Sunny Safi

I know it's chilly in the uk right now so I'm not rubbing salt in any wounds because the air temperature here is anything but warm! Sunny it is but there's a cold wind coming from the north, keeping our hats and coats top of the must have handy list!
Headed south yesterday along the beautiful coast road from El Jadida to Safi. Such a fertile area running along the coastal strip for about half the way, then barren cliffs took over with grand vistas over the sheer drops.

We settled in to the spacious campsite at Safi, along with the army of french motorhomes that accumulate everywhere and all seem to leave at dawn! before we've even got up. So this morning when we did rise, there was ourselves and an English van left, which was quite nice.
It was only 9am.



At mid-day, we walked into Safi, about a mile, via the port which was bustling with activity, based around the catch of the day, sardines. The trawlers are all made of wood and a builders yard is close by where new boats are being made in an age old fashion.

Rows upon rows of these majestic workhorses line the side of the quay. Sailors busying themselves with boxes of fresh sardines or getting a snack of deep fried catch, good humoured and obviously hard working, makes the start to our day-out a delight.




I inspect the fishing fleet and am pleased with its turn out

Krysia decides that this old timer could do with some maintainance.

And the sailors paint symbols on their boats to keep the opinions of nosey tourists to themselves as well as for good luck at sea!









On into town and a meal at a local cafe followed by tour of the small Medina.

We wander the back streets as well as the Rue Socco, amid pleasant Salams from locals and especially shop keepers. Local shop keepers are the salts of this country. Honest folk who wouldn't take an extra dirham from you, as we found out when we gave 16 dirhams instead of the asked 15 for some veg. No he said, khamstash is what I asked and you gave me 16! Here's a dirham back, with a smile.

Now Safi is renowned for it's pottery and as soon as we enter the souk we are accosted by the now familiar, 'hello my friend, where you from? you want to see the pottery factory?' La, la and more la's we say ( that's no!) , we just want to walk without guide. Within 5 minutes, we find ourselves inside a small room being shown how pots are made! Booboo is obviously a tout, a very pleasant one and the potter, Mohamed was trying to earn a bit on the side. Of course they had said that they were just showing us around and blah, blah, blah............ look guys, we know the score. We are not going to any shops, we do not want a guided tour and you said it was all for free, didn't you! Sheepishly, booboo says ' a little something for me?'
Sometimes you just have to be firm and even though Mohamed is obviously a talented potter, he's got a job and should leave touting to booboo, who should go and get one!! a job that is. or at least not trick you into the whole charade

Anyway, no harm done and we go our separate ways no problem. mushkien mushkil

A 6 hours outing leaves us ready for a calm evening in our home away from home, or our flying carpet as I think I'll call it from now on.

Take care in the cold
love
The Beynon's