Shortly before 6am I report on my trip to Sainsbury's to wife who is still coughing and spluttering.  She gives me  A for effort; B for economy; F for nutritional balance.  I forgot about protein, and protein, for a fish-eating vegetarian, could be a problem.  Tuna, pilchards and sardines should all be available for about 20p a can - I ruled out cheese when I saw what it cost. 

It's Saint Benedict's day - a good day to think about the simple life.  Benedict's Rule is all about balance: prayer, study and manual work.  He tell his monks to welcome strangers 'as though they were Christ'.   Wouldn't it be wonderful if UKBA were told to do the same: building a safe, just, tolerant - and welcoming - society.  In the prayers at the eucharist we pray for an Amnesty Prisoner of Conscience who has been kept in solitary confinement for five years.  His crime: supporting democracy.

Breakfast is bran flakes, skimmed milk, and tea.

At 11.30 I go across to St Margaret's Church.  The Archbishop of York arrives to preach at 'Restore Zimbabwe'.  I remind him how we used to sit in theological seminars in Cambridge and he used to ask the hard questions head-on.  He's still doing it.  'What are we going to do about the thousands of Zimbabweans in this country who have been refused asylum and can't go home?'  They are destitute.  For years they have faced the endurance challenge, the torture challenge, the asylum challenge, the detention challenge, the destitution challenge, the bereavement challenge, the faith challenge.   'God bless Zimbabwe', they sing.  They sing and they march from the church to Parliament Square, and there the Archbishop voices their demand for the dignity of work, the re-skilling they need for the new Zimbabwe.  Nkosi, sikilela iZimbabwe!

Lunch is two slices of toast, spread, and tinned spaghetti.  I buy a tangerine from myself (kitchen supplies) at 10p to finish. 

Siesta, then I trudge through e-mails.  At Evensong the choir sings magical Tavener Magnificat: 'He has put down the mighty from their thrones... He has filled the hungry with good things.'  Mwari komberai Zimbabwe! 

Supper is pasta (chewy) with tomato sauce.  Give myself salt free.  Then I buy an apple from myself.  Charge myself another 10p. 

Difficult to know what I should charge myself for toiletries: toothpaste, shaving cream, razor, shower, shampoo, soap and loo paper.  If I make it more than 20p I'll never survive.  Decide I have to exclude cost of outgoing work telephone calls - the Abbey pays for them anyway.  So, at the end of day one I've spent £3.11 of my £5 on food, and 40p of my £5 cash. 

I'm not starving, but I'm hungry enough to miss a little something before bed.  'God bless Africa: guard her children; guide her rulers, and give her peace.'