Heatwave still

Sunrise heatwave

And the heatwave continues to beat down on us. Believe me, just walking in the street is like a death sentence ... the sun is so hot you feel roasted under it .... but worse still the heat emanating from the ground is just as overpowering. The waves of heat hit your nose and suffocates you, your feet burn with each step you take. Words like "wither" "shrivel" "roast" batter your mind when you walk out in the sun. Umbrellas can't save you. Indoors is the solution ... but not in the evenings and nights when the stones which all houses are built with, release the heat stored during the day. Houses become ovens. That's why you see people splashing water on the ground and roofs during the day in an effort to cool the stones. It works ... to an extent. However with the drought that we're experiencing, splashing water is expensive business. We've been told that this heatwave is blowing from Spain and Portugal what ignited those devastating fires. But tomorrow cool winds and rain is predicted for Europe, so we'll enjoy cooler weather when this wind blows our way.

The italian team of volunteers have started its work, which is good for me, because it frees me to concentrate on other pressing matters. We're having a week of serious meetings ... and though it doesn't involve me, I was asked to present a report and was asked to come back again to present some proposals. So I've been very busy.

Trees chopped and earth dug to
prepare for the security tower

The Light Festival will end in 2 days' time and the crowds are still coming in large numbers. Many shops along the roads are making brisk business ... especially drinks and pizzas. The arabs try to set up their trolleys along the road to sell their Kaik bread which is a very elongated type of doughnut bread covered in sesame.Most jews know nothing of arab cuisine and are willing to give it a try.

Well all this revelry in the heatwave will soon pass and work to build the security watch tower at Damascus Gate will start. Actually it has already started ... trees behind the temporary police blocks have all been chopped down. This morning the earth has been dug up to prepare for the foundation of the tower. It would look ghastly.