Looking east at sunset

Today started with my alarm waking me at 0530. Even Daisy was surprised to see me up then!

Joan collected me at 0630 for the 0659 train to Carlisle from Hexham. There were a few bleary eyed people on this one!

I grabbed a hot chocolate at Carlisle and my train to Manchester Airport ran on time.

I sat next to a young man on his way to Manchester for a special weekend. His Dad died suddenly in September and he was going to watch Bury play this afternoon in his memory. Two of his friends had volunteered to keep him company.

He said he thought he would be shedding tears later on.

I don’t think a young man would have been likely to have admitted this, not so many years ago.

He bought me coffee when I could not find my phone quickly enough.

At the airport I did not realise how far I would be pushing my luggage. I should have taken a trolley, especially later, after a late brunch, when I walked all the way to terminal 2 instead of staying at Terminal 1. I’m doing well on unnecessary walking at airports recently.

I had good company on the flight with a mountaineer who comes regularly to climb in the Anti Atlas mountains. We discussed places we have visited. He is considering taking his wife to Namibia and doing a self drive to include the Okavango.

Finally we landed. My driver was not there but soon turned up.

It is the first night of Ramadan and the new moon was spectacular. I was whisked into the hotel for form filling and a show around. I just needed the loo and a quick wash (!) before joining the group for dinner.

We had to sit on low cushions, Berber style. My back hated it, but the food was very good. There was a tea ceremony too and the tea was not as sugary as I remember.

My room is in the garden. It is great apart from the smell of drains. I think I need to keep the bathroom door closed!

And the blip - taken from the plane as the sun set in the west and the Atlas mountains rose through the clouds.

PS there is Wi-Fi in my bedroom. Hooray!

PPS I wanted to celebrate Joe Tree day but I don’t have a tree image. Here’s to you Joe.