Season's Greetings

Half a Christmas tree drawn in the sand at Essouira by the retreating tide.

A magical forest  -- also in the sand.

The fountain dressed up for the season.

Also my study window...........

Riad al Madina/Essouira

We have stayed at the Riad Al Madina very often over the last ten years and always found it very comfortable.
Years ago people like Jimi Hendrix were meant to have stayed there.
A few years ago they did it up a bit too "Pier One Imports" but even so it's oddly charming.
Here a little bird helps himself to the breakfast buffet.



Reflections in the bedroom...........



One of the downstairs sitting rooms looking out onto the courtyard..........


Pattern upon pattern..........



Comfortable cushions in a rather Marrakech-y coral!
There is an interesting article on the Atlantic coast of Morocco in the English Sunday Times Travel magazine for July.

People about Town/ Essourira

A couple of people have asked how far Essouira is from Marrakech. It's a two and a half hour car or bus ride - down a 2 lane highway.........
used by buses and lorries/trucks/ motorcycles, donkey carts......etc etc.
To tell the truth, it's a bit hair-raising.
You travel directly west to the Atlantic coast through stony desert - a rather lunar landscape - until you come to gentle rolling hills with lots of argan nut trees which goats climb up.
All very pretty but I'm glad when we get to the top of the hill and look down on Mogador (the old name for Essouira).




In the late afternoon all the schoolchildren spill onto the street, chattering and giggling and glad to be free for a moment.
The girls whispers secrets to their friends...........



The boys wear blue smocks over their clothes and the girls wear pink ones.



Looking down from the window of our hotel at the little hardware store.
You can see little open sacks of dye powder. Think what fun all you craft experts could have with it. Willow, would it make the dog hair you're spinning prettier.......?



Down by the harbor, some fishermen in their rubber boots and thick sweaters sit by the orange juice stands.


Sitting by the dock of the bay........or rather standing and sitting, just enjoying the view.