Very recently (May 14/15), a storm with wind gusts of up to 140 kilometres per hour impacted the Sea of Galilee in Israel causing damage to infrastructure on the shoreline and posing huge risks to any boat traffic on the lake. On hearing this news, my mind was drawn back to our visit to Israel eight years ago when we stood on the shores of this same lake. This turquoise-coloured body of water set amidst a circle of mountains and surrounded by biblical archaeological sites is affectionately named the ‘Jewel of the Middle East’. It is approximately 25 kilometres long, 14 kilometres wide and 50 metres deep, and its very precious fresh water is pumped big distances around Israel (and neighbouring Jordan) for use as irrigation and domestic water. 

As I sat observing the Sea of Galilee on that visit eight years ago, I was