summer in june - a la plancha

Rotterdam - 9th of June 2021
A La Plancha is a pop-up restaurant on the Noordereiland, the island in the river Maas in Rotterdam. During spring and summer a terrace is built on the bridgehead of the old Willemsbrug. Sustainable fish, fried on the grill (a la plancha) on the menu. The location and the atmosphere provide a special experience, as if you are on holiday.

Yesterday evening we first had a citywalk and later on dinner in the sunset at the Maas with the four of us; Soufiane, friend and (Noorder)island resident, son Minne and Henk & moi.

Summer in June, carpe diem.

dar nour & le salon bleu

DAR NOUR

House of Light, in arabic Dar Nour, our bright & blissful guesthouse during our stay in Tanger.

Close to the el­e­ments, the house breathes in harmo­ny with the sea and the wind. It is built from nat­ural ma­te­rials with whitewashed walls, wool car­pets and cedar wood windows.
No two rooms in the guesthouse are the same. They all have their own atmosphere, colour and unique (vintage) furniture. Our mini suite had a natural mix of styles, so that we had the feeling that we were staying in someone’s house. Original, historical materials have been used everywhere in the building. The guesthouse is stylishly furnished by owner and architect Philippe and we felt at home immediately.

Dar Nour is perched high up on 11th centu­ry ram­parts, not far from the palace. The roof terrace pro­vides stunning panoramic views over the Bay of Tang­i­er and the old Me­dina. A perfect place to enjoy breakfast in the morning or a pre-dinner drink in the evening. Be­ing both in the heart of the Kasbah and facing the Med­iterranean, Dar Nour is a magical place in Tanger and has retained the spirit of a tra­ditional Moroccan sea­side building, with sub­tle touches in its fur­ni­ture and decor reflecting the cosmopoli­tan history.

LE SALON BLEU

A small sea­side house, transformed into a tea­room and restaurant on the Place de la Kasbah. Just a few steps away from Dar Nour.

Overlooking the kasbah and the views of the beach and Spain are spectacu­lar! When you visit the restaurant you will find out why they named it Le Sa­lon Bleu. Here too, you will find many original and authentic objects in the interior. We visited the place a few times, at all hours of the day. Morning coffee on the roof terrace (via a small spiral staircase), lunch in the blue salon on the first floor, with a 'spools of thread wall' and dinner on the terrace below overlooking the Sultanate Palace.

TANGIER was surprising! Both Dar Nour and Salon Bleu made our trip even more special. Above all it was very nice to discover an entire different part of Morocco.

So very different from Marrakech and at the same time it felt so familiar. I enjoyed the beauty of Morocco, the overwhelming colors, the hospitality and daily life in the kasbah and medina in the same way! The light is different in Morocco. Oh how I love that light!

(and I'm already looking forward to return to Marrakech in October)

in need of sun & adventure?

Last minute deal: Travel workshops in April!

If you are fed up with this endless winter, take your chance and book an unforgettable trip to the sun!
Come and join our adventures in and around Marrakech! ... and if you decide to book one of our workshop in Marrakech in April, you will get a 10% discount.

Below you will find the information about both workshops and in case you have a question, don't hesitate to send me an e-mail.

SPRING GREEN GARDENS WORKSHOP
arrival: Thursday 19th of April 2018 - leaving: Tuesday 24th of April 2018
(last minute offer € 650,00 per person)
AUTUMN GREEN GARDENS WORKSHOP
arrival: Thursday 11th of October 2018 - leaving: Tuesday 16th of October 2018

In the last few years I've visited quite some stunning gardens and oases in the medina and fell in love with the amazing green gardens of Marrakech. For those out there, who can't or rather don't want to crochet, we will arrange an opportunity to discover Marrakech in an alternative way. It's a great way to explore Marrakech and surroundings in a very authentic atmosphere!

PROGRAMME:

During the workshop we will visit and explore all kinds of gardens in and around Marrakech; An Arabic garden, a rose garden, botanical gardens, secret city gardens, city parks, hidden courtyards, an art garden, museum gardens and vegetable- and herb gardens.

To make the green theme complete, we will also organize a veggie cooking workshop under the banana trees (including vegetables & herbes shopping in de souk). We will make an adventurous bike ride to the gigantic palm grove and a roadtrip to the Atlas Mountains. All the participants will get an herbarium notebook, in which they can make daily sketches and collect green memories, such as leaves and seeds.

You will be surprised how green the Red City actually is. Urban jungle adventures with guided tours and delicious moroccan food, make this green travel-workshop unforgettable!

Six days in Marrakech! Green is the theme. Price € 725,00 per person.
The price is based on a shared twin bedroom and excluding flight ticket.
It's always possible to book extra nights, before or after the workshop (info@chambresdamis.com)

INCLUDED:

- transfer from airport Marrakech to Riad Chambres d'amis (v.v.)
- shared twin bedroom (5 nights) including breakfast in Chambres d'Amis.
- 3 dinners & 4 lunches (drinks are not included)
- veggie cooking workshop
- collecting green memories in a herbarium
- all excursions in and around Marrakech

This workshop is a real treat for nature-loving enthusiasts. An adventurous journey to Marrakech, you can make on your own, while you will be 'pampered' and only have to enjoy and relax.

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SPRING COOL CROCHET WORKSHOP
arrival: Wednesday 11th of April 2018 - leaving: Monday 16th of April 2018
(last minute offer € 650,00 per person)
AUTUMN COOL CROCHET WORKSHOP
arrival: Wednesday 3rd of October 2018 - leaving: Monday 8th of October 2018 (FULLY BOOKED)

Six days in Marrakech! Crochet while discovering Marrakech and surroundings in a very special and unique way. Price € 725,00 per person. The price is based on a shared twin bedroom and excluding flight ticket. It's always possible to book extra nights, before or after the workshop (info@chambresdamis.com)

PROGRAMME:

Buying wool, cotton and yarns in the souk. Urban jungle crochet at Jardin Majorelle. Crochet in the desert. Moroccan crochet in the open on the colourful Place des Epices. A daytrip to the Atlas mountains. Crochet on the roof of Maison de Photographie with it's wonderful view of the town... Delicious moroccan food and adventures in and around Marrakech make this travel-workshop never-to-be-forgotten!

INCLUDED:

- transfer from airport Marrakech to Riad Chambres d'Amis (v.v.)
- shared twin bedroom (5 nights) including breakfast in Chambres d'amis.
- 3 dinners & 4 lunches (drinks are not included)
- a daily crochet project with yarns, hooks and patterns
- all excursions in and around Marrakech

This workshop is a real treat for yarn lovers. An adventurous journey, you can make on your own, while you will be 'pampered' and only have to enjoy and relax.

If you would like to join one of the workshops, please send me an e-mail; info@woodwoolstool.com

The CC and GG workshops are a collaboration with my friend Ank van der Pluijm, owner of hotel CHAMBRES D'AMIS, green oasis in the Medina of Marrakech and our 'basecamp' during the workshops.

We start both workshops with a welcome dinner on the rooftop of Chambres d'Amis on the first night.