Safe Return Doubtful

I’m spending this week at Laou Beach on the Mediterranean, about a hundred kilometres south of the Tangier peninsula and the Straits of Gibraltar. I had thought I would get into the Rif mountains, but this is a very pleasant and relaxed place, and the cloud has been over the mountains all week, with temperatures in low single figures, and snow lying above 800 metres. Down here on the coast, the weather has been mixed, though it’s generally mild, mid teens centigrade. 

Laou has a huge beach of grey sand and pebbles, about seven kilometres in all. For about four kilometres of that there is a wide promenade. It’s a typical seaside town out of season, and that gives it an appeal to me also. About half of the cafes in town are open, and well patronised by the locals, whereas those out of town are closed. The locals are incredibly friendly. Late afternoon, as the schools come out and those working have finished for the day, between about 4:30 and 6:30, the seafront is busy, with children playing  and socialising, and adults getting in some exercise, jogging, walking and cycling, and socialising at the same time. It gives the place a pleasant atmosphere. Much warmer, and I wouldn’t like it.. besides, that would bring more visitors, from March to June is high season here. 

There have been a few other motorhomes in at the recommended place to stay, in the middle of town. But it’s noisier there, so I’m a kilometre or so north of that, where there are two others, the Yorkshire guy who I mentioned in my last post, and a Frenchman, who I haven’t spoken to, but nodded at.. I chat with Adrian from Leeds most mornings. He has two friendly dogs that spend their time outside his van, or mine, though we are about 50 metres apart. 

There’s some agreeable hiking, as the beach is so long. To the south and the beach ends at a river estuary, where there is some farmland from which to create a circuit. To the north, the beach ends at a rocky headland where a path climbs the cliff to give a good viewpoint. 

On Sunday I’ll cross the border to Spain, and the enclave of Ceuta, a border that is notoriously slow to cross. I have a ferry booked for Monday lunchtime.