171. Sprung

Tiznit

With the AirCon man booked for three pm and a one hour twenty minute drive each way, allow say two hours at the pool - three back here minus three driving (round up to be safe), minus two at the pool means we need to depart camp at ten am. No problem....... so why did we leave at midday???

Yup, it's washed out

The drive down was terrific, through beautiful country, again, not unlike the MacKenzie Country in NZ. In one of passes, the natural vegetation would equal any rock garden. On the side road, off the main highway, we came to a completely washed out ford. As the water was static this time I raised the Disco and ventured in.

Hoping there are no big holes

As it happens it was all fine. There was a ancient Peugeot on the other side that had obviously dithering for quite some time who ventured in as we were leaving. 

Snuck this photo in selfie mode

Once we found the little town we had some trouble actually finding the baths as one Arabic sign looks like another. Eventually we found the baths, segregated, either side of the river. The lads headed

into the fairly derelict looking facility, paid a modest entry, changed in dodgy conditions and went through to the pool which was a melee of jumping, splashing swimming, diving boys. Fyfe was doubtful and Roman refused to enter the water. Cutting the story short Roman was also devastated when we had to leave and get out of the water. We had a lovely time, got totally soaked but didn't put heads under the water for amoebic meningitis fears (ours, not theirs). Lots of people talked to us, Fyfe got invited and declined to play, and I felt humbled that these local boys spoke Moroccan, French and a good splattering of English.

Arrived back at camp an hour late for the Air Con appointment but very relieved when he rolled in seven minutes later. He and Roman were soon on the roof dismantling the air con, passing covers and parts down to me. Roman running a commentary on the proficiency of the technician and his likelihood of success. Luckily, he spoke no english so no offence done. Yesterday, the tech had taken Romans photo as he, like many Moroccans, are fascinated by Roman's long wavy hair. He suggested Roman could marry his daughter.

Eventually the twelve volt transformer was found to be defunct and he departed with the control board promising to return Tuesday with it repaired.  I hope that he does as we need to get going as we need to be in Spain by the fourteenth.

Fyfe, Iris and I ventured into Tiznit for supples, found a good supermarket but strangely, no breads. Then we went into the Markets in the centre and happily handed around for about twenty minutes where we found a shop selling loaves for ten cents each. A bargain as we usually sell for fifteen cents (the joke being that it is ridiculously cheap either way).

While Jacqueline did pizzas I set up in the ablution block with our washing machine which meant that I did not have to cart water both ways - oh, the luxury. Each load takes fifteen minutes so I had lots of time to yarn on the phone, mostly catching up with my Mum which was great.

While yarning Jean & David, our neighbours from Marrakech hailed me. They had had a huge day as they had been staying in Tiznit and had set out for the Abaynou Hot Pools and been turned back by the washed out road that we had forded.

Fell asleep writing this blog last night so writing it up Monday. Hate getting behind as I have to write another tonight.