What I did this weekend

Last week I wrote about our photo and travel permits here. On Friday (which is the start of the weekend in Sudan) I asked my dearest to take me to one of the [many] bridges on the Nile before sunrise to take photos. When we stopped at a bridge about four kilometers from our flat, I got out and spoke to the three policeman guarding the bridge. (This is normal in Khartoum - every bridge has three or four policeman sitting - mostly sleeping - on the back of a police vehicle which has a RN mounted on the roof) I explained that I would like to take the sun rising over the Nile and that I'd like to do it from the bridge. You are not allowed to take photos of the bridge itself. When I'd explained that I'd not be taking photos of the bridge, only the beautiful sunrise - did they see how beautiful it is ? - they said it was fine. So I have my first photos of the Nile River from one of the bridges. I photographed yesterday's "fishermen at sunrise" from the banks of the river. I had a WONDERFUL time - legally!

The Nile River just before the sun made its appearance. I was standing on the bridge with vehicles thundering past and had the most glorious ten minutes of taking photos

The black hawks were circling above me and I managed to capture this one on camera

An African Pied Wagtail on an acacia branch overhanging the river. His beautiful morning song alerted me to his whereabouts and I managed to get a few photos of him

The pied wagtail in full cry.

In the middle of the Nile River, is Tuti island which we haven't visited yet. I will also post about this island in a later post

I got a real bargain at this vegetable souq on the Nile. Tomatoes have been very expensive lately (14SDG/US$6) per kilo. He offered me a kilo for ten pounds. I'd just paid 8 pounds at a souq in the city, so I refused. Then because he always sees us come out of our street (he's at the T-junction) he said I was his friend and I could have two kilos for ten pounds. I took this photo which we'll have printed and give to him on the way past sometime next week.  I have a glut of tomatoes in the fridge. Grant and I both love them so we'r eating them every which way they can be eaten!

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The Arabic for river is Nhr (pronouned Nurr)