Michaelandlesley

Crisis in Spain We have now arrived home a week early. Having left our cosy wifi enabled campsite in the Alentejo we took one week to get to Bilbao rather than the two planned to allow us to get to a funeral of our brother in law in Devon on Friday 8 April. But then, as we were travelling down a hill on a motorway in Spain outside Villaviciosa, our rear off tyre decided to shed its tread. This has never happened to us before and it makes a hell of a noise. It wrecked the wheel arch, the underside of the cooker, all the cooking equipment which was dispensed down the motorway, and the back of the fridge. It also trashed the sink drain, the grey water waste pipe and broke the water supply to ... read more

From Conil de la Frontera Now in Spain at the site near Cadiz where we stayed before heading to Morocco. We both felt a sense of relief on reaching Spanish soil and realised that we had been a little tense throughout the stay. Nothing major but rather a state of 'readiness' expecting to deal with unsought attentions. Clearly we stand out as rich outsiders and a source of goodies. Even as we left the port we were asked forcefully for a tip to get the papers sorted then for a pen and finally after the customs check Michael ejected a man trying to hide under the van! Although the security guy came over he did nothing to send him off the site. Having said all that the main impressions I am left with are positive and ... read more

Merzouga to Goulmima Leaving the camels and dunes at Merzouga we stopped first to see a factory and showrooms where the local fossil filled marble is worked. It is beautiful and especially striking when used for washstands and larger items. Between Erfoud and Goulmima we passed through many palmeries with their ingenious irrigation systems from the wadis and a few ksours or fortified villages. Goulmima was a typical small village and enjoyable as a stop over as it was well off the tourist trail. We looked around the old ksour without any hassle. Amazing that they are still inhabited. Just beaten earth floors and a warren of tunnel like alleys connecting cave like living spaces. All water has to be collected outside the walls, animals are kept in compounds just outside the wall and washing is ... read more

Found Somewhere a bit Warmer We almost didn't get off on time but, thanks to our Giles and friend Mike, we managed to mend our broken electrical step. Much thanks to them for working so quickly, the day before we were due to leave. And then Michael managed to break the valve to one of the wheels whilst attempting to take a dust cap off. This meant a call to the AA and then a trip to the tyre shop to get a new valve fitted ("We don't fit metal valves!"). So on Tuesday we made it to Folkestone to see Lesley's brother's family which was really good including an afternoon with Emma in town and a walk along the front. Then onto Dover, Calais, our friends in Evreux for a coffee stop and to our ... read more

A Different Country It was really easy with us being collected from the airport by Jen and Mark, the lovely people who own the motorhome we are going to be borrowing. They took us to their home near Rockingham where we were introduced to our home for the following three weeks. It is a converted Transit van, a bit smaller than ours and a bit smaller. We found it a bit poky in comparison. However, it works well and has all the comforts we shall need. Next day we set off to the local nudist club, Sunseekers Inc., based to the east of Perth in the hills right next to John Forrest National Park. A lovely setting with lots of friendly people. We enjoyed their sitting around at sunset, a sundowners meeting. A bit more ... read more