Checked the leisure battery first thing which seemed to be ok.
We all had a little difficulty getting out of the camp due to the cars and tents, the occupants of which were sleeping in after a late night.
Ray had to tow one of the vans up the slope. It's stone but very slippery.
9.0 am. This morning's meeting is on the roof of the cafe where we ate last night and outside of which we are now all parked. The view of the vans against the back drop of the ruined Kasbah should be quite something but there is a strong wind blowing and the air is full of dust.
Stopped at a view point above the Oasis but the air is so full of dust.
Couldn't start the van. Hand brake off, tiny roll and phew, we caught up with the convoy.
Passed by a Berber Camp.
Next stop, a Fossil Museum-factory-shop, Saw how they cut and polished the stones. There were some amazing fossils in the museum.
I found some stone eggs to add to our collection.
The van refused to start again and we were given a backwards push.
Here we are passing the Belere Hotel, Arfoud.
Next stop Rissani, desert frontier town, where we all lined up on the left side of a very wide road on the edge of town. There are important markets on Tuesdays, Thursdays & Sundays bringing people from all around.
Hamid said that the whole of Morocco used to be like Rissani and it should stay this way. Real Morrocco he said. Donkeys used as transport, bicycles, vans, cars and a heaving mass of people walking about.
We walked around the Soukh after exchanging some money and were hassled more than we were used to and it was really hot by now. Bought some bread and water and made our way back to the van where we cooked a tuna omelette. Delicious as we had missed breakfast.
Spice stall in the Souk
2 pm. On the road again, hopefully, as we need a push!
Heading for the Dunes
Ray's Unimog
3.20 pm. We parked up in the Erg Chebbie Sand Dunes. We are in the desert. How unbelievably a-ma-zing!
5.30 pm. Meeting. Take a plate & cup for a "desert snack" which turned out to b a hot dog. Tasty and very unexpected. Then, refreshing mint tea.
Went walkabout. The Auberge is lovely inside, magical with all the lamps lit at dusk and the pool looks stunning.
It's an early night for us as we must be up at 5.15am ready for our camel trek to the top of the nearest, highest dune to see the Sunrise.
