Monday 17th November. A glorious day on the Sea of Galilee! From Tiberias we took the "Jesusboat" across the lake with lots of singing and dancing. "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" was our theme and we enjoyed some Israeli folk tunes as well. The Union Jack had to be hoisted again as it was upside down and Miriam remarked on how different nationalities treat the playing of the National anthem. The British either sing or laugh, the Italians don't know theirs! Had a break at the coffee shop attached to the ancient boat museum. To Tabgha where there are 7 springs and the lovely ancient mosaic of the loaves and fishes. We had a wonderful Mass in the garden of the Church of the Beatitudes with an excellent homily. Interesting point about the number of baskets left after the feeding of thousands - 12 is Israel, 7 is Gentiles i.e. the Decapolis on which side of the lake (Northern) we are staying. We had a picnic at Bethsaida next to the river Jordan and visited the ruins of the town where Peter, Andrew and Philip were born. There are a winegrower's house, 1st century AD street and a fisherman's house. We visited the church of St Peter's Primacy where I met Fr Francis Moran, the parish priest of Thornton Heath, Croydon! Next door we had silent meditation at Mensa Christi, Dolgatha next to the lake - a hyrax (coney) was sunning itself as we arrived! At Capernaum we saw the ruined synagogue and a modern church over Peter's house. Lovely sunset.
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