We aim to collate all our overlanders' pics, then create a humdinger collage that will blow everyone's Djellaba off.
So, please be patient whilst our photo shop works some Moroccan magic.
MOROCCO OVERLAND FIVE VERY OLD LAND ROVERS HAVE DRIVEN OVERLAND FROM ENGLAND ON MAY 1ST 2011 TO ADVENTURE IN MOROCCO. PLEASE NOTE WE ARE FINALLY ALL HOME SAFE AND SOUND. THANKS ALSO FOR ALL YOUR POSITIVE COMMENTS, WISHES AND ENCOURAGEMENT. WHAT NEXT? WE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN ONE DAY...SOON? PICTURE ABOVE IS OF ALL THE MAIN PLAYERS AT CHIGAGA IN THE SAHAHA
Friday, 3 June 2011
4 toes
I have had many (well, a few) requests for more 4 toes, which will follow when all are gathered in.
We aim to collate all our overlanders' pics, then create a humdinger collage that will blow everyone's Djellaba off.
So, please be patient whilst our photo shop works some Moroccan magic.
We aim to collate all our overlanders' pics, then create a humdinger collage that will blow everyone's Djellaba off.
So, please be patient whilst our photo shop works some Moroccan magic.
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Day 27/28 550 mile marathon Chartres - Dunkerque - Dover - Home
Mixed marathon
Off we set to Dunkerque, but we ended up taking a tortuous route to the ferry, ending up with an 8pm sailing.
We pulled off-road near the port terminal to confer. Setting off again, we discovered some Brits in their saloons had followed us, assuming we were queuing for the ferry. More than mild amusement ensued as they extracated themselves across bumpy land and huge kerbs.
The sun set on board as we left foreign land behind, indicating a hard day's night ahead.
Fortified with good British stodge (chips, pies, sausages and beans, so good for you), it was time to go our separate ways.
Mick and John already home, it was our turn to head off into the night.
In the cargo hold we shared man-hugs as we bade final farewells.
Paul and Lance were to get home safely first.
Robin, Mike and Steve would take much longer, still having over 250 miles to go. Out came the Red Bull.
Robin made it home around 3am, nursing Patrick's carawagon home without a turbo.
Sunder was less fortunate. A good overland was cut short 10 miles from home as the overdrive gave out (we think). The ignominy of being transported the last few miles were tempered with the thought that it could have happened near Algeria.
The old land rovers had done us proud, and we all returned home safe and sound.
What an adventure!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Off we set to Dunkerque, but we ended up taking a tortuous route to the ferry, ending up with an 8pm sailing.
We pulled off-road near the port terminal to confer. Setting off again, we discovered some Brits in their saloons had followed us, assuming we were queuing for the ferry. More than mild amusement ensued as they extracated themselves across bumpy land and huge kerbs.
The sun set on board as we left foreign land behind, indicating a hard day's night ahead.
Fortified with good British stodge (chips, pies, sausages and beans, so good for you), it was time to go our separate ways.
Mick and John already home, it was our turn to head off into the night.
In the cargo hold we shared man-hugs as we bade final farewells.
Paul and Lance were to get home safely first.
Robin, Mike and Steve would take much longer, still having over 250 miles to go. Out came the Red Bull.
Robin made it home around 3am, nursing Patrick's carawagon home without a turbo.
Sunder was less fortunate. A good overland was cut short 10 miles from home as the overdrive gave out (we think). The ignominy of being transported the last few miles were tempered with the thought that it could have happened near Algeria.
The old land rovers had done us proud, and we all returned home safe and sound.
What an adventure!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 26 May 26th 240 miles Angouleme - Poitiers - Tours - Chartres
Slow progress through France
A lateish start (no John to cajole us) and a somewhat slow day punctuated by stops meant that only 240 miles were covered, leaving something of a marathon for tomorrow should we decide to aim for home.
One fuel stop gave a chance meeting with a Frenchman's Gold Star, which Lance approved of.
Little progress and a very dry day led us to a posh campsite on the Loire. Desperate for a cold beer, a re-enactment was called for.
Ice Cold in Chartres
It's a tough life.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
A lateish start (no John to cajole us) and a somewhat slow day punctuated by stops meant that only 240 miles were covered, leaving something of a marathon for tomorrow should we decide to aim for home.
One fuel stop gave a chance meeting with a Frenchman's Gold Star, which Lance approved of.
Little progress and a very dry day led us to a posh campsite on the Loire. Desperate for a cold beer, a re-enactment was called for.
Ice Cold in Chartres
It's a tough life.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 25 May 25th 330 miles Burgos - Biarritz -Bordeaux - Angouleme
Spain to France, happier pace.
'Only' 330 miles today, but in a more respectable 11hours.
A mindset of not repeating yesterday's sleepy marathon led us to a better pace into France.
Unfortunately we had no time to revisit LRM's Drew and Jacquelineline at Auchan, but rural France continued to enthrall, magical villages offering tasty pastries to fortify our journey. This town square had immaculately topped plane trees.
As evening beckoned, we found a wonderful cheap municipal campsite at Chevanceaux, where a communal meal created by masterchefs Paul and Michael was consumed with relish (curry sauce, actually).
The site came with the added benefit of a group of enthusiastic young ladies playing netball behind our camp. Sweet dreams, Michael..
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
'Only' 330 miles today, but in a more respectable 11hours.
A mindset of not repeating yesterday's sleepy marathon led us to a better pace into France.
Unfortunately we had no time to revisit LRM's Drew and Jacquelineline at Auchan, but rural France continued to enthrall, magical villages offering tasty pastries to fortify our journey. This town square had immaculately topped plane trees.
As evening beckoned, we found a wonderful cheap municipal campsite at Chevanceaux, where a communal meal created by masterchefs Paul and Michael was consumed with relish (curry sauce, actually).
The site came with the added benefit of a group of enthusiastic young ladies playing netball behind our camp. Sweet dreams, Michael..
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 24 May 24th 399 miles Jaen - Madrid - Burgos
The pain in Spain lies mainly on the plain
The long overland home stretched ahead for our depleted crew of five. Paul & Lance, Mike and Steve, and now Robin on his own with Susan & Patrick, Heather & Dianne flying home from Malaga. In losing Patrick, we now had no insured spare driver, so accidents / illness were not optional.
A normal stop at the many vineyards of Spain was tempting, but drive we must.
The distant hills and intense heat threatened to lull us into sleep at the wheel, so more rests, lots of water and infusions of Red Bull saw us through 399 miles in an eye-watering 16 hour day.
Compensation lay in steak and chips at a local eatery.
A planned blast north was revised to a slightly more doable three days, still a real challenge after so many miles in the saddle.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
The long overland home stretched ahead for our depleted crew of five. Paul & Lance, Mike and Steve, and now Robin on his own with Susan & Patrick, Heather & Dianne flying home from Malaga. In losing Patrick, we now had no insured spare driver, so accidents / illness were not optional.
A normal stop at the many vineyards of Spain was tempting, but drive we must.
The distant hills and intense heat threatened to lull us into sleep at the wheel, so more rests, lots of water and infusions of Red Bull saw us through 399 miles in an eye-watering 16 hour day.
Compensation lay in steak and chips at a local eatery.
A planned blast north was revised to a slightly more doable three days, still a real challenge after so many miles in the saddle.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 23 May 23rd 269 miles, 50 in Morocco Tetuan - Tangier Med - Jaen (Spain)
Leaving Morocco and loved ones
Five landrovers were now down to three, heading home with mixed feelings. We recalled the long slog overland down through France and Spain, overland adventure still to come.
A short hop to Tangier Med and the ferry to Algeciras revealed good views of majestic Gibraltar.
Leaving Morocco behind felt strange. So much preparation and hard work to get there, now departing. Would any of us return?
Little time to reflect, we headed off to Malaga to drop off yet more of our crew. Susan and Patrick, Heather and Dianne were flying home. Big hugs and sighs saw them safely return home, whilst we turned our heads northwards towards Madrid and beyond.
In truth, this day was to be a slog which would alter our return overland philosophy.
A future more relaxed visit to Spain entered our heads as we once more enjoyed spectacular snow-capped views of the Sierra Nevada and the vista of Granada. ITV never looked better!
Filling with fuel for the umpteenth time, dirhams gave way to euros, and prices doubled from 60p a litre in Morocco. At the station, a reminder of the reliability of our old land land rovers as two more modern vehicles were having to be carried out.
Some light relief at the end of a long long day was required, with Robin preparing an ageing pair of melons for our delectation.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Day 22 May 22nd 249 miles Casablanca - Tetuan
It felt strange to be so far North, although still in Morocco. This was in part that seeing many local people doing 'normal Brit' things like sitting on deckchairs and wearing swimming costumes was so foreign to us.
Heading off towards Tangier Med to hop over to Spain was next, but to give some final local flavour we decided to overland non-motorway.
It was with great sadness that we bade an emotional farewell to our esteemed mentor, Mr John. It was time for him to overland home to his beloved wife, and prepare for his special presentation for the Royal Geographical Society. They want to hear about our overland adventure.
The landscape on our continuing journey north east changed once again as we crossed our southern path over the beautiful Rif mountains weeks earlier.
A local pottery seller in the middle of nowhere benefitted from our desire for tagines and plates, as we bartered for a decent price and sought out a soft location mid-rover so they stayed in one piece.
Tetuan was a coastal town with much investment, palm-strewn avenues and hundreds of locals promenading in groups along the well-manicured sea-front. Most strange and un-Moroccan to us; more like a visit to Cleethorpes sans pubs.
The campsite was well recommended, but was tired like us. A less than welcoming dark green piscine remained undipped, whilst the offer of a lodge or caravan to sleep in was equally resisted, neither having been inhabited or cleaned since Mohammad was a lad. This was pleasurably tempered by the tasty restaurant food and the complete absence of barking dogs, hopefully not a coincidence.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)