Morocco – learning curve

Essaouira is where we worked at setting up one large tent in one large wind. When they say the area is favoured by wind and kite surfers around the world then it’s probably wise to read between the lines. We didn’t. We continued regardless and thought it a great idea to erect our large tent, the one we have to keep us out of the bad weather, the space we call our lounge, the same tent from which we’ve smugly chuckled at our camping neighbours in Sagres who became the victims of a campsite flood and had to abandon their tents because they set up camp in a catchment area. Since we’re “Professional Camper’s” it’s clear to us that setting up a tent in a catchment area is reserved for those who fell in the shallow end of the gene pool as kids.

 

Up till now this ‘lounge’ has proved to be a welcome shelter in the rains of Andorra, Sagres and Fes but with a breeze stiff enough to affect your fuel consumption to the point that you think you’ve sprung a leak in the fuel system, a tent the size of a deployed UN aid parachute becomes a challenge. We got the thing up, Bridge had unzipped the front door and had one foot inside only to be told to get out or risk taking off. Our dream of shelter from the wind was crashing down around us.

 

I think we’ve learnt from our mistakes. These are numerous and at the reluctance of having other “Pro Campers” candidly pointing fingers our way, I reserve the right to withold further detail. Being a “Pro Camper” is all about strategy and strategy is all about non disclosure until its in your own best interest.

Essaouira is a clean organised place in comparison to the other medina’s we’ve visited.