The Iranian side had a smart modern frontier post, inhabited by a couple of smartly dressiest frontier guards. He started talking to a friendly young Iranian conscript who kindly offered shelter for the night in their post. “It gets very cold here at night. I could not believe it when I first came. I come from Tehran.. It is sometimes cold there but never like this.”

            “How am I going to get to Kabal?”

            “Your only hope is a lorry going north that will give you a lift but there has not been one for a week.”

            “What about a taxi?”

            The young soldier laughed. “You might be able to get someone tomorrow to come out from the centre, but they won’t be very eager.”

            “A taxi?”

            “You can try. It will cost you.”

            “If I pay, can I use your phone?”

            “We haven’t got a phone out here, but we can get a radio link to Kabal,” he paused, “And that will cost you nothing.”

            “I am sure you will be repaid in heaven, helping a traveller in distress.”

            “Allah already owes me one or two exemptions.” They both laughed.

            Eventually Brian got through to Kabal and a taxi driver, who drove a hard bargain, but money eventually talks in most of the world and he negotiated a large fee. Brian was picked up and on his way to Kabul the next afternoon.