Monday, April 21, 2008

Gracious Hosts in the Countryside

There is a huge walled garden full of old olive trees and a long drive bordered by luxuriant roses.
Some of the roses need dead-heading to make more and better ones - even though there are plenty already.
The old-bat English lady-gardener in me determines to bring secateurs next time.
What joy it would bring me to do real gardening rather than just fiddling with pots on the roof.
Peacocks and guinea fowl roam in the olive orchard.



There are all sorts of other birds and animals but I'm saving their pictures for tomorrow.



Roses decorate every table top -the handiwork of an artistic five year old of my acquaintance. Her excellent sense of design was probably inherited from both her parents. But, even so, she brings her own individual flair to it.
CocaCola. This is drink much beloved of the Moroccans - as well as everyone else except me. I always like to see it with Arabic script on the bottle. It looks more exciting somehow. For nasty/nice sugared water I'd rather go for Hawaii - a really bizarre yellow brew sold here.



All the drinks - including fresh orange juice and two kinds of water - fizzy and flat.
I can drink tap water here but mostly don't, except for cleaning my teeth.
Of course there is beer and wine for the grownups.
One little boy (aged 4) decided to pour himself a glass of red wine. Luckily he was noticed and gave the most beatific smile as it was taken from him........



The big table indoors has African artifacts on it which make me think of the south.
But today is for outside.



I'm not quite sure what plant the yellow sprinklies came from - but I like the effect.



Pink on pink is so chic. There was lots of food including green sausages - see Flickr. They looked poison but tasted fine.
The secret ingredient turned out to be spinach.......



Even the bathroom window - very high up - is sort of intriguing.

17 comments:

Maryam in Marrakesh said...

So glad you enjoyed it. We look forward to having you both over again with your secaturs!

Tess Kincaid said...

The peacocks among the old olive trees looks like the scene from a movie...so exotic.

Marja said...

What a gorgeous green garden and I just love peacocks with their beautiful feathers. The child is only 5 years you said and such an artist. The flowers are very decorative.

sukipoet said...

oh the roses, so beautiful. What a lovely day it sounds you had. Love everything. Colorful. Can you collect fallen peacock feathers?

shelley said...

Elizabeth,
When I read this post - I wondered to myself…… - peacocks - olive trees - country - this must be Maryam's "Peacock Pavilions". You lucky fish! Can't wait for the other pics.

Shelley

Jennifer Thermes said...

Beautiful. No black spot on those roses, either! ;-)

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

all the colors together are just mesmerizing, but i seriously love that black and white table cloth!

hj said...

Nice Blog !
Vive le mAROC!

Willow said...

What a delightful day! I'd love to borrow the florist to do my arrangements.aybe she could teach The New Boy.

Barbara said...

I can see it must be frustrating for you if you love gardening as I can imagine a roof garden over there takes some watering with only a limited variety to grow. The roses are nice and at least you get them early.

Elizabeth said...

Dear all:
It was a lovely day-
for another take on it go to
Maryam in Marrakesh - the first comment and our kind hostess.
Barbara: you are right. I love gardening and would just start in - I wouldn't dream of doing a thing inside a friend's house but in the garden.....
Jennifer: you are right - the roses are prefect - just seem to grow that way. I'm sure no one can afford to spray them.....
Marja and Suki:Yes there are peacock feathers. The son of the house gave me some really pretty ones.
Willow: I'm sure the little girl would make some lovely arrangements for you.

Frank Gardner said...

Oh, Now I know where you went.
These are great pictures.
"Old bat English lady gardener." Ha ha you crack me up!
Can't wait to see what else you have saved for tomorrow.

Ming the Merciless said...

Wow! The flowers look amazing, especially the orange-yellow roses. They look like the ones that smell really great.

carolyn said...

Roses and peacocks what more can you ask for. Oh is that Maryam's place Peacock Pavillions why of why is she struggling to find a gardener when she has you on her doorstep?

Suburbia said...

All those beautiful roses. The smell must have been overwhelming.

I hate coke too. So far the children are with me on this one, long may it last!

Roxanne said...

oh the colour of those roses. you can't invent those. such beauty!

High Desert Diva said...

What a wonderful place, and what an extremely talented 5 year old florist!