I think Nick Garlick’s intention was to write an encyclopedia about the middle east covering all the firms, drivers, stories and geography of the job as he visited many guys, myself included, to gather information for this project, which we all gave freely, but obviously realised what a massive task he’d set himself.
He certainly took the opportunity to collect a considerable number of irreplaceable photos from people that he visited and many seem never to have been returned.
David
David Miller:
I think Nick Garlick’s intention was to write an encyclopedia about the middle east covering all the firms, drivers, stories and geography of the job as he visited many guys, myself included, to gather information for this project, which we all gave freely, but obviously realised what a massive task he’d set himself.
He certainly took the opportunity to collect a considerable number of irreplaceable photos from people that he visited and many seem never to have been returned.
David
He could easily scan them and pop them on here over a period of time. A little comment under each one to give us our bearings… At least they wouldn’t be lost forever. Robert 
An amusing reminder that Astran publicity is nothing new! The pic was taken by a driver, I think in Londra Camp, judging from the EFES bottles in the other pics, and I think the man in the hat is Java John (?)…I certainly wasn’t there so perhaps someone can confirm. Robert 
robert1952:
An amusing reminder that Astran publicity is nothing new! The pic was taken by a driver, I think in Londra Camp, judging from the EFES bottles in the other pics, and I think the man in the hat is Java John (?)…I certainly wasn’t there so perhaps someone can confirm. Robert10
Hi Robert, the first pic is indeed java john and the second pic is of Gerry Hill and Gerry Weelan both of whom have gone to the TIR park in the Sky RIP. regards jamie.
Been a bit quite lately so here’s a bit more Super 8 converted to Digital
Ankara to Torkham section of Trip to Pakistan 1970s
From Ankara to the Afghan/Pakistan border at Torkham with clips of Imranli, Tahir, Eastern Afghanistan & Torkham
whisperingsmith:
Been a bit quite lately so here’s a bit more Super 8 converted to DigitalAnkara to Torkham section of Trip to Pakistan 1970s
From Ankara to the Afghan/Pakistan border at Torkham with clips of Imranli, Tahir, Eastern Afghanistan & Torkham
A really interesting piece of film that was. I don’t suppose you know who the Blue Mercedes belonged to do you, as I noticed it was an East Riding registration. But thanks for sharing that film.
> Archie Paice:
> A really interesting piece of film that was. I don’t suppose you know who the Blue Mercedes belonged to do you, as I noticed it was an East Riding registration. But thanks for sharing that film.
Sorry Archie, don’t know, I’ve still got copies of the crane log books but not the units.
But as the contract was with a group of Afghan/Pakistani traders in Heckmondwyke, they would have been sourced in the area.
Great guys to do business with and good back up through Afghanistan - they had big export & transport plans but unfortunately the increasing Russian presence put paid to it all
The Blue Merc was a dog and by right should never have made it, John Porter the driver cursed me all the way
Fab piece of film! Thanks, Robert 
Superb viewing, I have a soft spot for those LP Mercs.
Superb little old film, what a pity we didn’t have today’s technology back then. Especially for that winter of 75/76, it was bloody horrendous…
Archie Paice:
whisperingsmith:
Been a bit quite lately so here’s a bit more Super 8 converted to DigitalAnkara to Torkham section of Trip to Pakistan 1970s
From Ankara to the Afghan/Pakistan border at Torkham with clips of Imranli, Tahir, Eastern Afghanistan & Torkham
A really interesting piece of film that was. I don’t suppose you know who the Blue Mercedes belonged to do you, as I noticed it was an East Riding registration. But thanks for sharing that film.
Brilliant piece of filming.Memory box came alive.
I took this picture at Gaydon last year. I see it’s up for sale along with it’s Astran TIR-tilt - advertised in some of the truck mags that have come out this week. Might be a nice preservation project! Robert
Found this evoc pic of Londra Camp in Istanbul on the internet. Robert
whisperingsmith:
Been a bit quite lately so here’s a bit more Super 8 converted to DigitalAnkara to Torkham section of Trip to Pakistan 1970s
From Ankara to the Afghan/Pakistan border at Torkham with clips of Imranli, Tahir, Eastern Afghanistan & Torkham
That was a fantastic clip… is it your own film… a lot better sound track than some of the ones I’ve seen…
Thanks for sharing…
Jeff…
Yes, truly evocative Robert.
I knew a Jerry, who worked in '76 for Howlan Intenational. This was Eric Howell and John Lancaster.Jerry and I were in the Mocamp together in '76.
I think this was Jerry Hill.
He said he’d insisted on A/C - no A/C, no Jerry! He wasn’t prepared to go across H4 again without A/C. Think he had an f89.
I said to one of the guys that I was going across to Jerry’s truck to have a cup of tea. Someone said ’ what, with those boots on?’
Jerry was a good guy, but his truck was antiseptically clean.
‘This is my bedroom’
To get into his truck you took your shoes off!
Happy Days!
John.
’
Hi al! Found this one the web,never seen it before. Not my pic so credit who ever took it.
Some one maby have some more pics of it
Danne
Hi A quick question for you ME guys. Londra Camping Istanbul. I think it’s a go kart track now, but is Mocamp somewhere different or the same place. If it’s not the same is it still open ?
dan dare:
Hi A quick question for you ME guys. Londra Camping Istanbul. I think it’s a go kart track now, but is Mocamp somewhere different or the same place. If it’s not the same is it still open ?
Londra-camp / Londra Camping / Londra Mocamp = all the same place in in Yeni Bosna / Atakoy district of northern Istanbul. The alternatives included Oktay TIR-parking (on the old Tekidagi road to the north), and Harem parking. But I’m only a boy at the job. Others will provide more up-to-date information, insha’allah. I first knew Londra in all its glory, then when they built on it, I knew it in its condensed form occupying the old hazardous goods parking. Recent TIR visitors will know for certain, but I wouldn’t mind betting the basic facility is still open. Last time I visited, other truck stops had opened in the neighbourhood, especially behind the (then) newly opened metro station. It’s 13 years since I was last there. Not a lot of use, I know, but it’s a start to get the ball rolling. Robert
robert1952:
dan dare:
Hi A quick question for you ME guys. Londra Camping Istanbul. I think it’s a go kart track now, but is Mocamp somewhere different or the same place. If it’s not the same is it still open ?Londra-camp / Londra Camping / Londra Mocamp = all the same place in in Yeni Bosna / Atakoy district of northern Istanbul. The alternatives included Oktay TIR-parking (on the old Tekidagi road to the north), and Harem parking. But I’m only a boy at the job. Others will provide more up-to-date information, insha’allah. I first knew Londra in all its glory, then when they built on it, I knew it in its condensed form occupying the old hazardous goods parking. Recent TIR visitors will know for certain, but I wouldn’t mind betting the basic facility is still open. Last time I visited, other truck stops had opened in the neighbourhood, especially behind the (then) newly opened metro station. It’s 13 years since I was last there. Not a lot of use, I know, but it’s a start to get the ball rolling. Robert
Thanks Robert that has confused me for years
dan dare:
robert1952:
dan dare:
Hi A quick question for you ME guys. Londra Camping Istanbul. I think it’s a go kart track now, but is Mocamp somewhere different or the same place. If it’s not the same is it still open ?Londra-camp / Londra Camping / Londra Mocamp = all the same place in in Yeni Bosna / Atakoy district of northern Istanbul. The alternatives included Oktay TIR-parking (on the old Tekidagi road to the north), and Harem parking. But I’m only a boy at the job. Others will provide more up-to-date information, insha’allah. I first knew Londra in all its glory, then when they built on it, I knew it in its condensed form occupying the old hazardous goods parking. Recent TIR visitors will know for certain, but I wouldn’t mind betting the basic facility is still open. Last time I visited, other truck stops had opened in the neighbourhood, especially behind the (then) newly opened metro station. It’s 13 years since I was last there. Not a lot of use, I know, but it’s a start to get the ball rolling. Robert
Thanks Robert that has confused me for years
Cheers Dan. You still have to take care though, because I think there were other ‘mocamps’ in Turkey besides the one in Istanbul.
Funny how music evokes places. After reading your first question I rummaged about and found an old cassette of Ibrahim Tatlises (famous Turk singer) and stuck it on. It immediately evoked a TIR-parking somewhere south of Istanbul in either Gebze or Izmit, where I remember Iranian F88s and N88s swirling about with elderly DAF 2800s and Scania 111s in the rain and mud! Robert
