The organist librarian

I have now been round the world 4 times and Liz 3 times. Perhaps the labyrinth I walked in Grace cathedral San Francisco is a good meditation on this journey. So often one seems to be close to the centre but actually there is still a long way to go and then when you reach the centre you have to retrace your steps. Another good meditation was opening the lotus petals and folding them to present to the Buddha. The lotus is a symbol of enlightenment and it gradually opens to display its true beauty. We bought a small ornament of a lotus and brought home the flowers given to us on the boat trip - very beautiful. Why go so many miles? A wonderful retirement holiday of course and so many magnificent places and lovely people. So joyful to see Ann and Paul, Mark and Claire again and visit Gaspar and Rosemary and meet up with Thomas Wilson. And we made a new friend Mark Woodward and organist and piano tuner who we met again at the Sydney airport going on our flight and on to London. And organi...

The Qantas flight from Sydney went smoothly and we landed at 11.50 p.m. after 9 hours in the air. Both watched "Black Swan" very disturbing. We were met by Anu from Dietholm travel and he turned out to be our personal guide for the whole stay! Charming and helpful and recently at university. The car took us to the Sheraton Grande Sukhumit in about 30 minutes - the roads are amazing with traffic jams and flyovers. A very grand room on the 17th floor overlooking the swimming pool and very central at the convergence of 2 skytrain lines. We were woken at 7 a.m and went by car to the Grand Palace which is beautiful. The temple of the Green emerald buddha very impressive. The car dropped us at the tube station so Anu could explain the system which proved easy and quick. From the hotel we went to the Paragon centre where you can buy a Porsche or Lamborgini on the third floor (car as temple object!) We bought some outfits for Ciarán. Busy food court and then down to the basement to...

Tuesday we went to Taronga Park zoo on the ferry. It turned out to be a lovely day. We saw reptiles including a snake being handled, giraffes, baby elephants from Thailand and an elephant play show, Liz saw a gorilla baby. Binturong, deer, got the little train to see Tasmanian devils, platypus, wombat and nocturnal animals like echidna. To St Mary's cathedral for sung Mass by the boys and saw Thomas Wilson. He had been in Bunbury for opening of the new cathedral. Clare cooked. Wednesday to Manly after I had a swim and Liz went shopping. Had Copenhagen icecream and came back on the ferry. Ann met us at St James King Street for evensong sung by the St Mary's boys. They did well. To Circular Quay for meal with Thomas and met Mark Fisher at the opera house stage door. Took us up into the organ which is the largest mechanical action organ in the world. I played 3 pieces including Dad's march. Mark knew Mum and Dad. Thomas played Bach, Gershwin and Widor Toccata. Went right up i...

We are about to go to the airport and I am just reflecting on a delightful time with Ann and Paul. We go to Bangkok and then home on Wednesday!

Tuesday to the Zoo which is fantastic - beautifully laid out, impressed by Asian section and saw baby elephants, orangs, monkeys, gorillas, meerkats, etc. It was not too hot which was good. For Shrove Tuesday to pancake parlour with chocolate icecream! Ash Wednesday to Town Hall to meet Ariel and play the magnificent organ. Wonderful hall. Then to 1 p.m. Mass at St Patrick's cathedral with a cantor unaccompanied and the dean singing well. Lovely pilgrim trail and shop where the assistant is a campanologist who has toured UK. On circular tram route to docklands and Federation Square and then a lovely walk in the Royal Botanical gardens. Wet wait for tram to St Kilda and ate at Monroes. Pizza and lemon meringue pie. Thursday to Scots Church. Rick let is in and gave us coffee. Miffy the organ scholar arrived so played. Douglas Lawrence never showed. A very fine Rieger. To State library and lovely picture book exhibition.

Friday went for a swim although it was overcast after we had been to the Royal national park with Ann and Paul. Lunch at Bundeena south of Sydney and on to Austinmere and put toes in sea and there was a school swimming event where Ann got banana cake. Hadd coffee there. Very nice meal in the evening at Thai power and we met Mick, Claire's boyfriend. Delicious gelato in Newtown and we had champagne and chardonnay. Saturday I went to the Art gallery and an interesting photographic display, artexpress by high school students and Asian art including bronze Chinese instruments. Liz and Ann went shopping and we all enjoyed Lindt chocolate waffles. Very heavy rain. Sunday to St John's Glebe where we saw the plaques for Mum and Dad and met Bob Sutton at the organ. To St Mary's cathedral for Sung Mass - men only as Thomas Wilson away at new cathedral. Met David Morley and Michael Fletcher. To Westfield for fruit brunch and then to Christ Church St Lawrence for organ recital. Mark Q...

Arrived early at Jackson's and got tram to St Paul's cathedral. Evensong was men's voices only including Kontakion. I had an enjoyable play on the fine Lewis organ - June Nixon seemed vague and signed my copy of her voluntary on Adoro te which I played. Very fine tuba! To Spanish tapas restaurant in Middle Park where we waited an hour for paella and ate cheese and sangria. Coyuld not finish it! Had creme brulee and worked back to b and b. Thursday to airport without a problem and got 1 p.m. flight to Sydney. Ann met us and soon at Petersham. Went for a swim in the park and had a nice dinner. Trailfinders arranging return via Bangkok.

What a fabulous road! We drove from Geelong to Torquay and found the motel without a problem = a very nice room with table outside. Drove around to see the beaches and ordered delicious pizza. Opened our pinot noir from the Rochfords winery. Monday was Labour Day and drove to Anglesea and Lorne - a lovely beach where we had coffee. Saw kids playing and one fell off in skateboard park. A lovely drive to Apollo Bay. Stopped to see grave of sailor and viewpoints along the road. Castaways is wonderful - glorious views and very confortable. Hammock and hammock chair. Drove to lighthouse and walked down to see views. Bought microwave meals and enjoyed dinner as sun set. Tuesday dorve to Twelve Apostles lovely countryside and glorious sunshine. What a view! Then to Otway Fly which is an amazing treetop walk though the forest. Well worth doing. Drove through forest on windy narrow road and back to Castaways for relaxing time. Wednesday set off 9.15 a.m. and stopped at Lorne beach for coffee ...

Tuesday to the Zoo on a cooler day - most impressed by orangs, baby elephants, gorillas and well laid out. To Pancake parlour for Shrove Tuesday. Choc ice cream with mine! To St Kilda pier to see little penguins on the pier hiding in the rocks - saw them better at the zoo which had a lovely sea lion enclosure. But an amazing noise! Wednesday Town Hall to meet Ariel who was charming and really enjoyed playing it. What a sound! To Mass at 1pm at St Patrick's cathedral for ashing and to shop where we met a campanologist. Tram circular ride and then botanical gardens which are lovely. To St Kilda Monroes for excelelnt meal and defeated by lemon meringue pie! Thursday Scots church - Rick let us in. Douglas Lawrence did not arrive but Milly the organ scholar arrived early for her lesson so I played the Rieger organ and listened to her Bach. Lovely church. Met Sandra Winchester at State library Le Tulk - great to see her after 23 years. Liz went shopping and to Immigration museum a...

The early rising went OK and the car was waiting for us with our breakfast in a bag. We stopped to see the Southern Cross and the milky way - very clear. Arrived at airport 4.15 a.m. and chauffeur took is through to the desk. Flight at 6.15 a.m. with Telstar and arrived in Melbourne 7.45 a.m. after 3 hour flight. Collected car and paid extra for insurance which probably not needed - nay way we have a 2 door Hyundai for the whole time. Drove into town on toll road (paid it today) and found Jackson's in Middle Park which is a pleasant suburb. Nobody there so went for lunch in local shopping centre which was great. Adrian was there when next rang and room is fine - unusually has spa bath and loo in bedroom but it's a large room in old fashioned style. Bed comfortable. Unpacked and laundry done for us. Could not get onto internet. Bought weekly transport passes and tram into town. Found Scots church, Town Hall and St Paul's cathedral. Tried internet at visitor centre but no luc...

A nice drive up the coast and a stop at the Moeraki boulders. Omaru was fun with its restored Victorian buildings and people in Victorian costume riding penny farthings and parading about and dancing to the piano. Found a bicycle collection and a bindery. Had a coffee and macaroon. Lovely lakes and dam with water flowing down - very impressive. Stopped for lunch and reading Dostoevsky Crime and punishment. Splendid hotel at Mount Cook and mountain very clear so we were lucky. A walk with a Nepalese guude to memorial to climbers and over swing bridge. Great buffet. Woke to snow on the mountains and fantastic views. Our last day Sunday travelled to Hanmer Springs past Christchurch airport with stops at Salmon world and Geraldine. Went to the hot springs and really enjoyed. Very nice suite at Hermitage. Rising at 2 a.m. to get to airport!

Slept on coach and stopped in Gore. Rain cleared up and we arrived in Dunedin by 12. St Paul's Anglican cathedral has an impressive looking Willis organ but no organist! Excellent guide leaflets and photos at each spot of what happens there. But no details of services on the boards! Liz went shopping and find a Catholic bookshop and chapel. I went round the art gallery - some Old Masters and interesting New Zealand artists including a fine wall of shimmering discs with a fan which made it look like a sea. Large photos too. The bright blue and green walls did not help the pictures much! To hotel and then on Taieri Gorge railway - a great trip for 4 hours with splendid views and viaducts. Good dinner at Port O'Call crab, lamb and summer pudding. Liz had enormous cheese board. Accomodation in Melbourne from Monday confirmed but nothing more about the flight change.

We have been told we are to go to Hanmer Springs instead of Christchurch. Whale watching won't happen. Early start and slept on coach as awake in the night - got earplugs out. Stopped at Te Anau and mirror lakes, the chasm and to Milford Sound through the Homer tunnel. Awesome views with waterfalls as it was raining but sun came out once we were on the sailing boat. A wonderful trip and the fjord is stunning. Right out to the Tasman sea and saw fur seals. Nice hotel at Te Anau and had a swim although it was cold and leaves in pool. First time free internet in hotel foyer! Yesterday loaded photos onto computer and DVD. Excellent dinner - scallops and beef.

Sofitel hotel Queenstown - who plays the piano? Arrowtown library , on the steamer, sheepshearing A lovely drive to Queenstown. We stopped to see the original Hackett Bungy jump and several people behaving very foolishly! And it costs a bomb too! We stopped at a lovely fruit shop and bought kiwiberries and cherries and sweet greengages. Lovely rose garden. Arrowtown museum excellent and had tea. Stood in main street for 2 minute silence at 12.51 for Christchurch victims and people stood in silence. Found cottage where Mary McKillop had stayed next to small Catholic church where there had been a service. Sat outside library for picnic lunch. Very posh French hotel in Queenstown. Took the sky gondola to the top of the mountain and saw bungy and paragliders. Fantastic views. Lake steamer across lake and excellent buffet at sheep station. Saw demo with sheepdog and shearing a sheep. Great singsong on the boat with Eleanor at the piano. Danish and Chine...