Morocco and then Menton France 2018 | News flash

This morning we packed up from our Berber tent camp and headed first by jeep back to the hotel and then by van east to west into the Todra Gorge. This is high country, about 5500 feet; red sandstone mountains tower overhead. Think New Mexico or Nevada. I don't think we have this geography anywhere in Canada. About four hours ago we pulled over to the side of the road across a small creek from our Auberge. More on the Auberge later, except to say that it is fabulous. Margaret and I will be very comfortable in our girl cave ( seriously) for the next two days.

We piled out of the van, stretching and bemoaning our camel ride aches and pains. A short driving lane led to the creek, which because of recent rains had enough water in it to prevent car traffic from crossing. We safely walked across a makeshift footbridge leaving our luggage to follow later.

For days, Fattah has been telling us about the flash floods which have wiped out infrastructure here in the south and threatened the livelihood of people dependent on the roads and the land. This evening, as I write, we are now stranded on this side of the river which has risen several feet and is now rushing down the gorge. Our footbridge is in a heap against one side.  Fortunately all the cars are safely parked on the far side and from the smell of dinner that is emanating from the kitchen I don't think anyone is too concerned. Stay calm and carry on! 

I am going to try to post some pictures I just took on this iPad. We will see how that goes. I have a lot of notes from the past two days through the south and I have transferred photos from my camera so I will try to catch up over the two days we are here.

That's our van over there on the far side.

The water has almost  completely broken through the banks.

And that is our footbridge.