The Perfidious French




One of the first ‘truths’ we were told at Sandhurst was a quote from one of the military greats of yore……must admit can’t remember who, could have been Wellington, Guderian  or Xerxes, it matters not.  The quote was ‘no plan survives the first contact with the enemy’ .  I would change this slightly by changing enemy to the French……there may be an element of tortology in this for the English language purists but hey ho, let’s live a little 😀

I have been following a collection of odd looking French desert raid cars since I arrived in Spain.  What was odd was as follows:

1.  All were Renault 4’s
2.  All were being driven by teams of young types 
3.  Whenever I saw them either in Spain or Morocco  they were partying as if it were doomsday tomorrow (maybe this last bit isn’t that odd.)





It transpires that they are on an annual rally ‘the 4L’ from Paris to Marrakesh for charity and all participants need to both drive these ridiculous vehicles and be under 29………. It further transpires from drinking with them last night that their finish and final party is in Marrakesh on the 24th and I have got an invite.

So plans change and I decided to see Rabat and Casablanca for a couple of days before heading off to a rendezvous outside Marrakesh on Saturday. …….. the things we do to maintain the entente cordiale 

So today was a 300 mile drive across first some beautiful mountain passes famed for their hashish production, and then into verdant arable farmland, stopping at the odd kasbah on the way.




The quality of the roads is great and with cheap petrol prices (about 35% less), it was a genuine pleasure.

Finally got to the beach outside Casablanca at around 3pm, just in time for a swift martini and swim👍

Given I am in Casablanca, it had to be a film noir photo…







Location: Casablanca, Morocco

Comments

  1. Life controllerFebruary 21, 2024 at 5:16 PM

    The lengths you go to for a party! Not sure as much banjo practice has been going on as first planned, so in true Casablanca style ‘Play it, Sam’

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousFebruary 22, 2024 at 10:51 PM

      Excellent point, the banjo has barely had a mention so far!! The main reason why many of us tuned it ;) - drb

      Delete
  2. The boyFebruary 22, 2024 at 11:39 AM

    It must be a sight having the Renault 4s alongside the defender! Has casablanca lived up to your expectations?

    ReplyDelete

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