Features of the Landscape: Dry Stone Walls

Round here, field and garden boundaries are marked by dry stone walls.  If you look in the background of this photograph, you’ll see them running across the hillside, curving with the contours of the land.

Constructed with no mortar of any kind, building them is a skilled job.  My friends, Eddie and Thomas (above), are both true craftsmen. Once built, the walls may stand for centuries.

Of course, this isn’t the only part of the country - or of the world - where dry stone walls exist.  But they remain a defining feature of this landscape.

Treasure From The Souks

Every morning at Peacock Pavilions, these dainty spoons would appear on the breakfast table.  Nestled in pots of jam and honey, resting in bowls of salt, lying beside mugs of coffee.

I tracked some down in the souks and brought three of the tiny treasures home for you.  If you’d like their cheery stripes to brighten your own breakfast table, just leave a comment below.  You’ve got until 9am (GMT) on Tuesday (28th).  I’ll choose a winner at random.

Peacock Pavilions

Two words were enough to lure me to Marrakesh: Peacock Pavilions.  The name of the place we stayed sounded like something from an enchanted tale.  And enchanted it is.  Enchanted, exotic, exclusive and extraordinary.

The Pavilions were built five years or so ago by husband and wife team, Chris and Maryam.  Chris is an architect; Maryam has an enviable talent for styling interior spaces (one of her many talents).  The result of their joint endeavours is a hotel that feels more like an exquisite home.  I’d return there in a heartbeat.

I’ll always remember:

Lazing by the pool, waiting for freshly applied henna to dry
Hibiscus cocktails
The beautiful Gazelle Room
Watching Hideous Kinky in a tent after sunset
Sitting on floor cushions around a long, low table to celebrate Valentine’s night and Irene’s birthday
Lemons hanging from trees in the sunlight
Sprigs of rosemary in baskets of bread
Ancient olive groves
The family cat asleep on my bed
Standing on the roof with Scout the dog
Helping Skylar, Chris and Maryam’s delightful daughter, to tackle an ambitious Adele song on the piano
Swinging from a tree in the shade
Lunch on the terrace
Hot water bottles every night

Monday Meditation (3)

‘Knowing trees, I understand the meaning of patience. 

Knowing grass, I can appreciate persistence.’

( Hal Borland )

Morocco, Country of Cats

Cats on chairs, cats on carpets,
Cats in baskets, cats on beds,
Cats in alleys, cats in the open,
Cats on boxes, cats in bowls,
Cats curled up, cats stretched out,
Cats in windows, cats on walls,
Cats busy eating, cats busy sleeping,
Cats being friendly, cats being shy,
Cats in the sunshine, cats in the shade,
Cats up trees and cats in hiding,
Cats alone and cats in pairs,
Cats in my suitcase….damn, if only!

The Prophet Muhammad was, apparently, very fond of cats.  So, too, are the people of Morocco.  There were cats EVERYWHERE this week.  Which delighted me no end.

Just wanted to bring a (serious) few home…