In the deep valleys between Kerrouchen and Timahdite shallow rivers that start their lives high up in the red hills, bounce along their stony beds before cascading down into the fertile valley floors on that inexorable journey that water takes on its way to the sea.

We often pass one such river and I have wanted to stop and sit on its grassy banks in the African sun, take some of its cool fresh water, heat it in my Kelly Kettle and enjoy a cup of coffee to the sound of rushing, tumbling water and bird song falling out of the Cedar trees above. After a few years of opening this route I decided that this time I would sweep behind our clients so that I could spend some time living this idea to the full.

The sun was shining on a grassy bank beside the river as I arrived late one afternoon. With the Range Rover parked and my comfy chair placed carefully in the best position to enjoy the last rays of an afternoon sun, before the chill of a mountain evening descended I walked over to the river, filled my kettle with its pure fresh water and returned to the fire to sit contentedly waiting for the water to boil so that my coffee could be enjoyed to the full.

There I was, sitting coffee in hand in amongst birdsong, the sound of rushing water and that beautiful murmur of wind caressing the branches of the trees as I raised the cup to my lips to enjoy the taste of fresh coffee made with pure fresh water !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!… for a second my taste buds made their own mind up, the the salty taste could only be a figment of my imagination, especially as the sea was rather a long way away, before the realisation dawned on them that the coffee was actually salty so they made me spit the coffee out in disbelief.

After I had recovered from the shock I put fresh Sidi Ali water into the kettle and after two boils, enjoyed my serene moment with the evening sun, complete with a wry grin.