Two Souks and a surf

19^th February

Today's adventures start with another trip to a Souk, the second in two days. This one was in Tamanar, larger than yesterdays but still small in comparison to what they can become. It's a real stunner as its got a souk as well as a small town mixed up into the one event. So friendly and polite are the people. It makes you want to buy whatever they are selling even if you don't need it!

We still buy two kilo's of dates, a kilo of dried figs, 2 kilo's of oranges( 2 dh a kilo! ), eggs, some goat meat,spices, a woven basket, the list goes on and lucky for us, Ken and Pat are there to take our bags, to leave us free for wood collection on the way back. 

We have lunch at a cafe opposite the souk. It's very local food, well all the locals seem to be eating there! I think it's knee of goat with chick peas, a bowl of lentils, a few chips and loads of bread. 22 dirhams! Can't say it was our favourite but when in Rome......... and it was very cheap.

We drove home on the back roads! Driving through time in Argan country, trees as far as the eye can see, and all Argan!. The coast road turns to rough track, piste, but we keep on going as it can only lead to Imsouane, which it does.

We stop to gather cooking fuel and marvel at how these hardy Argans grow on what looks like bare rock. 

Their root systems are amazing. They look very ancient, everything around here looks very ancient! We can't get enough of it. The coast road winds down to the campsite wherer we fie up the barby and tagine our goat supper. Not bad for a couple of lapsed vegetarians but there's something so vital about eating the local food. We eat like kings here and a lot of folk do not. Still, a bit of goats knee won't hurt, we hope? And as for our tagine, I had forgotten how good a goat can taste. Well he was slaughtered outside the shop today! Hopefully our tummies will agree with me!!

I'll try and post this tomorrow if we can find the time to pop out to Argan internet!

Lots of love

Leila Saeida

The goaty Beynon's

18^th February

Another sunny warm day, phew it can be hot! Long may it last. We drove on the bike to a souk in the hills behind Imsouane, which was a small affair, very local, very cheap and great fun. The locals are so friendly. They couldn't be more helpful and are delighted that we try to make an effort to speak Arabic or Berber. We buy amongst other things, a fresh chicken as well as fruit and veg. When we say fresh here we mean alive then ready to take away after the necessary business has been taken care of. Not what we are used to but here they do not have chilled cabinets or freezers.

I forgot to take the modem out with us, so we had to go back to the van and out to Argan internet tree so we could keep you up to date with our adventures. It's a lovely ride on the bike so it's no real hardship, in fact it's a pleasure.!

I had a good surf in the afternoon! I managed to hold my own out the back with the youngsters! Well done me. Although I did sleep very well last night and I do feel a bit stiff today. We watched the sun set from a rocky outcrop along the cliffs, with waves crashing and exploding in the air. A lovely spot and then the mobile rings and we're chatting to mum, Dave and Meg. It's a thoroughly modern Morocco when it comes to communication.

Our chicken is tagine'd to perfection, cooked on an Argan fire underneath the stars!

Leila saeida

The Beynon's