The Tentmakers' Souk

The staff at the Conrad have been superb, and it was like heaven to sink onto those feather pillows on the king size bed on Wednesday night.

Mahommad, too, has kept in touch with Boak all week and was anxious to please in whatever way he could once it was clear that our Nile Cruise was no longer possible.

Of course Boak’s been a hero too in so many ways, and I’m so blessed to have him! Some of you will have read his email accounts of these events.


Under doctor’s orders to go very gently, the next morning we took a taxi to Jenny’s home. As we were mounting her front stairs, making rather heavy weather of it I’m afraid, her gardener rushed up and presented me with the most sweetly perfumed pink rose!

Jenny was anxious that we still have a couple of happy experiences of Cairo to take home, so she took us to see the Tentmakers’ Souk. Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A very short walk from where Ibrahim, our driver, waited in our air conditioned taxi, there were tiny shops with walls lined with appliquéd quilts! Exquisite, intricate designs!

Shopkeeper after shopkeeper brought out his quilts (wallhanging size) to show us as we were seated and given tea. Jenny, of course, knows them all – they’re her friends – and we were welcomed like royalty. Well, I succumbed, didn’t I. We fell in love with all of them and simply had to have one. Can’t wait for Scquilters’ Show and Tell!!!