The organist librarian

  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...

 Tuesday to solicitors. I got the time wrong but Judith saw us any way and we did all the signing. It now goes to the court. To Fragile Beauty at V and A  Most shocking of all The falling man from 9/11 and the assassinated Robert Kennedy. The inherent violence of the US very obvious with a powerful Civil Rights section. It seems male nudity is now acceptable. A real treat! Ben Bloor playing at the Guards chapel - beautifully controlled. I am going to play For the fallen much more slowly and not get carried away on the big runs up to the climaxes! Martin Ford made us very welcome and the Harrison organ is a joy to play! I played two Andrew Moore pieces. Liz had council meeting. Mastermind. Worked on jigsaw. A sad day for the Church and the victims with the Archbishop of Canterbury resigning. He really had no choice. The Tablet has an excellent article about his possible successor and how those round the table discussing this would be passing a loaded revolver to avoid being th...

To solicitor - I got the time wrong it was 12 not 10 but Judith saw us any way and we have signed all the documents! To Fragile Beauty at V and A - photos from Elton John and David Furnish collections. It lives up to its name with many lovely images. Times have changed that we can now see male nudes.  Most shocking of all The falling man from 9/11 and the assassinated Robert Kennedy. The inherent violence of the US very obvious with a powerful Civil Rights section. A real treat! Ben Bloor playing at the Guards chapel - beautifully controlled. I am going to play For the fallen much more slowly and not get carried away on the big runs up to the climaxes! Martin Ford made us very welcome and the Harrison organ is a joy to play! I played two Andrew Moore pieces. Watched Mastermind and Only connect first part that I had slept through. Archbishop Justin resigned - he had to really but it is all rather sad!.

 Wed 6/11/24 woke to find Trump back in the White House. This is disaster for so many people especially migrants, Palestinians, Ukranians. Hope in despair! SM Sam was some comfort. John gave a good homily at Blackfriars. Swim then to Thornton Heath library to see my Cezanne hung upside down in the art group exhibition. It does not look too bad but really ought to be the right way up. Gave up and posted letter to Marketing director Croydon IKEA although I doubt such a person exists! To Beckenham florist, jigsaws to St Christopher's hospice shop and bought 5 500 piece jigsaws. Saw Terence! Bookshop has no calendars. Picked up framed portrait of Sean and it looks magnificent! Chose hymns for Jan/Feb. Gemma was brilliant n the Synod at sisters of Sion. Very struck by Mary Ward on the need for experience. If only thse men experienced female ministry. Why can't they look at You tube and Facebook and watch people like the Bishop of London and Lucy Winkett preaching? Contacted Journey ...

 Thursday jigsaw and set off for Chatham in good time. Lovely day. Hotel is very near M2 - noise in the night from the road. We both woke at 4. Spa treatment very invigorating scrub then shower and massage. Nearly fell asleep! Swim and sauna. LsiUk zoom went very well at 7. Big discussion about encounter next year some of it hardly helpful eg North Wales or a monastery an hour away from Salford by car! Dinner was Ok and met 2 Catenian couples.  Friday swim and good breakfast saw our new friends again. To Chatham Dockyard and visited 2 ships. Di d not attempt the steep stairs or the sub. Call the midwife tour was very good - a lot of walking and standing but the room with the sets excellent. Spent a lot in the rope shop - the ropery not working. RNLI museum very well done. Back in time for 4.30 full body massage very relaxing. Swim and sauna. The dinner was god if the service was slow. Chris Woodward from Wimbledon got me a hearing aid as I had forgotten to bring spares and the...