The organist librarian

Queen Mary 2, Nelson cathedral, playing organ at Nelson, pancake rocks, Haast jetboat An excellent crossing from Wellington to Picton and passed Queen Mary II in Wellington harbour. Big ferry. Before we got the ferry we saw the wonderful views over the city from Mount Victoria. From Picton drove to Nelson via the Marlborough vineyards home of Hunters and Montana wine. Had a swim in cold outdoor pool. Found Nelson cathedral Christchurch closed at 5.30 so walked on to Mass at Catholic church. New rite on overhead projector. People sang hymns but not the Douglas Mews proper setting. Organ is good and played it afterwards. Suggested to organist "Dove" that he just play the tune for the setting. Back for dinner which took a while but was good. Wierd business with candles again - one lit for gospel then altar candles lit and gospel one blown out. Sunday drove to blowholes on West Coast at pancake rocks at Panakaiki via Murchison. Picked up 5 people at Greymouth station a...

Drove back to Auckland on the day of the dolphin watching and Hole in the Rock cruise. Stop at Whangarai. Back at Crowne Plaza - drinks reception so had champagne spoke to sous chef from Birmingham and service was a bit quicker! Relieved that Malcolm and co are all OK the news from Christchurch just gets worse every day. Mount Eden fantastic views of Auckland, coffee stop at Huntley. Waitomo Glowworm caves were brilliant - went through in silence on a boat. Sang Away in a manger in cathedral cave. Lunch at Otorohanga. To Rotorua and to Maori hangi with fantastic haka show and excellent food. Ecothermal tour with excellent Maori guide to see geysers and thermal activity. On duck tour to 3 lakes which was fun. Picked up at 3 p.m. by Judy and taken to farm homestead. Tour of garden and Norman drove us round the farm. Excellent dinner. Unfortunately Louisa and Peter came too and dominated the conversation. Music was mentioned but no chance to play the piano. Up early for breakfast and left...

Checked out of Copthorne hotel and boat to Russell and then saw a large pod of dolphins. The Hole in the Rock was exciting but the swell was too great for the the large boat to go through. We then stopped on an island for food and I had a swim. Back to the coach where we were reunited with those who had done the overnight cruise. Drove to Auckland. Back at Crowne Plaza hotel and Gaspar decided not to come as due at hospital the next day. Appalling news from Christchurch of the earthquake. Very worried about Malcolm and family. Walked into a drinks reception when we went for dinner so had champagne and chatted to sous chef Stephen from Birmingham. Had delicius duck patilla and lamb. Wednesday to Mount Eden for fabulous views of the city. Spoke to Josie and all is well wiht the family but their house is broken. The cathedrals are badly damaged. To Waikoto caves and sun came out. Lovely formations and we sang "Away in a manger" in the cathedral cave. On boat to see glowworms whi...

Hokianga harbo ur Kauri pin e log Waitangi Mauri house Sunday set off at 8 a.m. 16 on coach excellent driver Danny. Lovely countryside. Matakohe Kauri museum with amazing pine and gum collections - huge trees. Visited the Gilbert Coates memorial church built by the government - he was first Prime minister of New Zealand and it is a shared church between 3 denominations. Nice cup of tea. On to the huge Kauri tree in the forest - awe inspiring 2000 years old. Wonderful views over Hokianga harbour. To Waitangi with a Maori guide - saw treaty house, Mauri and war canoes. Our hotel the Copthorne right next door so had a swim in pool and hot spa bath outdoors - lovely room with view over beach. Excellent buffet dinner. Monday to Pahia in shuttle bus - others going to Cape Reinga on coach or overnight cruise but we opted for the tall ship which was brilliant! Bought hats which do not blow off. Lovely ship with friendly crew - 30 on board. Cream tea and lunch. Swam by going on dinghy ashor...

Saturday morning link bus to Auckland museum - fascinating collection of Maori buildings including musical instruments, children's items, furniture, then upstairs to war memorial sections - very well done including Spitfire and Zero planes. Needed a lot more time. Back to hotel for 12.30 to meet ATP rep Laurie. Coach tour round the city and a lovely stop at the Winter garden in the domain. On sailing yacht Spirit of Auckland round the harbour. A glorious day. Got a taxi to St Benedict's for Mass - using the new Missal text with a red booklet. Hymns led by cantor and piano - set rather high and he was placed too near the altar. Wine in glasses and special ministers doing a lot. Additions like bowing after consecration. Particularly do not like "I believe". Taxi back and an Italian meal which lasted 2 hours - food good, service slow!

Porridge on the balcony in glorious sunshine. Gaz took us to the Crowne Plaza hotel which is lovely. To the town hall but could not get in and had lost John Wells number. Eventually mayor's office reception took us thorugh to the lovely hall. A magnificent Klais and played 2 pieces. John demonstrated the 2 stops based on Maori instruments which the Maori no longer know how to play! Buffets lunch up the Sky tower and went up to the top deck. Loads to eat - very good value! Saw skywalk folk and people jumping off! To Albert Park to see lanterns. Met Vickie for coffee. To Town hall and Gas, Rosie and Justin for free Auckland choral concert. Lovely violinist in Vivaldi. We all joined in the Hallelujah chorus! It was full. BAck to our hotel room for tea and then walked through Albert PArk to sit lanterns all lit up and large crowds. A delightful day.

Weather clear but cloudy. To San Francisco Zoo which we enjoyed - lovely trees and vegetation. Impressive grizzly bear cage and saw them fed. African sections and children's zoo with meerkats and prairie dog colony. Had sweet potato chips. The trip to the zoo was interesting because the underground truend out to be a tram! To Grace cathedral and most impressed by the stained glass and huge organ. Walked the labyrinth in the nave and found it a liberating experience. Checked out and airport express shared van. No problem with seats - window seats on both flights. 1 and half hours to LAX and 13 hours to Auckland on Qantas. Slept for 6 hours. Watched Social network, Jack goes boating and film about a couple who take on a baby. Gaspar met us in and we stayed at their lovely home. Lovely drive to overlook the bay and we sat on the beach and drank champagne and watched the start of a swimming race. Chatted to Justin about music and its spirituality. Salmon for dinner. Slept well.

Spoke to Paul. Cable car to Union Square to join the nighttime tour with the same amazing lady we had before! We ended up on the top of the bus as the rain stopped! Lovley buildings and view. Excellent seafood at Franciscan restaurant visited by the famous. Chowder, crab enchilada and ice cream. Cable car back to hotel. Spent a lot of time trying to get seats fixed on Auckland flight and trying to pay for super shuttle to the airport but no luck! Most annoying so over to the concierge! Sent complaint to Qantas. Louise emailed to say Breda had died which is so sad as AnnMarie was in London. They have gone back to Dublin.

a 10 hour flight on BA - watched "Made in Dagenham", "Eat, love, pray" "The Switch" and Antiques roadshow and comic relief. Liz slept. We had good seats at the front with more legroom. Food was OK. At first thought second animal bag had not come through but we had not seen it! No problems with immigration and customs seemed surprised we had no food with us! A wait for the super shuttle shared van but we were at the Hotel Fairmont by 4 p.m. Nice room with a view over city blocks. The van ride had given an idea of where we were. To nearby Grace cathedral for a lovely contemplative Eucharist at 6 accompanied by piano at the back of the nave. People sang in harmony - it was all on the service sheet. Met the Dean Dr Jane Shaw formerly Dean of Divinity at New college Oxford. A lovely building and people very friendly. Lovely AIDS interfaith chapel. We were directed to Nob Hill cafe and after a short wait enjoyed seafood lasagne and aubergine and delicious chocol...

Final packing and locking up the house. To Brentford musical museum with organists association. The honorary curator gave us an excellent tour - the new building is so much better than the old church. It finished with the mighty Wurlitzer. We had lunch there and Liz went to Louise's. We visited St Faith's an original Hill in a fine Bodley church and St Paul's Brentford which is a rebuilt church round an old structure where we had tea and played the fine new organs in church and chapel. I got bus and tube to cathedral for Vespers and Mass with Fr Alexander and the Challoner choir. Dennis and AnnMarie were at Louise's. Another restless night. Sunday up early and drove to Heathrow and Louise took over the car.

To POst Office to send back BT Homehub parcel and to osteopath - shoulder is much better. Paddy a first year joined Imogen. Got deep freeze spray in Norwood. To South Norwood library to hand in a consulatation form which had come through our door - interesting that the lady offered to volunteer to keep library open. Croydon Advertiser had good report and photos of the march.

To Valley Park for Catenian 10 pin bowling. Norwood outnumbered Beckenham. Played 2 games and got 2 strikes!

Up early and X68 to King's College Strand. Took some time to find the breakfast whcih was in Somerset House - nice scrambled egg with salmon. The Mayor was inimitable and funny about Rahab! The day was designed to ensure we met as many people as possible so made some useful contacts especially Buddhist ones. Good to see RCs there including Alan Morris. The workshop on the Big society was interesting and the interfaith future one was well led by Rachel Heilbron. Enjoyable day with a few hiccups. Buses to Acton and arrived there before Ciarán and co. Wednesday took Ciarán to music and bought a CD as we will all miss the sessions! We took him to the park which he loved. He went out to tea and we made our way home. Thursday getting ready to go away and sorting out. Car serviced. Gloucester cathedral evensong good.

To Glyn Close as ladder arrived, got petrol and swam 16 as ran out of time. Held up by ambulance and police in road so turned round. To mosaic last of 3 and did some clay modelling. 6 at tai chi which was good. To Glyn Close to hold ladder for stairs - all painting now done!

Friday to practice - only 4 there and Karen was delayed by an accident she witnessed. Changed the anthem for Easter day at John's request. Saturday got Ciarán up - the family came on Friday but had to go to West London to see Tom's cousin on Saturday night. To Southwark cathedral to examine for Dean's award with Ginette. I accompanied and did the sight reading and aural tests. A mixed bag! To library to pick up reserved book and tea at Tate Britain friends room. Walked to cathedral for vespers and Mass - new cantor Marie sang well. Diocesan children's choir not that good in Elgar Ave verum especially the difficult ending. Fish and chips with Dennis who was staying at Lyn and Rosemary's as he was on a course and missed the family lunch. At Coulsdon we sang Batten's O sing joyfully and I played the Buxtehude Passacaglia and Bach Toccata and fugue in D minor which was appreciated by Jill and Teresa. Had a lovely lunch with champagne. Rosemary and Lyn were late. G...

Tuesday Liz went over to Acton early as she was serving at Chrstingle and went to the osteopath. I was busy clearing up the house. Wednesday being Candlemas to Norwood Junction 7a.m. to 8.30 a.m. to give out leaflets about the meeting. Most people said they knew about the threat to the library. One man said he learnt to read there and I quoted him at the meeting. Served at Mass for the Religious at 11.15 a.m. and Archbishop Vincent gave an excellent homily. To spirituality day Gina on Julian of Norwich and lots of great ideas - so often so simple! Served at 5.30 Mass Fr Alexander and Victoria and Dubois toccata. To Balham to meet Meryl and Liz at Lamberts for a lovely meal - what a joy! I had beef, pollock and chocolate brownie with ice cream. Lots of nice wine too. Thursday to Alan and Ivor's on buses for interfaith breakfast in their lovely home. To St Edmund's Beckenham for funeral of John Goodwill - full church, organ not well played, nice eats and met Catenians and Mar...

Monday at 5.45 to the Town Hall. Turns out we were not to be admitted until 6.15 so stood outside with others protesting library closures and photo taken with banner. Some of the behaviour in the chamber was dreadful but there was a debate and all the Tories voted for closures. Chatted to local councillors and leafletting is now on Wednesday early a.m. Left at 8 p.m. and chatted to others equally unimpressed. I do not think they will take notice of protests..