On to Imessouane

The campsite at Essaouira is no place for us, small and crowded. Although we have enjoyed the town, we move on south, enjoying every minute of the drive through argan country and goats up trees! We buy argan oil at a women's coop where you can be sure of getting the delicious local delicacy at the right price and the right oil! Many people are selling what claims to be argan oil but you can be sure that a lot of it will be cut with olive or vegetable oil. Beware! We have learned by mistake in past years and the coop's are government approved outlets.

We stop at Tamanar, enjoying the recollection of our visits here in the 70's, souk outings from Imsoune in the days when we were really strapped for cash, sacks of oranges as they were affordable food for us way back then! The town hasn't changed much! Unusual for these days, a bit of a jem. All good fun to be had at every shop we visit. We replenish our gas bottle, 40 dirhams for a refill, thats a large gas bottle full for just over 3 quid, a targine for 20 dirhams, oranges, bananas, vegetables all at hard to believe prices. Diesel is 7 dirhams a litre! That's 50 p. It might cost a lot to get here but you can still live very cheaply once you have arrived.

On we drive along the hairy old road to Imsouane, finding a very windy welcome awaits us. Howling from the north, a cold wind keeps us in the van and we batten down the hatches for the night. It's still lovely to be here as the campsite sits overlooking the bay and is very chilled ( that's calm as well as cold ). Red 1 is the name of the ever so laid back guardian. Fill in this piece of paper and bring it with you when you leave! We just love trusting people.

Today brings us fine warm weather and I have a surf to start the day. It's our first hot day. The waves are small but that's probably for the best as these old arms aren't what they used to be! Krysia takes photos of the old surf dog just to prove I'm not telling lies. I can still stand up !!!

We sunbath as well as do chores as the day wears on. We stroll into the village as the wind picks up once more but are protected in the port by the boats and sit happily amongst them in the sun. We have a coffee in a cyber cafe as our internet key doesn't get signal here. ( Hooray I hear you say ! ) The keyboard is of the french type which makes typing difficult. They put letters and stops in the daftest places ! We manage to send some emails and skype, just. Its a slow connection but at least it works.

A long walk along the coast to watch the sunset and a tarjine for supper and all in all, its been a splendid day.

May yours be splendid too

love

The Beynon's