So the faithful have come to bethlehem to see where baby Jesus was born. It's not actually a stable... It's a cave that is under the inn - this is what was a stable was. Then mass in St Catherine's church. It's a beautiful church and it's nice to sing Christmas carols in august.

We had to cross back out of Palestinian territory and back into Israel, we were expecting to wait hours but breezed through - definitely had some favours from upstairs as we were able to make it to the church of John the Baptist and the church of the annunciation. The church of the annunciation is up the top of 120 stairs. It has an amazing view of jerusalem, the group I'm travelling with are fantastic - diverse, funny and spiritual.

I almost wet myself over dinner, we started singing happy birthday to someone (it was not his birthday) in the middle of the dining room. It had over 200 people in it who simultaneously chimed in. Needless to say said 'birthday' boy was mortified and unable to hide. Ah the memories!