Marrakesh or Marrekech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and is the capital of the Marrakesh–Safi region. The city lies west of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Medina of Marrakesh
Founded in 1070–72 by the Almoravids, Marrakesh remained a political, economic and cultural centre for a long period. Its influence was felt throughout the western Muslim world, from North Africa to Andalusia. It has several impressive monuments dating from that period: the Koutoubiya Mosque, the Kasbah, the battlements, monumental doors, gardens, etc. Later architectural jewels include the Bandiâ Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian Tombs, several great residences and Place Jamaâ El Fna, a veritable open-air theatre.
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The Medina is amazing, an assault on your senses. The noises, smells, colours and spaces. In what might look like quite happy streets lay opulent houses and riads. Shops open up into labarynths of space.
The network of streets and alleyways can be quite confusing and on your first day I would recommend a guide, which I did have (Thank you Bridgett). After 4 days I was beginning to get a feel for layout and directions
Le Jardin Secret
Thou, unknown pilgrim
Who from afar doth come
Pray leave off thy rambling
And for a moment listen
Seek out behind the courtyards walls
The orange grove’s green
The Palm trees and the ancient tower
Like the mirage of dream
Open thence this door
Across it’s three levels pass over
And spell bound discover
A secret gardens wonder
Dive therefore into the lushness
Forget all woes and cares
And in this Heaven is a nook
Relish therefore your happiness
George de Noyâr
Featured are just a few of the many images from the trip.
2020
“This is worse than the war (1939 – 45) at least we could go out!” – my 91 year old mother.
The Other Sides to Bird Watching
This item is an open page to which I shall add content as I think of it or encounter it. Bird watching in its own right is a pleasing experience, to also capture good images or video, or even do a sketch or field painting is a bonus. I know many bird watchers that no...
French Alps Les Gets 2007
Les Gets is a commune in the Haute-Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in south-eastern France. Les Gets is situated on the col between Taninges and Morzine, at the western edge of the Portes du Soleil ski area....
RSPB Frampton Marsh
RSPB Frampton Marsh - Lincolnshire - 3rd September 2019 https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/frampton-marsh/ I think I visited Frampton Marsh on a 'quiet' day. There were birds about but not in any large numbers apart from flocks of...
A Hot day in London
The urge to go to London took me there on 23rd July 2019, A very hot day, temperatures in the low 30’s. So armed with lots of water and sun cream I caught the 10.26 train to Euston.
Dungeness Kent
I was advised that I would enjoy Dungeness for its photographic opportunities and strangeness.
I researched the area before visiting and writers often use colourful language to describe it, using words like dystopian, bleak, stark and wild. I had looked at a variety of images of the area and therefore had a sort of preconception about it.
Warbler, Music and Bites
Sedge Warbler at Stortons Gravel Pits NorthamptonAn interesting and varied week, which includes the solstice!. On Sunday I visited Ravensthorpe Reservoir. I have often boasted that I am good at reading the weather, well not this time. I was about 5 minutes into my...
Lanzarote Canaries
Lanzarote, is one of the canary Islands off the coast of Africa. Close enough for the Sahara sand to blow to the islands in huge amounts. It is largely volcanic and in relative terms has has recent eruptions
Titchwell RSPB Reserve
On 26th February 2019 I made my 1st visit to the RSPB reserve at Titchwell North Norfolk. The weather was amazing and had been for days previous. Clear blue sky and 17 degrees on the beach (in February). ...