Gypsy boy in Balat

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

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

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

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

Stating the obvious

Stating the obvious, a photo by CharlesFred on Flickr.

Aspects of the Sakirin Mosque

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

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

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

Airing

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

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

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.