mosaic road

Give Credit Where Credit Due

Nearby my residence is an apartment block that has always looked vacant. It has many "for sale" and "to rent" signs up. It looks like a very decent building but who knows what's gone on and why it has remained empty. In an attempt, a rather odd one, to lure the punter some beautification of the street frontage has taken place. Not landscaping but stone painting. I am unsure about the longevity of the paintwork in the climate extremes here or if it will pull in any buyers but someone has had enjoyed doing it and it's a little bit of fun. For me it gives a kindergarten feel and not what I expect in front of upmarket apartments but hey, each to his own.

 

 

 

 

 

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Bestever Pizza

This was the freshest and yummiest vegetarian pizza I have eaten in my lengthy pizza eating career. I love pizza but it has to be a thin, thin crust with a generous topping. No skimping. Pizza and good pizza, at that, is easy to find in Morocco. I shared this bestever one in the remote town of Ouarzazate. This town is the gateway to the Sahara and it is a hair raising four hour bendy and mountainous road trip from me here in Marrakech. Too far for a home delivery . The cafe, facing the enormous square is called Habous. It is big, open round the clock and even has a bakery attached. No wonder they can whip up a perfect pizza base. Great coffee and people watching too.

 

 

 

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360 Degree View

 

 

 

 

 

This rocky hill, topped with two enormous boulders, is the perfect place to see the Rose Valley in Morocco. It stretches in every direction before you in its entirety. This view gives true meaning to the saying " on a clear day you can see forever". The hill is found on the outskirts of a town called Kelaat Mergouna, famous for its rose products. A Rose Festival takes place In the town every May and one day I hope I will get to that. If you are on a road trip through Morocco then this is a quick stop to see a very worthwhile vista. And, unusually so, it's free.

 

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The Sweetest Gift

 

I was given ALL this chocolate today. Such a wonderful and thoughtful gift. Some very lovely guests know I am very serious about chocolate. They also know that Morocco, while famous for its food, is not the place to find quality chocolate brands like my beloved Cadbury. Thank you so much L and J. You made me one very happy chocoholic.

 

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New Releases

I love a new release, a new flavour, something old reinvented, a re hash, call it what you will but I always want it the minute it's out. I do love a bit of instant gratification. I am not talking about cars or technological stuff like phones but culinary foodie things. So today I picked up the new release Limited Edition Nespresso capsules, one from Rwanda and one from Mexico. Boxes are so attractive with bright coloured capsules .Tomorrow morning's coffee time can't come soon enough. I would be sipping now but it's early evening and they are not decaf variations.

 

 

 

 

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From Wo to Go

 

 

 

 

 

 

I regularly take orders for these wonderful rustic pure wool Pom Pom blanket and in fact eight were ordered last night by an after midnight phone call from Australia even though it is midsummer there. So I headed off to see my "blanket" man this morning . All those huge skeins of wool will be woven into the creamy blankets. They measure 3 m x 2 m and are very heavy and very cosy. One of my daughters last year who always feels the cold said sleeping under hers changed her life !!! So if you too want your life changed and to never feel the cold again, just let me know. I have a deal with DHL and get close to a 50% discount on shipping.

 

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Purple in the Pearl

 

 

Purple, according to European research and the wonderful Wikipedia is the colour we associate with royalty, magic, mystery and piety. Walking into the foyer of the Pearl Hotel in the Hivernage district in Marrakech does sort of stop you in your tracks. It is very purple and plush and very fitting for royalty. It does excude a little magic and mystery as it is a very big area, quite dim with dark corners containing deep velvet armchairs. And the serenity would certainly be fitting for the pious. You could hear a pin drop. There is a glossy grand piano and exquisite floral centrepieces on every table. Luckliy you don't need to be royalty to visit.

 

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Any Excuse

After this lengthy horrible fluey thing I have lost a bit of weight. This is not such a good look in women of a certain age. So my mission is a little weight gain. This is a fun mission and means ice cream every day. Just for a week I will indulge in all culinary whims.

 

 

 

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You Would Just Never Expect This

It's winter here in Morocco, mid winter in fact. Today I was going out to lunch and on the way I had to stop and make a mercy dash to buy a summery T shirt. It was 27 C by midday and I was overdressed and expiring. Blue skies stretched cloudlessly and endlessly. I met my friend C and we took a taxi to a cafe attached to a gorgeous hotel. Not only was the weather a surprise but then I sat on a glorious rooftop overlooking Marrakech eating Japanese food. Tempura vegetables and sushi ! Not a tagine in sight. Pickled ginger and wasabi. Heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

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The Quintessential Hamam Towel

I had not encountered this product till moving to Morocco. They are everywhere here in pastels and plains with pretty fringeing. The hamam towel possibly had its origins in Turkey hundreds of years ago, known as a peshtemal. This word translated means waist cloth and is used as a form of cover up in Turkish Baths. It is made from a flat woven fabric, either pure cotton or a cotton mixed with bamboo or even linen. It is not the loopy shaggy terry towelling material that a standard bath towel or beach towel is made from. They have become incredibly popular as they are so lightweight and perfect for travel and the beach. They can quickly manifest into a sarong, scarf or wrap if the need arises, are very absorbent and dry fast. So if any one wants one or several of these "multitasking" towels, please let me know. I can post easily with DHL as I now have an account with them which offers me discounted shipping.

 

 

 

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