02-May-2005 -- Continued from 24N 33E.

The following day we were back north, and on the way back we had about an hour to spare when we reached Idfū. Instead of turning left for Luxor we turned right and drove 10 km down the Marsā `Alam road until 25N 33E was 1 km off to the right.

Until this point the valley is irrigated with water from the Nile with typical Nile valley agriculture. We tried a track but ended in a field with a canal between us and the Confluence. So it was back to the road to try the next turn, but a local said to carry on a short distance and take the blacktop turn. This we did till it ended just across the canal where we turned right along the southern bank until almost level with the Confluence, where we turned down another track to reach the gravel beyond the agriculture.

About 130 m from the point, the area had been leveled and banked ready for agricultural extension. This is where I realized that I had failed to convert Khayruddin or Sa`d into true confluence hunters. Kkayruddin stayed with the vehicles to watch them, through the haze of cigarette smoke I suspect, as he is not allowed to smoke in a company vehicle and would have been about gagging by then. Sa`d decided he had better come with me to protect me, he said. Not sure what from, though.

We walked across to the spot and took the pictures attracting the attention of the landowner who came across to investigate. I then found out what I needed protecting from, an "invite to tea"! The local farmer was very friendly, as were all the locals we met, and keen to have us for tea. Sa`d was obviously keen for some "šāy", but I had promised the wife I would be back in time for a sunset sail on a Faluka through Luxor, so we made our excuses and left after taking the farmer's picture. I made it back with five minutes to sailing time for a very relaxing sunset cruise.

Continued at 26N 33E.