Fantastic photos and blog Johnie........just came back from my trip to the middle east and loved it, so can only imagine what you're experiencing!
I found a husband for Shelley.....he was looking for a second wife.....she is now Mrs Yasser Bin Hareb Al-Shukili ...we did have a slight problem with some of the details though as Shelley thought she was getting 5 carats and a mink but all she got was 5 camels and a goat.
Take care x x x x x
Dad
Jack, did you know?
Mohammed is set to become the most popular name for baby boys in Britain by the end of the year. when all the different spellings of the name Mohammed are taken into account it ranks as the second most popular name behind Jack, Jack. According to the records from the Office for National Statistics a total of 5991 baby boys were given some version of the name Mohammed, with 6928 named Jack. Thomas was third with 5921. Joshua and Oliver rounding out the top five.
cheers and love
dad
Emma
Amazing photos, Amazing blog.... keep it up, I love reading it!
Jinnie
Morning Mr Diesel,
Seriously wicked photo's - glad to see you've got over the 'one or two will do' mentality which seemed to prevail in the early part of your trip. The buildings look amazing - never seen anything like it (although I'm sure you'd agree that our recent bathroom tiling possibly gave them some inspiration...).
Did you know that Trafalgar Square got turfed? You'd have loved it. I tried to appreciate it on your behalf. Grass underfoot - yup, deckchair - yup, beer and crisps - yup, 8 million monstrous tourists - yup! I tried John - I really did but had to hurry off back to the park before I became too antisocial. I can only hope your own less than generous attitude to non residents in London does not apply vice versa whilst you're travelling.
Is the 'salt man' a self portrait?
Dad
Regarding clothes, you have obviously remembered everything your father taught you. The rule applies especially to underclothes. Day 1, wear conventionally. Day 2, back-to-front , Day 3 inside out conventionally, Day 4, inside out and back-to-front. This ensures 4 days without changing or washing. Buttons can be a source of irritation. Zips especially so.
take care
dad
Scooter
Did you pack any washing powder? Might want to throw that grey tshirt in and give it a bit of a scrub. I think its week is up! Great weekend weather wise here. Not missing you like others are ... altho I think they may be fibbing a little! No more dancing vids thanks mate...
JU
JD great blog today - and photos of Iran look amazing - have you met any girls travelling through there cos it seems that you guys are getting on OK but would it be the same for women?
I am now in almost the complete opposite kind of place - in Taba where right across the Red Sea is the Gulf of Aqaba in Jordan. Its basically an area that has always been an Egyptian military base (well since they got the Sinai back in 1967 anyway :) but they have now built a tourist resort here too. The security is incredible - all the cars transferring people from the airport had police escorts and there were no less than 6 security checkpoints along the way before the hotel where everything has to go through metal detectors. We are only 15 km from the Israeli border and about the same again from the Jordanian border!
good luck with the visas x
Scooter
To be honest, if it wasn't for that fat gut, i'd struggle to recognise you johnny. Sure you're tall, but you need to be to carry that weight. Gt beard. Well i think it's you with the beard. hard to say for sure. Great dancing tho. Camera work was spectacular. not sure if you should make everyone you come across dance with or for you. And nice to see you've finally sorted out a new tshirt. Nice.
My strawberries are riping up surberbly and I'd say i'm close to harvesting a ton of spinach.
Keep on dancing!
Scooter
Barby
Absolutely fantstic journey and am enjoying all the blogs and messages. Yes Ju, John sure fits in with locals except for the height and that in itself is interesting considering the parents height!!! I am wondering how the dancing went, rhythm may not be John's strong point. hugs barby
Lis
Hi Johnie,
Lots of love from NZ. Bumped into Jess and Luke Hancock yesterday they say 'Hi'.
JU
I think last time I wrote it was about 15 degrees and I had to pull out the old woollies to stay warm - now as I admire the picturesque Turkish landscapes its only 10 degrees! and cant leave home without my gloves, scarf and god forbid an umbrella :)
On another note I am so impressed by the natural rhythm you displayed in that video that i really do need to question your heritage - if it wasnt for the fact that you're slightly taller than the rest of the group I would have had a lot of trouble picking you from that line up!
Anything you want to tell us Mum?
PS If Rachel mentions anything about me on the floor in the slug it really wasnt because of how much she made me drink
Dale & Garth
Hi John! Just learning all about your blog and finding it fascinating,the places you are visiting and photos look amazing. You look very well and with the beard should have no trouble fitting in with the locals. Keep on having a fabulous adventure and keep safe. Love Dale and Garth. xx