|
EUROPE
Day
10 - Gibraltar to Morocco
The
alarms went off and we swiftly got out on the road and headed to
Algericas, the Spanish port where we would pick up the boat to Morocco.
Unfortunately we had heard that morning of an earthquake that had
devastated several of the coastal towns of Morocco, 19 lay dead
and that was our destination. Hmmmmmm.
Thankfully the information we had gave us no reason to think we
would be compromised by the situation and that it was actually out
of our direct route. We pressed on and made it across the small
stretch of sea without problem and landed in Ceuta (Sebta).
We then had the not insignificant procedure of checking ourselves
and the vehicles into Morocco but thankfully though long we got
through and made our way towards Rabat.
Fortunately we saw no evidence of the reported earthquake so it
must have hit areas well away from our route as we thought. Quite
against our expectations the country was lush and verdant and the
roads smooth and speedy. Unfortunately Bert seemed to have not registered
the new thermostat and was overheating worse than before. Not what
you need before heading into the desert.
We checked into a campsite in the coastal town of sale and decided
to get to the bottom of the heating problem by taking Bert to the
main Landrover dealership in Casablanca the following day.
TOP
Day
9 - Gibraltar
We
managed to pick up Bert from our friendly local mechanic complete
with a new thermostat, the old one being knackered beyond repair,
and hoped that would see the end of the overheating problems. This
combined with picking up the other GPS systems meant that we were
having a great day and could draw our little sojourne in the Rock
to a close. As good as Gibraltar has been to us it was defiantly
time to move on. So the decision was made to break for the border
and get over the water the following day.
A farewell supper and we packed up ready to get going early in the
morning.
TOP
DAYS
6,7&8 - GIBRALTAR
This was
our opportunity to pick up our few remaining bits of kit such as the
GPS systems that were being couriered to us and get Bert looked at.
It turned out that his thermostat had crumbled to the point of no
return but was happily replaced at minimal cost by emailing our friendly
local mechanic. Far better to have discovered this at this stage than
in the midst of the desert where it could be a real nuisance.
Other than this we have fed and watered ourselves, climbed the rock,
seen the apes and looked pensively across the water at Morocco.
The time has come for us to get across the water and get on with it.
Deep breath, cross fingers and hopefully the next time I write in
the journal it will be from Africa…..
TOP
DAY
5 - SPAIN to GIBRALTAR
London
to Gibraltar in five days! Not too shabby for two 10-year-old land
rovers, and no we didn't flog them to death, we kept at a respectable
65 miles an hour (or thereabouts….honest). The poor weather
and need to check over the vehicles and get a few more bits and
bobs before we hit Africa meant we were keen to hit Gib before it
closed for the weekend.
The approach to Gib was odd in that the Spanish signposts grumpily
refused to admit its presence until you almost fell off the end
of Spain (politics, pah!). All of a sudden we turned a corner and
saw the 'Rock' looming intimidatidly over us and we knew we had
hit a small corner of Spain that will be forever England. Marvelously
resolute in its refusal to believe it isn't situated just south
of Tunbridge Wells it welcomed us to into its arms and we set up
for the night in the Rock Hotel.
The joy of warm showers and a bed, guilty pleasure indeed. It seemed
to serve Michael Palin well before he headed into Africa on his
Saharan travels, it could do us no harm.
TOP
DAY
4 - FRANCE to SPAIN (389miles)
Thanks
to the open borders in Europe we breezed across the border showing
almost exactly 1000 miles covered (only another 17000 to go…..).
For the first time since departure we saw proper sunshine and were
able to take our jumpers off if only briefly), as true Brits it
was all we could do to stop ourselves from putting handkerchiefs
on our heads and burning horribly.
We drove through some impressive Spanish countryside that really
didn't look like it was used to winter and was just humoring it
until it could be baked by the usual furnace conditions.
Andorra appeared mystically through the distant haze and gave us
a dramatic backdrop as we drove down the less inspiring anglicised
resort-laden east coast. By that evening we cut off the main road
to set up camp at one of the eerily empty summer resorts of Benicassim.
The campsite owner was friendly enough though and within the hour
we were dining on steak and mash whilst watching a DVD, god camping's
tough.
TOP
DAY
3 - FRANCE (404miles)
Our
good progress continued as we carried on southeast across the foothills
of the Alps and encountered driving blizzards and steep, winding
roads. All a little disconcerting when you know you are under canvas
that night. Thankfully we wound our way down the other side of the
mountains and camped near a lake near Clermont Herault in more agreeable
(but still minus temperature) conditions. The stars came out that
night and gave us a good view for the first time of hopefully many.
The vehicles are bearing up well although Bert seems to run a little
hot, not so good given the chilly surrounds and the coming desert
stages. We will keep an eye on this.
TOP
DAY
2 - FRANCE (331 miles)
This
was our first full day on the road and provided ourselves with the
opportunity to get the Landys settled in and make sure nothing was
breaking loose or obviously wrong.
We made good time via the autoroutes through the sodden French countryside
to another near empty campsite in Onzain. Given the poor weather
we are not exactly stopping to smell the roses or sup the onion
soup as the promise of warmer climbs beckons.
Even now the beginnings of the camping routine has enabled us to
speed up the time to set and break camp and get going.
Culinary delights abound with chef Hazan rustling up delicate morsels
to suit our palates (pasta and soup mostly)
The evening saw the opening of 'Slippy's Salon' as Giles volunteered
to be the first to have his hair cut by Andy and curiously Duncan
as well, I'm fairly sure that's not how it's done in Tony and Guy
but who's checking….. Let's just say it's going to be considerably
colder for him now.
TOP
DAY
1 - UK to FRANCE (148 miles)
So
after 18 months of planning and preparation we were finally going.
This made for rather a surreal drive as we pondered what had been
achieved in the last few months and how fortunate we were to have
the kind of friends, families and contacts that we do.
On arrival at Dover we hitched a lift on a ferry courtesy of P&O
and were shuttled across the channel to Calais. We nearly got unstuck
at this point as the ferry was temporarily blocked by a belligerent
French fisherman who was objecting to some rule or other. Bold to
take on a passenger ferry in a fishing tub I thought. Thankfully
we landed fairly swiftly and made it to near Montreuil, near Le
Mans where we set up camp for the first time.
No problems other than the realisation that camping in Europe in
mid Feb. is not for the fainthearted and that Giles snores like
he is breathing his last (nothing new there then, how does Gemma
put up with it?).
TOP
|
