Bob & Eds voyage: Another first,

Tangier to Rabat . I had a lovely stay in Tangier marina for one week. Really interesting place steeped in colonial history and more recent socialite gossip and intrigue. I visited the English church at the top of the hill looked after by man called Yassine,he was a font of knowledge and unfortunately managed to elicit a donation out of me which went staight in the box not his pocket. For those interested the inscription round the square arch is the Lords prayer in Arabic. The grave yard had a cousin of some sort of the Queen ,why there , apparantly he liked the boys ! Who knows that's not really a reason to go into exile unless they're underage. Also a bloke who guided Mick Jagger in social etiquette! - Christopher Philips I think and a VC winner.

The marina didn't want to let me in originally as there were no berths. Not true just a different way of doing things, so I claimed the boat was broken (not a complete fabrication, my previous departure from la linea was delayed for a day due to the engine not starting fixed that and left the next day) they eventually let me stay for three days on the welcome pontoon which was fine then stayed for a week. I took an overnight trip to the blue city (chafchauen) which was amazing. All the back alleys were light blue, lots of stuff for sale but no real hassle like many places. Funny thing there was I miscalculated my cash reserves didn't bring plastic as I only use phone app, forgot my passport-not really an issue- resultant I had £18 to live on and get back to Tangier by taxi bus the next day.

Starvation rations, some kind of fried ring carried on a piece of string had two as they were .20 € very tasty dipped in sugar,

Things are cheap here but even I could see there was going to be an issue when I needed to keep back £11 for the journey .I'm not in buying mode fortunately so rugs and pointy head berber jackets I had to pass on,.! I visited a lovely waterfall which had no water in it so walked up this track and talked to some goats. This is one of the hash making areas probably at the end of the path but didn't have time or money to support Moroccan industrial development.

With at least £1.50 left in pocket I arrived back in Tangier and therefore got a cab to the marina brilliant. The next issue was my key card not working , not really a problem as I intended to leave the next day but I think trying to keep my deposit of 20€ was a bit off so brief discussion with much tutting and face of disgust at the abuse of foreigners human rights resulted in its return. The place and people were really nice so only fond memories of Tangier probably need to call in there on way back!

Departure to Rabat delayed by customs, police and bullshit but every one gets the same, then I was off . At least 24 hrs and 130 seamiles to cover . The possibility of the harbour being closed due to projected swell having been out and not sleeping was a concern. So wind on the nose as ever, I had both sails up with motor and got just under 7kts in the right direction. What did I do, well turned the music up and danced around for two charges of my jbl speakers. I have this idea to make a deck dance music video but can't get the camera to pick up the music. Not convinced a mute dance video is going to work and don't want to look like a tiktok monkey!

So here I am in Rabat ,entry to harbour was fine at high slack tide with a 1m swell and an escortboat to take me up the river. I had three catnaps of 20 mins a packet of cheese pasta far too many cups of tea and a smug sense of achievement. It was pretty easy , I was lucky and didn't push out to sea to save diesel. The prospect of being out on a long tack with wind drop or wrong no sleep and no chance to enter the port after 30 maybe more hrs of sailing made for an easy decision. Still it was my first overnight solo sail and went well.

I intend to stay for a month partly to muddy the water on my shengen clock passport issue but this is a good a place as anywhere to base myself for some travel. I'm thinking Christmas in the Sahara if not actually in then within camal spitting distance which I hear is quite a long way.

Issue here is I now need to go and sit in a cafe to use their Internet to upload this. Haven't sorted a sim for my phone yet . I have one in cheap French phone but that doesn't seem to have taken my data purchase! Oh well.