1 Orphanages and animal rescue centres in Upper Egypt, and bike-riding in the sunshine in Kent. There's a gap, is there not, between the first two and the third. Unwanted children being raised in an orphanage which is being maintained by donations from the UK. Distressed animals being cared for in a country, a part of the world, where a concern for animals may be akin to Doolittle's understanding or morals.

2 And a new grandson. To be viewed, to be held, to be cherished. And a familiar, younger daughter. To be cherished again.

3 Bike-riding in the sun. I've written an account of the ride for the website. Suffice it to say that it was a pleasure to be on a bike, in familiar company, on the route to Sevenoaks and on the return journey. We swept our way to the town: there were no hesitations or reversals or mistakes. Instead, we pedalled steadily for the 20-odd miles on the outward leg and just as steadily on the fewer-than-20-miles on the way back.

3.1 I hope we continue with the practice of a rota of leaders. It does bind the company; it does share the task, and the sharing develops our knowledge of the area and of the task of leading a group.

4 In my account, I have written of the view from the bridge (over the M25). Pace Abu Simbel, the view was such that it well-nigh vinmdicated the choice of route, it was an expression of the pleasures of cycling, that is, of being out on a bike in country such as passed through today. How good it was to be in this part of the world, how good to be able to cycle, how good to stop and view (as opposed to continue, without stopping, the slow, steady climb. A challenging climb, by the way.

5 Six for lunch was a companionable number. We chatted. We got on with each other. We got on with the ride back to EG. And I went to Waitrose, there to buy some pastries for my tea. And a spot of dinner (though I have sufficient left-overs from yesterday's).

6 Time, as you say, to return.

Looking forward to it.

Faithful hound

(Remember: St Benedict and his Rule on Tuesday evening.)