We rushed away from the dull post Christmas weather at short notice and Morocco came up trumps. As quick breaks go we accumulated good time at the sketch pad. Whether seated at street corners or high in the Atlas the warm daytime in clean air provided a soft sunlight with which to work.

The fishing boats in Essaouria are famous: but to see the basic construction methods with those hammering, sawing, sanding, cutting, and calking in each trade working in rhythm was fascinating.

And in the medina walking and cycling in the tight streets is nicely quiet as we wander from market to market and back to the riad.

up in the Atlas the fresher air made for wonderful walking but by 4pm with the sun down it was time to hunker down in the hillside residences with a fire in the bedroom .