Morocco 2023

Fes to Er Rachidia – 5 May 2023 (355kms)

The exit from Fes was a clusterf*^k. Just chaos, particularly on the roundabouts.

Now we are onto long straight roads in good condition. The landscape is flat and bland. Goats & their carers fossick amongst the rocks on the roadside.

Coffee after about 100kms. We turn off into the petrol station except for Gibster who sails on by in a dream. Sheep on the road brings Hana’s pursuit of him to an end.

The next stage is sooo flat. We are riding 100kms on dead straight roads. We are reminded of the landscape of New Mexico.

After a quick lunch (another petrol station) we set off for our destination. The initial road is straight and flat but now the wind gusts pick up and threaten to push us all over the road. Dust storms can be seen in various locations. We get some respite as we enter a mountain range. The hills are bare red rock and the rivers in the valleys indicate abundant water once flowed there. Only a trickle now. We stop for a break in a parking area, surrounded by rocks. The Gibster is approached by a local selling……rocks! And he buys one. This guy must be very good! (To be fair, it did contain some very colourful crystals). As we wind through the range, the road deteriorates again. We finally pass through the construction works and we are back on a premium surface for some good riding. Now we spot dense green forests growing in the valleys and huge glacial lakes. Nice to look at.

A couple of kms out from our hotel, Mike & Boxy express concern for their low fuel levels. We pull into a Servo with no petrol. We established they have at least 50kms of range left!! Hanna rolls her eyes and heads for the hotel down the road. Petrol can wait til the morning.

We arrive at our hotel in Errachidia. This is just a place you go to to get somewhere else. It is hot and dry. Thank goodness for the swimming pool.

Errachidia (Arabic: الرشيدية, Berber: ⵉⵎⴻⵜⵖⴰⵔⵏ Imetɣaren) is a city in Morocco, located in the Errachidia Province, and is the capital of the Drâa-Tafilalet region.

Nothing else to say really. Note: David, driving the van, has picked up his second speeding fine! Dinner tonight was at the Hotel cos there’s no where else to go.Moroccan salad and tagines of beef & chicken. Crème Caramel to finish.

Tomorrow we are in the desert. Looks like we miss Charlie’s Coronation. Will raise a glass to him in our Bedouin Camp.

Video Highlights