Day 242 18th March
7miles (Ksar Sghir to Port Tangier Med) Average speed 8.3 mph Top speed 25 mph
I was up at 4 feeling cold and weak, so I made a lemsip and drank it in bed; then fell back to sleep and woke at 8 covered in sweat. I’d felt this coming but I think the excesses of the wind on the top half of my body took its toll and the legs came out aching in sympathy. I drank lots of tea with Kamal and had last night’s bread for brekkie. Then I walked with him to the bus stop. Not that you would know because there were no signs or bus stop!? We decided to have a coffee before the bus came and went back to Aljazira cafe where I tried to check the true check-in time on gmv website but the map covered the only relevant text on the page!. A sign of things to come.
We said our emotional goodbyes again and after waiting ages for the bus he eventually took a grand taxi. I gave him 200 dirham and hope that will cover the cost of most of both journeys but I’m not sure.
Brian and Kamal – the parting of the ways
Then I went to the souk with only 40 dirham in my pocket. Luckily I found a lock and chain for 40 dirham, I only managed to get 5 dirham off the price, but £3 for the security of my bike will prove to be a bargain. I had enough change for a Coke on the way back while I searched for a cover for the chain. I spotted an air filter hose on the side of the road and hoped it would fit. Back at the apartment I found some plastic that I thought would make a better cover. I made tea and had cold pancakes on the beach front while looking for a campsite in Sete. I washed the plastic and packed up but got really annoyed with myself after losing my insulating tape to wrap around the plastic. I’d taken it out ready but couldn’t find it anywhere. The smallest things can really wind me up especially when ill!
I gave up looking for it and left for the port which meant quite a bit of uphill and lots of traffic and headwind. Only 3 miles, but very annoying when the chain came off changing into the granny ring at the bottom of a hill. The bike is suffering right now and could do with a full service in France.
View of the ferry port
At the entrance to the car access at the port I asked if I should go that way with the bike but official said to go to the passenger entrance at the top of the hill. I told him where to go and said that I couldn’t go through with foot passengers. After a brief chat with another guy he let me through.
Waiting to board the ferry
The ferry is due to take 33 hours to get to Sete in France, so I needed to find a comfortable way to spend the time.