Tuscany

Ummmm yum! Pizzzzzzzzza!
A beautiful Italian light in our Hotel room in Florence
Nat goes shopping!
Florence
Where's Wally?
Florence
Our hotel room in Siena...
Ahhh the Smart car!
Pisa
Is that tower behind me on a lean?
Hehe! Simon holding up the tower with his big guns
Some random taking a photo of me... hehehe

We flew into Pisa for a long weekend and drove our way to the beautiful Florence. Italy is my favorite country in the Summer time and Winter time. I just love it! The Italian food, scenery, style and of course their accent is all good!

After a short sharp visit to Florence to see David we drove south to Siena. Trussell, you would be proud! I now know why you named your daughter after such a gorgeous city. We didn't manage to take many photos in Siena as we were spending most of our time in either a bar or restaurant.

Simon loved driving our wee Smart car on the Autostrade... hooning along at over 120km and being over taken by every Italian at a casual 170km! Those Italians sure know how to drive... or perhaps not... The Autostrade is a quick way to get somewhere, but I'm now telling you from experience... don't take the wrong turn off! We were literally 2km away from Pisa and we took the wrong turn off which took us half way back to Florence! There was no where to do a U turn on this motorway!

Oxford, England

One of the streets in the city
It gets cold in Oxford. Check out the moss on this sign!
Beautiful Autumn colours ...
'New' College
We caught a train out of London Paddington station and went to Oxford for the weekend. It's so close we are asking our selves why we hadn't made the effort before. Beautiful old city with such friendly people. Crazy considering how close to London it is.... even the bus drivers were saying hello and good bye to everyone!

We spent Saturday walking around the city and the University with a 'walking tour'... may sound a bit touristy but it's a really good way to learn about a city that has so much history...

I think our dinner on the Saturday night was one of the best we have had in Europe since being here... or perhaps that was because of the wine and Mojitos we had... nah seriously, it was all good!

David Gray

On Monday we went to the Roundhouse in Chalk Farm (north London) and saw David Gray... great voice and awesome venue!

Momix, again...

For our second year running we went to see Sadlers Wells' Momix. This year it was the 'best of' show with the best bits from each show... really amazing what the human body can do. Cool!

Marrakech, Morocco

Arrival in Marrakech courtesy of Royal Air Morocco
The spices of Morocco
Ummm yum, getting my daily fresh orange juice for 3 dirham (20p)
Me with all of my shopping :-)
Ahhh the snake charmers in the main square
More spices...
Us in the 'Slipper Kingdom'
Our Riad's bathroom
Our beautiful Moroccan style room in Riad Bayti
The main area in our Riad
Belly dancers!!!!
Indulging in a Moroccan red wine...
Stop! The sign is universal, no matter what language. (p.s it was over 30 degrees but I had to wear this scarf to cover my shoulders)
Camels...
Simon going for a ride on a Camel
Off he goes...
Having a wee rest
See the camels on the back...
Having a relaxful time in our Riad at 'tea time'
Mint tea... sooooo good!
The main mosque in the square
Markets in the square
Shisha time!
Breakfast time...

Wow - what more can I say! We have just got back after four days in Marrakech, and still can't believe we were there! The most enlightening experience for both of us!

The sensational markets selling everything from spices and orange juice to the most beautiful leather bags made from camels... not too much tack from China which was nice... so many slippers to choose from and all of this goes with lots of bargaining! Simon was a bit scared to even try to start the bargaining after I got a name for myself as a Berber which is known to negotiate a tight bargain. hehe.

Was interesting to understand more about the Arabic culture and see how the north of Africa really works... the hardest thing for me to get use to was the way woman are treated. Whenever Simon was away from my side I literally had men coming up to me and telling me I was beautiful and just wouldn't leave me alone until "my man" came back... was kind of flattering to begin with, but after a while it became very annoying and at night, a little scary... even the Customs officer on arrival said "you are very beautiful" in the sleasiest tone you have heard!

On our second day we ventured out of the city to find Camels. We actually found them without having to go too far... Simon was brave enough to ride one, but I decided not to. Someone had to be the photographer right?

We were lucky enough to escape the hustle and bustle of the streets in our Riad - traditional large Moroccan home. Through the uninviting door you enter the peaceful oasis... just check out the photos. The only noise coming in here was the prayers that were broadcasted over the city five times a day... including one at 7am!

Better go put on some mint tea in my new slippers :) True Moroccan style...