“I’m sure steampacket has enjoyed the stories of maiwand and other battle fields of that area, such a sorrow filled country filled with lovely people and a few headcases some being from NATO or coalition forces.” Bill
Aye Bill, headcases abound all around. I also have a relative who was there, Francis Younghusband during the tíme of the “Great Game”. Rory Stewarts documentary “Afghanistan - The great game” is worth watching for anyone interested: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a7bP49ehKQ
Bill and libraryman have been curators of this distinctive Wilkes flute, “The Texas fancy”. I wonder who has it now, and it will be interesting to follow it’s path and see whose hands it passes through.