Morning swimming with friends in an infinity pool – gazing to the hills and distant haze-hidden Jerusalem – relishing the renewal of a night’s sleep and warming sun on your shoulders.

Now back on the balcony before breakfast , the Dead Sea is mirroring the shoreline and the land is dotted with flamboyant trees and hibiscus. But this little paradise is confined to the hotel coast. Beyond there is desert in lots of ways. Quite close to the north lies troubled Syria, people losing life whether they signed up or not, families in fear. Something to reflect on as we pray.