My first day back home... I can't start it without referring to the tragic events with the aid ships that were trying to take supplies to Gaza. I can't begin to tell you what I am feeling about this tragedy...

I found the Holy Land to truly be a land of plenty. The fertility of the place was incredible even in the face of such harsh conditions. We ate the most delicious fruit and vegetables, and saw the abundance of provision... I cannot believe that there isn't room for everyone...

It takes me back to the couple we met at the hotel who had a number of guides during their stay but the general message was tourism is the glue that is keeping everything together - peacefully. If I have written that before I sort of apologise but not absolutely so, we need to cling to every straw we can. The City of Jerusalem is that pivotal.

I really, really don't make a habit of crying but I have to say that this dreadful turn of events made me cry inside.

I chose three photos from the nearly 600 I took for you. The window is from the Church of All Nations. It is made of alabaster - a beautiful stone, translucent and delightful. The light, or lack of it, inside the church was stunning with all the windows like this.

The vegetation is what legend says made the crown of thorns. It doesn't have a gauge with which to compare but I can tell you that those thorns were between 2.5 and 3 INCHES not centimetres!

The final one is of the Al Aqaesa (sp?) mosque. From some views it looks so dominant but from many others its barely visible. The regular call to prayer was a constant rhythm that pervaded our stay in Jerusalem...

One comment that Mhiari made on our last evening returned to me this morning when I woke. It was that the language that the Syrian Vespers used was the closest to what Jesus would have said. It was a plain but melodic language, guttural at times - but maybe that was the intonation of the chants. Its an intriguing idea to chew on. To listen to the language that Jesus taught in - how fabulous!

Having spent 10 days together, its quite amazing how much I miss the group. Its brilliant to be home and be with the family and in familiar surroundings but when you experience the sorts of intellectual and other challenges we faced together, the fun and laughter, the sadness and sorrow, its hard to be separated.

I will continue to post my ramblings as the days pass and I recall fresh memories.

BUT for now the ironing and unpacking still beckon - sadly! One bit of good (but girlie) news is that despite the huge meals we ate I only put on a pound!! Yippee!!