The organist librarian

 Sunday the Bishop did not preach but she presided for the second part. I was not mentioned at all so I told the Bishop I was looking for another post at coffee. We sang 'Twas in the moon of wintertime" and I played Walther on Jesu meine Freude, Bach In dulci and Pachelbel Von himmel hoch. Imogen very sad. There was a match so I picked up Liz. Cleaned behind chest of drawers in bedroom. Black marks on wall - hopefully not damp. Call the midwife and Pottery throwdown. Monday Holocaust memorial day. Ann rang. Liz went to funeral of Sonia's Mum. To Town Hall. Oasis Academy did well, address by Professor of piano and a Syrian refugee. Philip Pond was disappointed at no prayer. Fr Tom was there. Met police inspector, John and cantor from Shirley synagogue. Afternoon event from Auschwitz with 50 survivors and in the evening Guildhall event. Last musician in Auschwitz explored music in the camps. University challenge and Only connect. A memorable day.  Tuesday swim. Liz went to d...

 Jan 2. Louise and family came for lunch. Delicious beef and pavlova. We had champagne. Played Cranium and sang Angels' carol. Delightful! Quizzes on TV, sweets we used to eat.  Jan 3 woke at 4 and then 8.45 so no swim. Lovely day, frosty. Petroc on Radio 3 in Budapest. Took 3 parcels for return to corner shop. An organ for the Sultan BBC Sounds interesting. Quizes on TV. Jan 4 Saturday lovely walk on Holy Island with Richard and Augustine from the Melanesian brotherhood. SJ delightful playing by Jay Bevan and Stephen Dickinson Saint-Saens, Martinu and Brahms. Nice chat to Jan. Henry came and he did a canvas and baking. Dropped him back early as there was a match against Chelsea so we were very early at church. Tea at Grace's. Mark played 3 Epiphnay hymns and Fr Andrew sang a bit in the sermon! Liam student from Richmond and Vallodalid. New Year Bakeoff and Hannukah cooking. Finished Bookshop ladies by Faith Hogan - loved it!  Epiphany snow washed away overnight by rain. ...

 Advent 4 played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmanuel. We sang Advent prose. Nice cakes at coffee. Andrew was there - where was he at the carol service - he was supposed to be reading! Weather fine for a while.  Beautiful carol service at St John the the Evangelist, Upper Norwood including Rutter All bells in paradise and Howells A spotless rose. Judith Weir and Mathias. I was so tired. I found the Rutter very emotional and touching . Programmes on Tower of London. Monday woke 6.30 and then 9.30. Chat to Ann, No swim. Recorded 3 life story videos. Quiz night. 60 years of Carols from King's. Tuesday woke 6.30 breakfast in bed up at 11. Second part of Leonardo da Vinci. Christmas at Hampton Court palace (a repeat from 2010). King’s Cambridge splendid! The Lassus was most effective and the Rutter beautifully controlled. I need to hear the Ives again. Midnight Mass went well and we had incense! Been enjoying our CD Christmas in Coulsdon made in 2005. Bed at 2. I played Bach In du...

 Tuesday supervision group at All Saints. Picked up Forest church booklet which Jaimee will like and CS Lewis in Advent. To Worth arriving at 4. Scott let me into St Bruno's. Some came on Monday I think. To Mass , Evening prayer dinner Fr Peter came over to explain everything then compline. Slept OK.  Wed. Did not get up for 6.15 but went to morning prayer at 7.30. Lectio  on Isaiah with Fr Peter. Went for a walk but could not get to quiet garden - too muddy but saw horses. Sketching. Midday prayer and an hour with Fr Peter in the library for confession which was marvellous. At Mass Fr Peter mentioned our lectio in the morning - very synodal. Evening prayer and dinner but missed compline as we talked too long!  Thurs. Morning prayer and lection. Midday prayer lunch and home feeling very calm and happy. Liz OK. LSiUK zoom was good. To White Hart and parked nearby. Excellent meal and company - meditation group. Home at 9 pretty tired.  Friday to Acton and Liz got ...

  Wachet auf Bach and Walther Anthem Veiled in darkness Rudolph Advent (Prelude) Martin How. Bruce came and we went to lunch at SJ. Beautiful Advent service at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood . We sang O radiant dawn and Michael Fleming’s Kindle a flame. We sang at the first performance - it’s a lovely piece. Dennis Ann Marie and Henry came down so Henry could light the first candle on the Advent wreath. Wolf Hall was terrific. Johannes out of Strictly. Monday woke at 9.30 - yesterday was tiring. Chat to Ann. She sent piano playing by Owen at concert. He has taken to the trumpet. Swim and aerobics. We went to Beckenham to buy a new Bosch dishwashe and it will come on Thursday. Homebase is closing down so got a 5 foot Christmas tree for the front garden as the original one has rusted badly. It's really old! Sent Christmas letter again with photos by email. Daniel and Malcolm - it was too large. Only connect, Mastermind, University challenge, Masterchef. Tuesday woke late agai...

 SM at Battersea Power station.  Hurtado on the bus. SSG morning prayer lecture very good. Played for Mass before servers AGM St Aloysius Euston. Fr John at mass - miserable night. David Bima cooked us a chicken. Strictly. Sunday Christ the King. Paul Miller added a lot to the hymns and Crown Imperial. Exciting. Tony Hemson's Alpha and Omega ought to be published. Practised 4 choir carols. Took food to SJ. Christmas letter. Salisbury cathedral evensong. Annoyed by senior choristers hear. Katherine Jenkins does not listen! Wolf Hall was terrific. Strictly Jamie out which is a shame. Antiques roadshow. Monday woke late. Swam 20 and aerobics. Chat to Clare. I got the changed date for the visit to the organs in Purley wrong so it will have to be rearranged. Only connect, University challenge ended in a tie. Soas should have won. Mastermind. Watched first part of NT Big chicken wing but gave up. Rake's progress from Norway good. Tuesday SM Ann rang. Swim and quiet time. Carol servi...