Jones

Today was very much a travel day – we set off early and drove east to Meski, with only two stops – bread and walking Flynn.

We are only allowed two months away from home before our house’s insurance company throw their hands in the air, deny us insurance, and invite the local arsonists round with promises of free petrol and fireworks. So, taking a reasonable view of the risks, it’s time we turn north and head back to winter.

Tonight’s campsite is the municipal one close to La Source Bleue – a spring feeding into the river Ziz. Sadly the spring is now a stagnant pool, and greenish rather than blue. 

Legend claims a woman of ill repute, Lalla Zninia, stopped to rest here at what was then plain desert. She spent the next three days repenting her wicked ways, and God was so impressed that he showed forgiveness by having a spring gush beneath her feet.

It’s odd how different the phrase “a woman of ill repute” is to  “a man of ill repute.” The latter has probably done worse than had a few boyfriends.

Anyway, the campsite was beautifully situated beneath date palms, and once we’d waved away the owner’s younger brother who wanted to show us the way and improve his English*, we had a good walk through the oasis to the ruined ksar.

*I know, we’re bad people, but we just prefer exploring alone.

Flynn even got a swim!

Back at camp, we played a game of the very appropriate Targi, which always takes longer than we think. I won quite decisively, which I shall note here for when I inevitably forget it.

We were determined to cook outside as this may be the last time we can, so out came the Skotti, and we cooked a cous cous**, roasted vegetables, a harissa dressing and lamb  (or possibly goat) chops.

**The first time this holiday, and it was Waitrose’s wholegrain. Tsk tsk. Moroccan brownie points removed, demoted to beginner grade.

We did have to eat inside Jones, but still, a win for January.