Ahh its 10 am on a Sunday morning and with a stretch and a yawn I think about getting up to start the day with some bacon and eggs… but as a bright Israeli sun breaks over the hills of Jerusalem and into my window I realise, that was all a dream… Its actually 5am, sure I am still stretching and yawning but it's a work day here on Sundays and there's no hope of those bacon and eggs in a land where pork is not Kocher.. Na, that story is not strictly speaking ...

G'day guys and girls, hope you are all well. I am a bit knackered this week so I am dialling this one in. It is Pesach (Passover) this week but I have bailed and instead looking at doing an overnight hike at Mt Meron. At any rate I should have some stories next week. Until then I'll copy and past a half finished artical for Hort Journal for your browsing if thats your kind of thing... here you go... (I'll stop writing about plants for a bit after this I swear... ...

Perched on a hill in my section of the Jerusalem Botanic Garden today, I took some time to appreciate the view out over the white stone buildings of the city. As a static but melodic Rwandan folk song crackled its way to my headphones, I was reminded of just how far from ordinary life seems to have gotten these past few years. The song was given to me by a Rwandan refugee who shared both camp and many a story around the coals during my time in Tanzania, stories w...

A quick nod by Eli (JBG's head gardener) to the border guards as our car passes through a security checkpoint and we are again on our way. We have In fact, technically entered Palastinian West Bank territory, though looking out at the expanse of albeit bare geography for the next few kilometres if it weren't for the checkpoint I would have had no idea. We are on our way to En Gedi nature reserve by the dead sea but as with all botanically inclined minds the jour...

Hi folks, well here I go again spouting out another blog after taking off to abstract reaches of the globe and while culture shock mingles with jetlag, I'd say this one may be the most interesting yet. I've gotten familiar with developing countries, tribal customs and eating my way across the worlds flora and fauna. Sure there will be more chances to experience such things exploring rural Israel and other areas of the Middle East but as for my home for the next ...