Wandering into Marrakech

We couldn’t resist going to explore.

Just round the corner, one of the gates to the Medina

The Kutubiyya Mosque, dating back to the 12th century…

…with some repair work going on.

A stork making the most of a communication tower.

Jemaa El-Fnaa Square, especially busy at Eid.

To finish, a couple of photos showing the brilliant evening sky. 

Our Riad in Marrakech

We left our friends to enjoy a bit of family time and caught the train to Marrakech.

Luckily we had good instructions to get to our riad…

…lost in the Medina.

Behind the front door this was awaiting us!

Tine at our room…

…and view from the room.

We had a lovely comfy bed…

…hot water…

…and just look at this handbasin!

After a hot day, what better than a dip in the rooftop swimming pool?

First views of Casablanca

We stayed at Najia’s apartment in Casablanca. Najia is Mehdi’s mum & Selim’s ‘mima’, a lovely woman.

 

Élodie & Najia up on the roof, with a good view and an area to hang your washing.

Walking around you can see how big football fans the Moroccans are.

 

It might have been a bit cloudy but the temperature was high and people were enjoying a dip.

Our first glimpse of the Hassan II mosque (more in a forthcoming post).

Selim is a racing car & motorbike fanatic, so happy to have a go!

Back at Mima’s a musical interlude. 

And we’re off again

We hardly had time to empty our bags before heading off to Morocco with Mehdi, Élodie & Selim.

Well, almost. After waiting for hours the flight was cancelled and we ended up in a hotel in Nantes for a very short sleep.

There was a good view from our window in the small hours though!

Next day we’re on the tarmac and there’s our plane waiting for us.

Our three travel companions

One very excited Selim

Keeping our beady eyes on them. 

Casablanca Airport: a day late but we made it!

Last days before return journey

It was only a short stay but we were happy with our work at the van, plus a very successful reunion of course.

A new sculpture for the centre of Bradford: Saad Qureshi's Tower of Now, bringing together architecture from the many religions in the city.

City Hall on a wet day...

...and scurrying towards the station via the building featured in the finale of the recent Virdi series.

There's always time for a drink, this time at Fanny's Ale House in Saltaire

We called at Nadine & co's on our way to Portsmouth. Do you think Alfie's trying to grow taller than his two grandmothers?

Southsea near Portsmouth: a breath of fresh air for us and a pebbly dip for more intrepid souls.

A new venue for our final drink. Look at their collection...

...especially this bottle of Grand Vin de Château Latour 1997.

We were happy with a last pint of English ale and a glass of wine though.

Next morning it's arrival time at Saint Malo...

...the new ferry giving us lots of space to wander...

...and see where we will be disembarking.

Back at Crook Farm

We're always happy to be at our château on the moors...

...understandable with views like these, good weather...

...and bad.

On the moors we could see the ferns developing...

...and cotton grass too.

This monster is on the park itself

We were busy for some time at the caravan, varnishing friend Mo's excellent new decking...

...and staining the old fencing.

It's as good as new!