I woke to prayers being called, echoing around the mountains. It was raining again. Why wasn’t it light I asked myself, then realised I hadn’t adjusted my clock, it was 0400 Moroccan. I continued to pack and put on my still wet riding kit. I then continued over and around the RIF mountains whilst avoiding the infamous white Mercedes packed with young men. Due to the dense cloud and lashing rain I was unable to see my speedometer. The roads rapidly deteriorated until there wasn’t any. Knee high torrents had washed away the tarmac down the mountain sides. Wanting to or not, I was off roading. There were rivers flowing into villages. Luckily, I tagged on to a 4×4 globe trotter convoy but was soon left behind. After 100 miles I descended the RIF into dryer weather. On my descent I had to swerve to avoid an unofficial road block. I wasn’t stopping for anyone, even officials. Eventually, I arrived in Fez and finally found a vacancy at Hotel Sofia. I asked the guard if he would like to clean my bike. When I later returned, the chef, maid, porter and guard all had sponges in hand and the bike was gleaming

After travelling only 163 miles today, I wonder if I have over estimated my ability to complete the planned 344 miles over the mid/high Atlas Mountains tomorrow. ‘Please no more rain!!’