This cross country route we’ve taken today shows as a normal road on google maps. Around 3hours it says…it’s taken all day and I’ve no idea how we’ve got through it.
Started off ok – tarmac then turned to gravel, which turned to gravel with deep ruts and then a bit of snow and then red mud with giant puddles. Unbelievable and terrifying at times.
The scenery, however, has been absolutely stunning and constantly changing. Some areas were almost like something out of Lord of the Rings. Huge cedar trees and the greenest grass ever. I think the sheep and goats were more than happy, unlike the three cows we saw with their front legs tied together being herded up a hill.
In the middle of nowhere, there’d be the odd school with children who ran out to wave at us – how on earth they get there and back God only knows as we only saw two other vehicles on that crazy road.
The Berber nomadic tribesmen seem to have makeshift tents here, usually with plastic over the top and there are even mud huts in places.
When we came across a tree trunk blocking the road, that was the final straw! But out of nowhere, people were shouting ‘Bonjour’ and the hillside had several men sitting around. They came down to move the wood and debris and told us the road got better in 5km ..it did, very slightly, then got worse again!
Rising up over the brow of a hill we were suddenly met with the sight of the snowcapped High Atlas mountains..such an incredible sight – almost made it all worthwhile 🤣
When we finally reached a main road mid afternoon, we were unprepared for the random overtaking and generally crazy driving. Fortunately, it doesn’t last long before there’s a police checkpoint where everyone has to come to a halt and then be waved through.
Finally landed in the old mining town of Midelt and got to the municipal camping, which at £2.62 per night is a complete bargain. Electricity from 9pm to 6am is quite random though.
Even more random is bumping into a couple from Retford who know our friends the Hardwicks – small world eh?
