The Middle East looks beautiful from above. Blue seas - Galilee, the Dead, the Red, the Mediterranean - and deserts bathed in sunlight and shade. In the 1962 film 'Lawrence of Arabia', to the question, "What is it that attracts you to the desert?', Captain Lawrence answers, 'It's clean!' From March 22-25 we'll be in T. E. Lawrence's land. Jordan is a desert jewel. We'll tread the path of the Israelites from Petra to Mount Nebo, and spend a day at Herod's palace ...

By this time next week we will have arrived in Amman, capital of Jordan. I recently bought a pair of Timberland Earthkeepers Anti Fatigue Shoes for trekking on tour. The advertising was alluring. Strong, environmentally friendly and with the promise of endless walking without weariness. Sold! This week I have been wearing the shoes 'in', only to have my heels rubbed red raw. Was this false advertising or was it my failure to prepare properly? Why didn't I buy th...

In 10 days we leave for the Middle Eastern lands of Jordan and Israel. The two geographical features that define their past and future are wilderness and water. Israel walked through the wilderness from Egypt to Canaan and wandered away from the land in the despair of disobedience. The cries of the psalmist for water in a dry and weary land reflect the deep longings of a world weary soul. 'My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land...

In 15 days 25 travellers depart for our tour of Jordan and Israel . Everything is in place for a wonderful adventure through these ancient Biblical lands. The expected weather forecasts are Jordan (20-25C), Jerusalem (17-22C) and Galilee (21-27C). President Obama may be visiting Jordan and Israel at the same time as us in March? I have been in contact with the White House and sent them our itinerary and they have kindly agreed to avoid our daily destinations...