A break in the journey in Spain

Never get to see enough of Spain, its always a big rush on the way down to get to warmer places, then on the return you just want to get home.
I decided to try another route with a break on the way. I drove from Malaga to Murcia inland passing the big mountains around Granada which has dramatic scenery.



I ended up on the Costa Blanca at Calpe for a few nights. Its a very built up coastline but with lots of rugged bays and hills, a good workout each day on the bike.








Then driving past Valencia to Zaragoza and crossing through the Pyrenees via the Somport tunnel to Pau into France. Suddenly much chillier as there was still snow on the higher mountains.

Now spending the night in  a favourite spot, the lovely small town Vivonne, near Poitiers, where they provide free Camper van parking right in the centre next to an excellent bakery and with free wifi from the adjoining tourist office.

12 hours to travel 20 miles

Almost a whole day of the return journey taken up waiting to leave Morocco and enter Spain through the ports. In Morocco all vehicles have to go through a giant mobile scanner (without the occupants or pets inside) which means only about 5 can be processed at a time. At peak times this can take about 2 hours. Then the ferry was late, as usual, and then took over an hour to load. It was only about an hour for the crossing then on arrival in Algeciras in Spain it took an hour to unload as I was right at the front bulkhead facing the wrong way. Then Spanish customs took another hour checking all the unloading vehicles. I finally got parked up for the night at 11.40pm, just in time for bed.

Suddenly on my way home

I was planning to be here for a while longer but I am now on the way home. Gills friend Sue (and my friend, since I met them both 35 years ago) died on 15th March 2014. They were born 2 days apart and now both of them are no longer here with us. A big gap in my life.
Sue's funeral is on 1st April so I have made the start on my long journey home to be there.
Nine hours travelling has got me a long way North to Kenitra, nearly all on Motorways, but its tiring doing it on your own. I hope to cross back to Spain tomorrow evening on the ferry to Algeciras which will then give me a week to travel back to Dover.

Speeding, How much?

On the final stretch of the journey taking Sandra, Eric & Irene back to Marrakesh for their return flights I was stopped for the first time ever by the Gendarme. I was speeding, doing 69kph in a 60 zone which I had not noticed. They showed me approaching on their hand held camera. After producing all my document I was informed there was a fine of 300Dirham which I got from my wallet. I was asked to get out of the van and go to their patrol car and was shown an official form with 300Dh printed on it. I handed the money over and I was asked if I wanted a receipt, being in a hurry I said no. I was then handed the money back and the Gendarme said ok give me what you want! What to do? I had 3 x 100 notes in my hand so offered him 100Dh, he shook my hand and seemed to want to be my best friend! We were then quickly on our way. So it cost me less than £8.00

Gills Ash Wednesday

Kevan has just given me this picture taken by one on the goat herders. Missing face is Eric!

Friends visiting in Morocco

 Finally, after 5 years wintering in Morocco some friends have come to visit and tour around a bit. Sandra, Eric & Irene all from home are staying with me for 10 days whilst I show them some of the sights Gill & I have spent many times visiting. Also we are scattering some of Gills ashes at a place Gill liked to stop at looking at the wildflowers and the High Atlas mountain range at the start of the pass over the Tizi 'n' Test. Her ashes have been travelling with me since I left home in December in a box of her favourite chocolates, Thorntons Continentals. She would have liked that!

This is a picture of the spot I took of Gill in 2009 (bad hair year) the next year we went back on the same date but there weren't any flowers as there had not been any rain.

The road side has been altered slightly since then but the marker Marrakech 165 and the stripey rock are still there.
On Ash Wednesday six others Kevan & Barbara, Peter & Mary & Philip & Pat friends  we have made in Morocco joined us at the spot to remember Gill with her favourite tipple 'Swill' (Cava) and buns watched by two bemused goat herders.

It was great to have friends from home for a whole 10 days and the van coped very well with all the extra load. Eric & Irene stayed in hotel rooms each night and I slept on the spare van bed a let Sandra have my much more luxurious fixed bed. 

Scary drive over Tizi n Tichka pass

Eric & Peter seemed to get on well

 

Where did all that water come from?

Breakfast at Skoura

Shopping at last!

Sidi Kaouki

Back to Tafraoute

Every journey is so scenic (if you like rocks) 

It's  cold up here though at 1850 metres

Tafroute is always spectacular and now the almond trees are in blossom 

  

                                                                                                                                                             

We cycled out to the Blue Rocks, can you see the Lions face in the rocks behind 

After a long hot walk we ended up in town just in time as the hot doughnut stand was setting up, we were the first customers, our order for 10 cost less than a pound and they tasted great.