We arrived at Santander and drove straight on to Tarifa, arriving at 3am. After a few hours sleep under the car cover we bought some ferry tickets from the back streets and stocked up on chorizo. Our search for fiberglass (which Jack had left back in England) was unsuccessful and after burying all the pork products in the bottom of our car we got on the ferry to Morocco.
We arrived in Ceuta, where Tom managed to get confused between coke and beer buying two cans of the latter for the driver and map reader. At the border we enlisted the help of a local Morroccan to get us through which was fortunate as Jack was feeling particularly special that day being unable to fill out a simple form.
We made light work of the drive to Essouira, camping in Moulay on the way through, hoping to catch some wind but ended up disappointed. We did however manage to get hold of some fiberglass from bouj windsurfing. Ricky Gervais, Stephen Merchant and Carl Pilkington made excellent company on the drive down with banter flowing especially when Jack decided to have a mini lash session by himself in the backseat. The drive through the Atlas mountains was spectacular but the road surface made it slightly stressful for all. A tagine in Agadir to refuel and then a unanimous vote to drive straight through the night meant we arrived in Dakhla early Sunday morning – surely a record breaking drive!
We’ve Arrived – Dakhla Part 1
With only a few hours of sleep between us we pitched the tent and got straight out on the water. Jack managed to cut his feet within the first few minutes. After a quick lunch it was a trip into town to watch England’s lame attempt to stay in the World cup. Jack and Ricky were so disgusted with England’s performance (especially Lampard’s) we ended up leaving before full time.
The morning greeted us with perfect 3.7 weather. We set off for the speed spot. Tom and Ricky made it halfway and stopped for a little freestyle. Jack shot off upwind to have the speed spot to himself, deciding he was too good to sail with mere mortals. He thinks he’s all that, but he still can’t tack or gybe.
We set off on 3.7s again the next day. All of us were sailing really well. Ricky landed his first few spocks and Jack landed his first Flakka Diablo. Tom was also having a good session until he set off from the bank saying “I’m gonna try a flakka”. It looked nothing like a flakka more like a ponch. It now looks as though he may have broken his foot.
Jack and Ricky had a slightly underpowered session this morning and that brings us pretty much up to date. We are in town stocking up on supplies and having been to the hospital we have decided that Tom does not need an X-ray because his winging has let up a little.
Contributed by: Tom, Jack & Ricky
Tags: challenge, Dakhla, trip, windsurfing