From Ireland to Morocco 2013

I could not belive it when I looked out my window yesterday morning and snow flakes the size of an table cloth falling from the sky, the roads were covered in snow and it was -3 º C , we didn't have snow all winter but now it was like Siberia
I was not a happy camper but was sure it will get better later ,
so I loaded my stuff on to the bike and when Harry arrived at my place waved goodbye to the cats
it had finally stopped snowing but the wind was freezing cold and we were wrapped up like Eskimos
and I never was happier to have heated grips on that bike

28.03.2013

The crossing from Ireland to France was quiet and we arrived in Cherbourg in the evening and spent the night in a hotel outside the town.

07.04.2013

Beating the most atrocious weather conditions on the way trought France and Spain we finally arrived in Morocco.

We took the ferry from Algeceiras to Tangier - Med . To get on the ferry was some adventure as nobody seemed to know the number of the berth were the boat would leave, " just check if you can see it somewhere" was the best info we got....

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-CflqqHBx7kA/UWE5o1FwHBI/AAAAAAAADOA/-3ZcOHRkt5Y/w554-h416-p-o/IMG_1870.JPG

09.04.2013
In spring the north of Morocco is very green and we drove along fields of vegetables, crops and huge green houses full of banana trees as we drove from Tanger to Meknes.

10.04.2013

By now we got a handle on Moroccan traffic but driving into Marrakesh was another adventure!

We dived into the down at night, as Mr.Garmin once more brought us right into the Medina,
the old walled part of the city with it's narrow streets and markets
The place is buzzing with life and everybody seems to be out in the evening

14.04.2013

It' s too hot for a lot of writing , so a full report will follow soon We are in Zagora andit is 36º C in the shade ....

So here a few pictures insteadf

17.04.2013

Part one

While I'm typing this I sit in the house of the beber family of Mohamed surrounded by his family and enjoy hospitality as I never did before and it started with a bike break down in the middle of nowhere......

After a relxing restday in La Fibule du Draa Zagora we had an early start and headen first for a quick visit to the sand dunes near Tinfou

I'm sure many have seen a picture of the sign that says "Timbouctou 52 jours"

When it got time to head north again towards the Atlas mountain we had the option to visit the Dades- or the Todra gorge
But due to the delay cause by my bike breakdown we choose the Todra gorge

Thursday evenings are always busy in Moroccan towns, Friday is there day of rest( like Sunday in Europe) and most men head to the mosque for there evening prayer.

The roads in Tinghir were crowded and we just got to an ATM and then out of town towards the gorge. It gets dark very quickly in North Africa, time is 2hours behind Ireland.

Meknes

When we drove into Meknes for the first time we did not notice what a gem this place actually is as all we wanted was getting to Marrakech as quick as possible

Its one of the places I would definitely visit again

On the way back we unexpectedly had to extend our stay because Harry was not feeling well .
He was feeling fine when walked up to the medina on the evening we arrived and but we think there was something in the salad that did not agree with him.

Ireland, thru France, and then some Spain...Leaving Ireland, at ferry terminal at Rosslare, Wexford.
All set for the big trip.

Woo-hoo!
In France and we are on the way

Had to stop off at Le Mans, famous for the racing, and the maad 24 Heurs Moto Endurance race week.

Last supper in Spain, next dinner will be in Africa, woohoo!