Summer time

There is never a dull moment in summer here in the Holyland. Yesterday the 12 day march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem ended at our doorsteps. It's a solidarity march in support of the release of captured soldier Gilad Schalit. Over 2000 supporters crowded Independence Park. But they were antagonised by ultra orthodox Jews who had opposing ideas; they held a demonstration across the street. Police and soldiers were everywhere to separate the two opposing camps.

And did you see the Israeli soldiers on patrol in the West Bank dancing? All in good fun of course ... no one will be prosecuted as security was not compromised. It was all over BBC (and CNN too).

I think the ice cream sellers are making it big this week. It's so hot everyone on the streets are eating ice cream or frozen yoghurt. And any shop with an air-con will always have people crowding inside.

The promise to rejuvenate Israel in today's reading (Hosea) is very comforting. The images of dew and flowers and verdant meadows is what we all desire in this hot, dry summer thata's turning the area into a desert.