mushroomman:
MOC:
freshir:
freshir:
This photo was taken on the Blanc mid 80’s - if you think that this man owes you money then it’s not me –Heres a larger pic freshir for us all
at least we will know if you owe any money
I don’t know who it is Fred but he looks like he has got some very deep pockets
.
Regards Steve.
nice see your back posting mushrooman 
They never gave me a map, do you think they was trying to tell me something? See kev, thats why i keep getting lost…I knew it wasnt my fault.
richmond:
They never gave me a map, do you think they was trying to tell me something? See kev, thats why i keep getting lost…I knew it wasnt my fault.
a closer look at that map seems there wasnt a lot of roads anyway just desert
Hi all.Before i write the[hopefully]last instalment of my first trip i would like to stray off at a bit of a tangent and try to explain maybe why many people of my age group[60]seemed to go to the M.E. so woefully unprepared.Were we just naive or crazy 
Iwas born just after the war[1950]and throughout my schooling[50s and 60s]it was still considered that Britain had an Empire and still’‘ruled the waves’‘.Most of the teachers at that time had served in the war.Our French teacher[slasher]Ransome had spent most of the war undercover in France doing unspeakable things to the Germans .His French was more inclined to the sewers of Marseille than the salons of Paris. 
Our Geography teacher had spent most of the war on a destroyer escorting the Russian convoys and could swear in fluent Russian and kept all the classroom windows open in winter[’‘a bit of fresh air will do you good lads’‘] 
Our p.t.[physical training]teacher had spent most of the war in North Africa running around sticking thin pointy knives into the backs of the Afrika Korps. 
As you can imagine,our view of the world was somewhat distorted.Iknew for example that Australia imported criminals and exported lamb.
Italy grew spaggetti in field 100yds long and 1inch wide.All Pakistanis were called Patel and came to England to open corner shops.All sikhs had fragile heads and so had to wrap yards of cloth around them[we didn’t understand why they couldn’t wear a cloth cap,[only £2from Burtons]. 
We were told that everthing after Dover was’‘foreign’’ 
I knew,for example,almost to the ton,how much tea we imported and how much coal was dug out of the mines here but was woefully ignorant about so many other things.You have to remember we had almost no tv,news was always from the ‘‘British’ perspective and very few people travelled abroad.
On my first trip to the M.E. i was convinced that all Turks wore fez’s and all other people dressed like Lawrence of Arabia,and that everywhere East and South of Istanbul was flat and sandy[i had seen the film with Peter o’ Toole]so knew what to expect.
Ithink that if the truth be told very few of us knew what to expect and had pre conceived ideas about theM.E.,which were in 90 percent of the time totally wrong or distorted.Like most of the early pioneers who travelled,from Marco Polo,to the ‘‘boer voortrekkers’’ of South Africa,it was a case of ‘‘a wing and a prayer’’,and you just go off and see what happens. 
Ihtink that many of us still assumed that if something went wrong it would be ok because you just have to tell the '‘native chappie’'your '‘British old chap’'and everyone would rush around to help you because of what queen Victoria had done for them. 
The reality of the world was different as i discovered.Mike
dreva:
a closer look at that map seems there wasnt a lot of roads anyway just desert
If you click on this link:
Click on “Search”,then type in any of the place names mentioned on this thread,(for example Turaif or Hafar al Batin), in the “Enter a location” box,then click on the magnifying glass,it will take you to that destination then you can zoom in or out,and scroll around following the roads.
Hutpik, that’s a very interesting perspective, look forward to seeing more 
bestbooties:
dreva:
a closer look at that map seems there wasnt a lot of roads anyway just desertIf you click on this link:
Click on “Search”,then type in any of the place names mentioned on this thread,(for example Turaif or Hafar al Batin), in the “Enter a location” box,then click on the magnifying glass,it will take you to that destination then you can zoom in or out,and scroll around following the roads.
cheers ian i just wanted to see how much the road network had changed since you and the other lads stopped going.but i dont think anyone would have a scanner big enough for the old maps
some names if you lads can help
tuncer
habur
sarikaya
mardin/kapisi
ekim
bazargan
out of me dads old passport dont know if there spelt right the inks run a bit.it is a bit old
any help much apreciated.theres also 4 stamps with arabic writing on 1 small and green one brown one red and a large green one.cant see any name on them
Hi Ian
I just turned off the TAPLine at Ar Ar to go to Iraq and it wont let me !! The border must be closed…
Maybe its Ramadan.
GS
GS OVERLAND:
Hi Ian
I just turned off the TAPLine at Ar Ar to go to Iraq and it wont let me !! The border must be closed…
Maybe its Ramadan.
GS
Spent a few days at that border one time when I went to Saudi via Iraq when the war was on between Iran and Iraq.I met up with big Cliff from Funstons while I was there.
I remember everything came to a standstill one day when all the barriers were open to let through a convoy of tanks on transporters that the Saudi’s were supplying to Iraq to fight the Iranians.
.I was tipping in Buraydah and Cliff was tipping in Riyahd and we met up at the Mirrors to run back together.
That’s when my Scania 111 dropped a valve half way up the Tapline.
Cliff towed me from there to Incerlic where we topped my rig onto his and he carried me to Belgrade where I met up with another driver from Expo who had brought out all the spares I needed to repair the engine on the National Hotel park.
Ah,memories!
Hi all. I’ll try to get on with the story,sorry if it seems a bit long winded[it may go to 4 parts]but it seems that the more i write the more i remember happening to me. In retrospect it amazes me that i even finished the trip,never mind doing many more.That so many unbelievable[good and bad]things happened on one trip and all without medication[Ramone] except for my French friend Mr Martell. 
Ok,off we go.Ileft the Londra at about 9am to miss the traffic[i thought]and started towards the city center.Iwas told to follow the old city walls down to the water and there i would find the ferry.Ok,but what happens when you run out of walls to follow .By now i was lost in the middle of Istanbul and getting more stressed by the minute,the traffic was horrendous,with cars,taxis and lorries going past me on both sides.As i followed what i thought was a main road the area seemed to become less salubrious with every km i progressed until,finally i arrived in an area which made 70s Beirut look quite upmarket. I stopped to consult my map of Istanbul [which i understood not at all as it was only written in Turkish]
All at once there was a banging on the door and a terrifying apparition started screaming at me.He had a pair of ex gestapo jackboots,a leather jacket with shiny badges on and a large white cap with a big silver badge on the front.He was sporting a moustache that would have put Jimmy Edwards to shame.‘‘Nix kamion here’‘he screamed, i’m sorry,i’m lost i said in a small humble voice.’‘You go ferry’’ he shouted.‘‘yes i replied’’.‘‘I take,you pay fine’‘he said.Yes of course i said.
Off we went with the ogre shouting directions at me.We eventually arrived at the ferry and i was pleased to see a few European trucks waiting amongst which were a couple of English.I got out of the truck with my new ‘‘friend’’ and paid the fine,plus his taxi fare back to where i met him.After he had gone i went to see the English guys who were waiting for the ferry,who seemed quite amused,i thought by my truck.’‘I got lost and the policeman helped me to find the way here’’,i said to which they burst out laughing’‘.Your first trip mate’’ said one’‘.Yes ‘‘i said.’‘How much did he charge you’‘one guy asked.’‘Ithink it was about£20 but i was lucky not to be locked up i suppose’‘i replied,to which they fell about laughing.Iwas a little put out at their attitude and said so.’‘Your not really up on Turkish uniforms are you’’ said one guy chuckling.’‘No,but i know an old bill when i see one’‘i said indignantly to which they both screamed with laughter.’‘You poor sod’‘said one guy,’‘the Turks love uniforms,everyone has one, youv’e just given £20 to a car park attendant’’ .Igot on the ferry in a very subdued mood wondering if i was ever going to get to Kuwait especially as the British guys said ‘‘now you get the hard bit’’. Mike
bestbooties:
GS OVERLAND:
Hi Ian
I just turned off the TAPLine at Ar Ar to go to Iraq and it wont let me !! The border must be closed…
Maybe its Ramadan.
GSSpent a few days at that border one time when I went to Saudi via Iraq when the war was on between Iran and Iraq.I met up with big Cliff from Funstons while I was there.
I remember everything came to a standstill one day when all the barriers were open to let through a convoy of tanks on transporters that the Saudi’s were supplying to Iraq to fight the Iranians.
.I was tipping in Buraydah and Cliff was tipping in Riyahd and we met up at the Mirrors to run back together.
That’s when my Scania 111 dropped a valve half way up the Tapline.
Cliff towed me from there to Incerlic where we topped my rig onto his and he carried me to Belgrade where I met up with another driver from Expo who had brought out all the spares I needed to repair the engine on the National Hotel park.
Ah,memories!
mrk 1 globtrotter. that must have seemed like a hotel room!
hutpik:
Hi all. I’ll try to get on with the story,sorry if it seems a bit long winded[it may go to 4 parts]but it seems that the more i write the more i remember happening to me.
Ok,off we go.Ileft the Londra at about 9am to miss the traffic[i thought]and started towards the city center.Iwas told to follow the old city walls down to the water and there i would find the ferry.Ok,but what happens when you run out of walls to follow
All at once there was a banging on the door and a terrifying apparition started screaming at me.He had a pair of ex gestapo jackboots,a leather jacket with shiny badges on and a large white cap with a big silver badge on the front.He was sporting a moustache that would have put Jimmy Edwards to shame.‘‘Nix kamion here’‘he screamed,
Off we went with the ogre shouting directions at me.We eventually arrived at the ferry and i was pleased to see a few European trucks waiting amongst which were a couple of English.I got out of the truck with my new ‘‘friend’’ and paid the fine,plus his taxi fare back to where i met him.After he had gone i went to see the English guys who were waiting for the ferry,who seemed quite amused,i thought by my truck.’‘I got lost and the policeman helped me to find the way here’’,i said to which they burst out laughing’‘.Your first trip mate’’ said one’‘.Yes ‘‘i said.’‘How much did he charge you’‘one guy asked.’‘Ithink it was about£20 but i was lucky not to be locked up i suppose’‘i replied,to which they fell about laughing.Iwas a little put out at their attitude and said so.’‘Your not really up on Turkish uniforms are you’’ said one guy chuckling.’‘No,but i know an old bill when i see one’‘i said indignantly to which they both screamed with laughter.’‘You poor sod’‘said one guy,’‘the Turks love uniforms,everyone has one, youv’e just given £20 to a car park attendant’’
Fantastic Huptik. Thanks for taking the time to type this up. Much appreciated. Looking forward to the next part.
Oh! I am sure I have paid baksheesh to several car park attendants. I am loving Mikes old stories but he has me at an disadvantage now as I didn’t go past Izmit and believe me, many others get mixed up between the two. 
Wheel Nut:
Oh! I am sure I have paid baksheesh to several car park attendants. I am loving Mikes old stories but he has me at an disadvantage now as I didn’t go past Izmit and believe me, many others get mixed up between the two.
come wheelnut tell us who gets mixed up pm if you like
dreva:
Wheel Nut:
Oh! I am sure I have paid baksheesh to several car park attendants. I am loving Mikes old stories but he has me at an disadvantage now as I didn’t go past Izmit and believe me, many others get mixed up between the two.come wheelnut tell us who gets mixed up
It is quite easy to confuse Izmit with Izmir and believe me it has been done!
Wheel Nut:
dreva:
Wheel Nut:
Oh! I am sure I have paid baksheesh to several car park attendants. I am loving Mikes old stories but he has me at an disadvantage now as I didn’t go past Izmit and believe me, many others get mixed up between the two.come wheelnut tell us who gets mixed up
It is quite easy to confuse Izmit with Izmir and believe me it has been done!
im confused wheres izmit i thought your spelling was getting as bad as mine
dreva:
Wheel Nut:
dreva:
Wheel Nut:
Oh! I am sure I have paid baksheesh to several car park attendants. I am loving Mikes old stories but he has me at an disadvantage now as I didn’t go past Izmit and believe me, many others get mixed up between the two.come wheelnut tell us who gets mixed up
It is quite easy to confuse Izmit with Izmir and believe me it has been done!
im confused wheres izmit
Izmit is near Istanbul, Izmir isn’t
Quite embarrassing for the bloke who dragged 18 tonne of Perkins engines 1000km for nowt
There was a time at Kapicule when you had to get the Plum Chef to seal you up, after your paperwork was finished. This usually entailed wandering about the parking looking for the plum chef, whilst carrying all your paperwork to prove to him that you had cleared, before he would squeeze the lead seal with his customs seal and the customery Backshish to his hanger on One night whilst looking for the plum chef i could here someone blowing the whistle and the shout of plum chef, plum chef. On reaching the crowd of drivers who were trying to get the plum chef’s attention to be the next in line. I saw not the Plum Chef and his sidekick But two of Taffy Davies’s drivers one with a pare of mole grips to squeeze the lead seal and one with a whistle in his mouth collecting the turk lira and stuffing it in his pocket. One of the drivers was Gordon Crisp who was with Taffy for years. Also no longer with us RIP the golden wonder kid. Regards Jamie.
A Scot Lost in the Valley’s.
I think there could be a very long thread started on the subject of repairs done on the car park of the National Hotel as every time I went in there it seemed someone was fixing something.
Mike, your a year older than me but like you I was brought up in school on the diet that we British were still rulers of all we surveyed, how different I found it when venturing overseas in a truck at the tender age of 22, in fact the only person I met who still considered the British to be superior was Andrew Wilson Young.
