Early morning on the Stenna Britannica

A GFX Shot from the back of the boat as we head towards Holland, in the early hours of Monday 18th November 2019

Blackbird in Linz

Linz was pretty, and I wished I had more time to explore.

Belgrade Travellers

Dr Ibrahim Erdogan, from Gazantiep, and Leung Yee, on Friday 15th November, in Belgrade, Serbia. We were the survivors of an organised pub crawl signed up for on Trip Adviser. Nice people, good host, many pubs and clubs. I was passing through Gazantiep the following week and hoped to meet. Sadly it did not work. Leung is a perpetual traveller and is London in early December. It would be good to meet again. Belgrade, Serbia, 22 Nov 2019.

Monastry in Mardin

Lake Tuz

Stopped by Lake Tuz, second largest lake in Turkey, and huge.

Lake Tuz

Stop by Lake Tuz, second largest lake in Turkey, 28 Nov 2019. Lake Tuz is one of the largest salt lakes in the world, with a maximum length and width of 50 miles by 30 miles, and a maximum depth of 5 feet, but for most of the year the lake is only 1 foot deep.

Overlooking Linz

A prettier city than I was expecting, chosen only for it's convenience in location, being mid way between Nuremberg and Budapest.

Mardin Rooftops

Mardin Architecture

Mardin Architecture

Leaving Mardin

Preparing for departure from the Zinciriye Hotel in the old town of Mardin, Southern Turkey, during a ride from the UK to Iraq on 30 Nov 2019. Mardin is an ancient city built on the hills overlooking the Tigris river, and the plains of Mesopotamia. And a cat. Spot the cat!

Mardin Views

Looking out from Mardin over the Mesopotanian plans, stretching away to Syria and Iraq.

Mardin Fortress

Mardin Views over the Mesopotian Plains

Gold Shop Fronts

Mardin Street Scene

Looking into Syria

Stopped by the roadside near Cizre in Turkey, looking over the Tigris river and into Syria. The route this morning ran directly alongside the border for mile after mile, with Turkish Army bases here and there, and observation posts overlooking the border itself at regular intervals. The border consisted of 2 lines of concrete walls, and additional wire fencing. The border didn't appear to be manned, but I am sure there would have been a quick response if I had stopped to show an interest. This was far enough away to be out of sight of the watch towers, but near enough to see the border itself. 01 Dec 2019

Tea stop over the Great Zab

Final stop on the run from Dohuk to Erbil, on a bridge over the Great Zab river., on 3rd December 2019. The Great Zab originates in southern Turkey, running some 400km in a winding path through the Kurdish Region before merging with the Tigris River south of Mosul

Stop on the Great Zab River

The Great Zab originates in southern Turkey, running some 400km in a winding path through the Kurdish Region before merging with the Tigris River south of Mosul

Tea Seller

Tea stop on the bridge over the Great Zab River, between Dohuk and Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, late afternoon on the 3rd of December. Tea is made in a kettle, heated over a wooden fire, giving a distinctive taste and smell to the experience. The road to this point had been very good, but soon afterwards deteriotated to become deeply rutted. The tea seller refused to accept any money for his tea, quite typical of the hospitality here. I have seen my driver in the past argue with waiters to take money from him.

Tea Seller

Tea Seller on the bridge over the Great Zagab river, 03 Dec 2019.

On the Great

Bird in the rain

Cafes under the Dam in Dohuk