Thursday 23 February 2017

Agdz to Taroudant - 182 miles

Away at our normal time after completing the usual chores and paying for our stay into another fine warm morning. Although we didn't seem to have a lot of rain last evening it soon became obvious that the area had quite a downfall as the countryside today all had a green tinge to it – it's true what they say, when it rains the desert turns green. Most of the river beds had water in them and there were a lot of puddles, some quite large – we even went through a proper “sploosh”, a ford that was running with water.

"Sploosh"

However the roads were dry and not bad as Moroccan standards go so that generally we were able to keep up a reasonable average speed. Travelling westwards between the Haute (High) Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountain ranges the road was mostly straight and level although we did climb over a couple of “Tizi's”, mountain passes with steep hills and tight bends. This wasn't a problem of course because there was next to no traffic on this quiet cross-country route, which, incidentally, was mostly over 5000ft amsl.

Snow on Haute Atlas mountains in the distance

Interesting geology

Approaching Tazenakht

Refuelled in Tazenakht where we joined the N10, a national route that will eventually take us all the way to Agadir, although it's just a little too far to reach comfortably today. Still spectacular mountain scenery and interesting geological formations abounded – the locals have a small trade in fossils and minerals and we've come across several “museums”, all with free entry. But you just try to get out without buying something..............!

A long stretch of serious roadworks, 3km of which were on piste, meant we found it difficult to stop anywhere for lunch. We passed through many towns and villages but in our experience you just get pestered if you try to stop there. However we eventually managed to pull off the road at a “bus stop” - actually a bit of old road behind a shelter at the end of a village road. It wasn't too long thereafter that the road suddenly improved to a fast smooth surface and we were only slowed by speed limits appearing at odd places. We had now descended and entered the Sous Valley where agriculture had seriously taken over; oranges, lemons, olives, bananas – there was even a field of water melons.

Goats in the argon trees at our lunch stop

Well officer, we were just driving along when this tree pulled out in front of us!

Eventually we rolled into the walled town of Taroudant where we found motorhome parking beneath the town walls. The main area was packed like sardines but a secondary space round the corner had loads of room so we settled down there. It's supposed to be guardian parking but we've seen no sign of a guardian or the waste disposal and water facilities that the book says are here. Not to worry, having fully serviced Bertie this morning we're self-sufficient for a couple of days. It's also a little noisy, but we noticed we're actually parked in a lighted area next to an army barracks so we're not concerned about security.

The town is supposed to have an interesting medina so we may take an hour out in the morning for a look-see.