Back in India

Arrived into Delhi last night for a week in India. I'm staying at the IBIS Gurgaon again which is where I stayed the first time I came out here. Hotel hasn't changed but the surroundings have - it's much more developed now and even has a KFC next door.

Have to say that the wildlife hasn't altered much...

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Location:DLF Golf Course Rd,,India

Harrow

Just spent the day in Sudbury Hill. An hour on the tube, 30 mins on the overground and I'm about 20 miles from the front door...sometimes you really should just look at a map!


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Location:Roman Rd,,United Kingdom

More regular updates

Seem to have spurts of doing this. I'll try and be a little better in updating this blog. Got lots of pics to put up. Will post later...


...blogged from my iPhone

Location:Horn Ln,Ealing,United Kingdom

Shoeburyness Beach

We decided to head to the beach as it was a (reasonable) day. Not brilliant but not raining. We worked out that Southend is probably the closest to us - however...what we didn't realise is that it was also Southend Air Show that day. Of course, the beach was therefore closed! We carried on round the coast about and chanced upon Shoeburyness. It wasn't until we left that we realised you could not take dogs on! Chief loved it...his first time on sand and the sea - a little unsure at first but then in with all four paws!

Shoreditch House

Spent the afternoon at Shoreditch House...great place but very busy. Lots of famous people knocking around as well...

South Africa

Just after I came back from Israel, I then had to travel to Johannesburg for a week. I've been before but there's something about Jo'burg that makes me uneasy. Last visit was a couple of years ago when they were preparing for the World Cup. I think they had a lot of migrant workers in then because this time round I didn't feel as uneasy - you still have to be on your guard mind!

I stayed in Sandton at the Holiday Inn and flew with South African Airlines. Both were good.

The food has to be the highlight though - I've still yet to have prawns quite like the South African ones. This time as well, we also went to a restaurant called Carnivore - was exactly what it said on the tin...lots and lots of meat!

Jerusalem - Part 2

We had a really good tour round by a guy who used to live in Jerusalem - there's so much history here...it almost overwhleming. We followed the Stations of Christ - basically the points during his final days - for example, when he first dropped his cross, when his brow was mopped, etc, etc. It s amazing to think that we were actually standing in the same location...

The Wailing Wall - note the messages insterted in the cracks - the Wall was covered in them...



The Zion Gate - note the bulletholes...


Christ's Last Supper and the street outside the tomb of King David.


The 8th Station of Christ and the King David hotel - what contrast...


Just as we left Jerusalem, we stopped at a Vineyard on the way back - now the last time I was in Israal I tasted the best wine I think I'd ever tasted - Tzora Wines. I looked in vain in the UK for a supplier but never found any - it just so happened that our guide decided to take us to this particular vineyard. Needless to say we had a great afternoon wine-tasting followed by a couple of purchases...

Jerusalem Part 1

For the last day of the trip, our distributor had arranged for a presonalised guide to tak us around Jerusalem. At first we were no really bothered, however it was well worth it as it turns out. The city has some amazing history and some amazing sights. It's hard to believe all the reloigions live so close to each other with a (reasonable) amonut of restraint. Having said that, it is clear that for all factions ot agree on anything in Jersualem just takes a long, long time.

Jaffa Gate, Christ's tomb and the slab on which he lay...


Jerusalem streets and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre



Ancient Graffiti and beautiful flowers

Israel - Haifa

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I'm on a few trips away at the moment, this week I've ben in Israel - firstly in Beer-sheva, then up to Haifa before coming back down to Tel Aviv and lastly, a day in Jerusalem.

Crying Lightning

Incredibe storm tonight...unbelievable rain...!