1 News from a different world. A second day of late summer, early autumn sunshine. Up early, on with the jobs. Ironing, a couple of letters. Still looking for my railcard, the one I couldn't find yesterday, the one which is still missing (even as I key). At the railway station, in cycling kit, with bicycling, in time to catch the train to Hurst Green. My first outing with the club since the tour. Three months.

2 Just five others, including three Chadwicks, as we cycled from Hurst Green to Morrisons, the re-fuelling stop for the three who had cycled from Forest Row. (I did think of cycling to Hurst Green, but I decided not to.) Off westwards towards Lullingstone. I remained with them for about half an hour. Then I turned down Westerham Hill, the hill, remember, which I am to tackle. A pause in Westerham. People sitting on the green in the sun. Passing cyclists.

3 From Westerham I followed the uphill road through the North Downs. A pleasant ride, a ride to my own rhythms. The sun shafted through the trees. The day was warm. I climbed the hill, rode through the undulations, and then I enjoyed the downhill ride to Crockham and onwards to the outskirts of Edenbridge. A diversion through the country to Haxted, to Lingfield, and back to EG by way of Baldwin's Hill.

3.1 I was reminded of the pleasures of solitary cycling. The day was warm, the tyres were fully inflated. All that had to be done was pedal. The pace was mine. Indeed, I was indifferent to pace, an indifference which is not possible when one is cycling with others. Remember, the woman who was swimming in the water at Courseilles? Of course, you do. Well, I remembered her as I cycled. She and I were one.

4 To Worth for a Passion Play rehearsal. About 45 adults attended, some 15 men and 30 women. It could be interesting. The director, a woman, has produced a Passion Play in Lewes. I reckon she knows what she's doing. There's room for everyone. There's a strong chance I will be a Roman soldier. If Liam wants to be Pilate then he will have to turn up. (Liam will attend a rehearsal for a Passion Play?) Mass at the Friary. Home. The possibility of a swim at CP passed with being realised. I'll just have to get up in the morning.

5 Meanwhile, do not adjust your mind. There's a fault in the surrounding reality. Just believe that there is a plan, that the plan will return you to Peking, to an aircraft which will be flying westwards towards the UK.

6 People ask about you. I say that you are 'somewhere in China, that you will be home at the end of the week'. I go on to say that you will have stories to tell.

6.1 Giles and Helen send their good wishes. So do Jo and Roy.

7 Tomorrow will be a SSAFA and a credit union day. If the sun continues to shine, I will telephone Pells Pool. If it will be open, then I will take my early autumn swim.

Keep sending the news. Hold on to the rails.

Stayathome (who is looking forward to an evening of chat).