At the October meeting of the Stewartry U3A John Smith, a member of the U3A and well known local amateur photographer gave an illustrated talk on his visits to India over recent years.
He started with a video of the frightening traffic conditions in Indian towns taken from a tuk-tuk, a popular means of transport throughout India.
On one of his first visits he went to Wankaner Junction in Gujart to see the immense steam locos, many of which are now no longer in action. On a later visit he went on the Nilgiri mountain railway down from the hill station of Ooty.
John showed pictures and explained the ages and many different styles of palaces, forts and temples which he had visited on his travels ranging from early forts in Rajasthan, the Monsoon palace in Udaipur, the Jain Temple in Ranakpur and the elephant stables at Hampi built in Moghul style.
He concluded with a selection of photographs of colourful Indian festivals and wonderful portraits of Indian men, women and children.
The next meeting of the Stewartry U3A is the AGM which in view of the expected higher attendance will be held in the Fullarton Theatre, Lochside Road, Castle Douglas at 1.30pm on Wednesday 26 November 2014. Following the AGM business Professor John Stanford will give a talk entitled “You and your world are made of polymers”.