David Thurston

Lhasa, Tibet

Nasturtiums

"Lhasa is 3,650 metres above sea level. The air is thin, winters are long, and vegetation is sparse. The colours of nature are few, so it was unusual to see this bank of nasturtiums in full bloom. Also growing, apparently in old tin cans, are some dahlias and geraniums. While walking, I stopped to photograph this splash of clear colour. I was moved by the idea that the very same flowers grow in my garden in Devon. A door creaked open, the curtain was pulled back and out came two lads in monks' robes to see what I was doing. What a bonus."