We are now in one of my favourite places in Morocco: Kasbah Ellouze in the tiny village of Tamedaght, past Ouarzazate and Aït Benhaddou.

Maybe it’s the peace and quiet. Maybe it’s the mountain views and the date palms in the valley. Maybe it’s because there is no traffic. But mainly it’s because of Colette and Michel who own and run this wonderful guest house with their dedicated and attentive staff (El Amine, take note!) and serve the most delicious food this side of … well, France, I guess!

We left Boumalne relatively early and visited a rose water distillery first.

Then on to Ouarzazate for some money exchange and a welcome coffee before stopping to overlook Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to movie studios, where Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia, and more recently Game of Thrones were filmed. Some purchases from the roadside stalls before travelling a few more kilometres down the highway to Kasbah Ellouze for lunch.

Then on to painting.

The non-painters explored and/or swam in the pool.

A totally delicious dinner in the jazz room ended a very pleasant day without too much bus travel. The weather warmed up from a chilly start in Dadès to a very warm afternoon at the Kasbah, but all day was hazy and misty, which sadly spoiled some of the scenery. Hopefully clearer autumn weather ahead tomorrow.