Friday September 22nd 2006

Well, if there was meant to be a "Day of Rage" by Moslem campaigners today at Westminster Cathedral, it must have been mostly rained off: London deliciously drenched with much-needed downpour.

Last night, in oppressive heat, went to St Mary Moorfields for meeting of Catholic Writers' Guild. Father Peter Newby, our chaplain, had installed fan in church and I was sitting near it - bliss! Dinner in crypt: speaker was journalist and author Mary Kenny on "Shamrock and Crown", the theme of her latest book, the relationship between Ireland and the British Crown in modern (ie Queen Victoria and onwards) history. Extremely interesting, witty, well-researched. Watch for this book when it comes out - it will be well worth reading. I distributed handbills re TOWARDS ADVENT FESTIVAL OF CATHOLIC CULTURE, Sat Nov 4th at Westminster Cathedral Hall and also announced 2006 Catholic Young Writer Award, open to all pupils at Catholic secondary schools in Britain (send message to this blog with postal address and I will send brochure with details).

Walked from the City, via St Paul's (magnificent, glowing with light on this hot summer night) and across the river to Waterloo: the idea of travelling by Tube in this oppressive heat was insupportable. Once home, with every window open, everything still felt too warm. Late into the night, the rain fell, and I ran into the garden, ostensibly to get damp washing hanging on line but really just to relish the delicious coolness.