Thursday 11 Feb

Last day in Morocco today.  The morning was grey and mizzle; a stark contrast to the past three days. Got was at a Jack Niklaus course called Samanah.  A lovely course and very nicely set up - built from scratch from desert!  Ingrid and I were split up today as there were an odd number of players.  I got the shorter straw in that one of my team was not the most proficient golfer but it was still a good game - especially when the sun burned through and things warmed up.

Tonight we will have dinner with the other competitors - a Moroccan meal in the sister hotel.

Tomorrow we will be off to the airport at 0900 for a noon flight and back home to something a lot cooler and damper we fear.

Wednesday 10 Feb

We played at The Montgomerie Club today - a new course designed by Colin Montgomerie.  As it is new, the trees and shrubs are not developed so it seems a bit open in spite of there being apartments and villas overlooking many of the holes.  The time of year also means that there is little rough so as long as you are reasonably straight it is not too hard a course to play.  Another beautifully sunny day, perfect for golfing.

We shall dine at a local restaurant tonight - one that we have been to before and enjoyed.  Last night's choice, recommended to us, was nice but quite expensive for what it was.

Tuesday 9 Feb

Today we played a course that we had been to last October - Assoufid - it was in great condition and the whole group enjoyed the course.  Again, the weather was perfect - not too hot, but plenty warm enough for those escaping the UK.  Having seen pictures of Sundridge Park flooded by Sunday night's rain, we realise that we are very lucky to be playing in the sun.

This course is a little outside Marrakech and you get the feel of the local landscape, with the areas alongside lush, watered grass being made up of olive and date palm trees and cacti in bare earth.  Also, had the chance to get close to some local wildlife (which we declined) in that we were warned by the group ahead of a 'big' snake in a bush near one of the bunkers.  Fortunately, none of us were near enough to be forced to visit the area and none of us were going voluntarily!

Monday 8 Feb

It has been a lovely day in Marrakech, with temperatures getting up to the high 70's and the sun shining in a cloudless sky.  We played golf at Royal Golf Marrakech today.  One of our group was feeling ill this morning and did not feel that she could play, her husband stayed at the hotel will her.  There was a re-jig to who was playing with whom.  We played with a couple from Ireland who were very nice and, after an indifferent start, ended up with a reasonable score.  Spent the afternoon reading.  The doctor was called out for the sickly lady and anti-biotics prescribed so we hope she is feeling better tomorrow.  The organiser arrived this afternoon too - when he had said he could not get on, he meant it literally!  He has a fear of flying and physically could not make himself board the plane.

Marrakech Again

Arrived safely at our hotel after an uneventful journey, albeit with a very early start this morning.  Got a call last night from the organiser.  Apparently, he has had issues with his flights and, therefore, we have been appointed his substitutes until he arrives!  So much for gong away to beorganised by someone else.......

Forecast appears to be good for our stay here, so we are looking forward to some golf with in the sun over the next few days.

Our room overlooks the pool (above).  Although the safe is a conundrum - 

 

spot the deliberate error!

Marrakech Day 4

Golf today meant another relatively early start.  However, Ingrid was already awake and suffering an upset stomach so had had a fitful night.  Ciaran and Pete met for breakfast leaving Ingrid to decide whether she wanted to play. Having emptied herself she felt a bit better so came to play. 

She probably shouldn't have as she was not feeling great and was a bit dehydrated - not good when temperatures are rising to the upper 20s and you do not think you can keep water down!  She made it round but decided to retire to catch up on a bit of sleep and liquids rather than go into Marrakech with the other three of us.

Ciaran, Barbara and Pete covered a lot of ground in the old city, getting a full spectre of the markets, the local quarters around the town (not all on purpose) and a regulated craft co-operative.

We also saw the outside of the main mosque and went into the Mamounia Hotel, where Churchill stayed on his visits to Marrakech.

We are due to have a Moroccan meal tonight, which will be approached by at least one of us with some caution.

Golf tomorrow morning, then some time by the pool before a transfer to the Airport and a late arrival back into Gatwick.

Marrakech Day 3

Today we had an even earlier start with a 7 o'clock pick-up.  Not for golf this time, but for a tour out across the Atlas Mountains and into the 'pre-Sahara'.  It was cloudy when we left and as we climbed up the mountains we went into the clouds, which rather spoils the views.  However, when we got near to the top of the pass (at some 7,300 feet), we spotted some blue sky and the clouds parted as we drove on.

We were treated to some wonderful views of the mountains and valleys and of the Berber villages.

We stopped off to visit a Kasbah (castle) which looked shabby from the outside and, indeed, from the inner courtyard. When we climbed to a higher level, there were some wonderfully tiled rooms, with Moorish doors and views out over the village.

Then on to a village down the valley where we lunched in a local cafe with views of one of the first stopping points for caravans leaving the Sahara on their way to Marrakech and on to the coast.  After lunch we visited the old town, across the river. This was a walled town on a river which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It has been used as the backdrop in many films from Lawrence of Arabia in 1961 to Game of Thrones in 2012 (with lots in between).

Then on through more eye opening scenery given that the rocks have been lifted up by Earth movement and weathered by downpours and meltwater off the mountains.

Once back on the main road it was back to our hotel to arrive as darkness was falling for a shower and a welcome glass!