First some pics of Riad El Amine where we are spending four nights. A great introduction for first time in Morocco visitors as it is full of mesmerising zellige (or azulejos in Portuguese) and lots of different ambiences where one can sit and relax or have a gin and tonic.

Our Monday began with a short guided walk through a few of the 9500 derbs or alleyways that comprise the Fès medina.

We were on our way to the Palais Glaoui where our artist group (now nine since we farewelled Carmen in Lisbon) spent most of the day with Abdelkhalek, an artist who manages this old building, once the home to a rather despicable warlord during the French occupation.

The non-painters were taken on a wonderful tour of Fès outside the medina, starting with the King’s palace and then the old Jewish quarter…

…and on to a pottery where John tried his hand at the wheel and everyone did some shopping…

…and then lunch at Café Clock for camel burgers…

…later a great view of the medina from the ramparts…

…while the artists were saying farewell to Abdelkhalek.

On our return to the Riad, Ev arranged a life drawing session with Hassan, the resident lute player.

And then to end the day, we were escorted through more derbs to reach the exquisite restaurant Dar Roumana. Like so many places in Fès, and indeed in Morocco, street appeal is not their thing. A big wooden door opens to reveal an amazing room, decorated in zellige and wood carvings, that literally takes the breath away. A great meal of lamb and some gris wine.

Tomorrow — Moulay Idress.