Well, I’m now back in town after our visit to Essaouira, a coastal fishing town featuring far more vowels in the name than is strictly good for it. Aside from that though, Essaouira was absolutely lovely – and mercifully much, much cooler than baking Marrakesh, as well as being far more chilled out and relaxed to boot. As you can see from the pics below, it definitely has a feel of a Spanish or Greek port town about it – in short, highly recommended.

Day 1 was spent just exploring the old town, until a case of the old intestinal “Marrakesh Express” brought me temporarily low later that evening, meaning I had to bow out of drinks and dinner this time round. Did Lyle drop a note in response to my message on the WhatsApp group, or ask me the next morning how I was doing…? Did he fuck. I wouldn’t mind, other than it’s his actual job and all, and without exception everybody else (who were, by contrast, not being paid to be nice) thought to do so… Lyle did at least have the good grace to look embarrassed when I pointedly remarked “I’m fine Lyle, thanks for asking” – a rare puncture wound in his seemingly otherwise permanent state of sheer and utter self-absorption here…

Fortunately by the morning I was feeling more or less all better again and able to re-join the group at a morning cooking class, where we made an absolutely delicious fish tagine – just my kind of food: healthy, vibrant, fresh and flavourful. In short, a really good day!

As for now I’m back in Marrakesh (after yet more excruciatingly cringe Lyle minibus karaoke antics en route), just writing this up before heading out for the final evening with group. Apparently Lyle also had to give last night a miss due to being knackered, so now that he is officially rested – is currently threatening to bring “two nights of Lyle for the price of one” tonight. Dear Lord, spare me please!