Sunday 8 March 2020 – Marrakesh to Ouzoud

Yesterday was really a do nothing and relax day with just a bit of cleaning and tidying and catching up with the blog, photos etc. Once again very hot but we managed to get a cool breeze going through the van and showers later were very welcome.

Marrakesh to Ouzoud - 102 miles

So a pretty standard Sunday start for us, no rush even though we are moving on today so by the time we'd had our bacon and eggs, finished packing away and serviced the van it was getting on for midday. Never mind, our target today was only about 100 miles and on good roads so we programmed TomTom who took us back around the Marrakesh ring road, quite busy even though it's Sunday, and onto the N8 which is the main route to Fez.

As hoped it was a nice smooth fast road and once clear of the city was quiet again. But before long the satnav turned us onto the R204, taking a more direct route albeit a bit slower as we were back to the “standard” Moroccan road of tarmac over a rubble base, two lanes but a little rumbly and care had to be taken with oncoming traffic, especially the coaches! Nevertheless a scenic route, initially across the valley plain but then into the foothills passing through bustling little towns and quiet villages.

We paused somewhere or other along the way for a stretch and light lunch then tagged on behind three coaches, obviously taking day-trippers to the Cascades de Ouzoud, who obligingly pulled over to let us past – not necessary but thanks anyway! Before long we entered Ouzoud and found Camping Zebra at the top of the hill into the village.

The Cascades de Ouzoud are perhaps the best known attraction in Morocco and feature in all the tourist brochures; not quite natural, the river is split into various irrigation channels which then lead to a wide swathe of the rim, producing an effect that is not too far removed from the Muslim idea of Paradise. Despite this the atmosphere remains laid back and relaxing even with the hundreds of visitors the town hosts daily.

We stayed at Zebra before about 4 years ago to visit the Cascades and there was plenty of room although we guessed there was a largish party booked in for tomorrow. But we only wanted one night as we don't plan to visit the falls again and we really only chose to stop here as there wasn't a lot of choice in the distance we'd planned – we're heading further north tomorrow.

From our pitch at Zebra Camping

So settled in and booked a meal in the restaurant to save cooking later (never seen Zebra Tagine on a menu before!). Managed to make our weekly phonecall to Mum; using Skype costs only a few pence, plus the wifi of course, rather than £1.40 a minute on the mobile! Not quite as good quality but adequate to keep her happy – we text everyday, again via Skype but she likes to hear our voices.

Once again we've got a very loud French motorhome parked next to us. They're currently on the phone to someone, which isn't needed as they're loud enough to be heard in France from here!