovlov70]

Next day still with a very bright blue sky, but another very low temperature last night.

So we decided even though we are possibly ‘enjoying’ either a bad case of influenza or bronchitis to go for some exercise and a walk over to and around the old village, crossing the Hajaj river which had over 3ft high water flowing down it in 2014.

We then pass the Amridil Kasbah which appeared on the reverse side of the old 50Dirham Banknote, and continue into the village.

Nearly forgot to mention the 'Vegetation' which is a field of Bean Plants!!

Then on our way back we see the ladies out at a fresh water outlet doing their laundry.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/SKR2

[XCovlov70]

Time to move on even if we both do not feel 100%.

The trip was from Skoura to an Autoroute Service Area north of Marrakech going via the Tiz-N-Tichka Mountain Pass over the lower Atlas Mountains, but as we have so many pictures for the full journey they have been made into 3 stages…….

Here is the first which was Skoura to the Snow Barrier at the start of the Tiz-N-Tichka Pass, which took us through Ouarzazate and passed the old film studios which have not made any films in a long time but still get a lot of tourists…..

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/S-T

[XCovlov70]

The second set of pictures are for the Tiz-N-Tichka Pass itself as once again the scenery was fantastic but impassable a number of days ago when it was under over 2 meters of SNOW in places.

Grey muddy large puddles you had no choice but to go through!

A Truck whose tractor unit’s nearside wheels were buried in ruts halfway up the wheels, that you had to get around!
(NO Breakdown/Recovery Assistance up here! [cussing]

Roadworks a plenty with deviations in the road at each one, and nowhere to turn around if you didn’t want to continue on!

The flock of sheep looking for food on the snowy hillside with their shepherd.

Loverly experience, especially when you ended up on the other side with a filthy outfit! [nonono]

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/TNT1

[XCovlov70]

The third and final set of pictures for this part.

Takes us from the Snow Barrier Gate on the Marrakech side of the Tiz-N-Tichka, down the mountain with the spectacular scenery and the wet dirty roads, to the traffic jams of going around Marrakech, then onto the A3 Toll Road North towards Casablanca/Rabat and our overnight halt at the service area with a not bad sunset!

Rather a long day and completely wiped out and in bed by 19:30hrs!

The run to Kenitra and a rest is tomorrow.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/TMN

[XCovlov70]

Unfortunately this sickness that has returned did not make for a decent trip to Kenitra. It was a case of get there while trying not to have a very severe bout of coughing which we just about managed, and then try to get some rest before the last leg from here to the port of Tanger Med and the ferry back to Spain.

Being motorway back to Tanger Med there was really nothing of interest that has not already been photographed, but as we came down the final hill had a decent view of the port in front.

Then as we got there we saw all these Renault ‘Rally Cars’ coming out of the port, going through immigration & customs and still when we eventually got down on the dockside, coming off our ferry which was late in setting off back to Spain by over 3 hours, as one of those hours was spent queuing to pass through the 1 and only X-Ray Machine which scans every vehicle before they are allowed onto the dockside for any 'Foreign Stowaways'!

Still………That’s it………Morocco Tour is complete.

Hope you enjoyed it.

http://s1240.photobucket.com/user/eurorider2/slideshow/Morocco%202017-18/K-TM