A Moroccan Adventure

As some of you may be aware, I’m currently in training for the London Marathon; As part of my preparation for this, I took off at the end of January for a 9 day running holiday in Morocco. Over the last few years, the bulk of my overseas travel has been very photo-centric, so it was great to head away to a new place with no deadlines, shot lists or clients to please!

Of course, that didn’t stop me taking a few photographs here and there; I’ve got 13 rolls of 120 being developed by the wonderful chaps at Labyrinth, and both my iPhone and G12 got a decent workout. Here’s a few highlights, and if you want to lose 5 minutes of your life there’s a wee video too.

ready to board EasyJet flight 8895 to Marrakech

First meal in Morroco - Lentils! Perfect running fuel.

first moroccan breakfast - super strong black coffee and freshly squeezed orange juice. magic!

View from the balcony at the Dar Adrar mountain lodge in Imlil, High Atlas.

Adrar Tamalaroute - 2724m and our mission for the next day's run.

The wardens of the mountain hut that sits atop the pass above Imlil. These guys made us moroccan mint tea on our return descent.

Ewan showing good running form in the tough Moroccan terrain.

The view over the Atlas towards Mt. Toubkal from the summit of Adrar Tamalaroute.

The aforementioned Moroccan mint tea!

Berber mountain guide Aithamou Hassan rocking an old school Nevica jacket!

Shattered after 3hrs 30mins of mountain running.

Ewan perfecting the mystical art of pouring mint tea.

Is it legal in Morocco to squeeze 9 people into a Hyundai i10? Possibly not, but it was worth it to foster UK/Berber relations!

The Maziq family proudly show off their new Scottish butler.

A twilight arrival into Oukaimeden, Africa's highest ski resort!

Seriously ready for dinner in the Hotel Chez Juju, Oukaimeden. As you can see, it wasn't exactly high season...

Official Oukaimeden ski transportation.

'The Limo' - probably not the perfect vehicle for high altitude, challenging roads - but heck, we're both still alive!

For all those who want to learn about photography - that's how you stand on the edge of a steep slope holding a Mamiya 7. Class over.

A change of scene - 5 hours driving out from the High Atlas to the seaside resort of Essaouira.

Big Tasty Prawns. I was later informed by a friend that these bad boys like to dine on Whale Poo. Nice.

Ewan on the receiving end of a particularly severe 'Long Back and Sides'.

Ewan's new haircut was so intense that his head literally exploded when out training that evening on Essaouira beach.

Breakfast on the roof of Villa Maroc in Essaouira. If you ever get the opportunity to stay at this hotel, I cannot recommend it enough. Seriously.

Back to Marrakech, and a day and a half to relax before running the 23rd Marrakech Half Marathon.

The courtyard in Marrakech's marvellous 'Maison De La Photographie' - a collection of historic prints and glass plates showing Moroccan life in the early 1900's.