It was an excellent itinerary that combined viewing archaeological sites and locations associated with Biblical events with an insight into modern Israeli life. 

Anne said “Beginning from the capital Tel Aviv we made a circuit of the country and one of the things that struck me most is just how small in area the country is. But all of the land is used and even desert areas have been reclaimed for agriculture through innovative husbandry and the recycling of every scrap of water.

We spent three nights in Jerusalem, the historic city holy to three major world religions. Walking through the Old City was fascinating with its myriad holy sites and shopping alleys. Most visually outstanding is the gold-plated Dome of the Rock where according to Judaism Abraham prepared to sacrifice Isaac and to Islam from where Mohammed ascended into heaven. We also walked the Via Dolorosa, the route taken by Christ on the way to His crucifixion and I was surprised at just how far He walked between the various sites. The visit to the ‘Western (Wailing) Wall’ on the last morning was also special – I’m sure there are many Israelis spending time in prayer there at the moment. The Wall is actually just the surviving part of the rampart or supporting wall of the Temple Mount, the hill on which the Second Temple was built after the return of the Exiles from Babylon, and not part of the Temple itself. But it is the only surviving physical relic of the Temple complex and Jews believe that God’s presence there continues.

The site I found personally most moving was the Holocaust Museum on the outskirts of Jerusalem, particularly some of the stories of the 1.5 million children who were killed.

We travelled by boat on the Sea of Galilee and ‘swam’ – or more accurately dipped - in the Dead Sea. It is a strange sensation as your feet go straight to the surface and you have to be very careful not to swallow any of the water or get it in your eyes.

I saw the wall which crosses Jerusalem although didn’t feel it was as obtrusive as many claim. Bethlehem with its Church of the Nativity is just across the border from Jerusalem in the West Bank area but while there is a border crossing, the coach was just waved through. There was at the time of our visit a generally relaxed mood and while we saw plenty of soldiers most of them were focussed on their mobile phones.”

WHAT A SURPRISE: On July 15 after attending the CWA Evening Branch dinner meeting at Fettler’s Restaurant, I caught up with a young couple who told me they were doing a tour of country pubs, checking out the venues so that they could organise a trip to bring friends on a “Country Pub Tour” .

They had been to Goulburn, Gunning, Wombat, Harden, Binalong, and Gooloogong and now were on a stop-over in Grenfell.

The couple were former co-owners of the Lachlan Valley Hotel in Cowra and after chatting learned that they knew my brother in law Gill Carroll who used to be in the Lakes Hotel in Kensington.

When I asked them from where they originated, Kylee said she had been a policewoman and worked in Sydney, but before that as young child went with her  father, also a policeman and her mother to Wentworth.

This took me completely by surprise and I said, “You are not Julie and Bob McKeen’s daughter are you?”

Kylee answered “Yes – do you know them?”

 Kylee’s mother Julie, is my first cousin and she was bridesmaid at our wedding almost 52 years ago.

Kylee’s grandmother Verna Kemp and my father Allan Ryan were brother and sister.

The last time I saw Kylee was at a Ryan family reunion in Sydney about 30 years ago.

Michael and Kylee Dennis own and run the Ocean Beach Hotel in Shellharbour and the Australian Hotel in Nowra.

I think Kylee and Dennis will definitely put Grenfell on the Country PubTour itinerary.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS:  Dean Reid who celebrated his birthday on July 16 enjoyed a few cold drinks on a very cold day after work with his brother Matt.

Dean was looking forward to celebrating with a family dinner a little later in the evening.

The following evening Chris Ivins was taken to dinner at Fettler’s Restaurant to celebrate her birthday.

Joining Chris on this special day were her work colleagues Cathy Harding, Di Halloran, Anna Holmes, Rita Mawhinney, Barb Perrott and Carolyn Reid.

TOUR De FRANCE: 34 year old Australian, Michael Rogers escaped from a five-man breakaway group to claim victory on the tour’s mammoth 237.5km 16th stage of the 2014 Tour De France from Carcassonne to Bagneres-de-Luchon. This stage of the competition was through the mountain chains of the Pyrenees, which included 5 mountain climbs, the longest being 11.7kms long and a 7.7% High category.

Michael was overwhelmed and took a bow as he crossed the finish line. 

Michael said he could not believe the joy he felt in the last 500 metres and hopes he does not have to wait another ten years to experience it again.

“It is every cyclist’s dream to win a stage of the Tour de France,”

Riding for Tinkoff-Saxo Bank team, this is Michael’s 10th Tour de France and his first ever stage win.

Michael’s parents Ian and Sonja lived in Grenfell during the late 90’s. Ian was an Engineer at the Weddin Shire Council and a member of the Grenfell Lions Club. 

POLOCROSSE WEEKEND: Last weekend Polocrosse returned to Grenfell. The last Polocrosse Carnival held in Grenfell was held at the top Lawson Oval and Aston’s paddock, which is now Lawson Estate.

78 year old ‘Tiger’ Hunter who does the Clerk of the Course at the Grenfell Jockey Club and Grenfell Picnic races started playing polocrosse 46 years ago and was a regular player against the late Kevin O’Connell, the late Jack Grogan, John ‘Sticky’ and Richard Hocking and Toby and Craig Frazer back in the days when Polocrosse was played in Grenfell. 

Grenfell had seven to eight teams participating in the sport at that time.

‘Tiger’ on his mount ‘Nigger’ together with Peter Beal and Kevin Bradford on ‘Snip’ who all now play for Harden all played at Grenfell in the last game some years ago.

In 2008 ‘Nigger’ was a horse ridden for NZ in 2008 in a competition at Baraboo.

 At the last game in Grenfell three cups were presented, these being the Fountain Cup, the John St Vincent Welsh Cup and the Kemar Cup (donated by Kevin and Mary O‘Connell).

If anyone knows of the where-about of these cups Mary O’Connell would like to hear from them.

Mary may be contacted on 0263 431047.