Charles and Fred

Along the King's Highway - trophy chicken!

2012-02-01T09:23:00.001+01:00

Along the King's Highway - trophy chicken!, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

My favourite photo from this year so far,a younger brother and elder sister bringing some chickens to the side of the road to sell to passers by (and the road is not at all busy). They were so shy, it was beautiful.

I don't usually give money to people for taking their photos, preferring to give them a copy of the photo if I can, but I gave them each a JD, which the driver told me later would be as much as they would have asked for a whole chicken. It was my lucky day, it was their lucky day.

This will soon be illegal in Holland

2012-01-30T09:32:00.000+01:00

This will soon be illegal in Holland, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

As part of the deal done with the pathetic anti-Islamic right-wing party for racists and stupid people, on which he Dutch Government relies for its majority in Parliament, they are going to ban the burqa here in Klein-Klompenland. Apparently there are about 150 women in Holland who wear the face-covering veil on a regular bais. There is an economic crisis, the housing market, pensions, labour market all need reform, so the government wastes its time on this nonsense.
Obviously, this is not a burqa, but it is a cloth which is covering my face and you will soon only be allowed to do this by traditional Dutch activities such as carnival (for the Catholics in the south) and with skating (for the hardy guys up in the north, if this winter takes a grip)..

I will be covering my face in public more often as a result.

Before it got cold

2012-01-29T09:22:00.001+01:00

Before it got cold, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The winter of 2011/2012 was truning into the winter-that-never-was here n Holland, with justa couple of frosts back in November. As can be seen here, the summer plants are still flowering and above, we see that a heron has already been hatching its eggs.

Howver, the weather forecasters tell us that winter is finally on its way, with cold (and soon very cold) air arriving from the east later today, so a last chance to enjoy the feeling of spring beforev we have ot delve into our drawers and find out where we last left our woollen gloves!

January Still Life

2012-01-28T23:01:00.001+01:00

January Still Life, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

A little display on the balcony earlier this afternoon, showing the tulips from last weekend, a pomegranate given to us in Bursa at Christmas, a tomato given to me in Jordan last Saturday and some miini pumpkins from the Christmas market in Frankendael in December.

The motor mechanic boys of Sodom

2012-01-28T10:44:00.001+01:00

The motor mechanic boys of Sodom, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Last Saturday, after a return to bed to recover from the night before (Moroccan dancing girls in Amman nightclub, Egyptian and Syrian music and to much beer), I took a driver out to the Dead Sea then along the King's Highway from Karak to Petra. Apparently, apart from the stops allong tehe Dead Sea and to visit the mighty crusader castle in Karak, the driver had never beeb asked to stop at any of the places I had asked him to stop at. An example, being this motor repair shop in Mazraah, near the ancient site of Sodom...

Tomato or chicken soup tonight?

2012-01-26T21:14:00.001+01:00

Tomato or chicken soup tonight?, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Up in Amman it was cold and wintry, yet a few kilometers to the down by the Dead Sea, it was warm and sunny, like a European summer, people were even swimming/floating on the sea. I really needed that, after the exploits of the night before...

Arab Spring - after Friday prayers in Amman

2012-01-25T15:57:00.001+01:00

Arab Spring - after Friday prayers in Amman, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

People tend to get a bit excited after Cuma prayers and they did again this last Friday in Amman. All fairly good natured, a bit of shouting and waving of banners by a few people, who were surrounded by police, soldires and riot police. Thankfully, no riot ensued.

Out in the Petra mountains with the lovely Hashem (Limoene)

2012-01-23T04:46:00.001+01:00

Out in the Petra mountains with the lovely Hashem (Limoene), a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I had hoped to find one of the two Aimans but they were not around, so it was a pleasure to be taken out by the charming Hashem (known as Limoene to his friends). We caught the good weather of the early morning, before the cold wond got up, bringing rain, hail and snow later in the day...

Cute, innit?

2012-01-22T06:43:00.001+01:00

Cute, innit?, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We had come a long way down the King's Highway before we could stop and take some photos of the bedouins with their donkeys and sheep. These puppies (being carried in a plastic bag) were a big surprise. They will grow up to become sheepdogs, protecting the herds from unwanted tourists taking photos!

Welcome to 2012 - back in the Saudi desert

2012-01-16T19:43:00.001+01:00

Welcome to 2012 - back in the Saudi desert, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

My sixth country this year and my first photos - back at the camel market outside Riyadh. The taxi broke down which was a bit annoying but meant I was able to capture this young chap with his young camel against a lovely setting sun.

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year

2012-01-01T16:50:00.000+01:00

Wishing you all a Happy and Healthy New Year, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This was part of our lunch a couple of days ago back in Bursa, hoping to eat a bit more like this in the year ahead...

December 2011 - Bursa

2011-12-31T16:51:00.000+01:00

December 2011 - Bursa, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

And so we race through to December, the end of yet another year, finishing off with a return week in Turkey and the last day here at home in Amsterdam. We copied our Christmas of 2007 by going to Istanbul and Bursa for the Christmas week and we had almost exactly the same weather - cold sunshine (as opposed to cold rain here in Amsterdam). Here is one of the many coloured houses in old Bursa, reminding us a little of the Clennam house in Charles Dickens' Little Dorrit which we finished off (on DVD) whne we came home yesterday evening.

This will soon be illegal in Holland

2011-12-30T09:30:00.000+01:00

This will soon be illegal in Holland, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Charles in Cumalikizik

2011-12-29T09:15:00.001+01:00

Charles in Cumalikizik, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The Bursa guidebook strongly suggested that we make a trip to the village of Cumalikizik, where there is an unspoilt collection of old wooden Ottoman houses. A bus trip on line 22 took us through the endless tatty suburbs of Bursa before we made a right turn back up the mountain to arrive at this enchanting place. Lots of the lovely old houses which we love so much and many painted blue, but nothing really to compare with Safranbolu up in the north.

Fred in the snow above Cumalikizik

2011-12-29T09:14:00.001+01:00

Fred in the snow above Cumalikizik, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Fred is having to wear a new pair of trousers, having only brought one pair for the week, strangely enough. This would have been OK had he not slipped over on some ice when walking down one of the steep hills of Bursa the other day. Fortunately, we were not so far from the main street and Fred's coat was long enough to protect his modesty! He picked these up for 20 euros, will be interesting to see how long they last.

Details from the Yesil Turbe (Green Tomb) of Bursa

2011-12-27T09:15:00.000+01:00

Details from the Yesil Turbe (Green Tomb) of Bursa, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Four years ago when we came here, the Yesil Turbe was closed for restoration and now it is open. What a splendid job they have done. Only thing is that now the neighbouring Yesil Cami is closed (due to re-open next month apparently). Never mind, we had a great view of it last time around and we can always come back, inshallah.

Beautiful view across the Marmara Sea

2011-12-25T19:00:00.001+01:00

Beautiful view across the Marmara Sea, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We had a lovely day walking around in the sunshine and visiting the 1453 Panorama Museum showcasing the Conquest of Constantinople by Fatih Sultan Mehmet in 1453. It was really well done. Later we walked along the old Theodosian Walls to Yedikule, beside the Marmara Sea.
Just had a little 'rest' in the hotel and will be heading off for a delicious dinner at Leb-i-deryah with beautiful views across the Bosphorus.
One thing, despite the sunshine it is still very very cold here in Istanbul.

Terminillo snow

2011-12-05T18:33:00.001+01:00

Terminillo snow, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It is Sinterklaas today here in Holland, so time to start thinking about Christmas and winter landscapes. This one takes us back to a Christmas spent in the hills outside Rome in the province of Rieti, back in 1995, so sixteen years ago. I liked the way it scanned.

Those misty mornings of November

2011-12-04T12:47:00.001+01:00

Those misty mornings of November, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Going back to last month when we had quite a lot of mist. November was the driest November ever recorded in Holland.

Arrival in Faro

2011-12-02T12:42:00.000+01:00

Arrival in Faro, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Four hours and 270kms away from Lisbon via an intercity train, we arrive to this beautiful scene opposite Faro railway station.

Prince Henry the Navigator and friends

2011-12-01T10:09:00.001+01:00

Prince Henry the Navigator and friends, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I was really hoping I would see a memorial like this when I came to Portugal and was a bit disappointed to find only a statue of a fat king in the main square. However, we took a taxi to Belem on the Sunday morning and sure enough, here it was, Henry the Navigator looking out to see at the start of the great age of European discoveries of the rest of the world. Even better than how I had imagined it might be!

The Lisbon synagogue

2011-11-28T19:01:00.001+01:00

The Lisbon synagogue, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Hidden behind other buildings and a fence. Catholic Portugal kicked out its Jewish population at the end of the15th century, just five years after neighbouring Spain did the same. Many of them came to Amsterdam, where the largest synagogue remaining is, in fact, the Portugese synagogue. One of the descendants was none other than the great philosopher Baruch Spinoza.

Fred, among the trams of Lisbon

2011-11-26T21:08:00.001+01:00

Fred, among the trams of Lisbon, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Another day spent out in the warm sunshine of Lisbon - here a bit later in the day when it was cooling down. We have done quite well considering we don't have a guidebook.

Spent the afternoon back in Alfama, having lunch with a dear colleague who is also taking the opportunity to explore Lisbon, so that was an extra treat.

Trams are one of the biggest tourist icons of this city, and here is Fred standing in front of a small mural depicting these noble and hard working machines.

Apart from the taxi from the airport, we have seen everything by foot and our calves are beginning to notice just what a hilly place this is!

We are in... Portugal!!!

2011-11-25T21:00:00.001+01:00

We are in... Portugal!!!, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

For the first time! Here for a long weeknd in Lisbon with Fred, before I take the train down to Faro for a week long company meeting on the Algarve. They said last year that this year´s meeting would be held in London (probably an airport hotel near Gatwick). However, it turns out to be much cheaper to come down here and take over an out-of-season hotel than to be in a dreadful place near Crawley!

The sun is shinng, it is a comfortable 19 degrees and we had a lovely day walking around the backstreets of this interesting city. So, a good start!

Me and my brother - in Amsterdam

2011-11-24T19:03:00.001+01:00

Me and my brother - in Amsterdam, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Srummaging around the envelopes of pre-digital photos, I came across these two photo of me and my brother from November 1999, so twelve years ago. Richard came over to visit for a long weekend, that very weekend at the beginning of November every year when the leaves on the trees over the canals are brihgt yellow, before they drop off a few days later.

Fred and I are off for a long weekend to teh capital city of the only major country in western Europe which we have not yet visited. Haven't quite finished my work but it should be a nice break.

Misty morning sunrise

2011-11-23T16:37:00.001+01:00

Misty morning sunrise, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I was working from home this morning. which gave me the opportunity to rush out and get these pictures when I saw the sun breaking through the mist. It has been another lovely day here in Amsterdam.

Noorderpark in Leeuwarden

2011-11-21T22:34:00.001+01:00

Noorderpark in Leeuwarden, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The light of Leeuwarden

2011-11-20T14:21:00.001+01:00

The light of Leeuwarden, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We just arrived back from a very enjoyable couple of nights and a full day in the Frisian capital city of Leeuwarden, the first time either of us had been there. The incentive to go there was the Marc Almond concert of Friday night and Fred sensibly decided to make a weekend of it.

We didn't have very high expectations of the city (which is often just as well) as Leeuwarden is never mentioned as a place one must-see here in Holland, always being overshadowed by Groningen as the major city in the north and the attractions of the Frisian lakes, islands and countryside.. However, we do not know the country that well and we went there with an open mind and we were very pleasantly surprised. A very attractive (albeit very small) city with an historical center with many houses dating from the 17th century, some remaining canals and attractive parks, not to mention lots of loungey terraces to sit out (in the sun) and enjoy a coffee or a beer.

We were lucky with the weather as the sun shined all day yesterday, making for a perfect day to get know this city a bit. Here are some photos of some of the larger boats on one of the city's canals.

The Conversation

2011-11-12T19:07:00.001+01:00

The Conversation, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This young chap was having a conversation with the lady you can see in the middle of the top floor window on the orange building. I liked the light, colours and perspective here.

Bulls are also sacrificed

2011-11-07T19:15:00.000+01:00

Bulls are also sacrificed, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I am trying to get the bloody photos out of the way, as I know that these images are a bit difficult for many people.

Here we have a recently killed bull, whereby the head is cut off, before the carcass is skinned and cut up. Again, we have a butcher from Afyon, father or uncle to the other lads dealing with the sheep.

Under the knife

2011-11-07T17:01:00.001+01:00

Under the knife, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It is day two of the Slaughter Feast in Turkey, just starting in Pakistan. For the next few days, I will be uploading photos from the scenes yesterday from Okmeydani in Istanbul, where many bulls and sheep were put under the knife, so if you do not like blood and stuff, please do not come to this photostream.

Ritual slaughtering is due to be banned in Holland, due to pressure from the Animal Party and the anti-Moslem party, with controversial support from the Labour Party.

I cannot say I have ever been to an abbatoir in western Europe, so do not know how the industrial-scale killing of animals actually works, but I have seen photos and it does not look too nice at all. At least this killing is done on a one-by-one basis, with the butcher saying a prayer to his god before putting his sharp knife through the throat of the beast under him. A more natural and, dare I say, fairer way to treat the animal concerned.

These chaps came up from Afyon, way south of Istanbul, to earn some money.

Introducing Osman from Afyon

2011-11-06T21:04:00.001+01:00

Introducing Osman from Afyon, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Today was the start of the Slaughter Feast for Muslims in Turkey and Arabia. In Istanbul, it was a beautifully warm, sunny day, with children out on the streets in their best clothes and teh streets largely empty of traffic as people spend time with their families. Very similar to Christmas.

Many many bulls and sheep were slaughtered today, in Istanbul mainly in special places set aside for the purpose, although I did see an illegal sacrifice on the backstreets of Kasimpasa.

Frankel with his half-brorher Bullet Train

2011-11-01T06:09:00.001+01:00

Frankel with his half-brorher Bullet Train, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It is the greatset day in Australian racing today, the first Tuesday in November, when the race that stops a nation takes place - the Melbourne Cup. Lots of European challlengers this year, I like the look of Fox Hunt to won. Anyway, here are some pictures from Champions Day in the middle of October at Ascot.

View across St Ives harbour

2011-10-28T21:35:00.001+02:00

View across St Ives harbour, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We have very fond memories of the place, so being in Cornwall for a few days we just had to go down there to see it again. We were welcomed with warm sunshine and that lovely view across the harbour to the white houses with the yellow lichen on the grey slate roofs. Magical! I hope you get to make it down there soon.

Scenes from Cawsand

2011-10-27T21:34:00.000+02:00

Scenes from Cawsand, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

gary8345 (35 hours ago | reply | delete)

It looks rather surreal – although I am now wondering, if it is start of a joke……. a man on a horse walked into a pub…….

Happy Birthday, James

2011-10-26T21:37:00.000+02:00

Happy Birthday, James, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

18 today, congratulations! The party was great, hope you have a wonderful day today and enjoyed your (legal) pub crawl!

Early morning in Kingsand

2011-10-25T20:42:00.001+02:00

Early morning in Kingsand, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Had to get up early-ish for this but it was worth it!

Our friends from Ercis

2011-10-24T20:59:00.000+02:00

Our friends from Ercis, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Arrived back to Amsterdam this evening to be picked up by a taxi driver from Trabzon who told us about the deadly earthquake which struck Ercis earlier today and killed over 40 people. here is a photo from happier times from this attractive town in the northern shore of Lake Van

A push-me-pull-you

2011-10-22T20:58:00.000+02:00

A push-me-pull-you, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

As seen out in the Peak Ditrict near the Nelson Arms, just west of Sheffield.

Fred, Diana and Cuddles under a big oak

2011-10-21T20:54:00.000+02:00

Fred, Diana and Cuddles under a big oak, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Time for lovely walks in the Yorkshire coun tryside around Sheffield.

Autumn Colours at Westonbirt Arboretum - Japanese maple

2011-10-19T20:50:00.000+02:00

Autumn Colours at Westonbirt Arboretum - Japanese maple, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Nine pounds each was quite a lot of money to pay fopr a walk in the woods but these Japenese maples sort of made it worthwhile!

Flying

2011-10-17T20:47:00.000+02:00

Flying, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Mum and Fred getting high above the beach at Watergate Bay in Cornwall earlier today

Highland cattle on Dartmoor

2011-10-16T20:47:00.000+02:00

Highland cattle on Dartmoor, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We crossed Dartmoor on Sunday having visited a dear old friend of my Mum's whow as in Hargeisa the same time as we were, she living in Cadbury. Dartmoor is more famous for its wild ponies and wandering sheep, but it was good to see these great beasts up on the moorland and, as you can see, the sun was still shining.

A row of pretty Devonshire cottages at Drewsteignton

2011-10-16T20:46:00.000+02:00

A row of pretty Devonshire cottages at Drewsteignton, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Could only be Devon, where the cottages are a lot prettier thgan in neighbouring Cornwall.

Frankel, the best horse in the world

2011-10-15T20:43:00.000+02:00

Frankel, the best horse in the world, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Here is the mighty Frankel after his annihilation of the field in today's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot

Delicate pink in Paris

2011-10-10T22:38:00.001+02:00

Delicate pink in Paris, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This was my favourite flower pic from Paris a week ago in that lovely sunshine.

Paris mixte

2011-10-09T22:31:00.000+02:00

Paris mixte, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Autumn is here well and good. Maybe it is just me but the trees seems to have been losing their leaves for quite a long time already and they still have a month to go. Perhaps they are still suffering from the long dry warm springtime.

Paris greys

2011-10-08T12:08:00.001+02:00

Paris greys, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This time last week, we were walking along the Avenue Daumesnil, hearing about France losing to Tonga and England narrowly beating Scotland, to set up this weekend's quarter final. The sun was shining and it was hot.

Now, we are back home and the rain is teeming down outside, when a few minutes ago we had bright sunshine. A click onto the Guardian website tells us that France have beaten England 19-12 to get their revenge for 2003 and 2007. Well, at least Wales beat Oirland.

How things change!

Anyway, here are some nice memories from the Brocante market at Place Daumesnil.

Ombre et lumière

2011-10-07T17:38:00.003+02:00

Ombre et lumière, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Glamour at Longchamp on Sunday

Today's colour - jaune

2011-10-07T17:38:00.001+02:00

Today's colour - jaune, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

France still has its national post service.

Elián (29 hours ago)
The comment sent me off to another one of my explorations. I had no idea this existed: www.postnl.com/customers/mail/index.aspx
People in the U.S. (who tend to complain about everything), often criticize the Unites States Postal Service. I'm quite satisfied with it.

CharlesFred (28 hours ago)
Thanks, my friend. I thought that the post was still being handled by TNT, although PostNL looks like it is a subsidiary. It is a terrible terrible company. It sacked all its postmen and now only employs casual workers at the lowest of salaries, part-time, with minimum pension rights and so on. The staff are paid next to nothing and yet are forced by management to deliver as much post and advertising rubbish as possible just to keep their crappy jobs.

Elián (27 hours ago)
That's terrible! The average U.S. postal carrier (formerly mailman) earns $54,000/year. They also excellent benefits and a rather nice pension. Two of my friends (one a former professor of Italian, and the other a great pianist) worked for the USPS.

CharlesFred (25 hours ago)
I am pleased to hear it. No wonder you have such a high opinion of your postal service. We'd have been quite proud here, were it not for the continuous price hikes and degradation of its workforce - what we would quite commonly refer to as American-inspired work conditions.

Orange was to be the colour - Danedream wins the 2011 Arc for Germany

2011-10-02T19:50:00.001+02:00

Orange was to be the colour - Danedream wins the 2011 Arc for Germany, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Danedream winning the Arc, followed first by her shadow, then the rest of the field at a respectable distance. To be honest, she wasn't that much fancied by the turfistes and everyone was looking around in silence when she came to win the race? What was the name of that small horse in orange who had just burst from the pack? The jockey, Andreas Starke, did a great job to enthuse and entertain the crowd as he rode her back past the grandstands and all the connections were clapped and cheered when they came to collect their prizes.

The nearest we came was third, where Fred and I had a small bet on Frankie Dettori riding the totally inaptly named (for the day) Snow Fairy.

Gypsy boy in Balat

2011-09-28T23:00:00.001+02:00

Gypsy boy in Balat, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I can't recommend highly enough the excellent book 'Gypsy Boy' by Mikey Walsh, which gives a fascinating insight into the lives of Romanies in modern day (well mainly 1980's and 1990's) Britain as well as his own personal struggle with not meeting the expectations of his father. It is published by Hodder and can be bought for just 4 pounds 39 pence from amazon.co.uk in book form.

Polo in Amsterdam

2011-09-27T21:32:00.001+02:00

Polo in Amsterdam, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

They were about the WORST bunch of people I have come across in Amsterdam, all white cotton trousers, bright coloured polo shirts (from Scapa Sports and Ralph Lauren), rolling their 'rrrrr's, having long lanky or curly hair and drinking champagne. Yuk.

Nice ponies though!

Didn't stay too long, had a puncture and had to get back home for a dinner date on the balcony.

Sunday's cycle ride to Naarden-Vesting

2011-09-26T18:21:00.001+02:00

Sunday's cycle ride to Naarden-Vesting, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We went out cycling to Muiden, Muiderberg, Naarden-Vesting and Weesp in the brought warm sunshine of our well-deserved Indian Summer. Back home for a few songs at the Beleef Oostpoort party behind the house, before drinks and reading books together on the balcony. Very nice!

Sunday's cycle ride to Naarden-Vesting

2011-09-25T21:36:00.000+02:00

Sunday's cycle ride to Naarden-Vesting, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Stating the obvious

2011-09-20T21:33:00.000+02:00

Stating the obvious, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Aspects of the Sakirin Mosque

2011-09-19T21:13:00.000+02:00

Aspects of the Sakirin Mosque, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The Sakirin Mosque is a new one, built in 2009 and is located on the Asian side, somewhere between Uskudar and Kadikoy. Apart from its stunning modern design, it is notable for the fact that its interior design team was led by a woman, Zeynep Fadillioglu.

Red delciousness

2011-09-18T21:40:00.000+02:00

Red delciousness, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The season here seems to have just started. These are the sour pomegranates, rather than the so-called sweet ones (which are a lighter colour and still a bit bitter).

The beautiful gypsy women from Balat plus my sister Fiona

2011-09-17T23:23:00.000+02:00

The beautiful gypsy women from Balat plus my sister Fiona, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Airing

2011-09-17T08:27:00.003+02:00

Airing, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It was hot back in July, should still be nice in September. Arrıved last night and woken up to brıght blue skies and a caı whıle I spend a lıttle tıme on the hostel computer. The room ıs small and a bit shabby to be honest but nıce to stay ın a different part of town. Went up the road for one beer last night.

Fred and Henk were in Istanbul last time

2011-09-16T08:27:00.000+02:00

Fred and Henk were in Istanbul last time, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Going to Istanbul for the weekend with my sister Fiona, being joined later by Ineke and Jasper, looking forward to it!

Young man with his loom in Siirt

2011-09-07T19:37:00.001+02:00

Young man with his loom in Siirt a video by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I managed to grab a little bit of motion here, although I don't really get to show what he does to the wool at the end when he combs it with a sharpish razor-like implement, to make the wool more fluffy.

Hari Raya Jaya!

2011-08-31T02:11:00.004+02:00

Hari Raya Jaya!, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Thank you Aunty Nina for a lovely dinner. It was lovely seeing you and Uncle Malcolm this evening. Have a wonderful trip and let us know your news!

Eid mubarak - bayramın kutlu olsun...

2011-08-30T02:11:00.000+02:00

Eid mubarak - plums from Muradiye, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Hera DiNo LoLo

2011-08-28T17:17:00.001+02:00

Memories of a week in eastern Turkey:

The Oto Yikama boys

2011-08-26T14:10:00.001+02:00

The Oto Yikama boys, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The authorities forgot to put any gravel on the newly tarmac-ed road, with the result that our yellow taxi gradually turned black. We felt a bit guilty about having asked him to go down that road, but with the help of these young chaps who wiped the car clean after the chap on the left and spurted his water on the black tarmac covering the car. The car was as yellow as ever in the time it took for us to drink a cup of chai and take a few pictures (of course). We gave them some money and the rest of the pliums we had left over from earlier in the day. (See here [www.flickr.com/photos/charlesfred/5977147850/in/datetaken/] )

The golden harvest

2011-08-25T14:09:00.000+02:00

The golden harvest, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I prefer this one, to be honest

2011-08-24T14:09:00.000+02:00

I prefer this one, to be honest, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The latest book: Istanbul (2011 edition)

2011-08-23T21:57:00.004+02:00

We hope you like this!

Istanbul (2011 edition) by Charles Roffey | Make Your Own Book

Annemiek van den Berg (1956-2011)

2011-08-16T11:11:00.001+02:00

Annemiek van den Berg (1956-2011), a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

My goodness, I had completely forgotten about this series of photos from Fred's birthdfay back in June. I remember that, as a special friend, Annemiek was invited over to ahve dinner with us first before the party started and I can also remember calling the taxi for her to leave sometime deep into the night. Had forgotten that we had had this little photo session on the balcony, this photo having been created with the self-timer. Here she is looking as glamorous as usual.

Artkulu artwork on the Ulu Camii in Siirt

2011-08-15T16:33:00.001+02:00

Artkulu artwork on the Ulu Camii in Siirt, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The same artwork as we could find at the tombs in soon-to-disappear (due to the building of a dam) Hasankeyf. Artkulu were the people who lived arond these parts about 800 years ago.

Siirt boy with his lime-green-and-white tricycle

2011-08-14T16:35:00.002+02:00

Siirt boy with his lime-green-and-white tricycle, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Can't get enough of these photos of children from the streets of Turkish cities and towns...

Lipstick on her lips

2011-08-12T22:23:00.000+02:00

Lipstick on her lips, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This lady was to be seen many many times during the long weekend we spent in Antakya during the Freedom Day Festival. Obviously a staunch Kemalist with a dignified and proud charm about her.

In Bitlis, where the men really DO sit down and drink tea all day!

2011-08-11T22:30:00.000+02:00

In Bitlis, where the men really DO sit down and drink tea all day!, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

... just like the guidebook said...

At the sheep farm

2011-08-10T18:50:00.001+02:00

At the sheep farm, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

This girl came out of her house to see what was going on with these strangers in town and immediately burst into tears when she saw one of us (we were giving a lift to two fellow travellers on this day). However, after the tears had been wiped away it was not long before she started playing up in front of the camera, her little brother now being the shy one and hiding behind his big sister. A charming moment.

Rest in peace sweet angel

2011-08-07T20:27:00.001+02:00

Rest in peace sweet angel, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The worst thing happened... dear Annemiek has left us...

Happy with good friends

2011-08-06T20:28:00.000+02:00

Happy with good friends, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Our first Canal Parade in three years and after a sunny start, it rained again. Not enough to dampen our spirits and it was great to catch up with Rob and Ghisliane after not seeing them for a few weeks.

I thought I'd not bother taking pics but I brought the little Panasonic and ended up running the battery down...

The loneliness of losing

2011-08-05T20:29:00.000+02:00

The loneliness of losing, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Back now at the 650th Oil Wrestling Championships in Kirkpinar, this time with a short series about a loser of one of the bouts as he leaves the field and finds peace and quiet away from the crowds but not away from my camera...

Back in Istanbul, back amongst friends

2011-08-04T20:35:00.000+02:00

Back in Istanbul, back amongst friends, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Here we are with the best barber in Istanbul, Zafer from Balat. No need for a haircut this time but we had a tea together and took some pics.

Portraits of a beautiful family in Balat

2011-08-03T20:34:00.000+02:00

Portraits of a beautiful family in Balat, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Ramadan Mubarak

2011-08-02T20:30:00.000+02:00

Ramadan Mubarak, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It is the start of Ramadan, so time to wish everyone a Happy Ramadan. Here are a couple of photos of the newly restored Suleymaniye Camii in Istan bul, designed/bilt by our favourite architect, Mimar Sinan!

A Kurdish song from Abali

2011-08-01T23:23:00.001+02:00

Here is a nice memory from last week, as an antidote to the nasty work of tidying up the house and trying get get various things dry. Still, one good thing ahs come out of it, in that we have thrown away lots of old rubbish!

Saying our farewells in Istanbul - Arif and Fred

2011-07-31T23:49:00.001+02:00

Saying our farewells in Istanbul - Arif and Fred, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Arif is the best cook in Turkey and also the most hard-working one. He owns and runs the Nemrut Et Lokantesi in Beyoglu and the two of us can have a substantial meal there for 4 euros for the both of us. I will upload a collage of today's lunch tomorrow.

In the meantime, we have arrived home. With a water leak in the basement which has damaged all our LPs, many of our old photos and lots of other things, not to mention the nasty smell, it was not a great homecoming. Annoying letters from the tax man and bad news on the work front didn't make it any better. Bad news also about a dear friend of ours and the main thing is that things go well with her, more important than any destroyed LP sleeves...

But! At least the garden looks good and it was great to have Henk pick us up from the airport (after a rather dreadful flight).

I was hoping to go to the office tomorrow but with the water damage in the basement, I think I need to stay at home and help Fred out with everything which needs to be done.

Washing the wool in the Catak stream

2011-07-30T10:39:00.001+02:00

Washing the wool in the Catak stream, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

While the men are out on the hills tending the flocks, the women and girls are washing the newly shorn wool (mainly by beating it with those sticks)

Catak landscapes

2011-07-29T23:07:00.001+02:00

Catak landscapes, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We had our last day in the east today and the road took us to Catak, under Lake Van. Beautiful landscpaes, wonderful people and hospitality, running streams and walnut groves and hardly a car in sight. Funnily enough, having arrived in Catak, we were surprised to see a busload of young Koreans being dropped off in town!

We are now back in noisy old Istanbul amongst the hustle and bustle of the big city to finish off our month in Turkey witha weekend in our favourite city.

An Anglo-Arab colt with friends in Ercis

2011-07-29T07:53:00.001+02:00

An Anglo-Arab colt with friends in Ercis, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

peterpeers
You returned from Bitlis to Tatvan and Ahlat by the northside of Lake Van???
First idea that came to my mind: this is somewhere in the Wild West

CharlesFred
Yes, this is what we did. it was interesting but the south side was more beautiful, although around Ercis it became wonderful again and again we made for the hills just south of Muradiye, at a time when the children were bringing the cattle dwon from the mountains, the sheep having already been put to bed.
What a beautiful part of this amazing country!

Scenes from Nemrut Dag

2011-07-29T07:41:00.001+02:00

Scenes from Nemrut Dag, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The largest crater lake in Turkey, 2,400 meters high, such beautiful colours and scenery.

Two goatherds

2011-07-29T07:39:00.001+02:00

Two goatherds, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I am sorry but I really cannot resist these scenes. So the car has to stop, I rush out with my camera and greet them with a Merhaba and before too long they are on my photostream!

These photos are from the countryside of Siirt province, a province which seems to be mainly overlooked by tourists. I only found 548 photos tagged with Siirt on flickr, so I will have added over 1% to that total this morning.

We used to have these flowers in our garden back in Beaconsfield

2011-07-27T07:08:00.001+02:00

We used to have these flowers in our garden back in Beaconsfield, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We decided to take a car out for the rest of this week to explore the highways and byways of the eastern part of Turkey and after some frustration at Europcar's lack of orgnaisation (again, just like in Oman), we had a black Chevrolet at our disposal. We spent the rest of the day following the southern shore of Lake Van from Van to Tatvan, where we are now. We picked up a hitch hiker on the way who turned out to be a totally charming Islamic teacher with limited English skills. He treated us to some great hospitality here in Tatvan until he went off to visit his friends' new baby in a local hospital. Just getting ready to find some dinner and hopefully a bar with beer and live folk music, which is the way we like to spend our evenings here.

Brother and sister and chick

2011-07-26T20:06:00.001+02:00

Brother and sister and chick, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Happy Birthday dear Fiona! Thinking of you all day, especially when I saw these two, who followed us around this incredibly cute little village. She was a bit shy in all the photos but this stopped when her elder brother picked up this chick who was running around, looking a bit lost...

Young cowherd

2011-07-26T20:04:00.003+02:00

Young cowherd, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

We managed to get our driver to take the road over the mountains and then get him to stop for scenes like this - cowherds and shepherds with their flocks, set against this beautiful mountainous golden landscape. So wonderful!

Today we went out for a drive into the golden brown countryside of Van Province

2011-07-26T20:04:00.001+02:00

Today we went out for a drive into the golden brown countryside of Van Province, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Wondering what to do on our second day in Van, we suddenly came across a taxi stand with some photos of touristic places, one of them being the waterfalls at Muradiye. Well, we had thought about taking public transport up there, but it was over 60 kms away and the problem with public transport is that you cannot stop to take photos. So, we were soon asking how much it would cost to hire a taxi for the day and in a few minutes the deal was done. For an agreed price we would have the taxi for the rest of the day until about 5 or 6 and the taxi driver would take us to the waterfalls and also a castle and some villages.
Well, we are always a bit apprehensive about taking drivers out (except for our very dear Abdul Kader in Hama in Syria - may we hope all is well with you and your family), especially ones who do not speak a word of English! It looked bad when the first thing we did when leaving Van was to fill up with petrol for 80 lire, for which we had to advance our driver 100 lire. Then, it became apparent that he had completely missed the tuning for the castle. And then he made up some stupid excuse not to drive to the old bridge in Muradiye. Then last of all, he seemed to refuse to take us to the town of Ozalp, being seemingly more keen to drive us back to Van as quickly as possible.
However, surprise, surprise, he DID take a turn-off and we were soon driving along small country lanes through the most beautiful wide expanses of countryside, mostly golden brown, backed by the mountains which provide the main boundary between Turkey and Iran. And he did stop, time and time again, when I would spot a shepherd or a cowherd ro some birds or particularly spectacular scenery and all of a sudden our day had become perfect, especially as we were met by such large smiles and waves everywhere we went.
But then, all of a sudden as we were descending from the hills, the road surface changed to recently laid black tarmac which was soft and gooey under the hot sun. The gravel layer had not been put on yet. Fred first noticed there was a problem when his hand turned black from the tarmac being thrown up, then it was the turn of my forearm. The car did not seem to be too badly affacted until we came to the bottom to the main road and our driver stopped to find that his car had turned BLACK! Ooops! Now it was our turn to feel guilty for having put him through this. We offered to help clean it with cloths and although it worked a bit there was not enough cloth nor hours in the day. Fortunately, just down the road there was a car wash and after seemingly lots of shouting, they agreed to give it a go, first some young boys would go over the car with a cloth, turning it brown (a mixture of yellow and black) until the older young man with the jet water spray had a go and blasted all the dirt off in a matter of minutes and thankfully the car turned yellow again and we were only 20 lire poorer.
Of course, by the time we were back in Van, it was all dusty as the Turks are widening the road through the east of the country to Iran and India beyond with heavy road works going on every 5 kms or so.
The financial transaction at the end went off without a hitch, the petrol HAD been included in the price we had agreed and we only had to pay the balance, plus a handsome tip for our patient driver. And what a relief that was after our nightmares with car rentals in Eritrea and Somaliland...

Sunset over Lake Van

2011-07-25T07:52:00.001+02:00

Sunset over Lake Van, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

There is massive police presence in Van, where many of the locals celebrate their Kurdish roots at a time of high tension following the killing of thirteen Turkish soldiers in Diyarbakir last week by Kurdish terrorists. The Kurdish colours of red, yellow and green were out in force at this music festival and the police kept their distance, albeit dressed in riot gear with armoured vehicles parked in the nearby streets, three just outside our hotel.

Some of the friends we made today

2011-07-24T22:07:00.001+02:00

Some of the friends we made today, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

It is always strange to have to leave a place (or places) you have enjoyed and made friends and to come ato a new place and wait to see what happens. We crossed east to Van, near the border with Iran and were greeted by dark clouds, patchy rain, unmade roads, police everywhere, including their armoured cars and it all looked a bit bleak. However, as is so often in Turkey, by the end of the day we could look back on a number of pleasurable meetings some of short duration, some longer. These are some chaps we met up on the top of the Rock of Van overlooking the massive Lake Van, site of ancient civilisations from over 5,000 years ago. More pictures from here later.

All of a sudden, we are ın a completely dıfferent part of Turkey

2011-07-24T12:13:00.001+02:00

All of a sudden, we are ın a completely dıfferent part of Turkey, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Van, to be precise...

World Aba Guresi Championships in Antakya

2011-07-24T12:12:00.001+02:00

World Aba Guresi Championships in Antakya, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Thıs champıonshıp started on Saturday ın the Ataturk Stadıum ın Antakya wıth the fınals later today.

You too

2011-07-23T09:16:00.001+02:00

You too, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Antakya has a world famous archeological museum with many beautiful and well preserved mosaics being the main attraction.

Here the host is saying to his guests ' You Too', which can mean that he wishes for you what you wish for him. In this case, it looks like a large-ish penis!

So close to Syria

2011-07-23T09:15:00.001+02:00

lADY IN BAZAAR, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

The bazaar of Antakya is very large and reminds us of some of the bazaars to be found in eastern Turkey, less so the souks of nearby Syria. However, this woman brought back immediate memories of the bedouin women to be seen in the souk of neighbouring Aleppo.

The border with Syria seems to be open and there seems not to be any trouble in Aleppo. We are tempted to go across but we have made different plans and we don't have visas anyway.

While we are at it, we can mention that we were invited to the fleshpots of :Lattakia just down the coast from here, but we turned down that invitation, reluctantly...

The world of flickr meets

2011-07-20T22:31:00.001+02:00

The world of flickr meets, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Lovely to meet Kemal and Berkin here in Adana. Thanks for a lovely day, lads and look forward to seeing you this afternoon again.

Impressions from our 20 hour train journey to Adana

2011-07-19T08:18:00.001+02:00

Impressions from our 20 hour train journey to Adana, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Sunflower fields towards journey's end, although the journey did last a couple of hours longer than it should have done. It was another great experience, bringing back memories of the 32 hour trip we made from Istanbul to Aleppo back in 2005 at the start of our six month journey through Middle East and Africa. That time we took the Toros Express, this time, the Icanadolu Mavi Express, which is more modern with air conditioning and a restaurant car. Leaving at just before midnight, we had time for a beer before climbing between the fresh white sheets and rolling off into sleep as the train headed eastwards, waking up somewhere short of the city of Konya.