The wild boar was on the prowl last night. As Mart was talking to Said outside yesterday evening at about 7.30pm, the dogs started howling, first one, then the next, then the whole neighbourhood seemed to join in. We heard snorts coming from the field next to our garden and then lots of squealing and the mad rustling of trees and bushes as our dogs set chase. It reminds me of a John Locke moment in 'Lost' when he was wondering in the forest and suddenly there was a mad dash of a boar past him (which he promptly shot and killed obviously!) Unfortunately, it was too dark to see anything but Said verified that it was the wild boar who had come too close to our garden for comfort and was being warned off by our dogs. Exciting stuff!
We were thinking of staying up late last night to see if we could observe anything of the asteroid which was due to hurtle past earth. If it could be seen from anywhere, Morocco would be a good bet as the night skies are so clear due to the lack of pollution. However, we have read that it will only be visible by telescope, so that's put paid to that idea. It does remind us though that we haven't yet spent any time looking at the night skies and that is usually something we like to do when in Morocco as it always amazes us to see so many stars so clearly set out in constellations - so out come the binoculars. To our surprise, as we focus on the brightest star in the sky we can see little moons around it and realise it must be Jupiter. A quick internet search confirms this. Fascinating to think that we can see a planet and some of its moons that is located 390 million miles away up in the night sky just with a pair of binoculars when we stand outside our front door!
Just managed to get clearer photos of Mrs Dog and one of her puppies...so cute, I just have to post them on here for you to see.
I have known for ages that Moroccans have a death wish when it comes to travelling by road in any sort of vehicle, but tonight that was confirmed even more fervently on our drive back from doing the weekly shop at Carrefour. Firstly, we had to turn left at the junction of two main roads that have no traffic lights - during rush hour in the dark (Jaime, you know this one well!)...it was a case of everyone edging forward forming about three lanes, some people turning left, others right, and others going straight across - but all mixed in together with no indication as to which way anyone was going, the engines revving, ready for the off as soon as there was a tiny gap in the main road traffic. When we did eventually see a gap, we ended up having to make a pretend roundabout just so we could turn left, avoiding all the cars going in both other directions....it was pure madness!
Then, thinking it would just be a straight run home now, we began to encounter cyclists, one after another, who drive along the country lanes with no lights on their bikes at all. I'm amazed we managed to get home without hitting at least one! I tried to explain this madness to Said when I eventually got home - but he told me he has no light on his bike either...'but we have the moonlight, Mrs Kathy...and I have a torch', he says...some things just don't translate well from one culture to another!
Note to self: avoid being in Marrakech during rush hour, at any cost!
Today marks the end of Mart's working week, so I am looking forward to getting out and about, exploring this beautiful place, and also to us having the opportunity to spend time together. I love spending the first three days of the week at home, pottering, relaxing and doing housework etc but I always look forward to the next four even more!
We were thinking of staying up late last night to see if we could observe anything of the asteroid which was due to hurtle past earth. If it could be seen from anywhere, Morocco would be a good bet as the night skies are so clear due to the lack of pollution. However, we have read that it will only be visible by telescope, so that's put paid to that idea. It does remind us though that we haven't yet spent any time looking at the night skies and that is usually something we like to do when in Morocco as it always amazes us to see so many stars so clearly set out in constellations - so out come the binoculars. To our surprise, as we focus on the brightest star in the sky we can see little moons around it and realise it must be Jupiter. A quick internet search confirms this. Fascinating to think that we can see a planet and some of its moons that is located 390 million miles away up in the night sky just with a pair of binoculars when we stand outside our front door!
Just managed to get clearer photos of Mrs Dog and one of her puppies...so cute, I just have to post them on here for you to see.
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| Proud mum with pup |
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| What a cutie! |
I have known for ages that Moroccans have a death wish when it comes to travelling by road in any sort of vehicle, but tonight that was confirmed even more fervently on our drive back from doing the weekly shop at Carrefour. Firstly, we had to turn left at the junction of two main roads that have no traffic lights - during rush hour in the dark (Jaime, you know this one well!)...it was a case of everyone edging forward forming about three lanes, some people turning left, others right, and others going straight across - but all mixed in together with no indication as to which way anyone was going, the engines revving, ready for the off as soon as there was a tiny gap in the main road traffic. When we did eventually see a gap, we ended up having to make a pretend roundabout just so we could turn left, avoiding all the cars going in both other directions....it was pure madness!
Then, thinking it would just be a straight run home now, we began to encounter cyclists, one after another, who drive along the country lanes with no lights on their bikes at all. I'm amazed we managed to get home without hitting at least one! I tried to explain this madness to Said when I eventually got home - but he told me he has no light on his bike either...'but we have the moonlight, Mrs Kathy...and I have a torch', he says...some things just don't translate well from one culture to another!
Note to self: avoid being in Marrakech during rush hour, at any cost!
Today marks the end of Mart's working week, so I am looking forward to getting out and about, exploring this beautiful place, and also to us having the opportunity to spend time together. I love spending the first three days of the week at home, pottering, relaxing and doing housework etc but I always look forward to the next four even more!
Lol I'm still having nightmares about that junction. England roads and traffic are bliss compared to the roads in Morocco.x
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