Hari Raya Jaya!

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...

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

Hera DiNo LoLo

Memories of a week in eastern Turkey:

The Oto Yikama boys

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

The golden harvest, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

I prefer this one, to be honest

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

The latest book: Istanbul (2011 edition)

We hope you like this!

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

Annemiek van den Berg (1956-2011)

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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

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

Happy with good friends

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

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

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

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

Ramadan Mubarak

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

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!