Dance Mat & Settlers

Happy New Year!

New year's eve was spent with J & S and a few friends who persuaded us to show our John Travolta and Olivia Newton John skills on a dance mat - for those who haven't had a go on one you need to. Unfortunately we forgot our camera so you will have to imagine the elegance and artistic interpretation expressed by two semi-retired ballroom dancers. For a demo see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTBkdy1XjOU&feature=related

I retired to the lounge to let Jane have more time to resurrect her disco skills. I joined in a game of 'Settlers', and having never played this brilliant strategy game before I managed to come last on a regular basis - this game is a must for board game enthusiasts and is now top of my Christmas/birthday list for this year. P

Star Street

Crowds approaching Manger Square along Star Street on Christmas Eve to see Jane appearing again with the college choir, this time in front of TV cameras and thousands who had travelled from the four corners of the earth to see her. The performance clashed with the Anglican service in the Church of the Nativity, which President Mahmoud Abbas and I attended, we were both were disappointed to have missed Jane, but there's always next year. Jane and I got home from our Christmas Eve party at 4am and we were clocking in for work at 9am. Looking forward to the Orthodox Christmas, is there an Orthodox Santa? P

A Frosty Christmas Morning

We have the BBC as our homepage and the weather is set for Jerusalem (4 miles away). Its going to be a frosty Christmas Eve, much like home.
Wishing you all a Happy Christmas and may 2008 be peaceful for us all. P&J

Spot the ginger Santa!

The local tradition is for a 'stranger' to play Santa, they had to look no further than the Bible College! The House of Hope is a school and home for people of all ages who are blind or have learning disabilities. Jane is a regular visitor and volunteered me for the central role in the Christmas party. Previous rugby experience proved invaluable in dealing with the scrummage that commenced when I entered the room, I only had time for three Ho's before I was surrounded by a flood of children, I can't remember there being a session covering this at CMS training. P

Jane on the road

After a brilliant first performance Jane was centre stage for the next choir outing. This concert was in the centre of Bethlehem as part of a two week long festival. The weather was very cold (jumper & trousers under the dresses), it is mild during the day 16c down to 1c at night. Friday and Saturday the choir are on the road again and then Christmas Eve in Manger Square - look out for her on the BBC!! P

Spot the Blonde Arab!

Singing in Arabic is a totally new experience for for me. The occasion is a concert for World Vision, who are regular donors for the college. I hope my interpretation of the beautiful Arabic songs were not too much of a distraction, they continued with our donation anyway. I am joining the choir for a Christmas tour of the West bank and will also have the opportunity to sing in the services around manger square. The dresses were specially made for the occasion are are similar to the Bedouin women who live in the Judean desert. West bank and then the West end, somehow I don't think so! But you never know.
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