Photograph above is of the Palace of the Sultan of Oman in Muscat. In fairness to him this country is a breath of fresh air after India. Clean and brilliant roads and a Grand Mosque which was a pleasure to visit. Lots of old fortifications as you left there and to keep us company were shoals of dolphins. So round the gulf of Aden where the Somali pirates play and up the Red Sea to Aqaba and on to Petra in Jordan by land where we climbed to the Monastry which was well worthwhile. A swim in the gulf topped that visit off. Round to Egypt where I saw this fine looking man up on many a building. Photograph was taken I suspect many years ago and he is now about 80 years old. on through the Suez Canal and to Beirut in Lebanon and to Byblos, one of the worlds oldest inhabited places. Then up by cablecar to the Basilica of Our Lady of Lebanon and back on a nostalgic trip round the city. See the damage to Holiday Inn and St. George hotel on the sea front from past conflicts. Do you note the photograph of the "Man of the Cloth" he and the other man I met on the boat and they both resemble two men, one from Thomastown and one that lived many a year there. Any suggestions? Keep scrolling down.

They say the skies of Lebanon are burning Those mighty cedars bleeding in the heat They're showing pictures on the television Women and children dying in the street And we're still at it in our own place Still trying to reach the future through the past Still trying to carve tomorrow from a tombstone... Chorus But Hey! Don't listen to me! This wasn't meant to be no sad song We've heard too much of that before Right now I only want to be here with you Till the morning dew comes falling I want to take you to the island And trace your footprints in the sand And in the evening when the sun goes down We'll make love to the sound of the ocean They're raising banners over by the markets Whitewashing slogans on the shipyard walls Witchdoctors praying for a mighty showdown No way our holy flag is gonna fall Up here we sacrifice our children To feed the worn-out dreams of yesterday And teach them dying will lead us into glory... Repeat Chorus Now I know us plain folks don't see all the story And I know this peace and love's just copping out And I guess these young boys dying in the ditches Is just what being free is all about And how this twisted wreckage down on main street Will bring us all together in the end And we'll go marching down the road to freedom... Freedom A gorgeous song by Paul Brady illustrating the hardship in Northern Ireland during the troubles

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North to Syria to Tartuis and a visit inland to the Crusader Castle Crac de Chevaliers. A most imposing structure. Next day to Saladin's Castle near Latakia. Orange trees grow a plenty here amongst this lush green countryside. Met this travelling person with his family as he made his way through the land with his children. Click here and leave a comment or greeting. Well the answer is that the priest is Fr. Eugene Knee who was from the west of Ireland , born in Louisburg, Co. Mayo and reared in Co. Meath, he is now based in Coventry. He was ordained in St. Kieran's college in the 1960's and his theology teacher was Canon Carroll, later to be PP in Thomastown. The other man was Ronnie Haywood, a comedian but a gentleman also from the Coventry area and he in my mind looked like the younger version of retired Bishop Larry Forristal. Would you agree? They were both very enjoyable company for a number of weeks as we travelled through the Indian Ocean.

Please note that these photographs were taken on digital camera; images are compressed to aid speedy downloading and do not reflect the quality of final photographic prints.