I got a phone call once from a prospective client, who wanted very much to go on one of Impala’s Moroccan Adventures into The Sahara. I talked enthusiastically to Steve about Morocco, emphasising the incredible beauty of the night’s sky full of stars from all horizons and stressed how Impala did not convoy but you were free to travel using a roadbook which allowed you to get really close to the culture and feel of Morocco.

“That is exactly what I want” he said, but there was a small problem concerning his wife’s view of such adventures. She was not at all convinced about going to the desert, especially the ‘camping out in it’ bit. “She is worried about the toilet facilities”

“Well, “I replied, “what I can do is come over and talk to both of you about the adventure. What do you think?” We arranged for me to travel to Paulton the next weekend and chat about the trip to Morocco.

The following Saturday I arrived, photographs and maps in hand outside Steve’s house and rang the bell. His wife soon appeared and invited me in, offering me a cup of tea as Steve was down at the yard and would join us shortly.

Some two or three hours later Kirstie was convinced and both she and Steve were booked onto a Moroccan Adventure. Over the years we have become close friends and Steve and Kirstie are now valued members of The Impala Support Team. I found out some years later, round a desert camp fire that there was no way that Kirstie was ever going to come to Morocco but when she saw that I had travelled at the ‘drop of a hat’ to convince her she decided that I must be alright!!