The organist librarian

The Qantas flight from Sydney went smoothly and we landed at 11.50 p.m. after 9 hours in the air. Both watched "Black Swan" very disturbing. We were met by Anu from Dietholm travel and he turned out to be our personal guide for the whole stay! Charming and helpful and recently at university. The car took us to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumit in about 30 minutes - the roads are amazing with traffic jams and flyovers. A very grand room on the 17th floor overlooking the swimming pool and very central at the convergence of 2 skytrain lines. We were woken at 7 a.m and went by car to the Grand Palace which is beautiful. The temple of the Green emerald buddha very impressive. The car dropped us at the tube station so Anu could explain the system which proved easy and quick. From the hotel we went to the Paragon centre where you can buy a Porsche or Lamborgini on the third floor (car as temple object!) We bought some outfits for Ciarán. Busy food court and then down to the basement to...

Met Sister Sheila on Thornton Heath station and told her about John Ennor being in Mayday. To Oxford Circus and arrived a little late for the meditation session at London Fo Guang Chinese Buddhist Temple in Margaret Street. No idea it was there! Very helpful guidance sheet. Coffee, cakes and chocs - my friend the monk from Battersea Peace pagoda was there. Shocked to find Mowbrays bookshop is closed. To Baker Street and walk in the rain to Regents Park mosque - Bishop John joined us and about 100. We were given a nice brochure and a very short introduction and invited to pray silently in the mosque. I thought of the psalms "O pray for the peace of Jerusalem" "Out of the deep" If only Israel would trust in the Lord! Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi and several people I know - lots of Catholics! Bus to Baker Street and underground to Rayners Lane. The Zoroastrian centre is a converted 30s cinema in Harrow - 3 million spent on it. Lunch brought from Birmingham by Sachkhan ...