Asia Diary - Part 4

(page 5)

21st November. Left sharp at 8am in a rented car-and-driver for our 3 day trip to what we hope will be Nanny-land. Left Peshawar in the direction of Attock, passed through Nowshera to the Indus river, from there to Pindigheb where we had a poor lunch, then via Talagan to Mianwali where we are staying at the Faizal Hotel, not too bad and quite cheap at 150 rupees/night. 22nd November. Up at 7, breakfast at 8, left at 8.30. Back down the same road but turned off in the direction of Chiddru, but unfortunately the road ended there (our map left something to be desired) and after consultation with some villagers, back-tracked, then on to Qualdabad, thence towards Sakesur, our first goal. The road was in a good state and after a few miles, it began to climb until we were high above the flat plain below. We were in the Salt Range of mountains and after climbing still higher, we came across our first Nannorrhops ritchiana in the wild. There were a few plants, growing at some distance from the road, the driver must have thought we were quite insane as we raced off to examine them. About 6 feet tall, with incredibly thick and leathery leaves, a pale blue/green in colour, growing in extremely arid conditions. Beautiful, at least to our eyes! After taking some photos we drove on, passing lots more plants and after they began to peter out, drove back to the best specimens where we stopped for an hour or so, taking photos and measurements and generally enjoying ourselves. After this, we attempted to continue on down the same road but we were stopped at some kind of road block and were told by the soldier who was manning it that we could not drive further, but would have to go back the way we had come. We never found out the reason, but didn't mind too much as it gave us the opportunity to go past the Nanny's again. Drove all the way back to Quaidabad, thence to Khushab where we decided to pass the night. Bad hotel, rather dirty, rather cheap.

23rd November. Up at 7, quick wash and out of this disgusting place. Skifezza! Headed towards Naushara on a good, double road. Hit the Salt Range again, and climbed to 850m but no sign of more Nannorrhops, despite a thorough search. The scenery was spectacular though with red rocks against a cloudless blue sky.

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