Yesterday the majority of the Bluewater Rally Fleet
departed for a weekend jaunt to Smir in Morocco. This is an easy 27nm
passage across the Straits of Gibraltar to the East coast of Morocco. The conditions were ideal
for a first “fleet” trip with Easterly winds of 20 to 25 knots
forecast.
This trip was also designated as an opportunity for
every boat to test their SSB radios. We were honoured to have Tony Diment, the Rally Director of Bluewater Rallies
on board, together with his wife Christine.
Extra crew was very handy
“The pressure”
We departed in the dark, before dawn, after a few
slight hiccups, and then headed out to Europa point. By the time we were out
there and past all the drifting tankers, it was light, so we hoisted the sails.
Almost immediately we spotted Dolphins all around us and they stayed around for
a couple of hours. Christine and Jennie sailed the boat, whilst Tony conducted
the radio checks and I looked on. Just great having extra crew. They do all the
work!! I also have to say that Christine is a superb helmswoman.
On arrival in Smir, we were shepherded on to coaches,
and made our way to Tetquan. This is an ancient city with a population of some
700,000 souls. Within the city is the Medina
which is very old, and there are some impressive buildings where the King of Morocco
is in residence for official business.
Kings Palace 
Yours truly and crew in the main square
The Souk was a ramshackle affair, with very narrow
lanes (no cars to bother us here) and a multitude of small businesses. >From a
shop that sold bobbins with every conceivable colour of threads to a shop that
sold dyes and “bespoke” paints, made from natural colouring
pigments. Most of these business premises measured around six foot square!
The Bobbin Shop 
What colour would you like?
Those of us with strong stomachs were treated to a
visit to the Tannery. Not for the faint hearted, and I am sure that vegetarians
and Health and Safety officers would have swooned had they seen this
establishment. But some of the side alleys looked as if they had held secrets
behind closed doors for many a year in what can only be described as a maze.
Had we not had official guides and “minders” I am sure we would
never have seen the light of day again after entering this place.
Nice Sheep Skin Rug, Sir? 
This way to the secret passage….
We were then treated to a visit to a Carpet bizarre.
Aptly named…………………….
“Trust me…”
“ Nice colour”
Some of these carpets were quite simply stunning.
Especially the Berber carpets, which can take these tribes people up to three
years to weaver by hand.
Next we were treated to the local apothecary. They
sold every thing and anything for ailments, aches and even a herb which they
claim to be more effective than Viagra. No we didn’t buy
any!! Jennie did secumbe to the Saffron, which was one tenth of the cost of it
in the UK.
We were invited to try out some of these cure all’s, and Hugh from
Stargazer, a retired surgeon, decided to have a go……..
“Left a bit………”
Finally, we were treated to a traditional Moroccan
meal in a fun but slightly OTT traditional restaurant. We had a welcome from some
drummers, who managed to swing around the tassels on their head gear whist
drumming at the same time. ( Whistle and
ride Jennifer!!!!!)
We were entertained by a belly dancer who was covered
from head to toe in traditional garb, and a double jointed juggler. More
nightmares for the health & safety folks…..
After all of this excitement we had a police escort
back to the coaches, (a bit scary), and police outriders all the way back to
the Soffitel Hotel at the marina. Bluewater Rallies had succeeded in persuading
the hotel to open the Ballroom for us, with an enormous wide screen TV
projector (around 50 foot wide) and comfortable sofa’s and nibbles so we
could watch the Rugby World Cup final. There was of course a bar, albeit with
eye watering prices. So we watched the final, in comfort with a French
commentary. One of the highlights of this event was when the camera’s
focused on Gordon Brown, and very Brit in the room booed. This caused some
confusion with the Non-Brits ……Shame about the Result!!
The next day was simply stunning weather. Marina Smir
is very attractive, and virtually empty at this time of year.
.
After a lazy start to the day and a full English
breakfast including poached smoked Haddock fillets, we completed the exit
formalities and headed back to Gibraltar.
We had to motor to start with, but as we neared the
northern tip of Morocco (which
is actually part of Spain)
we hoisted all the sails, and in very short order were having a blistering sail
in a fresh NE breeze of 18knots apparent, trucking along at over nine knots for
part of the time. The view of the Levanter cloud over Gibraltar
was classic…………….
It was a fantastic weekend. Great company, new
experiences and brilliant sailing.
Bring on the Blue
