Imsouane

We slipped quietly away from Bill first thing Thursday morning, leaving him heavily gorged on his night of over indulgence. The road to Imsouane is a treasure. Argan trees and smiling faces greet us as we slowly wend our way into the sunshine. Memories abound of visits recent and past. 35 years have passed since we first came this way and the same goats are still climbing the same trees! Honest!
Krysia spots a Souk as we pass through the small village of Tidzi and hails 'Stop Let's go to the souk '

So we do as she is usually right about such things.

Tidzi Souk is as rural as you could want. Charming folk allow us to breeze through without anything other than smiles and welcomes. I immediately strike up a chat with a friendly man, who's business it is to hire out his small motor cycle to children for rides on Souk day.

He strikes up a bargain to swap bikes with us which is not quite tempting enough for me to accept the deal!

But all is smiles and loveliness and I part the best of friends, letting him get on with his trade.

We move on into the Souk, where Ted continues to mix with like minded souls and seems to fit in just right. Although he finds their banter beyond his language skills and has to just fit in the best he can. 

This fine gentleman responds cheerfully to Krysias request to be photographed and poses with pride and grace. 'Makein mushkil' he says, no problem. and I take full advantage of Krysia being the camera woman to get photographed in as many shots as possible. After all, I am so handsome these days in my reincarnation as an Old American Indian!!

So on to the spice seller and another opportunity for me to have my picture taken! He's a very cheerful chap is this spice man and laughs heartily at our request to be photographed. 

                         He insists on having Krysia a bit closer to him and who can blame him.

We leave Tidzi behind and stop at Tamanar for a new tarjine and a woven basket for our dates, as you do, !! and spot this lorry with Krysia's most favourite number on it. 33 but don't try using it on any of her online accounts because she wouldn't be that silly, would she? What numbers do you chose when making up another blinking password? Don't tell, it's better that way.

So at last we drive the old road that we took all those years ago, around the crazy cliff edge bit, down the valley and arrive at the palm grove which signals the beginning of Imsoune. It's also the junction to turn off onto the dirt road that leads us to the newly named Cathedral Point ( campsite ) formerly known as .........Imsouane Campsite !! Owned by an English man named Jamie, it's immediately evident that changes are afoot.  Like the change of name! but Redwan, his Moroccan employee seems to have changed little and is as laid back as you could ever want a campsite receptionist to be. He's a jem and lives in his own time, with a large smile on his face. But Imsoune has been changing ever since we first came here in 1977, then there was very little here except a small collection  of fishermans huts and a well. Now there are apartments and houses being built, surf schools and cafes and a fish market. And even with all these changes, Imsoune still feels like a place you want to stay. A cool vibe exist here that is said to have brought not only Ted and Krysia here in the 70's but also one James Marshall Hendrix in the late 60's.
We wander the site looking for a good spot to set up in and find two friends from last year. Jean-Luc and Simon both give us warm greetings. I'm sure Simon hasn't left since last year although he tells us that he has been home, now and again!! It's great to return here so we settle in and drift away on memories and dreams.
 We arrived here on Thursday 14th March, just two days ago, in case we forget! as it already seems like we've been here a lifetime! I'll post more blogs soon as already, remarkable things have happened.
until the next exciting instalment
sweet dreams
xxx