Speaking this month we have:
1st. Charlie Walker – Following The Line
In 2017, Charlie Walker began an 8-month, 8,000km triathlon along the perceived border between Europe and Asia. The journey began on the Arctic coast of Central Russia on skis hauling a sled through deep mid-winter and ended on the Bosphorus in Istanbul.
The expedition involved danger from wildlife, remoteness and extremes of both hot and cold temperatures. However, Following the Line was not just an endurance feat, it was also an exploration into what it means to be Asian or European and the relevance (if any) of this supposed border in the modern world.
In this talk, Charlie will discuss what divides or unites the peoples either side of the line, and comment on the diversity of landscape, environment, religion and culture along the border that has traditionally demarcated ‘East’ and ‘West’.
Find out more about Charlie on:
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Charlie Walker – Following The Line -
Charlie Walker – Following The Line
2nd. Sam McManus – Iran
Sam McManus, founder of YellowWood Adventures, has been to Iran three times in the past two years travelling extensively across this most fascinating of countries. He has gained a privileged insight into its culture by staying with local family friends each time in Tehran and Mazandaran on the shores of the Caspian Sea.
He has skied in the Alborz Mountains; hiked into the remote foothills where the notorious Assassins built their fortresses;marvelled at the Mosque of Whirling Colours in Shiraz; the palaces of Tehran (with the Shah’s Rolls Royce collection still intact) and the Garden of Heaven in Isfahan; even followed in the footsteps of Alexander the Great through the ruins of Persepolis – the ancient and unparalleled seat of the Persian Empire – which under the great Kings ruled 45% of the world’s population.
His talk will take us on a journey through the very best that Iran has to offer; incorporating its exquisite architectural achievements, peaceful mosques, glistening mosaics, blooming gardens, lavish palaces, Zoroastrian fire temples, the ruins of the greatest empire the world has ever seen, windswept desert plains dotted with windcatchers and caravanserais, fresh yoghurts with sizzling meats, glorious tapestries, meandering labyrinthine bazaars, and the legendary hospitality of its people.
This talk is not to be missed!
Find out more about Sam at:
This meeting is on the second Saturday in February, The Church of Scotland asked us to consider changing our date in Feb to allow the church community to celebrate Burns night closer to the actual date.
Admission costs, we charge a small cash fee of £3 for Globetrotters members and £6 for non-members on the door to cover our expenses, tea/coffee and biscuits are included free in the interval between the talks.
You do not need to be a member to attend, and we do not sell advanced tickets, please just come on the day, the doors open at 2:15pm and the program starts around 2:30pm with each talk lasting between 45 – 60 minutes.
London branch meetings are held at The Church of Scotland, Crown Court, behind the Fortune Theatre in Covent Garden the first Saturday of each month, unless there is a UK public holiday that weekend.
There is no London meeting in August, but we start afresh each September. If you would like to keep up to date with what’s happening at the Globetrotters London meetings and to be sent email reminders prior to the meeting, please sign up here