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Libyan Extras Continued.
LAD REME 38
Coy RASC
Photos by
David Croton R.E.M.E.
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Editor’s Note. The photos are ‘of the time’ which means that they are 3.75”
x 2.5”. Enlarging them does mean
some of the detail is not very sharp but they still give a good look at
some fascinating local history.
There are plenty of photos of the Roman cities in the Libyan article
but this Berber scenery is very different.
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An extended
recreational excursion, destination Qasar al Haj
and beyond.
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Qasar al Haj (Castle of the
Haj) situated near Temehu, about 130 kms west of Tripoli across the Azzizia
Plain. Its history varies depending on which internet search report you
read. Built sometime between the 7th
and 12th centuries as a safe refuge for travellers but later being used as
a fortified grain store for local families.
Still in use in the 1950s when the boys turned up.
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This could well be a ‘Kilroy was here’
photo, proof that the expedition was successful. Transport was an early MK1 Land Rover and
an ultra-modern Bedford RL, both supplied by 38 Coy. RASC.
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Inside, the storage cells would have been
allocated to local families for a tithe to the local Sheik, in which they
kept their grains and foodstuffs along with the tools used for cultivation
of their land.
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The photos show the elevated walkways
which gave access to the cells, reached by staircases built into the walls.
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The locals queue at
the only entrance to the interior of the castle.
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Several generations of
the local population.
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The village bread shop
may have been a bit primitive but the local bread was always very tasty.
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A local street scene with the start of
the foothills of the Gebel Nefusa in the
background. That would be the next
stage of the excursion which would produce a dramatic change of scenery.
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Drive on the left?
Drive on the right? Or just drive in the shade?
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A fort on a hill top
and a wave from a local.
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A local settlement on
the plain.
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Possibly a camel park
cum watering hole?
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