Rabat

Off to Rabat on the train this morning, then we had a quick lunch and stored the bags in the restaurant, then set off to see the sights. Abdou gave us notes on the town and a map marking the two main highlights. They didn't look too far on the map, funnily enough, but boy! I nearly died it was SO hot and SO far. Luckily, both places were stupendous! I have never enjoyed a coffee so much when we made it back to the restaurant.

We visited the Kasbah of the Udavas, which is an an ancient part of the city originally built for defence, as it's at the mouth of the river and the Atlantic. It was full of tiny wee streets and lanes, with white buildings, all with blue doors, windows, and walls up to about a metre.

We got invited into someone's house to get a view back over the bay to the city. I thanked them profusely, in French, but I think a monetary reward was expected....

From there we walked to the Hassan Tower and the mausoleum of Muhammed V. It was beautiful. Two soldiers in red uniforms (they must have been SO hot) were on guard on white horses at the gates. They weren't like the ones a Buckie Palace - they were chatting away to us, telling us the names of their horses (I think). The two white horses suddenly started jumping around excitedly - they could see the next two horses coming to change the guard.

Inside the mausoleum was so cool and very ornate. Guards with spears in splendid uniforms at every corner, as well as at every door. All happy to pose for tourists.

We're now on the train to Meknes, First Class. Abdou evicted the men sitting in our booked seats! Chancers!

The group is great, everyone is friendly and good fun. Abdou, bless him, has taken me under his wing as being the old codger most in need of help with her suitcase. He grabbed it as we came out of the station and were faced with hundreds of steps and no working escalator. He also took it back for me. Brilliant! From tomorrow we have our own transport, so it won't be a problem. Not that it is a problem!

So adding 'knees knackered' 'not up to strenuous activities' in the form we filled in for Abdou about allergies/health problems etc worked!

We're going out for a traditional meal tonight (the one poor vegetarian on the tour must be getting slightly bored with a big pile of couscous and vegetables). Then, if we're not too tired, Abdou is taking us wine tasting. Meknes is the wine making area.

Hard to choose a blip today, but the smiling horse just wins by a nose.