Farewell to The Holy Land

A long final day in Israel, starting with bags packed and onto the coach by 7-30 a.m., and after a swift breakfast, we left and made our way to Caeserea Maritime, the ancient Roman capital, built to impress the Romans, and still impressing people today.

Firstly we stopped on the coast, and saw the remains of the ancient Aqueduct, then on to the site of the ancient city http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarea

A fantastically preserved area, with many,many columns and features remaining virtually intact,with the Ampitheatre an excellent example.

After lunch we drove to the airport, for our interrogation by El Al security, and our long trip home…firstly to London, arriving 9 p.m. ‘ish, then the coach back to Quarndon, and then  ‘Wally’  to take us back home, arriving around  2 a.m….a long day !

And my verdict on the  Holy Land  ?-many fantastic sites to see,far too much to take in on one trip,a great surprise to me to see the way differing people are treated –and ‘downtrodden’,I should like to return for a ‘prayerful pilgrimage’..one day

The Lakeside Ministry

Today was a very special day

-we started with a boat trip across the Sea of Galilee, on a boat, very similiar to what is mentioned in the Bible, the ‘sea’ was calm, still,sunny..and very hot.. http://www.goisrael.com/Tourism_Eng/Articles/Attractions/A+Boat+Ride.htm

Whilst we crossed the water, one of the crew showed us how they used to cast their nets, as in Jesus’ time, and we also had a very moving few minutes of drifting on the water, in perfect silence, and calm,followed by a Hymn..

Once on the other side, we left the boat, and went to the Church called Mensa Christi, where Jesus appeared to the Disciples, after his resurrection.

Then on to Capernaum, and the Mount of Beatitudes, where we had lunch at the convent, of the famous fish…known to all as ‘Peter’s Fish’

It was a very meaty lunch, and went well (with plenty of lemon).

We stayed in the area for some time, on the peaceful Mount, and later went to the Church of the Loaves and Fishes at Tabgha http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/church-of-loaves-and-fishes and then went to the lakeside for a service, overlooking the still waters of the Sea of Galilee…and back to the Hotel for a rest !

The Source of the Jordan..

Today we set off for the source of the River Jordon, at a place called Caeserea  Phillippi http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caesarea_Philippi, and the source of the River Dan, one of the tributary’s of the River Jordon.

Firstly we travelled across country, beneath the Golan Heights, and the Border with Syria ,where many Wars have been fought over the territory…and still to be seen all along the road were the yellow signs, warning of a Minefield…scary !

Then arriving at Caeserea we wandered around the ancient Temples to the God Pan, and the source of the River, welling up through ancient caves, and whilst all this ancient civilisations are around you, the reminders everywhere you look of the troubled times from the recent past, and maybe future ?

Sights around Galilee

As we set off from our Hotel on the sea of Galilee, we were headed in the direction of Nazareth, and Jesus’ early ministry. Again stopping at ancient Roman cities, and eventually ending up at Nazareth village http://www.nazarethvillage.com/ and Nazareth itself.

Also visiting the Basilica Church of the Annunciation ,with murals from around the world inside.

Then it was via Cana, place of Jesus’ first miracle, and back to our Hotel on the Sea of Galilee

Up before Dawn…for some Peace !

We were up at 4-30 a.m. and having met in the foyer of the Hotel at 5 a.m., a small group of us set off on foot, across the Road and into the deserted streets of Jerusalem… it was like a different place, so peaceful, and you really got the feeling of what we had come to Jerusalem for, peaceful serenity. We returned to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre…to find it almost deserted, although there were already Church services taking place…Latin mass by the Franciscans at Christs tomb, Greek Orthodox at the rear of the tomb, and several differring language masses taking place in the various Chapels.I was able to say quiet prayers,alone, at the spot where Christ was crucified,and touch the rock beneath…and then able to attend Sunday mass (although it was in German!).

Then it was back to the Hotel for breakfast,vacate our rooms, and start the day proper !

Firstly we again walked into the old city of Jerusalem, and up on to the Temple Mount, now ,curiously…a Moslem Holy Site, guarded by Israeli Soldiers/security,and visited by Christians also – a site viewed as sacred by all faiths http://www.sacred-destinations.com/israel/jerusalem-temple-mount, it was wild,windy…and eventually rainy !

Then it was across the city to join with the Anglican community at St Georges Cathedral, for their Sunday services,http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._George's_Cathedral,_Jerusalem stopping here for lunch at the Guest House.

Then it was farewell to Jerusalem, as we travelled out of the City towards Galilee, stopping at the ancient city of Bet-she’an http://www.bibleplaces.com/bethshean.htm  a phenominal place, full of ancient ruins,temples,and History..read all about it…

and we continued then to our Hotel on the Sea of Galilee http://www.ronbeachhotel.com/, our base for the next few days..

Travels on the West Bank

Another early start, as we left the Hotel at 8 a.m. for our trip out of Jerusalem,and onto the ‘West Bank’…as we zoomed through the checkpoint fairly easily,it was sad to see any cars containing Palestinians being pulled to one side, and no doubt expected to queue here for some time – what a life they seem to have.

Our first stop of the day , was at the ‘Shepherds fields’, an area still retaining the looks of yesteryear-rocks,dust and goats ! and where we also had a short church service in a cave in the grounds.

From there ,after shopping (not my choice !) at the local Christian Co-operative, we travelled across to Bethlehem, and Manger Square…and were immediately accosted by the blaring sounds of car horns, traffic and utter chaos, not what you’d expect in such a momentous place..still we went into the Greek Orthodox church, which now surrounds the place where Christ was born, and were able to witness the Franciscan midday liturgy, and to touch the spot where Jesus was both born, and laid in the manger..

After lunch, and further visits in Bethlehem, it was back to Jerusalem, for an earlier finish, and the Festive Night of …. the ‘Harem’ !!

Hectic in the old City

 

Today, we were to have a hectic walk around the Old City, initially starting by visiting the tunnels leading to the Pool of Siloam, which I’ve heard so many times from Gospel readings.

Then it was a dash across the City to the Hurva Synagogue http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/136397 which has only recently been re-built after destruction in wars… a similar tale for so many religious buildings across Jerusalem, and if not destroyed, then taken over by differing religions, all claiming precedence !

As can be seen if you read http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurva_Synagogue

An informative visitwhich, for me left too many questions to be answered…

We then had an excellent lunch nearby, before setting out onto the Via Dolorosa, and following Christ’s passion journey – so many interesting points along the way, including the beginning – now a Muslim School, where the Franciscans are allowed to enter once a week, to start the ‘Stations of the Cross’, each Friday afternoon !

At the conclusion of the stations, we had ended at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_of_the_Holy_Sepulchre a Church built around where Christ was killed on Calvary, and buried in the tomb – although to see it now, you would never realise it, the tomb being encased in Marble, and Calvary being built over, although you can put your hand down a hole to touch the rock !

The throngs of the thousands of Pilgrims and tourists didn’t exactly help and attempts at prayer though !

Then it was a swift walk back across the city, and eventually Hotel and dinner…

We later had a late night walk through the city, to the ‘wailing wall’ where large numbers of Jewish people were gathered, it being the Sabbath for them. The city was certainly more peaceful, and interesting late at night.

Introduction to Jerusalem

We had a 7 a.m. breakfast, and onto the coach ready to take us on our Journey, and introduction to Jerusalem,although we were only staying immediately outside the Old City walls,opposite t the Damascus gate… i can’t hope to tell everything of my trip around the Holy Land, and will just give some thoughts, and pictures from each day.

Todays orientation tour had us going up onto the Mount of Olives, looking across at the skyline and city of Jerusalem

 Thousands of steps were climbed, as we went up,down and around the city, in all directions, getting an excellent ‘feel’ of the Bible events, and how everything,especially the events surrounding the Passion of Jesus happened so closely together.

Eventually the first exciting and interesting day ended, with us back at the Hotel…and an excellent evening meal, and sleep !

An Early Start for the Holy Land

 

A very early start for me and ‘Wally’ as I picked up people in the village, and off to Quarndon, Derby to meet the small group of people from New Mills and Quarndon and area, who I was joining  on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land, having been planned and supported by McCabe Pilgrimages http://www.mccabe-travel.co.uk/media/docs/00-Standard-2012-10-day-late-return-360553ea-710b-4cf6-9371-b9c6d39cb4ed.pdf 

Having met at The Joiners Arms,Quarndon, who’s joint licensee is a part time Vicar –Lee, along with John, the Vicar from New Mills , were the real leaders and organisers of the trip – we all set of by coach for London Heathrow, arriving there late morning.

Immediately we were faced with the security, that would dog us on our trip, El-Al security, searched almost everyone’s bags and cases,questioning their intentions –why else do Christians go on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land ?

However, we took an uneventful flight to Jerusalem ,landing there in late afternoon, with the time difference, and were met by our guide, and coach, and whisked to The Golden Walls Hotel…http://www.goldenwalls.com/aboutus.php, where some supper had been prepared for us, before we settled in for the night , and a pleasant sleep.

Hollywood comes Again

 

Another bright morning came, as I turned up at Manchester Town Hall to carry on my ‘starring’ film role -

O.K. I was only an extra, ready to do whatever was needed…almost, to get into the Hollywood film http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Lady_(film)

 

Once again it was straight into make up, hairdressing and my 1950’s costume, and as soon as the Director came into our room she selected me,along with some others for an important role – and off I went for a seperate briefing and ‘filming’…the big moment had come, as I walked up and down the corridors of Manchester Town Hall all morning, sometimes with actors around, sometimes just performing to the camera, at one stage even just having our feet appear ‘on camera’, and as the day wore on, changing into 1990’s costume, and back to 1950’s again…

The main actor Meryl Streep was around,but I didn’t see much of her on ‘set’ !

The afternoon was taken up with another long involved session, with me reading a paper and smoke all around me…!

 

Eventually the filming finished, and we all trooped off home…my Hollywood career at an end,       or is it ?

 

The film is due out in November 2011…first one to spot me…wins a prize, Happy Hunting !

Hollywood comes a Calling !!

When Hollywood wants you….they come and get you !

So, it shouldn’t be a surprise to everyone to learn that when Paramount Pictures were filming at Manchester Town Hall, and needed an elegant,suave,sophisticated, and modest man, to play the role of a Member of Parliament from the 1950’s and 1990’s…who better to recruit than…Jotown !

The film, about Margaret Thatcher ( Wally’s hero) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Iron_Lady_(film) and her introduction, and reminiscences of Parliament in Westminster would be a sight I’d no seen before, so when I was approached by a ‘talent scout’ (actually my daughter!) I agreed, and after costume fittings and haircuts in Manchester on 2nd February, I then turned up, bright and early at the films onsite location – Manchester Town Hall…where I had last appeared at a medal ceremony with Wally some years ago…

It was hard to get there for 7 a.m. on the Saturday morning, and immediately go into make up, another hair cut…and costume change….only to sit there all day, doing nothing !

Still, I was getting paid !and looking good !

..and prepared for the next day !