Off to the desert
September 26th, 2005
I was going to wait until I had some pictures, but I wanted to just drop a quick line today as it may be a while before I can post again.
We have spent the last few days in Marrakech, getting a few final things together (scorpion and snake anti-venom…ugggh) before we go down to M’hamid and begin our walk. We are leaving later today, and should be walking by Wednesday. I am hoping to update the site with some pictures and a proper blog before we go, but I am not sure if I will be able to get back to the nearest internet cafe to do it, so thought I would update before we leave.
We both feel incredibly excited – we met Habib here in Marrakech and he has been working like a trojan to get everything ready for us. We will spend the next three weeks doing a practice run in the dunes around M’Hamid – in the Erg Chigaga area for those of you familiar with it – so we can iron out as many of the small issues as possible before we enter the Western Sahara proper. Both of us are amazed at how good it feels to be back. Marrakech itself is entirely a new experience than the last time; for one thing, the dreadful heat has receded and the climate is perfection, and for another, we are simply not as exhausted as we were. It is good to be here and enjoying it rather than just trying to catch up on rest.
I guess that in a few weeks I will be able to give a more balanced perspective on the desert trek, but for now it just feels like the most wonderful adventure, and we are itching to be out there. I guess in another 1000km it will all seem rather routine, but at the moment it feels amazing, and we can’t believe it is finally about to happen. It is rather like the day we set off from Trafalgar Square – a whole new adventure.
So, as soon as I can, I will put up some photographs and you can all have a cracking laugh at us in our desert gear and admire our camels.
And a final note from Bob…your point is very well taken, but any day not carrying the packs, was a definite holiday for us after the past year. However, you are certainly right about not going back to the office; I shall have to remember to choose my words slightly more carefully in future…
Entry Filed under: trekking
5 Comments Add your own
1. Emma | September 26th, 2005 at 12:20 pm
Hi Auny Paula and uncle Gary,
Hope your adventure is fantastic. Hope the camels are great to you. Have a great time love to hear from you soon. Take care lots of love Emma xxxxxxxxxxxxx00000000000
2. Lisa G | September 26th, 2005 at 12:35 pm
hi my beautiful people, can only wish you every bit of love and good fortune to you for the months ahead. thinking of you every day missing you always but dont let those heart strings stop either of you. you have met some incredible people on your pilgrimage and those people are all for the better having met you 2. take care, and love always. take care – tattslotto is still waiting for me. Loads of love. lisa (wes, Kate & Emma). XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
3. Mark & Katrina | September 28th, 2005 at 6:36 am
Have a great stage 2 of your journey.If it’s half as good as the first leg you’ll have a fantastic time.Hope you can drive a camel as well as you did your 4×4 to Cape Leveque when you lived in Broome. Have fun. Our thoughts are with you both always. Look forward to hearing from you soon. Good luck xxxx
4. Anonymous | October 4th, 2005 at 3:23 am
Hello and lots and lots of love and good wishes from the two mums. The fancy dress for each of you is striking; hope yours doesn’t trip you up, Paula. It might be concealing, but it does wonders for your eyebrows!
We send you our hopes for a wonderful second leg of your journey. Thinking of you, love, Bev and Jan.
5. bev walshe | October 4th, 2005 at 3:24 am
Hello and lots and lots of love and good wishes from the two mums. The fancy dress for each of you is striking; hope yours doesn’t trip you up, Paula. It might be concealing, but it does wonders for your eyebrows!
We send you our hopes for a wonderful second leg of your journey. Thinking of you, love, Bev and Jan.
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