HERE ARE THE FAMOUS FIVE

HERE ARE THE FIVE VEHICLES TO COMPLETE THE TRIP


VEHICLE 1. JOHN & MARTIN HORNE, SERIES 109 CARAWAGON


VEHICLE 2. MICK, LOUISE & WILLIAM OUTHWAITE, SERIES 109 DORMOBILE


VEHICLE 3. PATRICK, ROBIN & SUSAN SANDERSON, SERIES 109 CARAWAGON


VEHICLE 4. PAUL & LANCE KELLETT, SERIES 88 PLANNED BUT 1988 110 EVENTUALLY


VEHICLE 5. MIKE PICKWELL & STEVE WALKER, SERIES 109 CARAWAGON

Tuesday 24 May 2011

Day 19 May 19th 0 miles Marrakech


Chilling in Marrakech

Bacon & back-edd bee-anns, great start to the day after camping out.
Last night Paul and I braved the rain (although it doesn't rain in Morocco). We went swimming in the pool (French - Piscine) in the rain, of course. One of the French waiters came to see the mad Englishmen treading water, and struck up a conversation in Franglais. "Piscine? You piscine? You like piscine?"
Anyway, this morning we did Marrakech new town, then visited the Medina. We walked past the ruined cafe where just a few weeks ago people tragically lost their lives, extremely humbling. The medina was still vibrant, and very welcoming.
 .. The innovative 'new' king, inheriting the throne from his father in 1997, had decided that the country should modernise. He declared tourists should be more protected, so that .
Mike generously allowed me to spend ages haggling a reduction for an ancient teapot, then nipped in and bagged one himself at the same price. The boy will go far.
John met one of his old friends in the souk, selling jewellery, and we benefitted from some Tuareg pieces.
Another old man sat at a table with lots of teeth on display, including two of his own in grinning situ, and brandishing a vicious set of pliers. We edged by.
Hearing the recent news of Osama Bin Laden, a bizarre sight met our eyes. A salesman was enthusiastically urging us to purchase a tiny train set. The engine was Bin Laden, the tender was Bush, trying to catch him. What goes round, comes round, repeatedly.
After paying a miffed car park attendant (John had beat him down) we returned to the campsite with various treasures.

Unfortunately we bade farewell to a snowbird, Martin Horne, who flew back to Leeds today.





Martin is a wonderful guy, calm, unflappable with a great sense of humour, liked by everyone & sadly missed.

Then Mike and I went to the airport to pick up a couple of other treasures, Heather and Dianne, the latest recruits to our party.
They came in a thunderstorm which engulfed the bonnet of Sunder, a leg-drenching experience.
The pay-off lay in a Bedouin tent.






Marrakech is expanding fast, and may engulf this wonderful French enclave.
We partook of a tasty meal, ignoring the dole-eyed pleas of their deaf boxer for food, and slept like bedouins.



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