This year was different than before and we've yet to fully sort out our reactions. Although we had an agenda of places we wanted to see, not everything went to plan and looking back we did quite a bit of "messing about". We've learned that travelling on our own for longer periods doesn't really suit us although this year we noticed a distinct lack of Brits in Morocco, which has itself changed, probably for the better. We learned that the King allocated a sum of money to each region to develop tourism and it was quite easy to see where this was being spent - never seen road sweepers before!
The weather has also been different this year, not only in Morocco but in Spain, France and even the UK, quite unsettled and causing us to change our plans at short notice, which probably has affected the way we're looking back. As mentioned before, and although we're not ruling it out, it's unlikely we'll be returning to Morocco for a couple of years - Terry's mum is getting on a bit now and we're reluctant to handicap ourselves in a fast return if it were needed. We still love the country, however, and would strongly encourage people to give it a try.
But, as ole blue-eyes sings, it's very nice to go travelling, but it's so nice to come home, even if we're looking at 17 loads of washing, a 2ft tall lawn, a long list of jobs on Bertie and many more things that need doing. But we're already making plans, subject to other considerations - Peterborough Show in a couple of weeks and then hopefully Italy in mid-May for 6 weeks.
Look out for our next blog - The Italian Job
Monday, 3 April 2017
Saturday 1 April 2017
Final day and an early start so the 6.30 alarm found us already moving on a still quite dark and cool morning. We'd serviced the van last night to save time and also had just a simple breakfast although in fact we had plenty of time.
Round to the Eurotunnel terminal and first into Pet Control to get Jamie cleared then on to check-in where we were allocated a slightly earlier, 35 mins, train which is nice. From there things got a bit slow because additional security checks were supposed to be in force although we didn't see much evidence of them; maybe just a bit more thorough on passports etc. However progress was steady and in the end we only had to wait about 10 mins in the holding carpark before getting onto the train, which left 5 mins early. Not as smooth a crossing as usual but on time and we arrived in Folkestone to overcast skies and much busier roads than we've been used to.
So thereafter just the usual slog up the motorways but at least there were no holdups; even the Dartford Toll was running well, if a little slow and we made good time up to Terrys mum at Navenby with just one quick comfort stop. Lunch and a chat for a couple of hours then back onto the A1. We were surprised that the Leeming to Scotch Corner roadworks hadn't yet been finished, but no holdups and we arrived home at 6.15.
After such an early start and the longest days drive of the trip, not much was going to be done tonight. Get one car going, put the van on the drive and round to the chippy for supper. Apart from the overnight essentials and the foodstuffs, we'll leave the rest of the unloading and unpacking until tomorrow.
Round to the Eurotunnel terminal and first into Pet Control to get Jamie cleared then on to check-in where we were allocated a slightly earlier, 35 mins, train which is nice. From there things got a bit slow because additional security checks were supposed to be in force although we didn't see much evidence of them; maybe just a bit more thorough on passports etc. However progress was steady and in the end we only had to wait about 10 mins in the holding carpark before getting onto the train, which left 5 mins early. Not as smooth a crossing as usual but on time and we arrived in Folkestone to overcast skies and much busier roads than we've been used to.
So thereafter just the usual slog up the motorways but at least there were no holdups; even the Dartford Toll was running well, if a little slow and we made good time up to Terrys mum at Navenby with just one quick comfort stop. Lunch and a chat for a couple of hours then back onto the A1. We were surprised that the Leeming to Scotch Corner roadworks hadn't yet been finished, but no holdups and we arrived home at 6.15.
After such an early start and the longest days drive of the trip, not much was going to be done tonight. Get one car going, put the van on the drive and round to the chippy for supper. Apart from the overnight essentials and the foodstuffs, we'll leave the rest of the unloading and unpacking until tomorrow.
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