Where to start, when to finish.

We spent the days leading up to Christmas with Mark and family before saying our goodbyes on Christmas eve. Thank you lovely people for being so warm in your hospitality. But a tickle in the throat on the solstice had lead to full blown flu ! Knockout ! By the 24th, both of us were feeling low, so we left the gang first thing and headed the 5 minute drive to Terre D'Ocean Campsite where we have stayed in the past.
This is how our Christmas was to be. In bed, doing little and waiting for the flu to pass. Not a bad place to be ! Weathers amazing. Left alone to our coughing. Not bad at all. Internet good so no problem chatting to loved ones except for the hoarse voice. Jaimie fine, Granny, ie Mum getting over her own flu. Then out of the blue comes the unexpected or was it expected ? Adam and Riek are staying in our house and let us know on the morning of the 29th that mum is not feeling good. Pain in the tummy. Wants to have someone qualified to check her out. So into hospital for tests. We wait for updates to know how to react. 4.30am in the morning of the 30th and Riek telephones to say things are not good. About 7 am, Mum passes away, surrounded by close family. Peacefully we are told. Granny, Helen, Mum. Has died. Just like that. All in under 24 hours.

Now that's what I call style. ! What a way to go. 90 years of age, a full and active life and .......

Helen Jean Zienkiewicz     15th June 1926  -  30th December 2016

Problem here is, that she was one of my most avid readers. I think, at times, the only one ! She loved the blogs, not only because she was a able to know where we were but also because it reminded her so much of her life with Olec. Travelling, adventures, meeting people. All these things were a big part of her life. As you might remember, one time we brought her to Morocco for a van adventure. As we drove over precipitous mountain roads and on into arid desert, she exclaimed " I am so happy. this is just what Olec and I did. I could quite happily die now " ! Well you didn't and at least five years have passed since then and you kept on going up until you did die. Amazing.

So we are coming home Helen. Not in too much of a rush as there is no urgency but you were always glad when we came back from our adventures. This time, it will be to take part in your large and loving families farewell to you. We will all miss you.

Surfing Anchor Point

I mentioned before that I was to surf Anchor again, so here is the wonderful story of letting go and literally jumping into the beautiful waves one more time, 38 years after the last time. It's not necessarily hard to get out, in fact it can be all to easy ! Getting in is a different story all together. More of that later. What's the big deal you may well ask. Well, for me, it's having enough muscle power to cope with the large amount of water that moves with the rather large waves. Getting caught by a big set and dealing with double decker waves breaking on one's head. Catching and riding the express trains that break here. Am I up for the challenge? It's a beautiful day. The winter solstice no less. The sets are pumping and it's really glassy. Yep, I'm up for it ! Mark is delighted and Krysia very encouraging. She will be staff photographer today !

 To set the scene, here are two locals making it look very easy !

It's not.


The take off zone is very crowded and all are excellent surfers.

The likes of myself and many others are left only what has not been taken or occasionally, one that has been missed. We are sitting on the edge waiting patiently for the scraps. The Moroccan locals are also very possessive of their wave. Dropping in is not tolerated.



Now let's get back to Me !! Old fool in a dream of yesteryear. At 20 years of age, I had all it took to be in the zone out at Anchor. How would I fair today ?

 I run with committed enthusiasm ahead of Mark.


I'm going out at Anchor Point.


Nothing can stop me now.

I take the dive first and luckily make it across and outside without getting caught by a set.


Mark watches more thoughtfully and waits his time.

That's me just making it over that empty wave !

I reflect now and think I should have caught it.

A rare wave left unridden.

But I'm out and that's a good start.

Go Mark.











That's how it's done. Jump off the point, paddle away from the waves and hope to get past the impact zone and safely to an easy paddle.

 We chat happily about our joy at being here.

Now we must get some waves. Mark is so encouraging and I've got one. Not a big one but a nice one all the same.


Even manage a half decent bottom turn !

 Mark next.

A bigger one too.



Cool bottom turn on a fair sized wave

Here's some photos of locals ripping their wave




It looks so easy in the hands of pro's

This paddle boarder caught many great waves.

And this cool dude rode long board with style and a smile.

This guy waited for the biggest waves and took them on his long board old style, he also has a life jacket under his wetsuit. He took some big wipeouts but made some too.

It was so exciting just to be in the water alongside such good surfing.

Tube riding and maneuvers defying gravity.


I was happy just to watch

Not that I had a lot of choice !

Good surfers give very little away.

Here I am inventing a new maneuver.

I call it tailing !

I had dropped in on someone and was making a quick escape.

I did have some more waves too. But most of all I was over the moon at being here. How many rides I had paled into insignificance. Getting out of the water was difficult. Sort of take your chances and get washed up on the long shelf of rock that leads from the point all the way to Taghazoute. I took my chance and have a beauty of a bruise to show for it. What do I care.  I surfed Anchor Point one more time. ! Amazing.

Let's finish this surf story with some lovely shots of Mark riding a great wave. Without him, I would not have been here.

Thank you Mark. You inspired me to surf Anchor Point.

Paradise Valley

It takes three vehicles to transport the whole group up to Paradise Valley. An hours trip on good mountain roads before turning into the expected dirt track that is more usual in these gorges. Often flooding in the winter rains, the little road takes us to a car park at the start of this well know tourist attraction. On the way we stop for a photo shoot, as you do !

 El Capitan and his beautiful Fern are responsible for much of this trip. Certainly the coordinators of us as well as the other families. Quite a feat to encourage all those in the group photo to come to Morocco together and make this event happen. Well done everybody. Thank you Mark and Fern.

The major obstacle to a merry trip was illness. At times, at least one from each family was ill with Welsh flu or dodgy belly. We didn't see Alister for 2 days after we arrived ! I won't go into detail but as I write this on xmas day, both Krysia and I are wiped out with Welsh Flu ! This did not stop us all having a great time as each patient bounced back quickly to enjoy their weeks holiday in the sun.

At the carpark, we fall into line to what seems like an expedition into uncharted forest ! The small palmerie is less of a farm now and more of a cafe strewn tourist destination. Once an original example of permaculture, it is now lacking it's privacy and it's youth. Tourists flock here and the youth head to Agadir for work. Graffiti is sprayed on the rocks and rubbish is piled up waiting for something ! But time is short and a blind eye is turned on the mess and an open one on the beauty.

 And beautiful it is.

Snaking our way through the palm trees and cafes, we come upon the first of the famed pools. But our destination lies further up the gorge, made possible by a footpath made especially for us visitors.

It's quite hard going as the path skirts the top of the gorge before dropping down to the highest pool. 

It's well made path but treacherous if strayed from. Eyes straight ahead and hold onto your Pa Perin.

On arrival, we discover that the way down to the pool is not without it's difficulties. A rope tied to a tree stump hangs down to the pool level.


The young people are first down. Perin and Bodi then Ceri, Daisy and Anna.

Brave young things. It's not an easy climb.

 And then suddenly Alex appears next to us old ones and proceeds to jump ! Just like that. No warning just here I go then and he ran and jumped. Gave us all quite a shock. But as anyone who knows Alex will know, he's always done that sort of thing. !

 Bodie and Perin next, although I sadly missed Perin jumping. We know you did it Perin.

Go Bodie.


And then the three young ladies, all together take the plunge.

Brilliant.

The water is surprisingly warm and the girls enjoy a swim.

Krysia wants to go in but will wait for a more dignified entry back down at the first pool.

While these two visitors take the plunge from a daft height.


 It has got crowded too so we head on back to the first pool to allow more leisurely entry.

The water lower down has become freezing. It must have been fed by a hot water spring at the top but the rocks have sucked all the warmth out of it. Only for the brave hearted here. And that is definitely Krysia followed by Fern, Mark, Ami and Bodie

 
Swimming in clear cold water.





Brings us to the end of our day out.

 Krysia has warmed up. The gorge in the background cuts into the valley. The sun starting to set.
A rest and a freshly squeezed orange juice.

It's been a lovely day.


The Fourteen Welsh have been to Paradise Valley and lived to tell the tale. Bit over dramatic I know but it's not everyday such an event happens. So writers license eh!

Don't forget, you can click on a picture for slide show.