N'Kob and The Jbel Saghro

And it's warm, well during the day but at night the temperature plummets to around freezing as it should under clear skies this time of year in the desert. The pool is not for swimming in ! Looks nice though.

We're settled here for the moment. It's a tranquil place, pleasant locals and stunning scenery to be explored. To our north is the mountains of The Jebel Sahgro. Home of the semi nomadic Ait Atta tribe. A fierce bunch historically. The last tribe to surrender to the French in the 30's and not after having fought against huge odds and numbers, to make their own terms of surrender, allowing the French to get on with running the protectorate as Morocco was then. They have never been pacified so I understand.

For us, we can't be a threat because they are warm and friendly as we ride out into the mountains to explore the region. The motor bike comes into it's own and is why we bought it for in the first place. To explore.

As we wend our way up into the mountain valley, we find a spot to stop by the side of gentle running water which appears to have a giant anaconda lazing in the shallows.

Not so, it's a water pipe! The valley is green and fertile in places and this pipe must be the very life's blood of these mountain communities. Jbel Saghro means dry mountain in Tamazight. It is the driest area in the region.

But not on this day as the trickle of water literally echoed through the valley, a sound that must disappear as soon as the winter passes.

I wandered away from the water into this harsh landscape. How hot must it get here in the summer months? Life must come to a standstill as the heat intensifies.
 

 So I return to the resident artist at work, shading herself from today's strong sunshine. This is a perfect spot for drawing and being. On a hill in front of us, a small child sits quite high up just watching. The stranger with the silver umbrella seems hard at work. The aging hippy, wanders about talking to frogs. A strange lot these tourists.

So come on Krysia, times passing. There is an hours drive back down to N'kob. The temperature will soon be dropping. And no doubt, we'll have to stop on the way down to take in a view or catch a shadow. 

                            Shadows. 

It's a tough ride on our legs and bottoms, a rough track all the way. So we are both glad to be back at the campsite, able to unwind, relax and reflect on the day's remarkable journey.

                                                    And there's a drawing to be finished.

                                            Jbel Saghro mountain stream