This weeks trip

Kathryn and Sue arrived on Friday to stay before they had to head to Dubai to fly to the colder lands, Kathryn to Frankfurt and Sue to Birmingham. I had been deciding whether or not I'd go on the Natural History group trip. Luckily Kathryn jumped at the chance to go exploring so off we went, picking up Stephen on the way.

Once again Brigitte provided us with a ride and an informative commentary on our journey. We were venturing into an oasis and she shared why these were situated where they were, dotted over the landscape. My assumption, and I suspect the assumption of others, was that an oasis was where the water is. Not so, it's more about the soil type, about which soils are most fertile for the date palms and crops. Water can be brought in via the falaj system, fertile soil cannot be moved. Makes perfect sense really.

Aflaj (sing. falaj) are the main source of irrigation water in Oman beside wells. They are utilized in agriculture as well as for domestic use since ancient times. Similar systems are present in neighboring Arabian countries and in Persia where it is considered by literature the origin of falaj or Qanat irrigation system. The Falaj is a system of tapping underground water which is led by man-made subterranean channels to villages where it is used for irrigation and domestic purpose. Thanks to NIZWA for the information.

There was a larger group of us this week, a different group. We met Sylvan who is a mud restoration specialist and is working on one the nearby forts. We met up with Karen and others from yoga, a relaxed and sociable group to wander with. There were no big climbs this week but we did get to swim.

The photos are of a pass through the foothills in the early evening light; Kathryn walking along the falaj and the group treking up the side of the oasis. More photos to come, of course as usual I took plenty.