Travel memories and the fabric of life -

This time two years ago we were on what was to become our last overseas trip prior to the arrival of the pandemic.  Looking back through my blog posts from that trip to Morocco, Western Sahara and the Cape Verde Islands, I am noticing that many of my photos on that exciting and enjoyable journey included colorful fabrics.

Our colorful friend Kim preparing for a camel ride.

Today I'm starting to change over my wardrobe ready for cooler weather - although that won't be this week as we're due a heatwave!

I'm amazed that much of my personal wardrobe has nothing quite as vibrant and eye-catching when it comes to colors!  First things out of the storage boxes today are an unbelievable number of black jogger pants and basic black long sleeve tee shirts . . . . . . . which will now be my going to physical therapy uniform!

Perhaps COVID had me over-buying comfy, boring clothes these past almost two years.  After all I didn't travel anywhere to throw caution and neutral color dressing to the wind. I didn't pull out the portable clothes rack to assist in organizing a travel wardrobe for an expedition or cruise ship to a colorful location far from home.

Other than a small suitcase and a brief flight to New England this year, I didn't pack everything but the kitchen sink for a real adventure! Crossing oceans, and visiting colorful venues where one can buy bright swirling caftans, soft pashmina wraps, and silk scarves never happened.

Will dressing change back to how it was prior to COVID?

Will masks be my only splash of color for much longer?

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Regarding the knitting giveaway - love that so many of you have

 already left a comment on my previous post for the drawing next week.

Several of you are overseas but that's OK, posting something light 

is not that expensive.  

Also, some of you want the pattern to knit your own cowl. 

It's so easy that I really don't have a pattern, and you only need to know the 'knit' and 'pearl' stitches. . . . . . . 

On a pair of size 8 (US) knitting needles, cast on an odd number of stitches, I usually do 49.  

Knit first two rows into the back of the stitches for a neat edge.

 Next row, knit two stitches also into the back for a neat edge, then pearl one

knit one across the entire row to the last two stitches and knit those two into the back also. 

Turn and repeat the same on each row until knitting is about 25 inches long.  

Knit into back of one last row all the way across, then cast off - again knitting

 into the back of stitches for a neater edge.

Twist the knitting one turn and line up the two short edges, pin together, and 

hand-stitch them together (I use a crewel needle) with a length of your

 remaining yarn.

Voila - you have a warm cowl for your cool neck - and perhaps,

 like me, you feel you actually didn't completely waste all those hours

sitting in front of the TV!!!!!

I'm off to decorate with my pumpkins and potted mums!

Also to bake an apple and blackberry galette.

The sun is shining ~ the grass is growing - granddaughter is 

coming for supper and hopefully will share those Alaska 

wedding photos she took!

A ship in the desert!

Some of you have asked where we are off to next.

I promised to share our upcoming trip so will do so now as time is getting short.

Leaving in early October for exotic places, some old and some new.

This will be another expedition on the Noble Caledonia ship, MS Hebridean Sky.

We were on this same ship last year when we traveled to Patagonia and the 

Chilean Fjords. Passengers usually number around 120 on these smaller

 expedition ships. Again, we'll be with our California friends, meeting up

 with them in London for the flight to Lisbon where the ship will be waiting.

Our itinerary will take us to Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara

 the Cape Verde Islands, and then back to London.

Imperial City of Taroudant, Morocco - past capital of the Saadian dynasty

This trip will include adventures in the Western Sahara desert, one of the least

 populated regions of the world.

What on earth does one wear to tea time in the desert?

Shall I be practical in linen pants and breezy tunic top, or throw caution to the

 desert winds and wear the zebra print kaftan? 

Must throw in a broad-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for certain.

A long, silky scarf perhaps, just in case there's a sandstorm brewing and I 

need to wind it around my head!

Laayoune Desert, Western Sahara

Afternoon tea in the desert with a nomadic tribe actually is part of the expedition

(and how I wish my very special 'tea friend' Marilyn in Portland, Oregon could be

 with me to enjoy that). 

Riding to the top of the sand dunes in 4X4 vehicles is also on the itinerary. . .

that long scarf may be required there.

MS Hebridean Sky

Photos via Noble Caledonia

I need help with packing for the Sahara Desert if you've ever been there - or at 
least some suggestions if you want to humor me. . . . . .please!