There’s similarities to capital cities around the world. Wide open roads, gracious buildings, a feeling of solemnity and administration, well kept gardens and big monuments. Rabat fits the stereotype, albeit with a 12th century casbah and great Atlantic coast to add some variety. Art gallery, and the King’s palace in Rabat. An unfinished 12th century … Continue reading Rabat, a capital city →

We passed through Casablanca today, and it was valuable to get a second impression, as the first visit was pretty uninspiring. The place still doesn’t rival Marrakech, but does have some interest after all. The square of pigeons … but the mosque, built in 1987 taking 6 years, is awe inspiring and enormous yet simple. … Continue reading Casablanca revisited →

Some photos from today’s wanderings, through the souk then a palace ( used in various films including James Bond) with a local guide, then dinner at the market in the evening. Marrakech is amazing, somewhere you could easily lose yourself and so many little corners, streets, alleyways. Sure there is some hassle and there are … Continue reading Marrakech markets and palaces →

A bit of a blur, really. Casablanca; getting lost and walking the wrong direction so missing the Medina completely but being helped by two great gentlemen. A well needed cocktail at the rooftop bar in our hotel. A great train service, efficient and easy for two non-French speaking tourists to use, with decent coffee on … Continue reading First impressions →

Off travelling again 😀 to Morocco for a three week tour with a couple of friends. We decided a tour would be the easiest and safest way to enjoy the country, it’s an active tour with lots of activities and different places to visit. I am happy not to have to worry about organising buses, … Continue reading Retro travel →

This year’s Australia Day was celebrated in a very Australian/Italian style, making passata from 150 kg of beautiful Roma tomatoes. It was a fun , hard work day of chopping, boiling, puréeing ( if that’s a word), bottling, boiling again then the clean up. There was lots of gossip, shared food and sparking wine for … Continue reading Australia Day, passata style →

Well it has been an interesting Christmas and New Year, with a bout of severe gastro making Andy totally unable to come down to Walpole, and me going down on my own then heading back up to Perth for a sober New Year in bed by 11pm. Christmas Day itself I had a lovely swim … Continue reading New Year 2024 →

… I’d actually enjoy sitting watching cricket. I’m sitting at Perth Stadium, watching a test match and it’s the third day I’ve turned up for a few hours. For those who know about, and love, cricket that’s pretty standard. For those who know nothing about cricket, it’s a slowly developing, strategic play that seems glacial … Continue reading I never thought … →

After I think 8 years and a half, I skied again for four days this holiday. It was 4 days of gentle skiing on very easy runs, not too many runs with a fair number of hot chocolates in mountain side cafes to rest and recover. There was none of the fast, aggressive black run … Continue reading Skiing again →

From country Tasmania, to big city Melbourne. Trams and people, skyscrapers and bustling shops, packed restaurants and art galleries, such a change and a bit of a shock after a peaceful and very rustic week. A ferry to Williamstown, through the port the size of which I really hadn’t appreciated, followed by a walk looking … Continue reading Two days in Melbourne →