To Eritrea and Ethiopia: Retracing a Victorian Expedition
1st October 2019
John Pilkington
In 1868 Queen Victoria’s government mounted an extraordinary bid to
rescue a small clutch of European hostages in the Abyssinian highlands.
They built a Red Sea port, then a railway across the coastal plain, and
finally brought in 44 Indian elephants and took on 26,000 local people
to serve the soldiers and carry their heavy guns into the heart of
Africa.
A hundred and fifty years later, John followed their route, partly on
foot with a donkey, and compared Eritrea and Ethiopia then and now. He
found today’s people spirited and energetic, living in dramatic and
extremely challenging lands.
It was history and adventure combined!
Past Club President, John has been called “one of Britain’s greatest
tellers of travellers’ tales”. He has given talks to over 1,000
audiences in five countries, and holds the Royal Geographical Society’s
Ness Award for popularising geography and the wider understanding of the
world. His stunning photos and inspiring commentary will make this an
evening not to be missed.
John's website can be found here.
Thoughts
Colourful Smiles
Strong Prescription
Harpesque
