Day  Nine

Date:     6 May 2013

Place:    M’gouna (Valley of the Roses)

Weather:   Sunny and hot

Accommodation:   Gite D’etape Tamalaute

It was a lazier start as we are staying two nights in the Valley of the Roses.  Before breakfast we handed in our ‘camel’ clothes to be washed by the local ladies – no name given so we were looking forward to what would be sent back to us!

Our group met at the front of the gite for out ten kilometre walk up the valley.  It was coolish however the day warmed considerably as we moved along.

The view from our terrace....looking down the valley.

 

Stopping at a little shop on the way.

Strolling down a lane just up the road from the shop.

 

The three elder women of our trip went as far as they could enjoying the smell of the roses and the beautiful day before being picked up on the roadside as we emerged from a dirt path.  The single lane path followed the rose hedges, maize fields, small crops, palms and scattered poppies dotting the fields.  It was a very pretty walk along the valley to the Kasbah where we stopped to look at the old house of the pashir and enjoy a mint tea.

Building materials along the way.

Crossing streams.....

....following the path beside maize fields.

The day had warmed up considerably and it was a hot walk back to the hostel.  It was a fascinating walk as the green-ness of the valley contrasted sharply with the stark bare cliffs which rose prominently from the valley.

Strolling up to the old house on the hill in the Kasbah.

The top floor....dressed in camouflage!

A close up of the houses from the top of the house.

 



The beautiful roses along the way....small blooms and leaves but a powerful scent.

 

Washing the clothes in the river....we tried to spot ours! 

 

The walk had certainly built up an appetite and we sat down at two-thirty for our Berber omelette and bread.  It was delicious once again!

This afternoon we had a lazy afternoon – what was left of it anyway and we took the chance to catch up on some sleep.  A few of us strolled back to a shop and we met up with some of our shadow Peregrine group who were enjoying a cool drink at a small café.

Before dinner we were summoned to collect our washing.  After a few openings of plastic bags I found the clean gear.....knowing they had had a tough time down at the river.  Along the way we had seen clothes being dried on the rocks so I expect this happened to ours as well! 

Dinner was a goat and vegetable tagine which we had with red wine purchased in the supermarket before we headed up the valley.

We were a tired group after our hot leisurely walk.  It was off to bed to sleep under the heavy Berber blankets.....so heavy I felt I was pinned to the bed last night!