As you approach the village of Tighedouine in The High Atlas the tarmac stops and the dust or mud begins, depending upon the time of year.

Square houses and shops the colour of the mountain soil, tumble their way either side of the track as it climbs ever higher up the mountain. From the shop fronts a rainbow of colours bombard your eyes and the heady smell of spices and wood smoke mingle in your nose. So many men walk and talk, some sitting on rickety chairs at the cafe fronts others sorting out a deal on a sheep or some agricultural necessities.

Here in the mountains the vehicle of choice is the Land Rover 110. Brahim, a good friend of mine from the desert village of Fezzou, tells me that this is because the Land Rover 110 is strong, simple and easily repaired. All of the cars here in these villages are ex-tourist cars because in Morocco the tourist companies, by law, have to donate cars over two years old to the mountain and desert villages.

This picture was taken in Tighedouine and shows the “Quarter de la Mécaniques” where the Land Rover’s that come in from the mountain villages, loaded way beyond their design requirements have a maintenance check and service while their crews enjoy the souk, catching up socially as they sell their wares before heading back into the heights of The High Atlas. The Land Rover to the right is having a new clutch fitted and you can see the engine swinging from a makeshift a-frame.