Hopefully this should give you an idea of just how twisty it was today. No worries about squaring the tyres off.
As expected Marrakech was madness this evening but we had a great meal. The only trouble is when I’m on a bike I’m not really burning any calories so as a result I find it hard to digest anything. I usually give it to Laughing Boy to finish but I think they beat him this evening as well. On Mike’s eldest daughter’s recommendation we went down busy streets, followed by narrowing streets where various beaten up versions of Honda 90’s threaded their way past us. Followed by dark alley’s and strange gesturing men saying; ‘Le Tobsil, Le Topsil’. Followed by ever narrowing alley’s where we eventually came upon the correct ancient studded door. We banged the knocker and eventually it swung open revealing the most magnificent little restaurant. Well done Sophie, we had a magnificent evening.
Here come the Sun Being awoken before daybreak in Marrakech by the call to prayer followed by cocks crowing was truly atmospheric. Anticipating the sunrise and the heat and dust of the day as the climbing mercury peaks in the mid-afternoon between 2 to 5pm. Although absolutely nothing disturbs my room mate, The Laughing German’s circadian rhythm, nothing. The build-up of heat is usually rapid due to the dry desert air and clear skies. Certainly yesterday as we dropped down from the mountains into mid afternoon Marrakech it was hot, properly hot. 32 degrees hot and we were suddenly sweating in our gear as we trundled through the outskirts at 60 and 80kph. Slowing further and therefore sweating more at the frequent Police checkpoints and roundabouts. Only today is different, we have to leave early, rain is forecast. Something that hasn’t happened here since April. Apparently there’s a word for this; Phuckour-luc.
Great photos supporting your well written posts Sam. that last one of the sunrise is awesome. Could have been from National Geographic.
Ha, I thought of you when I wrote it too. I knew you’d appreciate it For some reason I woke up with a full dose of creative verbosity. You know how it goes, some days you feel like it, some days you don’t.
Hard Rain It’s safe to say it rained today. Then after that it rained some more. We saddled up and took the péage. The rain had found its way through my outer gear long before we reached Casablanca. Only my Goretex boots had done the job they were supposed to, keeping my feet dry. I’ll have to get a Goretex oversuit. This evening we decided against yet another Tagine and went for an Italian which was good. Followed by the obligatory visit to Ricks bar, which was well worth the visit.
How were the roads in the pouring rain? In Mex, when the skies opened, the lack of drainage becomes clear to everyone as the cars aquaplane into the barriers!
Say it again Sam More rain was scheduled for today so we decided the only smart thing to do was dash 300km up the péage. My god it was boring but we managed to get to the hotel in Tangier without taking an external bath. If we’d taken a twisty route and been caught in the rain not only would it have taken many more hours but wet roads after months of summer heat make it more like ice skating. Combine that with drivers devoid of deductive reasoning and you’re in great danger of substantially shortening your life expectancy. I’m quite enjoying it at the moment so there was no requirement. The highlights of the whole ride up were; a cow nonchalantly munching away next to the Armco. A dog attacking a plastic bag in the central reservation and a stray Turkey which I didn’t actually see. Apparently it looked nervous but we don’t know if that was due to traffic or the time of year. Tomorrow the forecast is not good, so there’s a high likelihood of the rain soaking through to the crotch again despite the rain gear. However it’s forecast for a dry spell for about 3 hours in the afternoon, which is when we’re due to land in Tarifa. With any luck, if we’re not held up too long at the port, we can make it back to base in about 3 hours. Oh shit. Bang on cue. Just received a text from the ferry company saying due to bad weather they’re delaying the ferry and we won’t arrive in Tarifa until 18.00. Which means we’ll get soaked. Once again, phuckour-luc.
Well if it’s any consolation, its pissing down here and has been all day. Forecast to continue until tomorrow morning. Gales too. It’s all the same storm that is delaying your ferry.
