Ready to go
Group talk
A bright and early start saw Tom puttiung the kettle on at 6.15am, ready to stir everyone into action with tea and coffee. Most took the hint but there were definitely a few of the group who weren't quite so into their early mornings – sadly a way of life on a journey like this as it gets dark so early in the evening.
Once everyone had helped themsleves to a very modest breakfast of bread and marmite or dairylea, or both, Mark led the induction chat, added to by Tom and sat through very patiently by everyone else! Then it was pack up time and road bound to Essaouira, the beach and 5 weeks of travelling.
We stopped briefly for a stock up of food, fuel and money and then ventured out towards the wilds of Morocco, leaving behind the shadow of the Atlas mountains and heading west. Along the way the road was mixed, good then terrible, then good again, and we did stop for Tom to enquire as to the price of a traditional Berber tent in his finest French – there's definitely some negotiation to be done before Sabre can have one!
We reached Essaouira by sundown, having left Marrakech a little later than anticipated, and found a campsite just on the outskirts of town. Camp was set up, Rich proved his prowess on the stove through a fantastic tomato and mushroom pasta, and Tom opened the bar. Good times. After eating, most of the group headed into town to try and find a bar and the others sat talking around the table, telling stories and getting to know each other. Bed time for those at camp came at about 11pm and god only knows when the everyone else returned, reminiscing of music, magicians and the great Maroc!
On a separate note, Tom realised he had already lost his passport once we arrived in Essaouira. Not the greatest example to set to a new group of travellers, entrusting their safety to the team leader. Nonetheless, these things happen and we'll have to see if it turns up when the truck can be turned upside down tomorrow and properly rifled through.
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