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Stretching across Morocco in a general WSW-ENE (8 o'clock / 2 o'clock) line into neighbouring Algeria before fading away in Tunisia, the Atlas Mountains reach their highest altitudes in Morocco at just over 4000m.

Berbers are the original people of North Africa and whilst they have adopted Islam as their religion, they still very much maintain their own languages and customs. Life for the Berbers in the mountain villages continues pretty much as it has done for centuries - even with the advancement of rough mountain tracks enabling small lorries to carry people and goods to the nearest market town. In other words, mountain village life is very much on a "hand to mouth" basis and whilst there are no acute food or water shortages, there are seldom any resources left for their health and educational needs.

For those of us who have been able to share a meal or a glass of mint tea with these mountain Berbers, it is their generosity and friendliness in the light of their meagre resources that is often the abiding memory.....