Alcaidesa Marina, Gibraltar (day 2)

John is unwell, which is not really surprising as Angela has felt under the weather for almost a week. So our planned departure from Gibraltar today stalled. Angela's not surprised we've been unwell. Morocco was a bit full on. The stress, and lack of sleep would never make a good mix, and our bodies have reacted to this. Lunchtime,  Angela walked over to the rock of Gibraltar. Her timing was wrong to venture out as it was the sun was high in the sky, but we needed some medication from a pharmacy and she preferred to visit a British one, where she knew they would stock the items she required. She also had been very keen for us to return to Europe when she couldn't control her coughing over the last two days.

At the Spanish border she once again had to go through the rigmarole of being scanned and having her fingerprints taken. And upon her return, once again on the Spanish side she had to repeat the whole process. We have been in Spain less than twenty four hours and three times Angela's had to go through the process. What a right carry on! No wonder there are delays at ferry ports and airports! And the most annoying thing at today's border crossings, the Spanish were just waved straight through on the U.K. side! So why John spent the afternoon sleeping Angela looked into our return route back to France, avoiding mountains. As it goes at the moment, she thinks she'll have to drive Marge. So why we sit and wait to see what our next move will be, here are some figures from our Moroccan trip to bore you with, or perhaps even interest some of you. £305.20 was spent on fuel, thank goodness it was cheap! Our twenty eight overnight stays cost £222.90, which equated to an average of just less than 8.00 a night. These costs we will miss. To stay here at Gibraltar marina it is £13.00 a night. When John feels better, Angela will ask him if he knows how many 'terrifying miles', we drove whilst in Morocco. There's one thing for sure, we don't miss driving with the Moroccans daily. The Spanish however might not be happy about driving alongside Marge, particularly with Angela at the wheel! A final thought to leave you with tonight. Is the man parked in front of Marge aware he's at the marina car park? Thank goodness Marge isn't easily offended. We are. There's a time and a place for very tight beachwear!

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.

Alcaidesa Marina, Gibraltar

Our neighbours at the campsite were a couple from England who'd given up on the country and relocated to Spain. He was a real sun lover. Yesterday morning they set off out to the beach and didn't return until early evening. John thought they might have gone to the nearby nudest beach. Angela can confirm they probably did, as when he dropped his shorts whilst changing in his van with the door open that evening, she was greeted with a bottom resembling a baboon. After two days on the campsite it was time to set off on our drive to Algerciras where we would buy a ferry ticket to Morocco.

Once again it was very warm and as Marge travelled along the coast road she began to feel the strain, but fortunately to no cost. So here we are, now at Gibraltar. Our ferry is booked for eleven thirty in the morning. We have an open ticket which means we are not commited to a return date. Cost, just over £200.

Tonight we will stay at the marina opposite the rock of Gibralter. We walked over late this afternoon, passing through border control before walking across the runway. We visited here just before COVID, and were not impressed, and vowed we wouldn't bother returning.

But all these years later, Gibraltar has improved, with a new shopping area and smart pubs. A cold lager, then a fan purchased to add to the two already in Marge we walked back.

8

Just as we reached the far side of the runway it was closed for an easyJet flight to land. The sun is going down now, the sky alight with magnificent colours of pink, orange and red. It reminds Angela of a certain Englishman's bare bum. Coincidentally, they sell a cream in the town here called 'Brazilian bum bum cream'. We kid you not!