As you wander through the winding kasbahs and souks of Morocco and Algeria, being accosted by local traders hawking their wares is part of the experience. But as a parent you pose a tricky customer – your powers of refusal honed by visits

inspirations…I grew up in Algeria, in a small town called Sidi Aich – my background is Berber. The area where I grew up is very beautiful and remote, surrounded by mountains.

My children’s names reflect their Berber heritage. I have two sons, Lounes, 21