I set off from my gite to travel to Demnate – this stage of the trip has taken much longer than anticipated. Firstly the days are much shorter than in summer, secondly it is somewhat difficult to orientate myself in the maze of mountains, and finally progress is much slower, the pistes are wet and difficult, the mountain passes steep, and with the worn out tire traction is an issue.

I am treated to my first close-ups with snow, making for spectacular sights of the Atlas.

Finally the tire is changed and it is time to head South, following the R307 from Demnate to Toufrine.

I consider looking for a hotel in Toufrine, but somehow what I find is not much to my liking. But as serendipity will have it, I learn that there is a route directly East to Amezri, that is on no map, neither the Marco Polo paper map I have, nor on the Garmin topographical map on my GPS.

In the dark I drive the first part of the piste until I feel I am far away from any dwellings, and as I find a soft opening in-between the trees, I set up camp in the dark. As my eyes and ears become accustomed to the dark, I realise that there are people in the not too distant vicinity. Not having had the chance to check out my spot in the light, I sleep slightly more attentively.

How fortunate sometimes, I will wake up in a beautiful location and tomorrow will turn out one of the most beautiful rides of the trip.