Homeward bound...

I am writing this courtesy of the free internet connection provided at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore.

After 3 fun packed days here in Lahore, Thomas and I are off back to Karachi. Our time here has been just the right balance between sight seeing and relaxing.

Yesterday we took in the Shalimar Gardens, Lahore Museum and The Heritage Museum. The gardens are amazing. They were built by Shah Jehan in 1644/5, just about the time the English were engaged in the Civil War. They were created as an retreat for the Royal Family away from the heat of the Lahore Fort. The image to the right is on the second of the three terraces and is were the dancing girls would have performed for the Royal Couple.

The museums, well I am sure someone finds them interesting, unfortunately, I have a very low boredom threshold in places like this and I was ready for going after about room three and there was still another 11 rooms to go!

In the afternoon we headed off to the Closing ceremony at the Wagha border. It is very difficult to describe just how much fun this ceremony is. There are soliders on both sides of the border, literally 'dancing' through the ceremony, postering and 'intimidating' the soliders on the other side. This is all done in good part and they do exchange handshakes are various points. I have managed to get this on video and after editing I will avail myself of the technical support of my godson to upload said video for you all to enjoy.

Last evening we went to Cooco's Den a resturant in the former home of Iqbal Hussain a noted Lahori artist, renown for his painting of prostitutes. This is right next to the Badshahi Mosque which is lit up at night and looks amazing. We were actually treated to dinner by parents of one of my students, whom we ran into at Wagha! I do love the fact that I have been here long enough now to run into people I know out and about.

After a morning in the hotel and a swim in the pool we were taken to the Museum of Puppetry. Now given what I have already said about Museums and also the fact that puppets 'creep me out' theh 20 minutes we spent there were 20 minutes too much! It was only redemned by Peeru's Cafe next door which served us with an excellent lunch!

Also it has dawned on me that 12 weeks from now I will be in the air, Inshallah, on my way to the UK for my summer programme of events which is shaping up nicely at the moment. I can't believe I have been here for 8 months, it feels like I have always been here and at the same time that I only arrived yesterday!

Well, the weekend approaches and I have several things to do, I have a sermon to write, Urdu homework to do, an Urdu lesson booked for Saturday morning, two services to preach at on Sunday(thankfully I can use the same sermon) and lessons to get ready for Monday.

There is all this, as well as further entertaining Thomas with meals and retail therapy and keeping on track with my Cross channel swim. I am currently 3 miles of the coast of Dover with just another 18 miles to go...