Glen Doris and Jeff are pictured here in the gardens outside Drum Castle. Cherry blossom stood in rows of pink and white making quite a spectacular sight. There was a quaint little chapel on the grounds.

Back in Scotland, we visited Drum and Craiters Castles. The gorgeous colours of Spring blooms greeted us everywhere. Daffodils in massive spreads along the hills, growing through grass was breathtaking. There were also Rhodedendrums in all hues as well as tulips. But the daffodils captured my attention as my mind went back to my school days when we had to memorise William Wordsworth famous poem
"Daffodils". Thanks to our brilliant teachers at Doveton, I can still remember that poem.

U Max and A Betty have a small but well kept, shrub garden. The small trees and shrubs are well placed and packed together to form a compact and attractive garden. The sun was shining on the day we arrived but it did not last for long!

We spent a weekend in Cheltenham visiting U Max, A Betty and cousin Ray and Brigitte. Even though our hands were often cold because of the weather, our hearts were warmed by the love we shared. It was short but very sweet.
U Max still has a good mind but is slower in steps.
A Betty is one of the most amazing woman I know. For her age, and for all the medical problems she has experienced over the years, she still does all her own housework and her home is gleaming. Cousin Ray is gorgeous and drove us back and forth and treated us to dinner at a Chinese restuarant called The Swallow. We have vowed to meet for Uncle's 95th birthday in Brisbane Australia. So know now, all rellies, and plan to join us around September 2011.

When flying into Aberdeen, we saw large patches of bright yellow fields and wondered what it might be. Well we soon discovered one at our back door! This is Natasha standing near a field of rapeseed plants and behind is the radar dish which is the top of the hill from where we could see the ocean. Natasha is a prolific reader and a gifted writer for her age. She has got a full scholarship with the most prestigious school in Aberdeen. I think she could well be the next JK Rowling.

This lovely family hosted us for a weekend in their delightful farmhouse. Glen, Grace with Natasha (11) and Callum (8) Callum is my special boyfriend. He told Jeff to buzz off as I was his girl! Glen is doing his PhD in World History at the renowned Kings College which has a 500 year history. Grace works as an Administrator at the same Uni. Glen showed us around the countryside, through two castles and Kings Uni. on a very rainy cold day but it was all worth it. Their place is surrounded with miles of barley and rapeseed plants and walking up the hill we saw the north sea not too far away.

When in Israel, we took a two hour bus trip to visit Dina Croitoru (remembered by some as Dinah Tarasinghe of Doveton Corrie Girls School) We last saw Dina about 14 years ago in Brisbane so it was wonderful to visit her. She is a great hostess and brought out an abundance of food which she had prepared herself. We spent the Sat. morning at some markets in a Druze village in the hills. Even though we only spent a day and half with Dina, we will remember our time with her as special indeed.

Rudi Barraclough is an extended family member. His mum, Marie was married to Jeff's mum's brother Staffy. Staffy was greatly loved by his three step children, Euan, Rudi and Dollar who speak highly of him. Jeff met Rudi when they were young boys in Ambala and on other occasions in India. So it was special to catch up again as we had not seen him since 1999 when we last visited the UK and Staffy was 90. Rudi and Arlene saw us several times and we enjoyed wonderful afternoon teas and even a lunch with AI's at a church hall venue where AI's meet twice a week. Hopefully we may meet again in Oct 2010 at the AI worldwide celebration in Perth.

On our first day, at the markets in Croydon. Unlike Brisbane when markets operate on Sats or Sundays, markets operate every day of the week.

Very reasonable priced fresh fruit and vegies. I have noted that the cost of supermarket food, including meat and vegies are about the same as in Australia.

We had dinner at Des's sister Yvonne's place. Yvonne is in the blue striped top. She cooked chicken biriyani, pork vindaloo, chicken KFC for nibblies and we had a good tuck in. Yvonne lives in another part of Croydon, so a 5 min tram ride got us there.

From Jerusalem to East Croydon. Daph, Des and Marissa outside their place.

On our last day in Jerusalem, we visited the magnificent Garden Tomb. This is where Jesus was laid. Inside it is just enough for one person to have a peek at the spot where Jesus' body was placed. It was a very emotional experience for me. The rest of the garden is beautifully set out with small areas where people gather for prayer and services. There are also two chapels in the garden. Each section is beautifully designed with magnigicent foilage and flowers making it a serene and reflective place.

Judean Hills stretch for miles and miles. Consider Jesus walking the dusty roads and seeing nothing but these bare hills. No place to rest, just a few water holes along the way. Perhaps they came to little groups of dwellers along the way with an oasis or two.

We witnessed baptisms in the River Jordon. Many people were being baptised when we came through there. The river is banked with trees that look similar to our weeping willows and give it a rather billabong look.

This is the garden of Gethsame. The trees are the very same that were there in Jesus' day. However the garden is barracaded off and clumps of blooms edge the garden. Next door is a church built to the memory of Mary Magdalene

On Jeff's 66th birthday in Jerusalem, we did some Table Ministry outside the New Gate. As you can see, there is a variety of books, dvd, cds and brochures for those who show an interest. But we also handed out general brochures to those who were willing to accept them. Jeff said he could not have done anything better on his birthday.

This is where we lived on James Street in the Armenia sector. The Old City is divided into four quarters, Christian, Armenian, Moslem and Jewish. It is quite something to see everyone living together in harmony and each respecting the other. We experienced Easter which was also the Shabbat on the same weekend. The following weekend was the Orthodox Easter where Russians, Armenians, Greeks celebrated Easter. This was followed by Independance Day.

These are the typically narrow streets we walked every day. If ever I walked, I walked while in Israel. Jeff was in his element because he loves to walk. I am the one who flounders. The old city is like a maze in some parts but I really got to know my way around. Since Jeff has no sense of direction, he had to keep his eyes on me wherever we went. Throngs of people flooded the city during Easter.

Here we are in Jericho under the Sycamore tree that Zaccheus climbed when Jesus passed by. When I showed signs of disbelief as to this being the very tree, I was promptly told that it was. The trunk and branches are snarled and quite black, like the olive tress in the Garden of Gethsane.

We visited Jericho which is strictly Palestinian territory to a worship service which was very different and a new experience. Loud wailing and only a drum for accompaniment was rather earth shattering. Even though we could not converse with these folk, they hugged us and welcomed us.

The Old City of Jerusalem

Since we are now in the UK we are able to access this blogspot. Sorry that many of you have expressed disappointment about not knowing our news. Believe me, I experienced great frustration with the only Int.Cafe in the old city. The man was an Arab Christian, a nice fellow but totally unreliable about the keeping to regular hours.

Jerusalem should be experienced by every believer. It is an amazing, awesome and deeply moving experience. The tears flowed easily as I thought about Jesus, His words and challenges to believers.

As most of you know we came to work with LBChurch and were instead led into another amazing ministry where little children are being brought from Iraq to be operated for defective heart ops. Jeff was in his element and as for me, I cooked for about 20 folk one night to show our gratitude to them for welcoming us into the family.

On his birthday April 17 Jeff and I worked at the Table Ministry and could not have been doing anything better on that day. This is with Arab believers who set up tables at the Damascus gate featuring Bibles, The Jesus video, brochures and other bits and pieces of infor. All those who pass by are offered a brochure. Most take it but some shake their heads and walk on by. This is right in Arab terriroty and so far there have been no adverse effects by the non believing Arabs.