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!

College reunion, birthdays & a gig

The main reason for our quick return visit was to attend a Bingley College of Education Reunion.

There were only two from my year group but I knew quite a few other people.

Friday night was disco night in the Students Union & Maggie May was a firm favourite in my era!

I met a former colleague of our friend Les and took the opportunity of sharing this photo with her.

Whilst back 'home' it was great to help Philippe celebrate his birthday.

Phil with Tracks boss Lucy who shares the same birthday (even the same year), a perfect excuse for a party.

We drove back to our château on the moors so missed this impromptu gig session with Betty & Alfie...

...and Betty's 'show' complete with backing dancers (Jade & Luka)

We even managed a gig with Philippe backing his friend Harri

Visitors at the caravan

Betty came to stay for a couple of days whilst Alfie was on a football weekend.

Here showing off her playpark skills...

...getting to know the alpaca statues in Roberts Park...

...or enjoying a treat at the caravan.

Other visitors had four legs each...

...a herd of sheep 'terrorising' 🤣 the caravan park, jumping over the wall. The poor farmer must have walked miles every day rounding them up!

Sometimes it's good to be just the two of us though, especially over a picnic lunch.

Arrival in Sheffield & curry nights with Steve

Our journey up north this time was horrendous so when we found out the M1 was blocked north of Sheffield we sent out an emergency call to Philippe.

And here we are showing Phil that we had arrived chez lui.

Phil had nearly finished working so we went for a stroll near-by...

...spotting these two examples of wall art.

Later we visited Jade's allotment...

...and more importantly, a local pub.

Next day after a very welcome sleepover at Phil's we drove up to the caravan and soon were enjoying a curry at Peacocks with old friend Steve.

Posing as always, with a pint...

...showing us the new extension at the curry house...

...or his new t-shirt, designed by James, who we've known since he was a varicose vein. (You'll have to ask his Mum about that!)

Another night Matt's mate Martin was showing off his new Meta/Ray-Ban glasses that can take photos too!