Morocco

The Morocco trip fired the imagination of so many members that a total of twenty planes and a helicopter set off from the UK in early September 2019, heading for Morocco via Spain.

Most of the complexity in organising this trip arose from dealing with the Moroccan authorities who proved themselves meticulous in checking every licence, insurance and document relating to the planes. They were of course very helpful and efficient, but the process took months with much back-and-forth for Cindy who was tearing her hair out towards the end. Then – just two days before the due departure date – we finally received the all-essential authorisations!



The trip was organised in honour of Michael Marshall’s first trip to Morocco, which had taken place exactly sixty years earlier, and we had planned to retrace his trip day by day.

He had invited us all to his house in southern Spain to start the trip. Terry Holloway had been down with him a few times to organise aircraft parking with the authorities, and arrange hotels and restaurants. Very sadly, Michael passed away suddenly, just two weeks before the trip, which then of course became a memorial tour in his honour. Indeed, some members were able to share a memorial dinner at a venue in Spain, chosen by Michael, before flying onwards to Morocco.
Our first stop was Rabat, where Michael had landed in his Auster 16A in 1959. Normally temperatures at that time of the year are still very high, but we were blessed with very mild conditions which were perfect for our planes.



In Rabat we visited King Mohamed V‘s mausoleum and were treated to a wonderful drinks party at the residence of the Ambassador, Thomas Reilly. A most memorable day was brought to a close with an exotic dinner in a private house with the Ambassador and the Military Attaché, Alistair Bryant.



We stayed overnight at the glamorous Hotel Hassan II, lavishly decorated in the traditional Moroccan style. The next day all twenty planes moved on, save for one whose magneto failed on departure.



We spent the next two days in Fes, staying in a very modern hotel overlooking the old town. Meanwhile, Nigel’s plane had developed alternator problems and had to depart separately to Casablanca for repairs.

The highlight of our time in Fes was a private visit to the Al-Qarawiyyin library, the oldest library in the world, dating from AD 859. We were welcomed by the Imam of Fes who had previously welcomed Prince Charles on his visit to Morocco. He showed us their oldest bible which was translated into Arabic before 1000 AD, and other books including a Koran of the same period. All the books were kept safe in a stringent humidity and temperature-controlled environment. The Imam told us about the history of the library, and the associated mosque, as well as leading a fascinating discussion on tolerance.

Yet more Moroccan food was then in store, including the local speciality – camel burger.

It was in Fes that we succumbed to our first bout of food poisoning with, inevitably, yet more to follow….

It was soon time to head for the desert. Our next stop was the airport of Errachidia, set in magnificent scenery. One of the big worries ahead of the tour had been ensuring that there would be sufficient fuel at each stop, but our worst fears proved unfounded.

We changed into our desert robes and turbans for this part of our trip, near the Algerian border, and departed for a few hours of trekking in the desert to discover the fossils mined amongst the desert sands. After our lengthy camel ride, we made our grand arrival into the camp at sunset. All very dusty by this time, we dismounted in front of a large Bedouin tent to be greeted with a refreshing glass of mint tea.

That evening, in the middle of the desert, we enjoyed a feast of couscous, tagine and a whole barbecued lamb, whilst being serenaded by local singers and dancers. After dinner we sat around an open fire and were entertained by Philippe Cotrel – who had dragged his guitar along on the back of his camel!

Departure the next day to Marrakech involved climbing over the Toubkal pass (over 12,000 feet) and included overflying the biggest solar panel plant in Africa, in Ouarzazate.



In Marrakech we were treated to yet another spoiling lunch, méchoui and couscous, by the President of the Marrakech Aéroclub. Following yet more shopping in the nearby Medina, the Embassy arranged a drinks party for us in an amazing old traditional house (riad) in the heart of the Medina.

We were preparing for our penultimate stop at the coastal town of Essaouira when, just before departure, the authorities informed us there was too much wind for most of our planes to land. Two brave pilots (Gil and Peter) went on anyway and had a lovely time, whilst the lighter planes flew straight to Tangiers which was the last step of our trip.

Following a quick visit to the Medina and port, the next morning everyone was on their way home, after hugely memorable tour.

Marie-Josee Hunter