GOING THE DISTANCE

These women prove that when it comes to enjoying a holiday romance, what happens while on tour, doesn't always stay there...

- VERONIQUE HAWKSWORTH

I couldn't keep my eyes off him' 

Author Jane Johnson, 62, met her husband Abdellatif, 60, in Morocco. His homeland has inspired her writing. Stepping out of our hotel, we were met with pouring rain. 'Not the best conditions to climb a mountain,' I laughed to my friend Bruce. It was 2005, and I was in Morocco, researching my latest novel about pirates who once terrorised the British coast. Bruce had agreed to join me on the condition that we could do some climbing, too.

After researching in Northern Morocco for a few days, we travelled down to the small town of Tafraout, in the Anti-Atlas mountains. But stopped by the rain, our climbing plans were compromised.

MEETING PLACE

Luckily, we were joined by a group of friendly British climbers. "There's a great restaurant near here, one suggested, leading the way. Arriving at the eatery, we were welcomed in by the owner and chef, a tall man in a traditional robe, with a strikingly handsome face.

As the charming restaurateur, Abdellatif, welcomed us in and brought out plates of delicious traditional food - spicy lentil soup and tagines of chicken with preserved lemon, I couldn't keep my eyes off him. Back at my hotel room, I kept thinking about him, even though we hadn't actually spoken in person as he was so busy.