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London, Morocco and Spain
  • ShaunLC
  • Rosanne Lion-Cachet
  • ShaunLC
  • Rosanne Lion-Cachet

London, Morocco and Spain

A week in London followed by a guided 3 week tour of Morocco and southern Spain - looking forward to family, fiends, good food, new sights, and adventure. Read more
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  • Trip start
    March 28, 2025
  • London, Morocco and Spain
    1

    Dubai airport, a small town

    March 29 in the United Arab Emirates ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    17 hours of travel doesn’t look like much when you write it down. Very pleased to be able to walk around, and walk around we did. It must have taken 10 or 15 minutes of walking to get to the first lift, about the size of a car garage, then another 5 minutes to one of the many trains in the airport, then more walking to another set of lifts, and finally we have settled in terminal C waiting for our next leg to Gatwick. Whew.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    After landing at Gatwick we caught the train to Victoria StationAll together on Primrose Hill

    London calling 🎶🎵

    March 29 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    After a looong two flights, landing at London Gatwick and stretching the legs was great. Even better with no customs checks, so straight through to navigate the London train system. After a few clunky false starts we got to Primrose Hill safe and sound. So good to see Christy and Declan again, and so grateful to Gareth and Raewyn for hosting us. A good walk around in the fresh spring air for a Primrose Hill lookout (along with half of London), and a stroll around the Chilcot Square area (spotted James Cordon in the square having fun with his kids). A very very long Saturday, about 36hrs all up!Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Mothers Day breakfast at a Primrose Hill cafe
    Getting to know the Chalk Farm StationExploring along Portobello RoadPortobello RoadWild Table of Love outside the Paddington StationPaddington StationPaddington Station

    Strolling around Notting Hill

    March 30 in England ⋅ ☀️ 12 °C

    A lovely day walking around Notting Hill today. But first a nice breakfast for Mothers Day (Rosanne got two this year), then on the underground across to Notting Hill. We spent time browsing Portobello market, and strolling around the streets admiring the pretty buildings, pubs, and shops full of everything you could imagine. Also stopped at the Biscuiteers shop - Rosanne’s biscuits are way better! We finished off the day strolling along the edge of Hyde Park to Paddington Station where the girls admired the statue and I admired the Victorian architecture and engineering. Outside the station was an interesting statue with a group of animals having a tea party - looking carefully at the clock on the building behind we saw the shadow of a worker inside the clock giving it a clean which was quite amusing.
    The moment of the day was standing in Portobello Rd and soaking in the atmosphere of the people, the buzz, the happiness, the Spring sunshine.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    The man
    The man's cigarThe man's hatsThe fearless politicianThe statesmanCorridors wide and narrow leading rooms large and smallThe man's velvet suitSome of the items found decades after the war, including a silent typewriterThe red dots were bomb strikes near the underground war rooms (black T) and 10 Downing to the rightThe heart of the communicationsChurchill's office and bedroom

    Churchill War Rooms

    March 31 in England ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C

    A visit to the British government cabinet war rooms, secretly set up underground in WW2 to run the government and the war effort. Churchill plus many other government and war officials worked, ate and slept here amongst a labyrinth of corridors and rooms.
    A moment of the day - in the war rooms and having a small sense of how difficult it must have been to keep up the spirits during the war.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Lots of pretty sights along Piccadilly
    The OG of scotch eggs. Yumm.Burlington Arcade, where the high end shops don't show any pricesNatural History MusemNatural History MusemThe ubiquitous British telephone box

    Browsing in London

    March 31 in England ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    Between the Churchill Rooms and visiting the Victoria & Albert Museum we had a chance to stroll around. It was lunch time so had a scotch egg at the original store, Fortnum & Mason. The Burlington Arcade was very high end in the posh Piccadilly area. The Natural History Museum has always been an impressive looking building.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Queen Victoria and art from her era
    The Raphael cartoons, seven life size paintings designed for Sistine Chapel tapestriesRaphael - Christ's Charge to PeterRosanne in her happy placeThe modern and the oldRoyal processionCasting of Trajan's Column from RomeThe relief on Trajan's ColumnCastings from gravesMany statues including a full size David

    V & A Museum

    March 31 in England ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Rosanne had wanted to visit the Victoria & Albert Museum forever, I was more ambivalent. It was amazing however, exceeding expectations. We spent a few hours and walked probably a few km in all, but the collection of art, clothes and antiques was impressive.
    A moment of the day was stumbling into the room of castings, where ancient art and statues have been recreated by taking casts off the originals and recasting a copy.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Early morning view over the London skyline from Primrose Hill
    Abbey Road zebra crossingAbbey Road in springCanal boats at Little VeniceCanal boats at Little VeniceOur transport for the trip to CamdenLong and skinny on the outside, and on the inside tooLots of people live permanently on the canalsCamden Town

    Abbey Road and Regents Canal

    April 1 in England ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    Another crisp spring morning, walking through Primrose Hill park, the very expensive neighbourhood of St John’s Wood, stopping at the famous Abbey Road zebra crossing, then a peak through the gates at Lords cricket ground. We walked on to Little Venice and hopped in a guided tour for a London Waterbus canal boat trip up to Camden. It was a very interesting trip past beautiful Edwardian villas, past the London Zoo, and into the buzzing Camden Town and vibrant Camden lock market.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Street scene in Camden town
    Street scene in Camden townEntrance to the Camden lock marketCamden lock marketAmy WinehouseAmy WinehouseHansel and Gretel sweet shopCamden lock market

    Camden town and market

    April 1 in England ⋅ ⛅ 13 °C

    The middle of the day was spent at the vibrant Cambridge Lock Market, heaving with people and a great atmosphere. Vintage fashion, handmade jewelry, unusual gifts and eye-catching accessories. Had great fun exploring, with a tasty chicken lunch and mini pancakes for desert from the many street food vendors. Also saw the Amy Winehouse statue, she apparently spent lots of time in the area.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Kenwood House
    RembrandtVermeerHalse, another Dutch painterSpring has sprungA well earned cuppa tea

    Kenwood House

    April 1 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Caught the train and then bus from Camden up to Hampstead Heath, a very pretty and very posh village, and to Kenwood House. It was a 17th century country mansion with a collection of furniture and original artwork. We saw a Rembrandt self portrait and a Vermeer, followed by a cup of tea and back in the bus home.
    The moment of the day was the surprise of seeing an original Rembrandt self portrait in the English countryside.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Kew Gardens on best show for us, overlooking the lake and brasserie
    The Temperate House, largest glass structure in the world, with over 10,000 plants.Inside the Temperate House......even with a waterfallKing William's Temple, built for Queen Victoria in memory of her uncleCherry trees just about to burst into flowerThe Great Pagoda, and a nice picnic lunch in the sunQueen Charlotte's cottage, where the royal family would rest while out in the gardensQuintessential English countryside in springDaffodil seasonThe Palm HouseHot mist in the Palm House to keep up heat and humidityThe Hive, with a LED light and sound experience. At day there was only music playing.Inside the Princess of Wales conservatoryKew Palace, where King George III and Queen Charlotte spent timeThe mad King himselfInside Kew PalaceGardens of Kew Palace

    Kew Gardens

    April 2 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    A long standing wish for Rosanne to visit Kew Gardens came true today. Perfect spring weather, blue skies, and the buds of spring in bloom just for us.

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Outside the Guilgud theatreOur familiar walk home in Primrose Hill

    🎼 Oliver!

    April 2 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    When in London… a trip to the theatre district is a must. We saw Oliver!, which was a fantastic visual and musical experience, the performances from all the actors was top notch, especially so for the 11 year old Oliver.
    The moment of today was walking through the vibrant theatre district afterwards with all the people and colour.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    On route to the tour, the impressive Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand
    The Temple Church, one of the homes of the Knights Templar, but unfortunately closedTemple ChurchThe Charterhouse, a catholic priory in 14th C, a Tudor palace, a schoolhouse in the 17th CSmithfield Market, largest meat market in the UK, dating back over 800 years on this siteSt John's Gate, once the entry to the military religious Order of St John of the 11th C crusadesThe museum of the Order of St John, and the original HQ of the St John's AmbulanceSt Bartholomew the Great church dating back to 1123, with the raised cemetery area alongsideSt Barts is often used for movie settings, including Avengers Ultron and 4 Weddings and a FuneralBartholomew with us flayed skinSt Barts interior. Benjamin Franklin was once employed here as a writerSt Barts was scavenged for stone for other buildings, the original entrance restyled as TudorMemorial to William Wallace, braveheartSt. Etheldreda's Roman Catholic Church in Ely Place, a last holdout for Catholics in the reformation

    Burnings, Butchery & Black Death

    April 3 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    An insightful walking tour with Christy and Declan to discover London's Bloody Past in the Smithfield area. Our guide pointed out sites of human and animal slaughter, Black Death burial sites, explained the process of being hung, drawn and quartered, and some of the inspiration for the works of Charles Dickens.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Grand Union Canal
    Grand Union CanalBritish Library, the Magna Carta 1225British Library, ShakespeareLinda, Shaun, Rosanne, CarolineSt Dunstan in the East ChurchSt Dunstan in the East ChurchSt Dunstan in the East Church gardenInside the bombed St Dunstan in the East ChurchSt Dunstan in the East ChurchStrolling down the Thames, outside the Tower of LondonTower BridgeOn the gondola across the ThamesOverlooking the O2 arena and Canary WharfThe Demon with Bowl statue at the end of the gondola

    Old friends

    April 4 in England ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C

    The day started with a walk from Primrose Hill to Coal Drops Yard along the Grand Union Canal on another picture perfect day, and our highest temps so far.
    An amazing day having lunch with Caroline Carrington and Linda Crook, reminiscing about school days. While waiting we popped into the British Library, saw the the Magna Carta, an original Shakespeare, and some original Beatles lyrics.
    Afterwards a visit to St Dunstan in the East Church garden, a bombed out church.
    Finished off the day with a walk down the Thames to the IFS Cloud gondola over the Thames.
    The moment of the day - special time with old friends.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    First stop, buy picnic goods at the Primrose Hill market
    Down into the depths of the London UndergroundParkland Walk at HighgateThe Walk follows an abandoned railwayNew street art in development, replacing the old street artTea at the Lauderdale House cafe, the a stroll through Waterloo ParkWaterlowHighgate CemeteryHighgate Cemetery - George MichaelHighgate Cemetery - the Circle of LebanonHighgate CemeteryHighgate Cemetery - Man's Best FriendHighgate CemeteryHighgate Cemetery - Douglas Adams, of Hitchhikers Guide to the GalaxyHighgate Cemetery - Karl MarxHighgate Cemetery - Harry Thornton, WW1 pianist famous for playing for the troopsHighgate Cemetery - painter Patrick Caulfield, D.E.A.D.Picnic on the green of Primrose Hill

    Highgate

    April 5 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    A train trip up to Highgate to enjoy the Parkland Walk, then on to the Highgate Cemetery. The sky was blue, the birds were in song, and the e sun was warm - another stunning spring day in London.
    The moment of the day was a picnic dinner on the green of Primrose Hill with Christy and Declan, and Gareth and Raewyn in stunning weather.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Camden Town
    Camden Town1Camden TownCamden Town - pop walk of fame - David BowieCamden Town - pop walk of fame - Amy WinehouseFarewell London, hopping on the new Elizabeth Line train at Liverpool St

    Farewell London

    April 6 in England ⋅ ☀️ 13 °C

    A yummy breakfast of homemade pain au chocolait from Raewyn, then a walk into Camden Town for a casual shopping day with Christy. The vibrancy and energy is fantastic. But overall a bitter sweet day for our final day in London saying goodbye to Christy. Caught 2 trains out to Heathrow, then an uneventful flight to Casablanca. The airport was anything but… massive queues through immigration and a 1h45m delay before Abdessalam greeted us and chauffeured us to the hotel. Finally in bed just before 1am, whew…
    Moment of the day - saying goodbye to Christy and Declan, and Gareth and Raewyn, was very sad. But also exciting knowing the wedding planning coming up for March 2027.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain

    London highlights

    April 6 in England ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C

    Spending time with Christy.
    So exciting for Christy and Declan on their big adventure, and the start of wedding plans for 2027. A special treat exploring London and the street markets together.

    Old friends.
    A surprise meet up with Caroline and Linda, reminiscing about school days, excited for the future for our children, looking forward to more adventures before we’re too old.

    The vibrancy of London.
    Exploring the street markets and soaking in the atmosphere of Portobello Rd, Covent Gardens, Camden town, and Borough markets. The people, the buzz, the happiness, the Spring sunshine.

    Oliver!
    Seeing a high quality original show in the London theatre district, experiencing the vibrancy afterwards with all the people and colour on the streets.

    The history.
    Stumbling into the room of castings of ancient art and statues in the V&A. Seeing an original Rembrandt self portrait in Kenwood House in the English countryside.

    Churchill rooms.
    Exploring the war rooms and having a small sense of how difficult it must have been to keep up the spirits during the WW2. It made me think about the terrible things happening in Ukraine.

    A perfect spring day, or week.
    Our weather was perfect, so strolling along the Grand Union Canal was marvelous. The final picnic dinner on the green of Primrose Hill with Christy and Declan, and Gareth and Raewyn was very special.    Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Our fancy digs at hotel Barcelo Anfa CasablancaRick's Cafe, where the movie Casablanca was NOT filmedCentral Market in Casablanca - flower sellersCentral Market in Casablanca - butcheryCentral Market in Casablanca - butchery for horse meatCasablanca tramThe old transport versus the newMohammed V SquareOur very own chauffeur driven carView over the Casablanca Corniche to King Hassan II mosqueFresh fish for lunch overlooking the saltwater pools. Not our best meal.Lush fields en route to Marrakesh. It later turned to dry rocky expanses.Riad Dar Sara, our riad for the next 3 nights in MarrakechRiad Dar SaraRiad Dar SaraRiad Dar SaraRiad Dar SalaThe dinner at Riad Dar Sala was Chicken tagine with olives and preserved lemon. Outrageously tasty!

    Casablanca 🎬

    April 7 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    A big breakfast at the hotel then collected by Hassan our tour guide and Abdul our chauffeur. Stop 1 was the King Hassan II mosque, the largest in Morocco and 3rd largest in the world. What a highlight, the architecture and attention to detail was outstanding. Next a walk around town to see the Central Market, the fusion architecture between Moroccan and French, and the Mohammed V Square. A real bustling, busy, and chaotic town, but enjoyable. Reminiscent of Durban with the old v new, clean v dirty, Africa v Europe. A drive along the Casablanca Corniche and an overpriced fish lunch at a tourist trap overlooking the beach. Then the long drive to Marrakesh through barren countryside, green with wildflowers at first but changing to dry and rocky as we moved south into the heat. Marrakesh is even more chaotic than Casablanca, but our riad in the heart of the old town is an oasis in the chaos.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    The 200m tall miniarette. It even has an elevator.
    Amazing detail in the roof, Venetian glass chandeliers, archwaysAmazing detail in the roof, Venetian glass chandeliers, archwaysEverything apart from the chandeliers and a small amount of carera marble is sourced from Morocco10,000 Moroccan labourers and craftsmen took 6 years to build the mosqueThe King's prayer chamberThe King's prayer chamber10,000 Moroccan labourers and craftsmen took 6 years to build the mosqueCarved roof above the prayer roomWashroom beneath the mosqueMoroccan brass chandelierAn entry gate

    King Hassan II Mosque

    April 7 in Morocco ⋅ ☀️ 18 °C

    My 3 favourite religious buildings are St Peters in Rome, St Marks in Venice, and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. The King Hassan II mosque was actually breathtaking and is added to that list. The attention to detail in the craftsmanship of the carvings, mosaic work, and stucco inlays is so precise and unique throughout the complex. An absolute masterpiece of architecture.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Street scene outside Palais Bahia. Hourse carts used to transport the rich around and out of townThe Moroccan languages - Arabic, Berber, and French. English is very common, with some Spanish.A Royal tortoise?Exquisite detail in the stucco and wood workCeiling in the palace, where one could gaze at the beauty when falling asleepSmall riadAnother room, another unique combination of floor mosaics and ceiling decorationsThe central room linking the othersThe Kings rest room, cooler than the othersThe King's room also has ventilation in the ceiling areaThe ceiling of the harem, where the wives would gather.The square where worshipers would gather to prayBahia's room was specially decoratedOrange trees in the riad

    Marrakesh!

    April 8 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    We visited the Palais Bahia in Marrakesh, initially residence to the viziers in the 19th century, then the Royal family, and now the most popular national tourist destination. Bahia was the name of the King’s favourite wife. The layout consists of some riads (courtyard gardens) surrounded by adjoining palace rooms.Read more

  • London, Morocco and Spain
    Vivid colours in the Marjorelle Gardens
    Avenue of orange trees, a Moroccan favouriteMarjorelle lived his cactus plants, there was a wide array of different varietiesWater feature with Yves Saint Lauren's villa behindYves Saint Lauren's villaMarjorelle blue and a pretty ladyFoyer of the Yves Saint Lauren museumIt was a HOT spring day in the city! Abdul and Hassan both remember a day of 51deg!

    Marjorelle Gardens & Yves Saint Laurent

    April 8 in Morocco ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    The French painter Jacques Majorelle established the gardens in the 1920s, a peaceful escape in the bustling city with winding paths, plantings and water features. Majorelle blue was everywhere, including the home which was owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Next door to the gardens we also visited the Yves Saint Laurent Museum which had a collection of his fashion creations.
    It was a HOT spring day in the city, getting up to 34deg, although Abdul and Hassan both remember a day of 51deg!    Read more

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