Wadi near Nakhal.

Wadi near Nakhal – cannot find a name on any of the maps I have.

To quote Donald Rumsfeld.

“there are known knowns; there are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns; that is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns — the ones we don’t know we don’t know.”

I have been searching for why I knew that at the end of this wadi there is an abandoned SAS camp; now occupied by some local families.

But no luck so far and my memory for useless information is good but always let down by source references……….

So I think this wadi is either Wadi Raqim or more likely Wadi Al Hadak.

Ho well; either way, it has some nice scenery and the remains of a few Bee-Hive tombs.

Rock Art.

An interesting example – but what it represents is anyone’s guess!

Another from the Muti series.

Muti ruins.

A morning at Muti (Imti as it is now known).

This is ‘Dry Stone walling’ perfected over many years!

Muti is the remains of a village behind the present day Imti – over the years it has moved progressive down hill.

A very dark and smoke filled existence.

This was made in the area directly behind the new village of Imti – the others were further up the hill.

Sun & Shadows.

Two Stones – Shams.

Jebel Shams.

Jebel Shams – one of Oman’s areas of spectacular scenery; from the mountains, canyons, Juniper trees and villages, with some of

the most hospitable people you are ever likely to meet.

Abandoned village door.

Qabil Al BuSaid.

It must have been an impressive entrance at one time.

Al Hoqain fort.

Tree Roots. 2.

The hook.

Oman after last years rain.

I like both versions of this image – maybe the un-toned has the edge?

Taken on Ilford XP2 super.

Oman Falaj.

The Falaj is a traditional method of irrigation in Oman; some of which are quite basic as in this case, others can be complex with a very ridged control of how much water each individual gets.

Villages have a person who controls the amount of water supplied by using a form of ‘sun dial’ where the shadow cast by an upright stick times the amount each member of the community receives.

When a Falaj is required for moving water long distances, it will quite often be under ground for most of its length; getting the gradient and flow rate is a very skilled job.

See these links for a far more detailed description:

The Falajs – Written by Tor Eigeland.

The traditional Afalaj irrigation system.

Falaj – skilful Omani irrigation system

Abandoned Stone Dwelling.

It is hard to image with all the improvements in Oman’s infrastructure: housing, medical centres, Schools, roads, electricity in far flung places…… That this has all happened in less than one life-time!

This type of dwelling was still used by Jebel people until quite recently.

Jebel Akhdar.

It was a hard life!

Rock Art near Al Hamra.

I am not sure what is being depicted here: a table, box or enclosure?

I could spend hours (I have) searching the rocks in the Al Hamra area, there is so much rock art: some of it very faded. A pity because it just will not photograph and I am reluctant to use chalk, which has been used on some that I have found.

I will just keep trying different methods to bring out the detail; all part of the fun…..