General Chat

Thank you, all of you for sharing your wonderful adventure with us. You have made us proud! Lindy ;-))))))))))))))

Just got my final day and Daisy's to add: Day 9 - Sunday I packed up as much as I could yesterday so that I would need the minimum amount of time to get ready in the morning. When the alarm went off at 3am, I surprisingly got up with very little struggle - I must be getting used to these early morning starts. Went to the bathroom for a quick wash and informed Paul that it was waking up time. In no time at all, I was ready to go downstairs for breakfast. To get to the breakfast room, we went outside and passed the swimming pool, only to find that part of the hotel in pitch dark and no sign of anyone moving about. We waited outside in the cold, shivering somewhat and wondering what was going on. Ken turned up and managed to track down the manager, who swore blind that breakfast wouldn’t be available until 4.30am. This was no good as our flight was at 6am and we also needed to get to the airport and checked in. The manager didn’t seem to understand the arrangement we needed and remained unhelpful and defiant in the face of what Ken was telling him. It was getting nearer to 4am, the time we were supposed to be leaving the hotel, so we sighed and went back to our rooms to grab our luggage and to then wait in the foyer for the mini bus to arrive. This was the start of yet another long and tiring day and this was far from the ideal start to the day. As Ken had not been able to get anywhere, he decided to deploy his secret weapon, that being Lahcen who was still with our group, to see if he could broker a deal. Whatever was said clearly worked as the breakfast room was opened and fresh OJ, coffee, croissants and bread were brought to our tables. We then had literally no time at all to hastily gobble it down before we needed to leave. We left the somewhat dubiously awarded 4-Star ‘Hotel Le Zat’ behind as we headed out to the airport in the buses, still feeling somewhat dazed and confused. As we got off the buses, we said our goodbyes to Lahcen, who as a guide had been brilliant and a vital key member of the crew. We blinked as the bright lights of Ouarzazate check-in sent our irises into submission. We joined the queues for checking in and thankfully was able to offload my big rucksack, which I would next be seeing hours later at Heathrow. We mooched up to the café before then getting aboard the short internal flight to Casablanca. Having landed at Casablanca airport, we disembarked and then looked for where to go for our connection, pausing only for a few minutes to admire the large, ornate clock dangling from the ceiling. We started passing the duty free shops until the familiar sight of Café Medas came into view, for this was the café where we had holed up for a few hours on the outward journey. We took over the same spot as we did last time and had about 5 hours to fill. This was not easy, but somehow we managed to make eating and drinking, plus several trips to the duty free, stretch out over the time. Most of us had leftover Dirham to spend, in fact I had been to the cash machine the previous afternoon and had ended up spending none of it. Only problem was all bar one or two airport shops would not accept the national currency and had everything priced in Euros. We knew the conversion rate from Dirham to pounds, as we frantically tried to remember what the conversion rate was from Euros to pounds. Despite the currency issue, I came away with some presents for the folks and something for myself. After the bum-numbing several hour wait, we finally left the café behind and headed off to the departure lounge. We were queuing up to go through the security scanner and one of our group had gone through only to be sent back after the guy checking passports wanted to know why the passport had not been stamped. We hadn’t completed the immigration form for the return journey so we all turned round and headed off to get it filled in, cursing as we did so but to be honest it was not made obvious that this was something we had needed to do. We quickly scribbled in the details and passed them over to be checked so our passports could be stamped. We then queued up again at security but got through this time despite me setting off the security alarm, which I put down to my chunky metal belt buckle. Eventually, we got aboard the plane and I was sat on the same row as Suzy & Susie for the next three and a half hours. Whilst in flight, we consumed Royal Air Maroc’s finest culinary delights and I added to my diary to pass away the time. At one point, Clare tried to grab my attention by pointing out Susie to me, who to our disbelief was fast asleep. This was an opportunity that couldn’t be missed after she had photographed me on the outward flight out for the count, so I passed my camera to Clare and we had a good laugh about it afterwards.

Day 9 c'td We touched down at Heathrow around 3.30pm and began the slow process of getting through arrivals and reclaiming our heavy luggage. We loaded up the trolleys and proceeded to meander out into the main waiting area, in order to re-acquaint ourselves with loved ones and the taste of UK life once more. I immediately spotted some familiar faces and Diana and Andy were there to greet us, after the traumatic events of the previous few days. There wasn’t much time at all before we had to say goodbye to some who had to leave already, it was a slightly bewildering experience and tears were shed as this was it, we really had now reached the end of the road, our journey well and truly complete. We were now severely whittled down in numbers and out of our group, all that were left were me, Anna (staying overnight), Julie (staying overnight), Sheila and Cliff with his family. We headed upstairs to the bar with Diana & Andy to finally relax and chat, although time flew by and Sheila and I noticed that we needed to be heading over to Terminal 1 to get our respective evening flights back to the north east. We said farewell, and made the journey over to Terminal 1, which was absolutely heaving with travellers. I wasn’t particularly concerned as I felt we had plenty of time, however then saw the checking in queue for British Midland, which was tailed back for miles. Sheila’s one for British Airways wasn’t much better but we got through it and in the midst of it all, we came across Ken, who I’d last seen at baggage reclaim earlier in the afternoon. He was waiting to get a flight to Manchester. We then proceeded to go forward through security and naturally I set off the alarm for the third time today. The guy operating the scanning machine told me I had a pair of scissors in my day-pack. I looked at him quizzically because as far as I was concerned it was news to me. I then suddenly remembered my unopened first-aid kit that was in there and wondered if that contained a pair of scissors. Sure enough it did and whilst I had the scissors confiscated, I couldn’t believe I had managed to make five flights without anyone even picking this up. With not much time left, there was time enough for a quick coffee with Sheila at her departure gate, before I then said farewell and disappeared off to my departure gate for the flight back to Teesside. The flight came and went, and I met up with my folks once more that Sunday evening. As we headed outside, I soon knew I was home….it was raining! The End.

The Day after The day after I got back was a lazy day. I had contemplated going somewhere or doing something as I was still on a bit of a high but the need for a lie-in became essential, after previous mornings starts of 5.30am, 5.30am, 3.30am, 3am. The day passed by very quickly but went out for a meal with Jon, my brother in the evening to celebrate the achievement. It has felt weird ever since, I don't think a day has gone by where I haven't thought about the trek and the times I had. It really was an amazing experience and anything I write about it doesn't seem to quite sum up how fulfilling and wonderful it was to be part of this. I can't believe it's now virtually a month ago since we went, thinking about it now almost seems like a bit of a dream, did that really happen, lol. Thanks to everyone who has supported me, and to each of you on the trek who shared the adventure. OK, Oscar speech over with. ;o)

***DAISY'S DIARY*** Sunday – Day 9 We went down to find that nobody had opened up the kitchen or restaurant and the manager swore blind that it was arranged for 4.30am. Ken was not impressed and tried to explain that we had to leave at 4am. The manager constantly interrupted him saying that we didn’t need to leave until 5.30am as the flight wasn’t until 6am. We weren’t sure how often he’d flown but if he thought a 20 minute check in was all that was required, we guessed he wasn’t a frequent flier! We all flounced off to our rooms to finish getting ready and when we cam down again breakfast was served so we forced down a hot drink and some bread before setting off for the airport. The queue for check in was quite long but moved quickly and we were all soon ensconced in the one small café waiting to be called through to the departure gate. Finally we landed in Casablanca and made our way upstairs for the 5 hour wait until our flight home and descended on the only café, securing several tables which we monopolised for the next few hours, taking it in turns to go shopping for last minute presents and mementos. Finally we left the café to the relief of the other passengers waiting to use the tables! We queued up at security only to be told that we couldn’t go through until we had filled out immigration forms! Five hours waiting around, 3 pens between us and then we had to rush to make the gate on time! 3 ½ hours later I spied the south coastline of England and realised that we were flying over the Isle of Wight. I saw the sail sculpture in Portsmouth and then the dip of the South Downs. In no time at all we had landed and were reunited with our baggage and we loaded everything onto the trolleys and lined up to walk through to arrivals en masse. As we turned into the arrivals hall we saw our families and friends lined up waiting for us and suddenly I saw that Ellie had broken through the barrier and was running towards me! I picked her up and hugged her and the tears finally came. We walked the remaining few metres and there were Fran, Tom and Chris waiting for me.

A little nudge for anyone who would like to add anything before I make a hard copy! Love Jack x

Dear Trekkers, I have enjoyed reading your stories, the whole trip sounds amazing and you were all stars. I almost (!!) envied you I am looking forward to reading about the next adventure................... Good luck to you all Marilyn

Don't know if you've done the hard copy yet Jack but just wanted to add a couple of things. Thanks Andy for adding my final few days whilst I've been in New York (sorry, couldn't resist!!!!). Sunday evening After hugging Diana, Andy and Rob and then hugging everyone else goodbye Yvette and I were whisked away by Chris and the children where we talked at them all the way home! I think they enjoyed being regaled with Sahara adventures and they seemed to make the right noises in the right places to everything we said. We dropped Yvette at Cambridge station for her journey to Norwich and five minutes later were back home. My ankles, which had been fine all week, were now the size of tennis balls and my toes felt like sausages! I couldn't wait to sit down, have something to eat, a long soak in the bath and bed. Fat chance! Waiting for me at home were my parents, hiding in the dining room where the children had put up a Welcome Home banner and balloons. Chris then opened a Jereboam of Veuve Cliquot which we had been saving for a very special occasion (I should have known then what was coming as even I can't drink that much champagne!). Fifteen minutes later as we sat looking at my photos on the tv screen there was a knock on the door and our best friends arrived with all their children and a fabulous cake in the shape of sand dunes complete with loo tent! Fifteen minutes after that more friends arrived with their children and a party was in full swing and yes guys I finally got drunk! What a wonderful homecoming and I finally managed a soak in the bath around 1am. I shall never, ever forget this Sahara adventure and am so glad I did it. Thanks to everyone who talked me into it and psyched me up for it. And yes, I would do it again without a moment's hesitation! To all my wonderful Sahara friends, thank you for the best time ever and most of all thank you for your friendship which means more than I can ever adequately express. Daisy

Nudge so I can copy this. I will send it to those that have asked for a copy. Love Jack x

Want to know something strange ? Five mins ago, I was thinking of bringing this thread back for those who missed it, or never finished reading it. I then refresh the page and its here strange....( but also an uplifting feeling ! ) Elaine x

Elaine, that's spooky lol Jack x

nudge for Denise