I arrived in Marrakech on the Friday at 9am. Edwina and Taufik collected me from the airport and, with two other guests, we were driven up into the Atlas Mountains. We made a brief stop for a little coffee (Edwina mixes the coffee with a cardamom based spice mix which is divine), and then later stopped for a delicious picnic - slow cooked calamari, roasted cauliflower, pumpkin jam, potato salad (not as we know it!), meat balls, sardines grilled on the fire, and more!
We then visited a few temples and palaces (you've seen my photos of the tiles).
That night we shared a lovely dinner- the two other ladies staying were Cindy and Adele. They each spend 11 months of the year working on yachts. Each with their husband works for wealthy people on their yacht (separately - each couple basically runs a whole yacht each - the sailing, cooking, maintenance, cleaning etc everything) - the owners aren't always on the yacht, - they might want to meet it in the Caribbean, or Portugal or somewhere else in 4 months time, so Cindy/Adele + hubby have to get the boat there in time. It was fascinating to hear all about it - they have done some amazing things. I really had a great time with them.
On Saturday & Sunday we visited the food markets, spice market and then just cooked and cooked and cooked. It was heaven.
Cindy and Adele left on Monday morning, so I had the day to myself. Edwina took me to a couple of lovely shops and I bought (and I shouldn't have spent the money but I couldn't resist!) a gorgeous leather bag (which is perfect for work as it fits everything) and a fabulous dress. It is made entirely of old material - including a front panel on the skirt which was once a tapestry wall hanging. It was the tapestry part that sold me - Sue, you would LOVE it. Edwina and I walked through the souk and had coffee. The rest of the day I spent lounging on the roof terrace, reading my book (I'm reading Gone with the Wind!).
Edwina and Taufik drove me to the airport at about 8pm, and I was back at Gatwick airport, London at 3am. I then slept as much as possible on the coach to Birmingham - and then went to work (with very crazy hair!).
It was such a great time - it was lovely having 4 whole days, and Marrakech is so different to London that it felt like longer. I will definitely go back - sometimes Taufik heads off into the countryside to visit his family, so I said I could go and help with the cooking classes every now and then - which means I'd just have to pay for flights. BUT Sue, if you want to come, I'll go anytime!!
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