Author Archives: Andrew

Getting Covered

Goatherd tending her donkey, Todra Gorge, Morocco
Camera: Panasonic DMC-GX7 | Date: 16-11-2013 11:17 | Resolution: 3596 x 2397 | ISO: 1600 | Exp. bias: -33/100 EV | Exp. Time: 1/160s | Aperture: 6.3 | Focal Length: 122.0mm (~253.0mm) | Lens: LUMIX G VARIO PZ 45-175/F4.0-5.6

We had a dawn start to photograph the town of Tineghir from a panoramic overlook. It’s suddenly very cold – not much above freezing first thing. The angle of the light was again a challenge, but I got some good shots of back-lit palm trees and layers of haze.

After breakfast we went a bit further up the Gorge du Todra. The gorge itself is not easy to photograph, but we had good luck with goat-herds bringing their flock to the river, and with the vendors who now line the tourist section. One of those was very hospitable, and happy to pose for us. He then persuaded us to look at the cheches – Arab head scarves – and we all bought one. I went for a very elegant cobalt blue (resisting the temptation of a dramatic orange or pink ;)), and the rest of the group followed suit, so we’ll all match in the desert tomorrow.

After that we set out on the road, heading through the Jbel Saghra mountains to Merzouga where we’ll head off on camelback into the Sahara. The drive wasn’t terribly interesting, but we were treated to a nice sunset over the mountains, and have been promised entertainment with dinner, although that will be for another blog.

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W’as ‘Is At?

We started the day with a short drive to Ouarzazate (pronounced “was is at”) which turned out to have very uncooperative banks: none would cash a travellers cheque, and one even refused to change sterling and dollars into dirhams despite Continue reading

Friday, November 15, 2013 in Uncategorized

Kicking Up Some Dust

Still in Ait Ben Haddou, after a quick trip to the top of the hill and back we found ourselves back in the kasbah museum. Someone had the idea of kicking up some dust to illuminate the strong shaft of Continue reading

Exploring Ait Ben Haddou

Dawn start to photograph Ait Ben Haddou lit from the East by the rising sun. This is a very familiar view to viewers of a certain class of film. We spent the morning mainly exploring the interiors of a couple Continue reading

Over the Mountains

On Wednesday we moved off from Marrakech, up over the Atlas mountains. Quite a long drive, made even longer by a couple of factors. Firstly a bus full of photographers will stop repeatedly to shoot every pretty hillside village. Second Continue reading

The Water Seller

The friendly water seller. Continue reading

Thursday, November 14, 2013 in Morocco Travel Blog, Travel

Day Three – Gardens, Snakes and Haggling

I’m falling behind a bit with my blog, not for any technical reason, but simply because the days of this trip are so packed they leave little time for anything except sleep. Day three was also spent in Marrakech. We Continue reading

A Career in Modelling?

Well not me, obviously! 🙂 Mind you, our guide for our second day in Marrakech, Mohammed, was even more generously padded than yours truly, so maybe it’s not the barrier you might think. Within half an hour we had him Continue reading

Exploring the Souks

A gentle first morning, waiting for the others to arrive, but by lunchtime we were assembled. It definitely works well for me arriving slightly early and having time to sort myself out. After introductions and a leisurely lunch, we got Continue reading

Tuesday, November 12, 2013 in Micro Four Thirds, Morocco Travel Blog, Photography, Travel

Off to Morocco

Well the Morocco trip is finally here. In the words of Magna Carta (the band, not the power sharing document) “I’m sitting in an airport lounge, waiting for a plane.” The weather at Gatwick is completely grey and depressing, but Continue reading

Sunday, November 10, 2013 in Morocco Travel Blog, Travel

Dysfunctional Hotel – Not Impressed!

Today I was working in Solihull at short notice, and couldn’t get into my regular hotel, so I’m trying the De Vere Village. This is a modern and allegedly upmarket hotel in Shirley, but I’m simply astonished how poorly it Continue reading

Monday, November 4, 2013 in Thoughts on the World

The Lakes Get Posher

Day 9 Early start for long drive to Lake Como, which involves crossing another couple of mountains. Getting out of Riva Del Gardo complicated by one way system and tunnels, and we end up half way down western shore of Continue reading

Sunday, October 13, 2013 in Italy 2013, Travel