Packing things in Sheffield didn’t make me nervous. Of course, the fact that I didn’t go to bed at all that night may have been a sign of my excitement,. But getting ready to catch the train to London did make me feel nauseated, which surprised me because it’s not as if I’m going somewhere far away or strange unfamiliar. Anyway, forgot the toilet paper and spoon (again).

The journey began properly when I reached security at the airport. The cool, hard young officers were there asking their questions, asking them again, and most passengers appeared to be Israeli. For some reason they took a dislike to me (the Jordanian visa?), ,didn’t trust the tippex on Ronit’s letter, weren’t convinced I had worked for Magen David and even tried phoning Ronit! I was cleared after about half an hour, and an hour later succeeded I’m coaxing a smile from my interrogatress.

On the plane terrible Hebrew folk songs accompanied us to our seats and thence to the runway. My neighbour hastened to say he didn’t appreciate having to listen to it, but my other neighbour was singing along… Eli told me about his impressions of Britain, about the army and politics. Jerusalem etc. I hope I have as much luck talking to other people.