During the period June 19th thru July 3rd. 1971 myself and a work colleague, Malcolm Peach, joined many other folk on an 18 - 30 holiday at a camp site 30 miles out of Tangiers.
I have often reflected on that time and, as the years roll by, I wonder how the other people we met have fared. A search for news of that experience revealed little. Perhaps it's of no consequence. It was a long time ago and people get on with their lives.
But, just in case you were there and, like myself, just wonder...........
I will be adding to this blog in due course.
One of the many hut circles where you can see here,on the right, Little Mo's. I can't remember Mo's job
but she provided assistance. The young woman
at left was, I believe, the camp medic. (MAGGIE!)
I met her at a Discotheque (the Penny Farthing)
in Barnstaple, some 12 months later.
A small World!
.
hello'
ReplyDeleteI was there that Summer of 71. The Fort Disco, Super Boc Beer. Yellow Bedfords. Water Sking with Sharks oops. Coloured Shells for money & Arab Kids & Charlie Chaplin. I lost touch with the last one 1986 in Almansil (Portugal). I came home at the end of the season (October). I understood a lot of the personal went overland to the then new Sun City in SA using what was still serviceable of the Bedfords. I find it hard to believe though. On the other hand I have never seen or heard of any of th e group that went to SA so perhaps they did and stayed made their fortune in Sun City. there was money there 2 b earnt early on.The pic of the girl in Hot Pants hand over face is a bit of a mystery. The sorta uniform was cheese cloth jalabahs sawn off Jeans & cricket hats. I don't remember any of the staff wearing that sorta stuff you would have been burnt to a cinder only the huts the fort & the mess had roofs. One of the groups of huts was called SALE (Sarlee) Do you remember what was written on the wall either side of SALE.
Hi, you too & thanks for commenting.
DeleteFor a minute I couldn't fathom which lady you were talking about but I have it now, (orange pants, yes?)
Now, it's been a long time but I think she was "Mo". I vaguely recall she was some kind of camp nurse (her day off that day)
Anyway, during the following October of that year I met her in a Disco in Barnstaple. She happened to be there staying with a friend I believe it was.
I remember her coming over to speak to me and we parted up with that line "it's a small World."
That's the limit of my info on that one.
I would have gone back the following year as most of the crew I met up with went a second time. I had paid for the event but the oil pump on my Jag broke & I had to cash in the holiday to get it fixed.
The bloke I went on holiday with, (Malcolm) took his wife there many years later, during the late 80's I think.
I never heard from him in all the years since then but I gather he's done ok for himself.
So, there it is. No, I have no idea what was written on the hut. Enlighten me if you feel inclined.
Anyways, I don't know who you are but "all the best" to you. Churs etc....
Dear Bob, I have hi jacked your site to shout I am Mike Harris and I drove a truck. John Boffee was in our group of four trucks ie 100 punters a complete batch on the three week and two week to Fez Safaris. I am mjwh@outlook.com I have the original and second brochures, pictures and lots of stories. Please spread the word i am still alive at76 and living at Yeovil. Mike Harris.
DeleteYeo!....Mike, what took you so long ma man?
DeleteGr8 to see you here and you have a shed load of info, memories and photos, you mention.
Look, if you want to have your info etc on a page just let me know.
You can email me :
bobfriendship@tiscali.co.uk
You'd be more than welcome whatever you decide.
Give me a shout eh?
All the best,
I was there in July 1971. We arrived overnight,and awoke the first morning(July 10th)to find there had been a military coup. I remember having to drive through road blocks whenever we went to Tangier, and on the journey to Fes.It was a great holiday,and have many good memories.One evening, at sunset, I was one of those picked to stand on the roof of the disco,for the guy who was photographing the next brochure. Sadly, I cannot find the brochure, or any photos of my time there.
ReplyDeletetimes going on........do please introduce yourself.
DeleteThanks for stopping by.
Keep/be safe,
Bob F.
My name is Marion Ferris (neeJones) and I live in Wiltshire. I have such good memories of Safari Village, and it's nice to see photographs and comments from other people who were there
DeleteMarion, hi and thanks for stopping by to leave your memories. I have elsewhere made an apology for not responding to your post earlier.
DeleteI guess, like others here, we can look back on some very happy times in our formative years, vibrant and full of "it" - wonderful times!
Do please pop back anytime and meantime I wish you all things good and best of health.
Take care,
Best, Auld Bob Friendship.
I was at Safari Village as the camp mechanic 71/72.
ReplyDeleteThe camp came under new management mid 71 as the original owner bailed out.I bumped into him through a mutual friend about ten years ago.
The camp closed 72/73 A friend told me it is now a large hotel at the end of ny time there I drove with a friend overland to Rhodesia(Zimbabwe) and then on to
South Africa.
The only person I can remember by name was Celia Kent who was a water ski instructor. I must admit it was a great place to work and had a brilliant time
Time flies..... Mark, how you doin'? Hope you're ok.
DeleteI have flashes of inspiriation and have added a few items since last here.
Thanks for your input, it surely was a great time and place.
Drop by anytime,
All the best,
Bob F.
Hi Mark
DeleteIt’s Gordon I would hope that you remember Celia !
As I remember Angela
Hi . My name is Maggie Hodge nee Pearson. I was the Camp Nurse at Safari Village Asilah in 1971 . Think it was 71 or 72 . Forgotten exactly. I met Dave Hodge the Welsh Ex Black Watch Piper ( Taffy ) He worked for S V too same pe
DeleteSame period. Anyone remember Terry Reed LIFEGUARD. He and Taffy blond bombshells !!!!. Terry sadly died couple of years ago . We all live in Brighton. Dave and I married . Had x2 children x2 Grand Children . Dave and I no longer married but friends as they say . I have no photos of those days in Morocco. Very fond memories . Love to hear from anyone that remembers us and Alister too. He died many years ago . I saw Frank Mc Grath ( and Jackie ) at Terry s memorial in Btn few years ago. Frank helped St up S V . Love to see Brichure etc of S V . Regards Maggie ( now age 74 yrs ) . How time flies
Maggie.....how wonderfull to see your comment here, so pleased to hear from you and to know you are ok.
DeleteTell me, that is you on the first page, 2nd photo in the red shorts by Mo's hut?
Do you remember, in the September of '71 I think it was, you visited the Penny Farthing Disco in Barnstaple & we saw one another there? I remember saying "it's a small World".
I dare say more folk would have seen my blogg but for the fact that I don't sunscribe to any of the social platforms with the exception of youTube, but....here you are and how good is that?
We are just a few here but several who worked at Safari have stopped by and left comments.
Do you still have contact with Frank? If you do, ask him if he remembers that year of '71 and an occassion when he had to ask a tall, blonde chap to refrain from wearing daggers in the resto. That was me, I considered I was the swashbuckling explorer type, not to be confused with the murderous type of course!
One of our group, Big Ken Bateman christened me "Aggro" and that seemed to go down ok with most of our group.
The chap I went on holiday with, Malcolm, left our place of work and went on the become an important figure in the dairy industry. I have not heard from him since that time, more than 40 years.
You say you have no photos of Safari in which case I do hope you have found some left here to re-kindle memories of that time.
Looking back I believe that our generation had the best of it. I know every generation tends to say the same, but ours was coming into a much free-er society with many new aspects of Life to discover.
I don't see it going a similar way nowadays. Our Time was, for the most part, great fun and, of course, we had our youth to set it all alight.
If you have any further comments, do, please, jot them down here.
As I said, it is so good to hear from you.
If you do have contact with Frank, give him my best and say thanks for setting Safari up!
I wish you all the very best and to be safe.
Bob Friendship (alias "Aggro")
I think that is me in the yellow shorts. I recognise the legs !!!!!!. Can not see my face and can not remember photo being taken. I did tteturn to UK for short while in the Sept 71 I think and worked in Barnstable for very short time as a nurse at the local hospital before returning to Asilah via Gib ( worked at local hosp there for a while ) after working as the Camp Nurse I lived with Taffy( Dave Hodge ) my then boyfriend . We lived in a hse in the Winter with Brian Jones Alistair Cambell Col...... and some others. We had fun. I made Shepherds pie with greasy mince !!!. Kept a tin plate with a stone on top to stop rats coming up the sink. We had a clor gas shower and I was gassed. DAVE saved my life and I survived. He ho. Dave and Alistair went on to run a Cafe in Tangier . Eventually we all returned to U k. Wild days over. Dave and I married. He became a Social Worker . I worked for the N H S . We had x2 boys . Moved from Hammersmith to Btn in 1981. Met up with old friend Terry Reed. He was at the Camp in Morocco to teach people to surf . Well meant to. Terry became a good friend . He sadly died 4 yrs ago. Dave and I separated in 1988 but jointly brought up our boys . They are now aged 42yrs and 38yrs. Have x2 gd children. They live in Cornwall. I am Cornish but remain in Btn . Believe Alistair died quite young. Believe Brian Jones still going must be in his 80s . Those were the days . Mad wild but fun and we survived to tell the tale. Love to be in contact with anyone who remembers me . There was a girl called Beverly. We use to ride our bikes into Asilah I remember. I think I remember Mo . Excuse any typos . Not checked. My E Mail is maggiehodg@msn.com . Saw Frank Mcgraw ( who helped set up S V and Jackie some 4 yrs ago at Terry Reed's Wake. Best wishes all Maggie Hodge nee Pearson
DeleteMaggie, I've placed a larger photo on the front page because this is you with Mo, is that so? Unfortunately the slide is not best quality and I'm unable to enhance it.
DeleteHave you been able to recognise any of the others who were working at SV during your time? Both Gordon Bufton (working at SV) and Graham Keys have left photos that they have.
Anything else you recall do, please, leave it here.
I'll be back so take care,
Best, Bob.
Today, October 14th. '18)
ReplyDeleteAhmed, if you see this, thanks for getting back to me. I have misplaced (as in lost) your comms on my iphone so....
I'm so sorry I don't have any photos of Asilah but if you post here maybe one of the folks following can help.
Great to hear from you and I hope you are well.
Get back to me anytime, please.
Ok thanks Bob
DeleteHi Bob. I was there in Summer `70 before the introduction of the palatial huts.....we managed with tents and mine was named "Figuig". Highlight was the journey over Tizi n` Test with the 3 Bedfords before the overnight in Marrakech staying in Hotel Foucauld close to the square. I`ve also heard from Ahmed re photos of Asilah but I couldn`t help him. He`s on Facebook......Ahmed Bouhali.
ReplyDeleteHi,
DeleteI think maybe I just replied to you but just checkin'.
All the best,
Bob F.
Hi. I was there in Aug 1970 in a tent. I remember haggling at the bazaar, Sarah the monkey and the fort etc.
ReplyDeleteI still have the original brochure. We went there by coach and had an overnight trip to Fez in one of the yellow trucks with bus seats. The total cost was about £35. Happy days. Graham.
People - THANKS for dropping by and leaving your memories. We did enjoy it all! What it was to be young, aye?
ReplyDeleteAll are welcome here. All the best to you all, Bob F.
MERCIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
ReplyDeleteAhmadoun,
DeleteThank you - great to see your earlier message and many apologies for not getting back to you.
Could you re send your message content, please?
I need to shake it up here a I don't stop by often.
Whilst here can I just say "Hi" to everyone who has chosen to follow my old Blog.
Anyway, I just hope you are all in good shape and free fom "The Disease".
My Best to you all here.
Bob Friendship.
Ok thanks Bob
ReplyDeleteI immigrated to London from my birth town Asilah in 1972 to West London (Shepherds Bush area). Would anyone happen to have any more pics of the town itself or any locals I May recognise. Thanks
ReplyDeleteAhmed,
Deletethanks for stopping by and good to hear about yourself.
Are you asking for photos of where you live now or from Asilah?
Some of my group would walk up to your village, there was I remember a cafe just near the entrance to the town where we would stop for a drink.
You take care and keep safe,
Best wishes, Bob F.
Hello Ahmed.
DeleteI see that Bob has posted my photo of Asilah.
Its the only one I have and I took it at the end of our walk along the beach from the Safari camp.
(See Graham Keys photos).
Not much detail but thought you may like to see it anyway.
Best Wishes, Graham.
Hi Bob I worked for Safari in 1970 and was one of the originals who drove down to Asilah in two yellow Bedfords setting up camp sites on the way. My job was mechanic try hard to keep 17 old ex. army Bedfords on the road. I'm still in contact with a few of the original staff. I have a 1970 brochure and film/video/DVD of Safari and Asilah. Take care. Alan
ReplyDeleteAlan,
DeleteI thought to make a reply from my phone but it is useless for this really. Can you tell me, is the site easy to view on your mobile because the scheme looks crap on my iphone.
Your srchive memorabilia must be most interesting.
You are free to include it here if you wish, entirely up to you.
Hope you're doin' ok,
All the best,
Bob F.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSsfari is considered the first tourist resort in the Moroccan city of Athilah, and that was in the early seventies, but for some circumstances it changed the place that was so far from the city, in another place very close to the city, a distance of 1 mile .Also its changed the name, wich became called Camp Africa. This camp was visited by many msny tourists from England and its affiliated countries . It was usedto work 6 months a year , from May to October . ThCamp was loved by everyone and especially the touwn's residents . As it was an important economic artery for the touwn . Unfortunately, when its work contract ended, the town’s first official did not want to renew the contract for the Camp, and it ended in 1985. That end was a knockout blow for it and an authentic resident .. Everyone liked this Camp and everyone was waiting for the coming of summer and the opening of the resort doors
ReplyDeletefisherman,
DeleteHi & hope your doin' ok.
I see I have deleted some replies, this done on my phone in bad light so please don't be offended.
It's indeed interesting to view your comments. You are right, the camp had good vibes (whilst I was there) and I didn't witness anyone falling out which made for an enjoyable holiday.
We made a few excursions out of the camp and the local folk were very welcoming and friendly.
As I have said here at the beginning, it was my first holiday abroad and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I do hope you are ok and keeping well.
Drop by any time with anything you might like to add.
All the best,
Bob.
Hi Bob , hope you are well ..Woul you please post any more photos of Safari village , if you have some ones of course. All the best
DeleteFisherman
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteI was working on the camp 71-72 and have fond memories.
I stayed on site With John over the winter until the Moroccan Government stepped in and we beat a hasty retreat back to the Uk.
I spotted Mark and Morton’s Land Rover going through Asila after Christmas , Marks home made Bull bar on the front made from 2 leaf springs.
Hi Bob
ReplyDeleteI have some pictures from the 71-72 season if you want to see them please will you advise me on how to put them on the site
Regards Gordon
Gordon, welcome and thanks for stopping by with your news.
DeleteYou made contact with Mark after all the years, many tales you could recount between the two of you and others who had worked at the site.
I'll gladly put pages up for yourself and anyone here who might like to do same.
The permissions for invited authors has an issue which is why I offer to do it myself but we could give it a go if you wish.
Just let me know ok?
Hope you're (all) enjoying the recent good weather, not before time either!
Cheers,
Bob F.
Hi Gordon, nice to hear from you after 40+ years. Went back to the uk and went out with. Celia for a short time. Went off to work in SA eventually ended up in Spain via Norway and other places. And now residing in Sunny Devon. Will try and put some photos on the blog at some stage. All the best. Mark
ReplyDeleteHi Mark
DeleteVery nice to hear from you after all this time, I can’t work out how to put pictures on the site! This is an email address for me rum1948gjb@gmail.com and a phone number 07931596306.
I live in Wiltshire and this year our caravan is in Budleigh Salterton.
Regards Gordon
Hi Mark
ReplyDeleteWe are going to Devon this week
Love Reading all these replies. My E Mail is maggiehodge#msn.com. I have made x2 comments in blogging. Excuse typos. I was the Camp Nurse Summer 71 I think. Not 72 but may have been as never kept a diary . Wish I had as such fun. Anyone got a copy of the later Brochure. Now live in Btn. Settled down few yrs after Morocco marriage kids etc can not believe I am now 74yrs. Still old hippy at heart. Anyone with any news do E Mail me . Maggiec.
ReplyDeleteMaggie, did you discover the brochures left by Gordon and Graham?
DeleteThey are pretty good.
Good to have contact with Mike Harris!
Best,
Bob.
I did Bob but there was a later one .
DeleteHi, Mike Harris here, did you rub icecubes over my naked body in Frank Mcgrath's caravan when I had dengi fever? they later put up a big kaki tent for you to treat people in. Just found this blog i'm mjwh@outlook.com for a chat and please spread the word I am still alive at 76 and live in Yeovil Somerset Mike Harris
ReplyDeleteMay have done if Simmer of 71. So wish I had kept a diary as so much O have forgotten. Dave Hodge .k/aTaffy in Morocco was my boyfriend. He worked with Brian Jones as Sevurity and doubled up with Terry Reed as Lifeguard . Dave Alistair Cambell and Brian lived in Asilah in the house that Jon Lucrift and his girlfriend lived in before
ReplyDeleteWhere was was gassed by faulty calorgas run shower but survived with no obvious long term damage !!!!. Live in Btn . Knew Terry Reed well in his older age. Sadly died few years ago . Had rather rapid cancer . Miss him. Remained fun all his life . Dave and I married . Had x2 kids . Sadly our marriage did not survive past 20yrs. Long story but good whilst it lasted my E maggiehodge @ msn.com very welcome to communicate via my E Mail. Love to see any more photos . Has anyone got the 2nd brochure .whilst working as the Camp Nurse for x1 season I became frienly with young Woman called Beverly. We used to ride our bikes into Asilah. Sadly did not keep in touch. Anyone know of her . Take care everyone. Do contact me if you are in Brighton . Maggie .
Hi. We went on holiday to Safari Village in 1971 I think. I was 12, my sister was 14 and my mum was over 30. We were allowed to go there because my mother's solicitor was a shareholder and we’d been going through some shit at the time.
ReplyDeleteWe arrived at the airport to a welcoming jellaba clad beautiful folk saying “are you the group?” To which we said. “Yes!!” I had my guitar with me so they thought we were the proper BAND. (They would fly out a band each week). The actual band arrived later that night. Natural Acoustic Band. I spent many an hour with Tom from that band learning songs. It’s a memory that stays in my heart and I’ll never forget.
comp-crew, good to have your comment and for stopping by.
DeleteHope alls good with you,
cheers,
Hi everyone. I was a fellow traveller in 1970 along with my school chums, Andrew Perry and Bob Cotteril. We still wax lyrical about the holiday we had in the two weeks from 25th August to 5th September 1970 and we still have the yellow booking confirmation sheet.
ReplyDeleteWe have been trying to recall the route we were taken on by our driver Bob (not sure if there was more than one Bob or not in the team). Andy recalls one of the Safari trucks, along with its trailer falling down a ravine from a very narrow roadway. We think this was somewhere in the Atlas mountains.
The holiday certainy made an impact on each of us as a holiday of a lifetime.
If anyone can help with the route plan and the sequence of places we visited that would stop out brains exploding!
Dave,
DeleteHi and very pleased you have stopped by my old Blog. Yes, mate, it was a great time - the Time of our Lives - the power of youth. You may find a lead to your driver and, perhaps, your route if you check thu Mike Harris' page which has much about his time and what he got up to as a driver. He did crash his truck into a tree whilst driving thu the jungle.
I assume your mates are still here so pass my best on to them, will you. If I were fitter I'd suggest a get-together but it's not on my cards right now.
Come back any time with any questions, whatever. We are a small bunch with that common interest.
All the very best, Bob F.