Gwen and her boys

So now blog fans, I must introduce to you, a fine family from Devon, England. They have definitely enriched our experience here At Imsouane. Gwen has brought her two boys, Rio aged 11 and Manu aged 8, for an Easter break with a difference. Camping at Imsouane is not the usual holiday for two modern young men who spend a lot of their spare time connected to the internet playing games. Not deterred by their need for wifi, Mum has instead given them fishermen, sea, sun and Simon! They literally live around the corner from each other in Devon but actually met here on the campsite a while ago, small world! So Simon has delighted in their company as an instant family and as they hired a cabin here, was able to provide all the amenities of his van to make their stay more comfortable. Being next to us, we were also able to enjoy the ' instant' family atmosphere which, I'm sure helped Gwen too as these two typical lads are of course quite a handfull, with masses of energy and a normal need for attention. 

It's the 13th April today and the family has had to return after 10 days holiday for the start of the summer term! But I'm sure Gwen would agree, the Imsouane trip has been a huge success as the boys have obviously enjoyed themselves,(without internet) with swimming, story telling, new friends both Moroccan and Welsh , campfires and even singing songs led by Rio with Manu backing and even Jean-Loup joining in. 

This handsome chap above is Rio and to the right is Manu. We have become great friends. Rio is able to tell you something about anything and Manu will have a go at keeping up on any subject you care to mention. They are clever chaps. Rio holds the world record for how long anyone can stay in the sea swimming! Hours and hours go by with him waving for us to come back in even though we are shivering  and exhausted. He is good natured about it though and just calls us all wimps! Manu delights in hide and seek , 'magic' sticks, who's on it and any other game he can think of. So full of energy. Fantastic.

Here am I in my element with Manu, braving the crashing waves and trying to help him not to swallow the Atlantic ocean! Powerful waves though make it hard for any of us to keep our mouths closed as shouts of delight are often followed by splutters of swallowed sea water.

Krysia and Rio play in the waves like two dolphins, sparkling in the generous sunlight that Imsouane offers.

A happy Gwen prepares a ' healthy ' supper, like all mum's,there's a need to encourage as much good food into the boy's diet as possible. Like all things, there's a balance to be found, what the boy's will eat and what you can get them to eat!

What about some squid boys? 

'Like the door but we'd rather a burger.'

No burgers available here.

And no burgers around the camp fire either, only lovely souls sharing a night sky and a few magic tricks.
Jean-Loup shows Krysia that hands are not hands in the hands of Zen master? You've got to hand it to him!

Gwen doing the traditional Maori war dance before serving supper! The kids respond better to this than the customary ' supper's ready' . Well it's worth trying anyway.

And here, the old fool is trying to get an audience even if it's plainly obvious that the young things would rather eat lentils than listen to waltzing matilda again. Somebody hide his guitar, save them!

But seriously!!!! 

No really. 

Gwen, you brought yourself and the two lads into our lives for a week and we are richer for it. Family is at the heart of life and for us to have been involved with yours has been a pleasure. 

Thanks to Simon and Gwen for this blogs photographs.