More travels in Afghanistan

These photos were taken in 1978 whilst travelling from London To Kathmandu. I think they were taken when travelling from Herat to Kabul across the desert in a coach. 

The coach attracted attention wherever we went. Although the coach looks modern it did not have a toilet  nor  air conditioning and this was in August. Not sure why anyone in their right mind would be crossing a desert in Afghanistan in mid summer!

On the journey we came across nomadic tribes.

We were welcomed into the tents to take photos.

 

Tea shops were a must in every small town.

Autumn sunshine

 It was a beautiful warm and sunny day today. Although we are in lockdown again we are allowed out to exercise. I couldn't resist revisiting my favourite walk in Kent.

Still some leaves on the trees but many have now changed into their autumn colours.

I stopped for lunch at Chartwell, once the home of Sir Winston Churchill. Now it is owned by the National Trust and although the main buildings are closed, the grounds are open.

This was my view as I munched away on my sandwiches.

The ground was littered with sweet chestnuts.

I continued my walk and about a mile or so from Chartwell there is another stopping place with these chairs and table waiting for someone to make use of them. It was at this point I took the wrong path. There are so many different paths that you need to concentrate not day dream as I was doing.

The different fungi attracted my attention away from the correct path.

I must have walked a couple of miles before I realised what I had done and I decided to carry on rather than turn back. That was another mistake as it took me quite some time  to find my way out of the woods but other than a few moments of panic I was ok and loved the walk.

Winchester Cathedral

 Last Friday I met up with my brother in Winchester. We could only meet for a short time, but as it was pouring down with rain we decided to visit the Cathedral. There was much to see and we didn't manage to see everything. Here are a few of the highlights.

There has been a church here since the 7th century but it was only after the Normans invaded in 1066 that this became a large Cathedral. The new cathedral was consecrated in 1093 and now has one of the longest medieval naves in Europe.. William the Conqueror's son was buried here in 1100.

The novelist, Jane Austin was only 41 when she died in 1817 and was buried here. The inscription refers to her virtues but makes no mention of her being a writer. It was not until after her death that her books became very popular.

This is the  baptismal font. It was brought from Tournai in Belgium in the 12th century. It is made from dark, polished stone and has carvings of the miracles of St Nicholas. 

The Norman arches in the earliest part of the building

This is a 15th century stone screen behind the main altar. Its painted statues were destroyed in the reformation.

The oak choir stalls are early 14th century and are decorated with human figures and carved animals.

Herat, Afghanistan 1975

I visited Afghanistan twice in the 1970s and these slides were taken on my first visit in 1975. When I returned three years later Russian tanks were on the streets. The main invasion took place in 1979 but troops were already there in 1978. I would like to have shown you photos but I wasn't foolish enough to start photographing an invading force.  

 However these photos were taken in happier times in 1975. They were taken in Herat where there was a funfair taking place. I assume it was in celebration of some festival, possibly the end of Ramadan but maybe not. 

 

Fungi

Conditions were perfect this weekend for lots of fungi.

Brompton Cemetery

 

Once the restrictions were lessened I have been trying to visit more underground stations. I started my 'Above the Underground' challenge in 2014. There are 270 different tube stations and to date I have visited and written about 125 stations. Ensuring I remain safe means not travelling on the tube as much as I did prior to the Covid outbreak. This means that I walk more between stations and also find other ways of  getting to them such as using National Rail. I have found that travelling early on Saturdays or Sundays means the NR trains are almost empty and I can open all the windows. 

I enjoy exploring the areas surrounding the stations as often they are unfamiliar to me. This week's gem was Brompton cemetery, a few minutes walk from West Brompton. Read more at http://62andthenext10pathways.blogspot.co.uk

Leicester Square

 There are 39 theatres in the West End of London with another 54 venues outside the West End. I wonder how many will survive this Covid crisis?

This is Leicester Square in the heart of the West End. It was 10am on Saturday when I took these photos. There was hardly anyone there. There are very few tourists in London at the moment which means many restaurants, cafes and shops have not reopened. 

I was able to photograph the statues around the Square with ease without anyone sitting next to them taking selfies.

Could almost be an advert for social distancing.

Don't think I have ever seen the Lego shop or M and M's without queues outside. There again it could just have been the rain keeping everyone indoors.