Atlas Mountains

Travelling to a village on the foothills of the Atlas mountains (by car- not camel or mule) it was interesting to learn that the villager's livelihood was mainly based in the orchards they tended- pears, plums, apples- as well as in the abundance of gnarled Walnut trees growing around the village.

As everywhere in Morocco- both in towns and remote habitations- here were beautiful, individual doors.

A memory from my first visit to the Atlas Mountains- in the early 1970's- was of the wonderful fat, iridescent blue and terracotta pink Roller Birds, sitting on telegraph poles- I searched for them, but did not see them. Neither did I see the flocks of brilliant Bee eaters- but there were compensations.

On the way home we stopped off at Kasbah Tamadot, owned by Richard Branson- wonderful views but after our village and after Jnane-Tamsna it felt irritatingly European.....I was only allowed to take one photo (see last one)!