After a very nice relaxing week in Gibraltar where we spoke English, replaced linen and bought English type provisions we left for Tangiers, Morocco. So farewell to Europe.

One takeaway I have is that without the stupefying amounts of money and influence of some individuals and various religions, we would have none of the staggeringly amazing and diverse buildings and artworks and music that we have today. Just an observation.

You have to cross the traffic separation zone at right angles to the traffic and at low tide to make it easier with the current flowing in and out of the Med. It's only 10nm but can be a nightmare if the weather is bad, fog is common, and you get wind against tide. Our last trip through in 2021 we got all three - and at night!! This trip went smoothly enough but with the expected strong currents. At one point with over 2000rpm we were only making 3 knots then, next thing - down to 15 rpm we were flying along at 12!

The Tanja Marina Bay is still being built after 6 years. It will be really quite big and sophisticated when finished. We all took time to get ashore and explore the medina and the souks. Peter and I took the Bullet Train to Casablanca for the day and had a quick taxi tour. We had booked a tour through Viator but the driver got caught up in an accident and traffic (at least that's what we were told) so we went off after waiting 45 minutes with a local taxi. The driver was very knowledgeable and fun so it ended up well - just lost a bit of time. In retrospect we should have overnighted and seen more but it was still pretty good. Drove past Rick's Café where Humphrey Bogart hung out in the movie. The train was excellent - on time, clean and fast (300klms per hour).

The hot water cylinder on the port side started tripping the power. After two days of Max and Peter being bent sideways under a floor they gave up and we tried to find a person with the right tools. Easier said than done! The marina office finally came up with a contact to help. Matt from Keep Kool pulled up just behind us one day. We first met them in Didim, Turkiye and then again in Licata. He has crew with him rather than the family as he is doing the same crossing as us and they didn't want to do the trip to St Lucia. The marina's guy didn't turn up the first time and the second time security wouldn't let him in the gate - so eventually Max and Peter got the job done with an improvised home made tool.

After looking at the weather we decided to delay anther week for the Canaries trip. Peter and I took the train and did an overnight visit to Fez to fill in a bit of time. This is considered the spiritual capital of Morocco where the original kingdom started. The first king's mausoleum is here as is the oldest university in the world (according to our guide). I didn't get into a discussion about the Roman and Greek schools! Nor did I get into a discussion when he claimed Morocco to be the birthplace of mathematics, medicine and navigation (Archimedes, anyone?, Pythagoras?, Hippocrates?). The old medina was impressive - very large, 360 sq hectares, and totally confusing. It would have been hopeless without a guide for the limited time we had there to explore. Within the medina walls are 270 mosques. It is all super concentrated living and a local people's shopping area. We couldn't see anywhere that looked reliable for our sort of eating so had two lunches at the hotel. It was a Riad which really means a house around a courtyard. A kaleidoscope of mosaics and patterns - it was glorious. (Built in the 1300 as a private home for a wealthy family) They organised a taxi to get us from the train station and then an old man with a cart to get us and two carryon bags through the maze of winding streets and alley ways to the hotel. We would never have found it by ourselves! Altogether a great stay and experience.

One evening, back at the marina, Joe and Tracey from an NZ boat "Kaya" came over for drinks. They were originally from South Africa so it was interesting for Max and Shaunagh to meet them. We have seen them regularly on the "Aussie Kiwi Sailors in the Med" Facebook group.

We delayed leaving yet again - poor Shaunagh keeps provisioning for fresh vegetables and fruit, then we don't go so we eat it all and she has to start again!

We invited Matt and his crew over for a BBQ lunch the day before we left - everyone going a bit stir crazy waiting for weather!

The weather then looked good for the three day run to Gran Canaria so off we went, after customs and immigration. They were quick and efficient and very friendly as they were at check in. You do hear some horror stories.