Monday 15 February

Now that we've got the van and ourselves clean it's time to do some proper shopping. Despite Morocco having some large supermarkets there is very little away from the coast so we've been managing quite well at the little shops and markets. But we now have the opportunity to do what “civilised” people call a proper shop as todays plan is to start heading north and the first large city is Agadir, about an hour and a half drive and the large Marjane hypermarket.

Of course we're now back in civilisation and whilst the roads are good, the amount of traffic is a culture shock having got used to seeing other vehicles about once an hour! However we made Agadir safely and settled down to enjoy an hour or so with a big shopping trolley. The final bill was almost 1500 dirhams; sounds a lot doesn't it but actually equates to just over £100. Our only problem now is getting it all packed away, but we managed then had a late snack lunch.

Derek and June had planned to visit the large souk in Agadir but we've been twice before so were not interested. Unfortunately it is closed on Monday, a fact they discovered when they hailed a taxi, but at least they hadn't actually departed and there was no wasted journey. So we sallied forth along the coast, through our old favourite Taghazoute – Derek and June paused for a wander and a coffee – and headed for Insouane where we stayed on our way south.

Approaching the village we passed by a small school, which seemed to have been built in a river bed, and a large group of 7-8 year olds were walking along the road. Now the problem with young children in Morocco is that they are all very friendly but this group insisted on all but blocking the road and whilst it was perhaps fun for them it made for a very hazardous time from the drivers point of view, one little lad getting very close indeed to the front bumper! Eventually, and reluctantly, we had to blow the horn to clear a path as it was getting decidedly dangerous. And no, sorry, we haven't got any bon-bons, stylo or smartphone!

As we arrived the wind was blowing very strongly off the sea but as the campsite was almost empty we were able to find a couple of pitches with some protection, and also electricity allowing us to eke out our dwindling gas supply.