Destination Dakar: Fez

Feeling an intoxicating mix of nervous engery, excitement and lack of sleep I step on the first of two flights. Documents checked, COVID status Amber, FCO travel advice ...mostly fine. 

18months have passed since my previous, and embarrassing or unfortunate start to the RWTD rally, my bike and kit is repacked and heading back to north Africa with Barrie from RAID assist.  The man's a real trooper and is exciting to know. Good things happen around him. 

Almost as long as an arctic! The bikes are traveling by boat, whilst the riders fly in from home countries. 

Below, first glimpse of the African continent.

Our first hurdle (of probably many in the following days), the bikes were refused entry into Morroco by the Moroccan Security Personell on the ferry. They stated that the country is in a 'State of Emergency' and they don't want more than three people gathering. It states 25 people on the FCO pages, but hey-ho, you'd be brave or foolish to argue with an armed officer at sea.

The support truck has been directed to the official border security office at the Tangier Med port terminal. If youve ever been to Tangier Med, you'll know it's not exactly what you imagine an African port to be like. It's new, it's orderly and nothing like a scene in Indiana Jones.

Still, we will have to wait and see how that unfolds. 

Meanwhile, back in Spain, the Barcelona airport was not exactly a thriving hub of activity. I was the only person at that time being cleared for a connection and had my very own security team, it's just how i roll. 

It wasnt all plain sailing though, just a little later, Alan, a new teammate, was refused entry onto the Moroccan flight as his Covid PCR test was over 48hrs old! He's now searching Barcelona for a testing center and will have catch up tmrw....

Above, my hotel ceiling. Perla Hotel. €23euro for the night!

Anyhoo, once landed and after much scrutiny of paperwork, Peter, the Irish Support Driver, Andy the owner of Oliver's Mount race track, and me, the ermm... person of little to note, stepped out into the 30degree heat of Fez! 

We'd made it, bikeless and at least one person down, but I felt relieved as we stood there. Just had to barter with the cab driver now...

Fez Medina by night... 

..must just add, a bank machine ate my visa card, a call to the UK bank cost me £25, but dinner was only 80pence.