During the British Raj no land could be owned by non-Kashmiris, so the British took up residence on the lakes by combining the houseboats of the River Thames with the rice boats of Kashmir to produce elegant and comfortable accomodation. They were even fitted out with Twyfords bathroom fittings, lace curtains, sideboards and standard lamps. The stove pipe chimneys add a hint of Victorian fairytale. 

The 'Old Man' of the title turned out to be not so 'old' merely weather beaten. Many years later we met up again with Ali Mohammad and he became a familiar sight, a good friend and a great subject to paint.