Last night in Jerusalem

This evening has been a lovely end to our few days in Jerusalem. Several of us intended to return to the church of the holy sepulchre tonight, hoping to be able to have a moment or two in the tomb, if the queues were not too long. As it happened the main route there was blocked off because of the celebrations. Patsy led us on a more circuitous route through the back streets and when we reached the church, it was (unusually!) Almost empty of visitors, no doubt because of the blocked road here within the old city, and congestion throughout the rest of the city. As a result, we were not only able to enter the tomb after only a short wait, but we could also explore other parts of the church free from the crowds that have been here most other times we have come. Right at the end of our visit we happened on a small chapel where a quartet were singing sacred music a capella, which provided a beautiful finale to the visit.

When we got back to the hotel, Mike led a short but lovely communion service in a room on the rooftop (wine from the hotel bar, pita bread saved from dinner!)

It is an interesting night to be here. The whole city seems to be electric with celebration in preparation for tomorrow's embassy opening. (I hope we will not be delayed getting out of it.)Read more