Sea of Galilee

The temperature has been over 30C these last few days. We had mass outside at the church of the Primacy of Peter under an awning which was lovely.

This was the view we had at mass.

We moved on to the Church of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes. This stone lying under the altar is where the miracle of the feeding of the 5000 took place. We were reminded that in hat the crowd was much larger.

A boat was discovered at the bottom of the Sea of Galilee which was dated at around the time of Jesus. Now a family has constructed similar boats for pilgrims to go out into the sea. We were on a boat called Noah. We were given a demonstration of fishing in the way that Peter and the other fishermen would have used followed by some Israeli music.

For lunch today, we were delighted to have Peter’s fish which comes from the Sea of Galilee. It was delicious but some people were put off because the fishes still had their heads on.

The Convent of the Beatitudes is an idyllic place. It is next to the Sea of Galilee and has beautiful gardens

Yesterday we should have gone to the Baptismal place of Jesus, but unfortunately it had been shut but were able to go today. Here people can renew or make their baptismal vows by going into the Jordan. Unfortunately it has become a commercial enterprise. You are only able to enter the water in a long white garment, which has to be hired. They then sell you a video of your baptism.

I thought the traffic in Weybridge was bad enough, but Tiberias is even worse. It may have been because today is Israeli Independence Day and is a holiday. Last night there were fireworks in celebration.

Everyone has been watching the news to find out whether we will be travelling back to the UK on Thursday. We have been told by the Travel Agent that no-one really knows what is happening and that they are looking at alternatives.