OGB, were on the same ferry, we'll have a chat then
Yep - looking forward to it. Hopefully there'll be no broken down VW Campers to cope with this time.
I've seen the exchanges regarding the security situation too. Our view is that we'll do what we plan to do unless bullets are heading our way....To do anything else is giving in, and that ain't an option unless someone actually shoves a barrel through the window.
Admittedly, our experience is a little different to some, and we feel confident that we can handle or avoid most difficulties short of a hole in the head. I guess it's more about calculating the risk against the benefit, and that's a very personal thing.
 
http://www.4x4overlandtravel.com/privmsg?folder=inbox&mode=read&p=4999

Hi Mike,
sorry, but I tried accessing this link and it just took me to my own message page. I guess, from the tag, that it's a PM to you. What's the thread?

ta.
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From: Tembo
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To: mikescuba
Posted: Today at 10:44 am
Subject: Re: Morocco 2016
Happy to help. Actually, the guys I went on the last trip with and I are planning another Morocco trip from mid-Sept to mid-October this year. I know most of the 4x4 tour companies are still offering Morocco trips. I would also check out the Horizons Unlimited (HUBB UK) which is primarily motorcycle based but they usually have lots of people planning trips. Unfortunately there are very few people posting anything on this forum anymore, let along trip plans. We have not posted this time because we get way too many people wanting to join us who either have crappy, unprepared vehicles or never show up.

As to security in Morocco, we use a five-level risk rating system where '1' would be Switzerland and '5' Syria. We base the rating on the number of security incidents per year, types of incidents, who they target and the severity. Morocco is rated as a '2.' The major risks in Morocco are petty crime in the urban areas, harassment by drug elements in the Fez region and land mines around the 'Berm' in the far south and into Western Sahara areas along the Algerian border.

In terms of terrorism there were a couple of attacks on cafe's in previous years. The Moroccan security forces have a great success rate at breaking any terrorist cells that form. Al Qaeda and ISIS have ever formed cells in Morocco to attack westerners, but have set up recruiting operations. A fairly large number of youth have gone off to join IS in Syria in recent years but there have been no reports of any coming back and committing any terror acts in Morocco. That may be due to the fact that Morocco's version of Islam is different from the Saudi/Iran led version is the Middle East. There are a number of Islamic sects in Morocco that would be considered heretical to IS/Al Qaeda. So the locals always inform on anyone preaching extremist views. You have probably see the guys walking around in their pointed hatted robes. Finally, there has never been a recorded kidnapping of a westener in Morocco that I am aware of.

I have heard that comment about not travelling to Muslim countries before from various people. My opinion is that this is giving in to fear, which is what terrorists want. To isolate their victim populations from the 'West.' There is a strong difference between 'perceived' fear and real threats. I travel to many Muslim countries every year and so do thousands of aid workers. I would be more concerned about driving through Detroit or walking the streets of Slough after dark than driving through Morocco.

If you and your buddies do decide to go, maybe we will cross paths at some point.

Cheers,
James
 
Hi Ogb,
it is the answer back from James regarding potential security issues in Morocco. I had already copied and pasted his reply in an earlier message. Don't know why you can't open it, if I click on it, it takes me to the 4x4 overland site with Tempo's reply.
Regards.
 
Another reply received from 4x4 Overland.



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Subject: Re: Has anyone done a recent trip across Morocco 2016
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Today at 11:14 am
hi there

I travelled thru morocco in august last year and everything was fine, I recently checked the foreign office web site advice for travellers after somebody else queried the safety of morocco and found that the advice had NOT changed since I travelled

hope this helps
 
Another reply received from 4x4 Overland.



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Subject: Re: Has anyone done a recent trip across Morocco 2016
empty.gif
Today at 11:14 am
hi there

I travelled thru morocco in august last year and everything was fine, I recently checked the foreign office web site advice for travellers after somebody else queried the safety of morocco and found that the advice had NOT changed since I travelled

hope this helps

The link back to the thread Mike mentioned - http://www.4x4overlandtravel.com/t1931-has-anyone-done-a-recent-trip-across-morocco-2016

The main page with contains several threads about Morocco - http://www.4x4overlandtravel.com/f10-completed-overland-trips-expeditions

I'm the guy BTW who now lives in Catalonia, Northern Spain ... and yes I run the Adventure Overland Show at Stratford-upon-Avon Racecourse too (no rest for the wicked!!!) As mentioned, if you want to call in for the night en route heading south down through Spain to the ferries to Morocco, you're more than welcome. As mentioned, we have an open house policy so all are welcome!

Also, assuming you're back in time for AO`16 (24-25 Sept 2016) at the Racecourse, then I can allocate a 'LandyZone pitch' within the showground where you can all meet up, hold a 'de-brief', and generally talk to the public about your trip. It's how the next group learns, much in the same way that previously James' seminar inspired your Moroccan trip this year. Leave it with you.
 
Hi Ogb,
it is the answer back from James regarding potential security issues in Morocco. I had already copied and pasted his reply in an earlier message. Don't know why you can't open it, if I click on it, it takes me to the 4x4 overland site with Tempo's reply.
Regards.
Ta. I went to the site and found it, and also found Tembo's review of a satphone/tracker. Very compact bit of kit which I've researched a little more today. At under £200 (Amazon) it looks like good insurance. I must say that I'd be very reluctant to press the Panic Button, but very useful if I'm stuck under the truck and Wifey can't lift the jack...could even text Gordini in Zagora and get spares sent out by camel train!
 
Ta. I went to the site and found it, and also found Tembo's review of a satphone/tracker. Very compact bit of kit which I've researched a little more today. At under £200 (Amazon) it looks like good insurance. I must say that I'd be very reluctant to press the Panic Button, but very useful if I'm stuck under the truck and Wifey can't lift the jack...could even text Gordini in Zagora and get spares sent out by camel train!
Was thinking of renting a sat phone - but are you writing about the Delorme in reach se.
 
Hi All , was reading about your concerns security in morocco .
I have just returned from a trip Morocco / western sahara / Mauritania .Morocco i would say is as safe as it ever has been . Even talking to locals ,they are saying how safe it is and cannot understand why not as many westerners are coming .
I think in western sahara police maybe more alert as at one campsite they slept in there vehicle all night ' To Look After Us '
Wish i was going with you ,normal precautions is all that is needed in my unvalued opinion
 
`Anyway, orange boiler suits aside, I've been going through my inventory of stuff laying about. Shall we agree to bring what parts? or shall we just bring random bits anyway? As you really can't predict what you might need, been through my 110 front to back, everything that needed replaced is done, so hopefully it will drive there and back like last time not needing anything but fuel.

I lugged so many unused pats last time, which to me are just dead weight I have been looking through stuff laying about in my barn currently, so from the below list what does anybody want me to bring, hopefully not springs lol

Timkin wheel bearings & seals
2 x sets of brake pads for vented front and rear disks
set of rear drive shafts, 24 spline, so I know they will fit Kens 110, not sure about yours Mike, don't know if yours are 10 spline?
Only going to have 1 265/75 R16 spare, as two is unnecessary, even saying this will mean I'll need two probably
Standard drive flanges
6 standard LR shocks, 2 x steering dampers and various bushes
HD front and rear springs
Left and Right track rod ends, I'll bring these, pretty much screwed if one snaps as they hang quite low and are not that strong.
stuff like that

Diff oil, gearbox oil, coolant, power steering fluid etc

I will have to bring a few specific items unique to the Td5, but they are are small light weight things like sensors.

General stuff like tools, compressors etc are coming with any ways, including my new tyre deflater heh, I was impressed with Kens one, so no more standing about with a twig deflating tyres in the baking heat guessing how much pressure I've let out.
 
Had a chat with someone in the know from the MOD, and Morocco is considered not a huge risk, couple of things he mentioned, same as I was told last year by the same guy, was don't go near the border between Algeria and the Western Sahara, and don't travel alone at night in remote places. Still lots of information sharing and joint exercises between the UK and US military being conducted with the Morocco state, sooo, I see no security risks as such, other than the usual application of common sense.
 
Had a chat with someone in the know from the MOD, and Morocco is considered not a huge risk, couple of things he mentioned, same as I was told last year by the same guy, was don't go near the border between Algeria and the Western Sahara, and don't travel alone at night in remote places. Still lots of information sharing and joint exercises between the UK and US military being conducted with the Morocco state, sooo, I see no security risks as such, other than the usual application of common sense.
Yep, same advice received here. We don't intend to push our luck near the border but last year we couldn't have got near it if we'd tried - the Moroccan military saw us coming miles away and sent out interceptors...
 
I took two rears last year and a damper, pointless really, could trade for things in Zagora I suppose, but was bugger all there I saw I would want lol
 
Also, assuming you're back in time for AO`16 (24-25 Sept 2016) at the Racecourse, then I can allocate a 'LandyZone pitch' within the showground where you can all meet up, hold a 'de-brief', and generally talk to the public about your trip. It's how the next group learns, much in the same way that previously James' seminar inspired your Moroccan trip this year. Leave it with you.

Tom, many thanks for the offer. Speaking for us (and we joined this thread quite late and I don't want to hijack it) we're not going to be able to take you up on your very kind offer this year as our route goes straight from Santander to Algeciras with no spare time to divert to the east. However, I'd be very interested in picking your brains regarding the off-road opportunities in your local area for a later trip.
We (wife and I) chatted to you at the show last year, and a "Who went to Morocco This Year?" area might be a very good idea. Our experience, for what it's worth, suggests that there are lots of folk who plan to go, but never do because they lack the "springboard" that we got at Stratford ( amongst other places).....You don't need a guide, just a boot up the a*se!
 
The only spares I took last time was a set of ball joints, and four wheel bearings. Never used any. We had one breakdown within the group which was a rear diff and front half shaft, all on the same vehicle. We ended up towing him out of the desert to a garage. The P38 discovered when they returned home that a new Terrafirma shock had broke.
If I manage to be ready in time for the trip I will probably take the same.
 
The irony is, I have fitted helper springs and better shocks for this trip, and I'm not taking half the weight I took last time, upside is, the truck handles a lot nicer on tarmac, so not so much Cadillac wobble.
I suppose I better start on my racking again soon, removing the rear seats and install the fridge and second battery again. I ran my CB through my stereo speakers last trip, worked really well, apart from you cant listen to any music so I bought an external speaker and fitted it to my roof console so its right up next to my head and seems to be more than loud enough, oh and fitted a new 1600mm long antenna.
 
Just found out that Peter is able to go into Morocco (James I think you met him) so I will be joining him for an extended stay. This means I sail from UK on 17th February.
 
So what are you plans Ken, are you still going to be there when I arrive in Marrakesh the 21st? Is Peter the Danish chap?
 

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