Happy John of Ruusbroec day - 14th c Low Countries mystical writer who died otd in 1381. "Insofar as the spirit burns in love it will find a distinction and an otherness between itself and God when it examines itself. But insofar as it is burnt up it is one-fold and there is no distinction left."

On the feast of St Michael & All Angels, here's the celestial hierarchy from Hildegard of Bingen's Scivias. "And all these armies were singing with marvellous voices all kinds of music about the wonders that God works in blessed souls, and by this God was magnificently glorified."
#HildegardofBingen

Arrived safely in Bingen am Rhein where I am spending a few days on the trail of #HildegardofBingen By train from St Pancras via Brussels, Cologne and Koblenz. My room doesn't face the river but I have a good view of the Burg Klopp above the town.

Happy Hildegard of Bingen day to all who take her as an inspiration. Polymath, visionary, prophet, composer, writer on nature and medicine, advocate of measure, balance and wholeness, her voice is needed now more than ever in our fractured world #HildegardofBingen

I have acquired yet another library card and can now use the library at @warburginstitute.bsky.social Thanks to @mshahn.bsky.social for bringing it to my attention. I think I shall be spending a lot of time here while I'm writing my dissertation over the next year.

I had a fruitful morning at the allotment today, cherries 🍒, blackcurrants, jostaberries and a few gooseberries. I'm amazed that the birds have left the cherry tree alone. We've already had loads of redcurrants with more to come as well as the spineless blackberries. Yum. #allotment

I am utterly livid as I have to say goodbye to my trusty Hercules bicycle, which I bought in 1976. An idiot in a DPD van knocked me off last week at the end of our road. I am absolutely fine, but the bike is a write-off, as part of the frame is bent. Good thing I have the Brompton as well.

I enjoyed this too. Went on Tuesday to catch it before it shuts next week. I had great fun folding and unfolding the facsimiles. I then got a further dose of medievalness on Wed at the Curious Cures exhibition at the UL in Cambridge.

I'm now on the Thames Path near Barnes. There is an extremely high tide with water covering the path. I made it through on my bike but some other poor souls had to take their shoes and socks off and walk through the freezing water. They had very red feet when they merged.

St Mary the Virgin, Mortlake has the most gorgeous hidden churchyard. The view of the church from the road is unprepossessing so I'm glad I ventured further.

I'm nearing the end of my #TourdeSouthwark cycling round the perimeter of the diocese @southwark.anglican.org Having lunch in the sunshine outside St Anne's Kew, my first church of the day

I ended up at Richmond after 18 miles and 10 churches. The latter part of the route was largely along the river and v pleasant. The first bit between Cheam and Surbiton was somewhat grim in places - I had to cross the A3 three times.

I'm now at St Paul's, Hook which is next to a horrid dual carriageway. However once you get away from the road there's a lovely churchyard garden with benches. Time to enjoy some coffee in the sunshine

"For lo, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone" and I have at last resumed my bike ride in easy stages round the diocese of Southwark. First stop today is St Dunstan's Cheam. I hadn't realised that Lancelot Andrewes had been Rector here, albeit rather briefly. #tourdeSouthwark

Very pleasant walk in Petts Wood and Scadbury Park for spouse's birthday. There were lots of bears in the woods.

Long awaited seed potatoes finally arrived last week. They have now been put in egg boxes to chit. It looks like we'll be eating a lot of potato salad later in the year.

Today has been trying beyond the usual. Came out of a coffee shop in Greenwich to discover a flat tyre caused by an embedded tack. Two trains home instead of an easy cycle ride. To cap it all the lift at London Bridge was out of order and the next train to East Dulwich was cancelled. Triple Grrrr.

I had a very peaceful afternoon at the London Library in pursuit of images of the mirror in medieval mystical theology. The main library staircase is looking suitably festive.

Better late than never, I have made the Christmas pudding. Now drinking up the rest of the beer that I put in. Tropical Stout from the Kernel Brewery. A good choice I think.