Alcaidesa Marina, Gibraltar

We are now back in Spain. Today has been a very long day. When we purchased our ticket to Morocco we were told it was an open ticket, which meant we could return when we wished. The police in Morocco can check your documents at any time, and they must be able to see you will, at some time be leaving the country. So our ticket was dated June 13th, which confused us a little. Angela googled how to use an open ticket, and she was informed that she should stop at the office of our ferry provider at Tanger Med Port. John googled as well, using slightly different wording, like change, and we were sent on a wild goose chase into the busy streets of Tangier, where Angela visited the ferry operators office, only to be told we needed to sort out our return ticket at the port. The temperature and stress rising, Marge negotiated some very steep narrow streets back down to the seafront. Don't you just despair with Google maps sometime? Almost another hours drive along the coast road and we arrived at the port. Our return ticket was purchased, Marge was scanned, and sniffed by a security dog.

Steady Marge. Inside the vehicle we had 6 eggs, some butter and cheese, almost a whole melon, and some fruit and veg. Oh dear Marge, there might be a problem. After numerous checks of passports and Marge we were on the ferry.

It was a quarter past five when it left. We were shattered! Angela in particular, whose been coughing for four days now, with no sign of it stopping. We think she may have covid. Before winding up our trip to Morocco, we'd like to tell you of some of the pro's and cons of visiting this north African country. John loved it. He liked the vibrancy, the coastline, the coffee, the food, the architecture and some of the people. Angela did not love it! She was glad we went, and really enjoyed visiting Marrekech, hoping to return and stay in a riad on the square. She did not like the mess. At first it was like driving through a rubbish tip, and even as we left today we could see bags of waste amongst the pine trees. She didn't like the poverty, and the fact not all children attended school. She did however take joy from the smiling faces of the children and adults when we waved to them. She didn't like the hassling by some individuals wanting to show us around for money, and the fact we couldn't just stop for lunch at a pull in, as someone would be on you in a moment hoping you'd give them a few dirham. Despite the conditions of the campsites, she didn't mind, preferring to stay than park on street with a guardian. She also loved the food. We both hated the way the Moroccans drove. Fast and dangerous. It made each day very stressful. All that aside we plan to return in the winter months sometime, which is the season here, when more overland vehicles like Marge will be around.

Tonight we're staying once again at the marina opposite Gibraltar.Tomorrow we will probably pop across the runway into town to visit Boots for some medication. Yes, it does seem surreal seeing some high street names on Gibraltar, especially Marks & Spencer. Well you never know when you might need pants. Especially if you've just spent almost four weeks driving the roads in Morocco.