under another sun

Up at 6 am and off to Strawberry Hill today, near Teddington to attend a staff conference of the Christian charity I'd pitched to a few weeks ago. It was held on the campus of St Mary's University, which was small but attractive. An absorbing day with everyone there motivated, sincere and positive. They are an organisation of storytellers in the best way and I spent the entire day talking or listening. It was interesting to observe how prayer was continually being woven into what they do, starting and ending each presentation with a prayer, for example. Particularly struck by seeing two people having what looked like a standard work discussion outside, but ending their informal meeting with a prayer. One nice woman I spoke to called Alice even said she would pray for me. They also sang a good deal and I melted away at the end as they lustily sung the day to a close. I made my way to Hammersmith where I met First Matie, Matt and Isy, and little Elsa outside the Blue Anchor b...

Up at five o'clock this morning. Having talked to Robin and Catherine over the last couple of days, woke up with a very clear picture in my head of how to be more businesslike about promoting my writing, and strengthen the book proposal and simply had to write it all down before I could go back to sleep. Back to bed and slept in late, and felt somewhat improved on yesterday. Cats confused by their early breakfast. Lorraine met Betty in town this afternoon, and I did some more work inspired by my sudden clarity. Nice to see Beth later in the afternoon. Lorraine and I off in the evening, after waiting longer for a taxi than it would have taken us to walk, to Hotel du Vin where we met Matty and Isy. Also met young Elsie too for the first time. A charming baby, which enjoyed being cuddled by Lorraine, but cried in an affronted way when on my knee. The pretentious bar busy, with people dressed up and swanky. I like it. We went across the road to an Indian restaurant with the baby,...