To say we wake up would be an exaggeration, we get up, saved from the broken sleep as a result of the snoring and dogs barking.  I am personally pleased we have camped out, it is fitting. We crank up the Trangia and make drinks and I devour the Morning Fuel breakfast.  Just as we are about to get on the road a chap cycles up on a mountain bike. He smiles lots and we are immediately going to be friends. Bizarrely Mohammed like Wafaa is a French Teacher. Rob has certainly earned his money on this trip! He chats away in French to Mohammed who tells us he is fit, cycles every day and lives 40 kms away.

He is interested in our story and adventure in general. He explains he has two sons who have studied well and speak good English. He is clearly a proud and educated man and given he tells us he is almost 50 has looked after himself.  We are getting ready to depart when a new plan is hatched. He will return to his down of Ben Guerir with us and we can have something to eat as his guest. He heads off down the road on his mountain bike.

We quickly pass him out with our thin tyres and racing frames. The lads pass in the van and we agree they should pick up Mohammed so he doesn’t get left behind and we don’t have time to wait.  We press on and cover the 40kms in the arid conditions pretty quickly. Ollie is drinking water at a rate of knots as he suffered bad leg cramps the day before. It is seriously hot, much hotter than the coast as the land becomes much more arid and dry as we head towards Marrakesh.

Within a couple of hours we arrive in Ben Guerir and Tim signposts us to a left turn as we enter the town.  We trundle down back streets and attract lots of cheering and interest from the local kids. Finally we arrive at a small alleyway and Mohammed is there to welcome us into his home.  It is a small doorway into his house which is on several levels. His wife is fixing us some traditional Moroccan food and we are ushered on the roof. It is a great sun trap and we relax and catch some rays. There is cold water and also Moroccan Mint Tea. Happy Days.

Timing and plans for the day have now become more fluid. Lunch will be served when it is ready! Mohammed’s son Larby is there and is other son beginning with S (cant remember sorry!) is coming from Marrakesh on the train. We are going nowhere fast but as Mohammed says it will cool down later and we should get a tail wind.  We talk about all sorts of things, we discuss dreams and adventures.  Mohammed tells me “if you want to change the world then first you must change yourself”. I like this and will add it to our book for the reprint.

The eldest son arrives from Marrakesh having recently started a new job which is the source of much pride and excitement.  Lunch is served on the roof top and there is a starter with chicken, rice, pulses and a sort of wheat pancake in a stock. We sit around the low table and tuck in from the one huge bowl. Ollie and I are panicking about eating too much before our final cycle. Then the second course arrives with tasty chicken and home made bread. It is all delicious. We make our excuses to leave. Wait there is a round of cold soft drinks which Larby has got from the local shop and a photo shoot. “Sante! New Friends”.    Ollie and I hit the road and get cycling, feeling very bloated!

It is about 60 kms to Marrakesh and our eyes search for each road marker depicting less miles between us and our destination. I have mixed feelings. It has been amazing, great people, brilliant support and something I am very proud of. But also I have been away from home for 7 weeks and need to get back to work and life.  I have enjoyed the challenges of kayaking the channel, crossing the Gibraltar Straits and paddling in huge Atlantic Waves. I am also proud of completing the cycling, not something I am used to, covering huge distances including African tracks, the steep hills in Morocco and of course the Pyrenees.

The journey has changed with different travel companions and also the different obstacles I have had to overcome. I have enjoyed the bits on my own and the solitude and I have loved sharing this adventure with close friends.  The final miles wind down, less than 20 miles left and we spot Rob all kitted up and ready to roll.  He cycles the final miles into Marrakesh and the 3 musketeers share the final time of this journey.  It is now dusk and Tim (who has really been amazing over the last week in particular appears like Mr Ben from the TV show with lights and final drinks. Fair play to him driving my van in Moroccan traffic, his usual car is a Smart Car, three of which could fit in my VW). 

We cycle into Marrakesh as darkness falls and make our way to La Renaissance Hotel.  Le Fin Est Arrivé.  So what are the stats, 2210 miles from London to Marrakesh on the bike, 153 miles by kayak, giving a 2363 miles in total. I have lost over 10 kg over the course of the journey and hopefully got a little bit fitter. The Big 5 kayak challenge 2010 has been amazing and I have loved it. The two sets of 5 challenges have meant over 4621 miles of kayaking, canoeing and cycles in two years.  So many people to thank for supporting us, in person, driving vehicles, taking part and sponsoring our charities. You know who you are but let me thank you from the bottom of my heart.

So what next? Chill out for a little while in Marrakesh and savour the moment. Get the van home from Morocco back to blighty!  And then take some time out before….yes you’ve guessed it…some more adventures. This is not the End…This is the beginning. 2363 miles is a long time to think of new ideas, expeds and adventures so watch this space.  Ollie asked me for three words to sum up the London to Marrakesh Express, I replied “I Loved It”.