Week 35 :: TandemWOW

Week 35

25 Feb 2020
Mark

Day 239 - 241 Miami to Casablanca Day 242 Casablanca to Rabat

Day 239 - 240

Saturday & Sunday 22nd & 23rd February 2020

Miami.

There are always jobs to do when we reach the end of a stage and are catching a flight. On Saturday we went in search of bike boxes - catching a bus which, was a “cultural experience” as there was a colourful exchange involving a man with particularly bad catarrh, which he felt he needed to get off his chest and which offended a women - mainly because the man had failed to put his hand to his mouth - which she pointed out - there wasn’t a fight - but it was touch and go at one point.

We got off the bus too early and trudged down the road until we finally arrived at the bike shop and got some boxes.

We also visited the Coral Gables area in Miami - we were tired so this mainly involved sitting in coffee shops!

We packed up Alice and on Sunday spent most of the day in Starbucks writing the American blog and route planning. We flew Sunday evening arriving in Casablanca on Monday.

Day 241

Monday 24th February 2020

Casablanca.

We arrived in Morocco at midday. I was feeling jet lagged after very little sleep on the flight (having watched several films and listened to a few hours of Harry Potter on audio book - which generally puts me to sleep - but didn’t this time - Raz slept happily most of the flight).

We waited for the shuttle bus - a group of scouts managed to jump the queue and we got separated from Alice which caused a certain amount of anxiety - but we were finally reunited at the hotel called Relax!

We didn’t relax - we out Alice together - she has a slightly bent rear brake rota - but other than that (and a creaky bottom bracket- which is a bit ominous) - she’s fine.

We waited a ridiculous amount of time for a salad- then went to bed. I woke at midnight and listened to two hours of Harry Potter - and finally slept. Raz slept solidly for about 12 hours.

Day 242

Tuesday 15th February 2020

Casablanca to Rabat.

It was fantastic to be back in the bike. After a lovely breakfast - (no polystyrene or multi coloured Cheerios in sight) and a wahoo (bike computer) meltdown - we finally set off.

We were heading for the coast. Morocco is such a contrast to the USA - people were out and about - walking places (there are very few sidewalks/ pavements in the USA and people don’t seem to walk anywhere).

We passed schools with children cheering us on and lots of sheep (which didn’t).

We spent a few miles on a gravel track - a bit of mountain biking is always fun and finally arrived at the coast which was spectacular - crashing waves and empty beaches.

We stopped for mint tea in a cafe - full of men smoking - but it was a cafe .

We ate tagine for lunch then continued following the coast on route to Rabat. We arrived in Rabat and went around in circles trying to make our way through a busy market to our accommodation. We finally in Riad Achia - in the centre of Sale (over the inlet from Rabat).

We are sitting in a local cafe drinking more tea and eating another tagine! Raz is no longer speaking with a Deep South American accent - so that’s a relief - (although she is starting to speak with a French accent which is slightly disconcerting).

Day 243

Wednesday 26th February 2020

Rabat to south of Larache.

I really hate jet lag - although I was tired I simply could not get to sleep. Raz said she had found it difficult to sleep too - so we were both feeling a bit spaced out this morning (or more than usual).

The lovely Francaise, who owned the Riad, made a French breakfast of crepes, soft cheese and jam. We chatted to Frank from France, (one of the other guests), who was working in Morocco- I choked on a piece of orange in the midst of discussing Brexit, (it has that effect on me).

We set of leaving the lovely walled city of Rabat behind. We were following the coast north - we passed lots of garden nurseries. We stopped at a cafe with a toilet that got no more than 1 (lowest score so far - which given we’ve cycled around India is quite an achievement).

We arrived in Kénitra and ate an odd croque monsieur which came draped in an omelet- then continued north passing dozens of storks nesting on the street lights, and every available high spot. The bird life here is teeming - especially as we passed by a massive rubbish tip. (There is a lot of rubbish here - especially in the countryside).

We also passed some spectacular sand dunes. The land was agricultural- we saw banana plants and other fruit.

Moroccans are a friendly bunch - tooting their horns and waving as we passed by - perhaps a bit less so in the countryside- but if we wave first - they waved back.

We did get a couple of stones thrown at us by children - but Raz through of this as more like friendly than enemy fire (blue on blue action). We were chased by a dog and several little boys.

We were feeling a bit jaded so we were glad that we were only cycling about 76 miles. The place we thought we had booked was down a rocky track - we were glad to finally arrive - except it was the wrong Riad - this one was called Maison Des Oiseaux and instead we should have booked the Riad Des Oiseaux - which was another 13 miles north.

We set off - with about 1.5 miles to go we took a turning left onto a sandy road. It was unrideable. We pushed Alice along in the think sand. It was hard work. We finally arrived in the dark. We rang the bell - there was no answer. Eventually a women arrived - she called a man who said he didn’t have our booking. Eventually I got hold of the owner who did have our booking but seemingly hadn’t told the person looking after the property.

Alice is covered in sand and we are knackered - fingers crossed we get some dinner tonight.

Today was Peggy Light’s birthday. The mother of the lovely Sally Light and Mandy Watson Sending Peggy loads of love on her birthday and playing Dancing Queen.

Day 244

Thursday 27th February 2020

South of Larache to Tangier

We eventually did get food last night - a pot of hot vegetables cooked by the housekeeper who was permanently on the phone speaking so loudly the phone seemed redundant.

We woke to a greasy fried egg, bread and butter which was a bit off - however the view over the lake was spectacular - thick with morning fog rising like smoke.

We set off back down the sandy track - pushing Alice through the sand for 1 and a half miles - it was a bit of a work out - we don’t do walking anymore.

Finally, we started riding - stopping for second breakfast in a nice cafe in Larache then heading up the coast to Asilah which is a lovely coastal town with views of the ocean and harbour.

We cycled on along the coast passing by the Forêt Diplomatique. There is lots of building along this coast - much of which is only half completed.

Tangier is a big city and very busy - the ride in was a bit manic - reminiscent of cycling in India.

We went in search of a hotel finally finding an apartment (after enquiring at a number of hotels - which were full). We’re eating pizza at a local restaurant checking ferry times to Spain where we’ll by riding tomorrow. Africa has been amazing - it’s hard to believe that we’ll be back in Europe tomorrow.