And, it allowed me to see that what I do and offer is valuable, well-thought-out, and is definitely a worthwhile contribution to the new paradigm of health care, which is self-care to remain healthy.  I'll soon be offering half hour sessions to teach clients how to use their bodies more effectively.  I'm blessed to have traveled to find this message.

I'm not taking the computer to Portugal, so may blog about the experiences, but will only add the pictures later, unless I make a change of heart in the next two hours.  I don't think most hotels we use will have internet service, so feel like I'd just haul the extra weight around.  So, if you're enjoying my pictures, please wait a couple of weeks and I'll add more to the blog, or blog more when I return.

So a 13 1/2 hour travel day yesterday, a 12 hour travel day today, and then, Portugal!  Bom dia, e obrigado.

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337278825500" alt=""/>

AT 8 am our tour bus picked us up, and after driving through some of the town, and through a tunnel under the Mount of Olives, we arrived in the desert and began descending to the Dead Sea.  One of the first things we noticed were the Bedouin camps along the way.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337278863141" alt=""/>They are far less nomadic than in former times, and in fact, this settlement is quite permanent, if not comfortable-looking to us.

Past the town of Jericho and on reaching the Dead Sea we turned south, past the place where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in a cave like this in the 1950's, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337278906022" alt=""/>changing the way we believed about some of the Bible, and reinforcing other beliefs with their discovery.

The Dead Sea is losing water, since both Jerusalem and Jordan are pumping it out for desalinization and use.  In addition, rain is a powerfully scarce commodity in the desert.

On to Masada...I'd heard the word, but had little sense of its meaning. 

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279270150" alt=""/>

To some it means the soul of Israel...it's a hill/mountain/cliff, near the Sea that used to be reached by one of two switchback paths; today there's a cable car to the top in addition to an hourlong path.

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279455818" alt=""/>

  Hot?  It was like Arizona in high summer already in May...probably 115F or 40C.  As you can see, I'm turning into a Bedouin myself; it was the only way to combat the sun!?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279758542" alt=""/>

It served as a winter palace to King Herod, the Roman Emperor of Jerusalem around the time of Christ.  He built an incredible two palaces on the top of this mountain,

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279509097" alt=""/>

with quarters for his legion, three bathhouses, storehouses for everything he'd need for luxury, and even had water diverted to the bottom of his hill, carried up on donkeys and stored in giant cisterns.  If you were Roman and rich, life was good.  Remnants of the Roman life remain among the ruins.

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279350564" alt=""/>

In around 67AD the Jews revolted and overthrew Roman rule, taking over Jerusalem and several fortresses.  Of course Rome couldn't stand for such rebellion and systematically crushed opposition.  Masada was the last holdout.  Nine hundred fifty men, women, and children held out at this fort on the hill.  Rome sent legions who made four camps at the base of the mountain, dug trenches and walls, and waited.

Since the fort had such deep cisterns they could have held out for years; the Romans needed to complete their work before the hot summer when water would be a problem for them.  So they built a ramp and battering ram and made short work of the west wall of the fort.

Overnight the Jews had to make a decision, and they did.  Rather than submit to slavery or death at the hands of Rome, each man killed his wife and children; then they killed each other.  The last ten men drew lots; the last lot killed nine and fell on his sword.  When Romans arrived the next day, no one was alive.  And this is the rallying point for Israel--when they are beseiged and harrassed by neighboring states, they remember Masada, and fight on.  A stirring place.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279627826" alt=""/>

On to a kibbutz, Ein Gedi, a few miles north.  We were met by Roy, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279814138" alt=""/>a Canadian who's been there since 1966 and met his wife there and raised three daughters.  He works on the date farm.  In addition to pointing out various plants to us, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279851656" alt=""/>he explained some kibbutz changes; children are less in the care of community now, and families have their own kitchens instead of eating in the communal dining hall.  It seems a hard life to me, but again, that's Israel.

Then the icing on the day; a float in the Dead Sea.  We stopped to bathe, and I've never floated in water like this...?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279894282" alt=""/>the saltiest in the world, and also the lowest water in the world at 400 meters below sea level.  I put my fingers in my ears and had a float tank experience in the hot sun...then a mud bath,?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279934949" alt=""/> a walk along the sea, and several showers to get the mud and salt off, followed by a beer.  Great!

Back the way we'd come,?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337279988719" alt=""/> to Jerusalem about 6:30.  Unfortunately I seem to have missed the dinner out with many of the group; think I got downstairs a few minutes late, so had shushuka, a spicy egg and cheese dish, for supper.  Now it's time to pack.  Perhaps one last market in the morning and a ten am shuttle, London in the evening, and Saturday night in Portugal!  Jerusalem was marvelous, stirring, and a puzzle.

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189285246" alt=""/>

This morning, Wednesday, in the hotel lobby at 7:30 am for a full day.  Late start due to someone's key problems, so we arrived to find a huge line at the Temple on the Rock, which is the Muslim holy area at the top of Jerusalem.  After a two hour wait to get in, we had about 20 minutes to see the whole area...not nearly enough time!  But, as Muslims no longer let infidels into either the temple or the mosque, we at least got a flavor of the holy place built on the spot where Abraham offered to sacrifice Isaac.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189328453" alt=""/>The work on this temple, which is the site of Solomon's temple also, is stunning. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189367885" alt=""/> During the Crusades for a few years this was also a Christian church.  Beautiful place, and at the very top of the hill.  There are many buildings on the grounds, including a mosque.

Next, an exit and walk through the Muslim Quarter of Jerusalem, which featured many interesting details, such as this door.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189404281" alt=""/>Next we began following the Via Doloroso, which was frankly created by the Catholic Church to serve the faithful...no one really knows if or where these events happened in the final walk of Jesus; the Pope sent a committee to make a plan and buy land where they could to put fourteen stations of the cross on the path leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.  Many spots offered no more than a plaque; some had churches with artwork specific to that station or event mentioned in the Bible.  An impressive way. Yet even in this Christian Quarter, one finds Arabic signs.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189507590" alt=""/>

Quite an experience, following the path.  This church is one of the first stations:?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337190329108" alt=""/>       Through the bazaar where we stopped for a drink.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337190244572" alt=""/>Our guide Donny, who is Jewish, gave us all the legends, then proceeded to debunk many of them...for example, the spot where Jesus put his hand on a rock and left a handprint would have been too high up the wall in those days; some buildings/spots chosen weren't even built at the time of Jesus.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189637843" alt=""/>But it makes a wonderful walk nonetheless.

On to the Holy Sepulchre...beautiful, especially if you like the Orthodox trimmings.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189679636" alt=""/>This photo shows people lined up to kneel to touch or kiss the slab that Jesus is reputed to have risen from in the tomb. We didn't have time to go through the line, but were able to touch the slab on which his body is reputed to have been prepared.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189719395" alt=""/> The area was purchased in about 400 or 500 AD by Helen, mother of Emperor Constantine, who converted much of the world to Christianity; she tore everything down except the tomb Jesus was reputed to have risen from, and built this church on top of the tomb.  There are many beautiful and inspiring pieces here.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189765081" alt=""/>

On to a lookout point that I'd already visited with my German friends on the first morning; but did manage to get a shot of the group left on tour who were visiting...?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189811335" alt=""/>some from Brazil, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, Slovenia, Asia, and me.  An amazing mix.  The third from left, a Brazilian gent, is so impressed both that I liked his presentation and that I'm trying to learn Portugese, that he's invited me to come visit Brazil.

Then to the Garden of Gethsemane, which was a high point for me...possibly just because of these olive trees (which are only several hundred years old, so probably their great great grandmother trees were here in the time of Jesus). ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189897284" alt=""/> The church here was also my favorite;?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189932683" alt=""/> gloomy, but it seemed right for the place.  It was started around 1918 and just captured the feeling of the place, for me at least.

Across the street is the Sepulchre of Mary, mother.  One enters a small facade, then immediately starts down a long staircase lit with many, many, MANY lamps/incense burners. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337189998654" alt=""/> At the bottom is the stone on which Mary supposedly went to sleep and was taken up to Heaven, never dying.  Another beautiful and moving place, and another touchstone place.

On to Bethlehem!  I didn't realize Bethlehem is in what's now Palestine; we had a border crossing, had to have passports with us, and changed guides because our Jewish guide couldn't go across the border (though he was admitted to the Temple on the Rock).  One enters through this tiny door; ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337190042940" alt=""/>it's been made so small for several reasons, including that people used to bring camels and horses into the church. This is the oldest church in Christendom, built in 548 and used continuously!  Helen, mother of Constantine and an early Christian, again built the first church, I believe.  About four feet below the current floor there's an old mosaic floor of the original.

It's called Church of the Nativity, because under the altar area is a small basement which contains the spot where Jesus was born, and the manger or feed trough he was put into at the time.  Interestingly, this was the point where my camera battery ran out (about the time I did too); I was thus unencumbered by trying to photograph the spot--leading me to believe this is meant to be a personal spot for each of us.  I did get to touch the spot of rock that has been revered for two thousand years, and see the manger area before coming back up to view the rest of the church, which includes frescoes with gold leaf from the 1100's.  I've not seen so many icons and decorations in one place, ever. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337190092472" alt=""/> An interesting day, but so tired tonight!

Another word; talking to some before I came, they asked if I was worried for my safety.  I've not felt unsafe at all, even though quite often we see young people on street corners carrying machine guns.  Last night on the walking tour a group of twenty were running to and fro past us on some kind of exercise/scavenger hunt.  Yesterday at the conference I talked to a Turkish woman married to a government minister who said that living in Israel is hard--there's always a feeling of unsettledness, of a lack of peace of mind.  Even though it's meant to be the holiest place on earth, peace eludes it.  An amazing place, this Jerusalem!  Grateful to have seen, felt, and tasted it.

My hotel is comfortable, and also a two minute walk to the conference facility.  In addition to a decent sized bed, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020542564" alt=""/>I have private balcony, and more storage space than I'll ever use in five nights.

So this morning walked over to conference, past these beautiful geraniums, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020593687" alt=""/>put up my poster, and had coffee whilst I waited for things to start.  I'd say there about 150 participants from Africa, Asia, US and Canada, South America, and Europe.  I'm meeting some quite interesting people, including a Colorado native now living in Denmark, a Canadian now living in Paris, etc.  Let's just say it's eye-opening for this little country boy.

Morning plenary sessions were good:  first fellow talked about the overuse of drug prescriptions by doctors, and how they don't communicate.  One of his 91 year old patients was just fine when all 18 of his medications were removed!  Second, the Danish guy, talked about the horrible economic impact of health care.  In Denmark, around 40% of the population works to support around 60% who are disabled or have early retirement.  How long can we take this route?  Third speaker was the best, delivering the idea that medicine needs to take the upstream model--instead of focusing on symptom release, let's look at what is behind symptoms, behind pain, behind stress, and is usually some form of purposelessness, meaninglessness with life, or spiritual malaise.  Fascinating three speeches.

Very few posters--about a dozen, and not a lot of lookers.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020625963" alt=""/>I'm not standing by my poster to attract people, but getting good comments.  It seems the conference might be seen to be in four cliques, though it's about integrative medicine:  1)  doctors who still prefer to find the new and better drugs, 2) doctors who are sincere about learning to integrate all disciplines, 3)  alternative folks who wouldn't mind working with serious doctors and 4)  alternative practitioners who are pretty far in left field.  A good mix, don't you think?  I'm interacting with a few of each.

So tonight, I was fried and skipped the last sessions.  At 5:40 I showed up in the lobby for the tour of Jerusalem by night.  No one was there.  Deciding I'd missed the bus, I taxied to the Jaffa Gate, of which the only thing I knew was its name and that it was opposite of the Zion Gate and Western Wall. I was pleased to find I was near King David's Tower, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337021725273" alt=""/>in the place where the Christian Quarter and the Armenian Quarter converge...the Jewish and Muslim Quarters converge farther west, down the hill.... ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020672607" alt=""/> On arrival I began looking at souvenirs.  A silver piece I admired began with a price of 600 shekels or $100; though it wasn't the piece I wanted I was asked to take it home in the end for $150 shekels or $25.  Interesting.  I ended up finding the piece in a smaller size, also several souvenir shirts for a good price.

Then to a very nice restaurant, Mahmoud or some such that backs onto the Eastern Wall in the Christian Quarter.  I sat outdoors, looking at the King David Tower, imagining that I was sitting in the garden where Bathsheba first attracted David's attention when he lusted after her and killed her husband (was it Uriah?). ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020710246" alt=""/> A fantastic meal, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1337020741785" alt=""/>watching the sun set, drinking a half bottle of Israeli wine, and unwinding.  So glad I missed the bus!  Taxi home, and sitting to blog, email, etc.

So tomorrow the final day.  I look forward to more contacts, more new ideas, and more enthusiasm for what I get to do.

I came in on a shuttle full of nine Germans that were all together on a different flight and kind of herded by one chiropractor/acupuncturist who's been on the conference before and has family in Jerusalem, so he knows his way around.  He invited me to join them at 7 am in the lobby for a breakfast out and a half day tour, so I've just come in from a German tour of Jerusalem!  Fortunately, I had one semester of German several years ago; even more fortunately my new friend Dr Erde, the driver and the guide all spoke English.  When I got a glazed look, someone would translate for me.

So first breakfast at a plant nursery.  Never seen that combination before, but was quite good.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336902852522" alt=""/>Then into the bus for a tour of the new parts and a vista of the old section:  the site of Solomon's temple, now Temple on the Rock (site of crucifixion if I'm understanding all--remember, no sleep and it's all German); ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336902896648" alt=""/>the gold domed mosque with an amazing city wall and cemetary in the foreground; ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336902934752" alt=""/>Gethsemane, Mount of Olives, etc.  All with my new friends...?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336902979149" alt=""/>

Next we drove to the ancient Temple on the Rock?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903251408" alt=""/> and toured the Western Wall or Wailing Wall...inside we saw Herod's arch, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903027308" alt=""/>which is therefore 2000 years old and made with no mortar, just cut stones.  I placed my prayer in the wall, asking that people learn to talk to each other instead of past each other.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903067661" alt=""/>A very moving experience.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903109513" alt=""/>Especially interesting in that I was the non-Jew and non-Germanic speaker on my group.

A quick walk up the steps, through a bazaar that will doubtless call me back; ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903143949" alt=""/>great artwork and silver work!  Down a side street, out the Zion gate, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336903182586" alt=""/>back to the bus and to the hotel.  I could/should be napping, but when I do in middle of the day, I usually lag worse, so trying to stay up until 4 pm for registration and the 5 pm bus tour of Jerusalem, followed by a reception for international guests in an art museum.  So, a busy day that's only half done!  Gonna be interesting....

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828611046" alt=""/>

During World War II the church itself was bombed and destroyed; the bell tower was salvaged, and that's where our clinic is located.  We have a reception area, 2 small kitchens, 2 toilet rooms and 5 treatment rooms along with some assorted and unreachable areas.  A garden has been made inside the church walls; it's lovely as it was today. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828646929" alt=""/> It's an oasis in the heart of London's financial and insurance district.

First I climbed two interior staircases; then through the door shown ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828868986" alt=""/>up about 100 more steps to a platform where I face a fifteen foot metal ladder, through a trap door, and bingo!  I'm on the roof.  The capstone was placed by Sir Christopher Wren's daughter because he was too ill to climb the tower.  It's possibly been rejiggered since the rebuild after the War, though the blackness suggests it survived the bombings and fire intact.     ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336829151992" alt=""/>Looking down one can see the outline of the church walls and the garden they now host.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336829232200" alt=""/>Views are spectacular:  to the south, across the Thames, the new Shard building being constructed near the London Bridge tube and train station ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828825500" alt=""/>to the west one sees the Monument to the Fire (gold flaming pillar at left),?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828925427" alt=""/> St Paul's (only visible near center) and other domes/buildings I don't know.  North is a new construction, proving that London may be in recession but the people with money keep making money. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336828963589" alt=""/> And to the east one can see the Tower Bridge (now obscured by cranes, not sure what's being built there) and in the far distance, Canary Wharf.  Foreground the steeple is All Hallows by the Tower, the church we attend when we're in town on Sundays, and our clinic's landlord/benefactor.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336829001841" alt=""/>Truly spectacular.  And back down the stairs to safety....?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336829086701" alt=""/>

So, again, I feel fortunate to have found this clinic, this family.  On our first trip six years ago, Molly came with Gloria and me for the first couple of weeks.  On seeing the building and the grounds, Molly said, "Dad, you belong here."  And I do.

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804418326" alt=""/>

Thursday only one morning session, then I gathered my laundry and dropped it at the launderette in the St Pancras area, since that's where my train to Canterbury was leaving from.  I took the one hour fast train, arriving about 12:30 and walked around on my own for awhile.  One of the first places I saw was an old 'hospital' or hostel that used to serve poor pilgrims as well as the sick?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336803912293" alt=""/>--all who needed a place to stay slept in this room in the crypt-type room below.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804312870" alt=""/>  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336803957720" alt=""/>Next this beautiful canal scene...you may or may not be able to see the old ducking stool on the left bank of the canal. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804376486" alt=""/> A few more blocks and I saw this spectacular first view of the famous cathedral.  It's easy to see why pilgrims were so happy to arrive here, and this is probably the most used route.?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336803792319" alt=""/>

I called my friend Michael, with whom I planned to stay ,with him, his wife Amina, and their five year old daughter Iris, whom I'd last seen when she was a baby.  As they were giving Iris lunch, I decided to go to the Augustinian Monastery.  St Augustine came to England in something like 680 AD to bring Christianity...he quickly decided he wasn't up to the job and tried to get out of it, but the Pope sent him back, and he built his first church on this site...these stones are from his first church (foreground) and you can see a current church on the right, the ruin of a palace Henry VIII built on the site after he destroyed the church and abbey, and the cathedral in the background left.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804268238" alt=""/>An impressive place.

Then back to meet Michael at the cathedral;

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804170408" alt=""/>

turns out he's been in quite a few times and is a great personal guide!  We saw the spot where Thomas Beckett was killed (Henry II (thanks Colin):  "Will no one rid me of this meddlesome priest?") and the spot where his pilgrimage shrine used to stand before Henry VIII destroyed the shrine and burned his bones and scattered the ashes,

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804219041" alt=""/>

reasoning that no one who stood against the right of kings should be a saint.  The candle in the middle marks the spot where the shrine stood til Henry removed it.  I'm not sure what sort of being I conjured up in that little circle at the bottom! 

Michael also knew the way to the herb gardens, also with some interesting ruined walls, etc...

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804123919" alt=""/>

things I wouldn't have found without him.  I am truly grateful for the amazing friends like Valeria, Michael and Amina, Bev, all of whom make my trips so much more fun and personal.

Next we began the short walk home, stopping at the new Marlowe Theater within a few blocks of his house...this mask is Marlowe the poet.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804011950" alt=""/>On arrival, for some reason Iris really took to me; we had a fantastic evening until bedtime, when she was less happy.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336804071574" alt=""/>After getting her bathed and bedded, Michael and I set out for a Belgian beer pub where I enjoyed Bruges Zot Bruin, one of my favorites.  Back to the house and I had a great little attic room.  All went well til 6 am, when I went downstairs to retrieve my bag and set off all the alarms.  Oops.

Friday morning up, after the alarm, and after Iris got off to school and I looked at some of Ami's jewelry and found a nice piece for Gloria, I started poking around town again, finding the Greyfriar's Park (or was it the Blackfriar's?  Both have spots in town), then went to the Canterbury Tales exhibit in an old church with still figures depicting scenes from the stories. ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336803852975" alt=""/> Pictured are the Abbess, the nun's priest, the knight and squire, with wife of Bath in the foreground.  I'm amazed all over again at what a fantastic writer Chaucer was.  One more trip through the high street which had a Friday market and back through the cathedral square and cathedral gift shop,?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336803727269" alt=""/> still full of pilgrims; then the train back to St Pancras, pick up my laundry, and into the clinic for a swap with Michael, then another with Bev, then dinner out with Bev just down the hill.

Tomorrow, Jerusalem!  First I've got to pack, then going to Portobello Road in the morning and an early evening flight, arriving in Tel Aviv on Sunday at 3:30 am.  See me remembering to get a bit of rest on the planes!  And see me being grateful for the wonderful experiences I'm getting to have.

Anyway, I started the journey in the new entry hall of Kings Cross station.  I must say, some of the Olympic preparations are showing up and showing off.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336461761016" alt=""/>T ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460696232" alt=""/his is a stunning new entrance to a tired old station, and I've been on several tube lines with new cars that really sparkle.  Efforts are being made to dress up the tired old lady.    

Two trains later I arrived in Yarm where my student/first follower Rob White lives with wife and soon-to-be baby.  I had several hours to myself that afternoon before he collected me for dinner out; then back to the B & B for a good night's rest.  Friday Rob was working so I took a walk to downtown Yarm, probably about 2 miles each way.  It was cold!  Windy, raining, just bone chilling, and I've packed for Portugal and Jerusalem, so suffered in my Athens Olympics baseball cap!  Fortunately the first store I found was kind of a Dick's Five and Dime; I got a new stocking cap for 2 pound, several other interesting bits.  Had lunch at a nice deli, poked around thrift shops, and found corners like this alley which I'll post if I understand flickr....?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460750916" alt=""/>

In the afternoon Rob picked me up and we headed through the clouds for an amazing little journey; into the Yorkshire Moors, some real winding mountain type roads with lovely views.  A deer even jumped out in front of us; dressed like no deer I've ever seen...much grayer, darker and spotted.  We followed Rob's satnav over some amazing back roads, down a one lane gravel path, crossed a beautiful little bridge, 

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460787733" alt=""/>

?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460841720" alt=""/>

to arrive at Rievaulx Abbey, ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460889723" alt=""/>first organized in 686 by French Cistercian monks who wanted isolation...and they got it!  An amazing place...most of what you see today was built in about 1100--1200 and then destroyed by Henry VIII in 1640 during his Dissolution of the Church.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460930553" alt=""/>Though it was rainy and cold, it was an incredible place; peaceful, quiet, impressive, and holy.  We had a good wander around, admiring the work that went into such a place nearly 1000-1500 years ago.     ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336460972867" alt=""/>And it's also easy to appreciate the natural setting and the gorgeous flowers surrounding it; sheep grazing on the next hill, wildflowers everywhere...lovely.  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336461053266" alt=""/>Then home for dinner out with Rob and Kate,.

Saturday was first day of the three day course, and I really like all the students.  I've worked with three before; the fourth is an acupuncturist and qualified physiotherapist.  All very professional and good at what they do.  In this three day course they work on each other and models for three sessions over the three days, and the work was good.  I was also amazed that Andy spent Sunday night at an Elvis impersonator contest, and even put on his wig and glasses for us!  ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSION=1336461514008" alt=""/>But that evening was mine--dropped off downtown Yarm, got a couple of boxed salads and a bottle of wine, and curled up in my room watching Britain's Got Talent (night's winner was a dancing dog, second place to a boy's chorus from Wales--and I agreed with the vote!). Then could not get to sleep...I think I had about 2--3 hours for day two, which surprisingly went very well.

Sunday, last day, bittersweet...I really care about my students and my models.  All gave and/or received good work and good learning.        ?__SQUARESPACE_CACHEVERSI OPiN=1336461554409" alt=""/>c  Pictured are my new certificants for level II--Andy Gamble, Bobby Feven, Joy Feary, and Annabelle Armitage...well done to all!  Two trains home, arrived about nine pm at Kings Cross to find main tube lines down for work, so had to detour home, but arrived about nine-thirty and settled in for the night.  I do enjoy my group up north, and look forward to sharing CORE III/IV there in November.

I arrived by train in Yarm yesterday afternoon; a cold and windy day.  Again, the greenery of the countryside contrasting with the yellow of the rape fields is quite stunning.   I nearly missed my connecting train in Northallerton but got on with seconds to spare, and only had about a 50 yard walk to my bed and breakfast, the Field House Inn, where I've stayed with Steve and Vicki on two other occasions.  It was great to kick back and have a cup of tea and stretch out on a real double bed after four nights sleeping on a massage table!  Slept straight through from 10:30 until 7:30--never did have any bad jet lag this trip.  About 6 pm, student/first follower Rob picked me up and we went to his favorite Indian restaurant and sampled two lamb dishes with a few sides; very tasty.  We discussed the upcoming course and other business, had a pint at the Black Bull, our hangout, and then home for bed.

Today as Rob is working and the inservice we had scheduled couldn't happen due to scheduling conflicts, I had a free day.  Heaven!  After loitering in bed until 8 I had my coffee, digested several chapters of a really good how-to book called "Pain Free", fell asleep and had a little nap while doing one of the stretches, then woke and walked downtown to Yarm, probably about a mile away, and fortunately down the hill.  Though it was windy and cold, and raining a bit, I happily at least had a light sweater under my light jacket, and my Greek Olympic baseball cap to keep me warm, and a pair of gloves that were very appreciated!

Yarm is a charming village, on the Tees River, which makes nearly a circular bend in which Yarm occupies all the space.  The main drag is a great shopping strip and lots of bachelors and bachelorettes come her for their pre-wedding party weekends.  There's also a huge old rail trestle across the river; a great feat of engineering in its day, I'm sure.  Today I began in a great little variety store where I found a stocking cap for 2 pounds; totally needed.  I also found new jeans cheaper than the thrift store and a few other items.  Then lunch in a nice deli that served a great Italian plate and mocha; several thrift stores (Donna's gonna be happy!) and the local grocer for foodstuffs for the next several days, since I'll be out of the B & B before breakfast each day.  The walk back up the hill with two bags of goodies was considerably longer than the mile down; at least with two bags I was balanced.

Just received a call from Rob and we have the option of either Whitby or Riveleaux Abbey; one or the other and I have to choose.  While I visited Whitby earlier, I didn't have the chance to climb the hill and roam the abbey ruins; so that might win.   This picture from a previous trip shows the Abbey on the hill.  Either will be a drive through some beautiful hill country that I've previously only seen in the dark, so it will be a fine but cloudy afternoon and evening.

Then tomorrow we begin our three day course.  Ready and eager for these students and their models.  Classes are currently small, but the students I'm attracting are so great--interested, intelligent, and ready to take their work to the next level.  So I'm feeling fortunate, and will be rested up besides!

After time with them, I headed back up to Kensington High Street for dinner with friend Tadeusz and his wife Vera.  We had a delightful evening, beginning with vodka and graduating to wine and a fine meal with excellent conversation.  I treasure that friendship, and wish they’d come visit us one day.

Back to the clinic and a good 8 ½ hour sleep; then up for clients.  I began the day before receptionist arrived, and finished after she’d gone.  In between I visited my favorite lunch place which serves hummus, two cabbage salads, several other raw vegetables and five falafel balls, all for L5.  Love it!  After work, I walked across London Bridge and had a salad supper near the station on the South Bank, returning home in the rain.

First impression of London this trip:  Why do I come back?  Supposedly Johnson said when one is tired of London, one is tired of life.  On arriving I was struck by much of what I don’t like…loud tourists on the Tube (mostly Italian women, this time, and German guys)…so many languages I can’t tell who is speaking which.  Crowds, crowds, everywhere.  High prices, inconvenience in many ways.  However, after settling in for a day, things seem remarkably sane, same, easy peasy.

The clinic is a beautiful old building—the tower of a Christopher Wren 1670--1699 church.  The church was destroyed in World War II, but the tower remains and houses the clinic.  I’ve been told it’s full of ghosts, but never worried too much.  Well….last night about 10:40 just as I was ready for bed, I began hearing noises.  Just as I was trying to decide if it was the ghosts coming for me, there was a very light tapping on my door!  I opened to find the cleaner at the door!  Scared the bejesus out of me.  After the cleaners left, I slept soundly, however.  The only downside so far to staying here, is the shower I’ve been admiring for years doesn't seem to be functional.  So for a few days, I’ll be bathing in a bathroom sink.  And day one, the sink I chose had no hot water…a very uncomfortable shave.  I’m finding my way, however.

Tuesday a full day at the clinic; up at 6, prepared myself, received colleague Andrew at 7 am and we had a good chat and scheduled work on me for next week.  At 9 my first client, finished at 5:30 and took two tubes and a bus to go north for dinner with friend/school owner/employer Susan.  She’s doing great things, and will be a team leader in the massage department of the upcoming London Olympics…50 of her graduates will also be working in the group of 250 massagers, so quite a feather in her cap!  Not sure I'd want to be there (actually, chose NOT to be here) as I hear they're installing surface to air missles around the stadium...who's going to be guarding them?)  After tubing home, I stopped off at Aldgate, which area I don’t know well, and found my way home.  On my short walk home from Aldgate I found the Seething Lane my friend Colin had been describing to me, part of the area found in Sameul Pepys’ diary…found the St Olave Church, and now know the area a bit more, though I haven’t gotten into the diary yet.  On cue, the cleaners arrived about ten pm; this time they didn’t scare me though.

Today, Wednesday, I was up early and out about 9 am to walk across London Bridge, tube to Elephant and Castle for a great Clark's shoe outlet store, and buy three pairs of Clark's (count em!  How will I get them home?).  Back to London Bridge, and then I walked the Queen's Way along the south bank of the Thames, to the Tower Bridge, looking all the while at the tiny spire of my clinic nestled amongst all the large, tall, newer buildings, some of which are still going up.  A bit of time by the Tower, through St Katherine's Dock area, and here early for my afternoon sessions.  Today I finally got my computer reconfigured for emails; now I wish I could understand how Photobucket has changed the system so I could download photos for the blog.  Unfortunately, I don't think I've got the brains to figure this one out, so just envision all the lovely things I talk about.  Actually, a bit later, I've added a few old photos to illustrate; hopefully I can find someone to help me figure out what I'm missing from photobucket.

So afternoon sessions, dinner with friends, a morning session tomorrow, and on the way north for the teaching engagement.  And at last, the weather is better--cold, but no rain yet today.