The organist librarian

Woke early thinking abut Wagner! Swam 20. Liz's work all finished and submitted. To St Michael's for Jonathan Hope's recital of Bach, Vierne and Saint-Saens - very good. John Cooper and Pat Dalglish were there. John has moved to Saffron Square. Also saw my Proms organist friend from Catford. Nice meal then off to pre-Prom talk on light music. I commented on growing up with piano stool full of music and feeling British in Africa and wanting to come here. Catherine says it was on the broadcast. Barry Wordsworth conducted a delightful prom of Bantock, Elgar, Coates, Langford, Walton and Malcolm Arnold. Harry Bramma was there. Also saw Francis Herbert outside the RGS.

Up early and swam 20. Helped with bibliographies while Liz worked on the essay and reflections. Hoovered and cleaned kitchen floor.  Watched Britten and violin chamber proms on Iplayer and Schumann Piano concerto on TV. Pre-prom talk on Mozart in Vienna - Third programme style! Lovely prom from Mahler chamber orchestra conducted by Daniel Harding. Mozart led straight into Schumann Symphony 2 which confused the audience. Mozart Piano concerto 25 and Sibelius 7 - such joy! Elizabeth from St John's gallery along with a load of people with squeaky shoes. The lady next to me introduced me to the organist of St Bartholomew Sydenham who is interested in the Hayes vacancy.

Up at 7 and typed out guidelines for Liz on essay. Swam 20 - it was busy! Mosaic and got one gold eagle done using ordered glass tiles - it's very fiddly! Tai chi and a good turnout and to Balham library to return scores. Found nothing on the shelves! Liz had done her quotes. Nice meal and then to John Le Carré interview Pre Prom. I asked a question about where real power lies. It overran so left early. Colin Matthew new piece OK, Prokofiev violin concerto 2 played by Daniel Hope, Welsh orch were great in Shostakovich 11. Reserved more scores. Saw Alan Murdoch on station and spotted Terry Waite!

Liz took me to Bromley South - £7.55 for a return to West Malling and Gerrard met me off the train with the 2 banners for Paul Sleightholme. Rehearsed and used keyboard. Christine led the Erith choir well and well went well - the Haas setting is good. The sermon for the kids was good and there was a song for them at the end. Saw Fr Peter Soper beforehand. Got the train back with time to spare and got my usual seat thanks to Ann. Saw Matt again. Steward told people to turn off apple computer and queried my torch but I stood firm - point it towards myself! I do that anyway! The performance was excellent especially the Covent Garden chorus of men. So the great work is done - what a journey! 

Saturday helped Liz with Power Point notes. To Southwark cathedral to see display of photos from interfaith walks and Fr David was on duty! To M & S to buy picnic and Royal Academy to see the pathetic Mexico exhibition - mostly photos - once again Brian Sewell was right! Arrived at the hall at 1 p.m. and 4th in queue -did some reading of Maurice Walshe and Tablet (Brian has a short piece about World Youth Day). The talk was a bit dull. The concert performance was excellent and the BBCSO were transformed by Bychkov. All the singers did well. Nice couple next to me and chat to Matt when I was trying to cool off on the stairs. Bus and train straight away! 

Wednesday Louise arrived with the boys and I looked after Seán while they went to get a grown up car seat for Ciarán. At first he was a bit unhappy but had his milk and rice cake and settled down to playing quite happily. He will be walking before he is one at this rate! Ciarán enjoyed being in the garden and announced the little house is No.24 and Grandad lives in a shop! We went to the prom. The talk featured Timothy West about playing Falstaff so I asked a question about Verdi's version and how Falstaff treated his followers. It was most interesting. At the prom we had Elgar and Walton's Falstaff plus lovely works by Bantock for cello and orchestra and Tchaik 4 well played by BBC National of Wales under Jan van Steen. Thursday more games including monster bingo then they went to Angela's. We will not see them for 2 weeks as they are going to Ireland and not coming to Provincial President's Sunday after all as they go to Stansted early on the Monday. Worked on Liz...

To Pret a manger to meet Steve a Buddhist on his way back form Amaravati to Chichester. He was very helpful and really insightful. Then met Raheed about his post-Woolwich idea for September, To the hall on a blazing hot day and excellent pre-Prom discussion. The performance was FABULOUS but it got very hot - I treated myself to an ice cream! Bryn Terfel, Anya Kampe, Simon O'Neill all outstanding. Brilliant playing from the Dresden Staatskapelle directed by Barenboim. Home just after 11.

Sunday took Bruce to the station with his boxed up screen and clothes. It was good to see him. We went to the Prom and the pre-Prom talk with composer Sean Shepherd and a discussion on the Jewish influences on Shostakovich. Excellent playing from the National Youtb Orchestra of the United States of America who have been in Russia. Gergiev conducted Tchaikovsky violin concerto with Joshua Bell and a lovely Brahms encore and Shostakovich 10. Monday to mosaic and started on the St John's badge pair and tai chi. To dentist for a checkup and clean and straight to the hall. Excellent pre-Prom talk and Rheingold superby conducted by Barenboim. We had raffle tickets in the queue! Got my usual seat and the lady next to me had a weekly season for the prom costing £42. Trains delayed so came via Norwood Junction and bus. Rain!!! 

Saturday Dennis set off early for Ireland and Louise brought the boys down for breakfast. We went for a walk round the lake and met the couple for across the road and a guy setting off for Townsville in the autumn! Had cappuccino - it was more overcast and cooler. Ann cooked chicken for lunch - delicious!  Louise took Bruce back with her. Went to look at buying a box for his screen but it was far too big. Practised on piano for tomorrow. To Vespers and Mass and Fr John with the choir of OLEM Cambridge who were very good - not so keen on the descants. They sang My Beloved spake by Andrew Wright and Laloux. Mozart Coronation Mass Gloria. Bruce got box from Glyn Close and brought bedding home. Had a nice evening playing and singing songs from the shows. Sunday took Ann and Paul to St Michael's and they liked Fr Paul who gave a fine sermon. I played 2 of Dad's pieces and Dubois Toccata - lost one page near the end! Took them to East Croydon so they would be early at Gatwick to go...

Went to visit Josie after lunch and she is well and remembering better. Then to Dennis's and they walked home. Liz went to the Prom and Ann, Paul and Dennis went to Spamalot. I went to an excellent lecture on Meister Eckhart by Anthony Finnerty at Meditatio - there were more there and he clearly liked my question about No thing and God. Friday swam 20 despite the pool being busy. Took Ann shopping and got mdf piece for mosaics. Took Paul to get map copied and laminated in West Norwood and had a drink and carrot cake. Louise arrived with the boys so we had lunch and Ciarán had stories and played in the garden. Claire came and took family photos. Bruce arrived from Jersey in the morning and looks well. Good to see him. We all went to Dennis's as Louise was staying the night there with the boys. Fish and chips, ginger beer and champagne! Home to Baileys on ice. Dennis off to Ireland in the morning - good to see him smile after the disappointment of not getting the transfer South....

Up at 9 and got trains to Hampstead Heath where we shopped at M & S and had a cappuccino. Then to Gospel Oak and met the family at Parliament Hill fields lido where we had a picnic and swim - 10 on my front. Then to Acton Park cafe and back to Louise's. Ann, Paul and Dennis went to see Billy Elliot and we went to the Prom. Britten Sinfonia da Requiem, Lutoslawski cello concerto with Paul Watkins - started with cello alone and he played an encore. Thomas Ades conducted his new work Totentanz with Simon Keenleyside on great form - this could be a modern classic -much use of percussion and huge drum! Home to watch Apprentice final and Leah triumphed! Thursday up late and grouted the mosaics. Hot again!

Left at 7.30 and drove with Paul to Egham (69 miles round trip). His fellow geologist Lloyd White from Sydney and Dom are charming and a nice little house. Visited Royal Holloway and very impressed by the chateau-like buildings - graduations were in progress. Then to Windsor Great Park for a walk in the sun and a great view down to the castle. Lunch at Fox and Hound of sea trout then to Runnymede to see the Magna Carta memorial and Kennedy memorial and cream tea. BBQ at Louise's was great and then left Liz and Ann there and drove home tired but happy!

Up and to the tip with garden stuff. Another fine day. Swam and then to mosaic and tai chi - I got the keys as Hendrika is taking us and Lyndsey is away next week. Home to help Liz with Powerpoint. To St John's and laid yellow roses where Mum and Dad's ashes are buried. Fr John out. All on train and we went to Prom. Awful first half by Helmut Lachenmann by Bamberg symphony played the Mahler beautifully conducted by Jonathan Nott. 

Liz to cathedral bearing cards and rosaries for the leaving choirboys - they had some of the delicious chocolate cake from yesterday. I played Peeters and Lloyd Webber on Lobe den herren and practised. Great hymns - Praise to the Lord the alnighty, Ye servants of God, Love is his word and When morning gilds the skies at my request. Paul was back in black shorts - I had mine on too as it was hot again. Finished clearing up and Dennis came down. We met Ann and Paul at St Pancras off Eurostar from Brussels at 4.15 and I got the pianist to play Waltzing Matilda as they came through. Anyone can play! Got the train to east Croydon amid great excitement and Liz met us there. Had a very nice meal with champagne and cleared up the garden ready to take everything to the tip tomorrow. 

Met Louise and Ciarán at Royal college of music for a fun filled story time with the City of London Sinfonia and the brilliant Hannah Conway who taught us the action songs. We heard Britten, Mahler and Rossini  amongst others. The storm will never be the same again now we have done a slow Mexican wave to it! It was so good! Lunch at Pret and set up Hinsley Room. We had 15 there - Seán had a temperature so didn't come. Lovely cake and sandwiches from the cathedral cafe and everyone enjoyed it despite the heat. To Mass with Fr Mchael Durand. Brought Dennis home and unpacked - exhausted! 

To Heythrop library as Michael could not see me today. Met Liz and the family at the gym where Ciaran had his tennis lesson and swam. Seán was very good and standing a lot.  To the hall and saw a lot of the familiar faces in the queue. Anderson Harmony well sung but diction not great. Britten sea interludes are now a modern classic. Stephen Hough played Rachmaninov and Lutoslawski variations on a theme of Paganini. The Sea symphony was excellent and the young chorus did really well. Met Dennis at Selhurst and took him to No.3 - he looks well. 

Swam 20 - had not been this week. Had a horrid dream about being in a bedsit and some guys got a girl in my room and I was very cross and threw them all out. Worked on dissertation and did some cleaning. Helped Liz with Powerpoint ideas. To Canada Square at Canary Wharf nice and early and got a good spot to see ROH La Rondine by Puccini live on the screen. Lovely sets and Georgiou and Charles Castelnuovo sang well but it's not such a good score as Boheme! It got cold. Planes, smokers and chatterers were distractions and I had trouble hearing the orchestra. TFL got it wrong and I should have come home via London Bridge!

Woke early and then late so no swim again. It is hot! Worked on dissertation and reached 8200 words. Stephen rang (ex-Ajahn Santacitto) and we will meet on the 23rd. Michael asked to change the tutorial date from Friday. Invited for interview for Spidir course next Friday which doesn't really suit as Ann will be here. Cleaned bathroom and toilet. Took bike back to garage as buyer never came and got keyboard for Saturday. To St Patrick Soho for the last of 4 excellent recitals by Patrick Russill. Sat behind William Whitehead who was chatty. Good programme including Stanley and William Russell. Home to watch 3 leave the Apprentice. 

Hot again and had a lie-in rather than swim. Spoke to Bruce and Ann on Skype. Worked on dissertation taking on board comments from George and Anthony. Stephen has been in touch. To cathedral after a meal for farewell Mass for Alan Hope who goes to East Anglia. The cardinal spoke well and so did Archbishop Vincent. I was acolyte with Emmanuel for the first time in the pulpit. Mozart and Gabrieli. Liz went to servers council and I decided not to go to film of Rossini's Armida from the Met. 

Liz to doctor. To mosaic (Andrea in tight leggings revealing all - awful) and tai chi. I had to redo mine as it was not supposed to be a spider's web pattern! Opus circulatum. To Balham library and found some more scores. Tidied up back bedroom and moved some scores upstairs. Adrian gave me a lift to Peter's in Orpington for meeting.

It being close to their anniversaries I played Sheep my safely graze and Finlandia for Liz's Mum and Dad. Fr Aidan Harker was standing in and inaudible! Straight to Becket school and our Catenian table was in the shade at the start and looked good with the banners. Met 6 potentials - Steve has been working hard! It was hot. Nice to meet Steve's family and Brendan's grandchildren. Saw Kevin Moynihan and Natalie from Louise's class. Home to watch Murray winning Wimbledon at last! At evensong I read the first lesson about Jacob's love for Rachel and how it seemed but a few days to wait 7 years for her - in fact he waited 14 years! Walmisley in D minor and Mendelssohn How lovely are the messengers. Watched The White Queen and Come dine with me.

To Senate House library to examine Britten score for tonight and also Prodigal Son and Curlew River. To St Mary Moorfields and 3 Carmelites made their first profession. Kate was there. After lunch the Vicar-General Pascal Ryan spoke on priestly formation since Vatican II. He highlighted ecumenism and Interfaith as 2 areas which needed more time and also post-ordination training. He was unconvincing on married clergy. If Anglicans can afford them why can't we? What about the former Anglican married clergy - who is supporting them? To St John Clerkenwell for Stephen Raw's moving texts from the War requiem - he signed my catalogue for me. A lady from Seattle was talking about Britten. Vespers and Mass and the Cardinal Vaughan schola sang Mawby and Bruckner and Kodaly Missa brevis.To Southwark cathedral by car as trains up creek from London Bridge. Fish and chips and ice cream at restaurant. Excellent opera and this time we were moved to back of nave although diction was not good ...

To St George's Beckenham for Nigel's recital. He played Charpentier, the Hovland and Correll he played at St Michael's and 2 pieces by Nicholas Chouveaux who sounds French but was born in Bromley! To Heythrop library and worked all afternoon on Eckhart Reviews and then in the garden in lovely sunshine. Very nice alumni reception with quiz devised by Fr Simon. I left at half time to get to Southwark cathedral for the Britten - we were sitting at the side and some of the diction was poor. James Gilchrist excellent. Home by 11.30. Very atmospheric with candles and incense. 

Swam 20. Just remembered that at the session last night I used Lacrymosa and Lux Aeterna instead of Maranatha thinking about Tony Nicholls and found it most refreshing. His smile kept winning through!  I must also take my sandals off more - it seems to relax me more. 

Left home at 8 a.m. and got to Tonbridge via Riverhead at 9.30 then the nightmare of trying to find the church (drove right past it!) and then Waitrose car park which was  long walk with a heavy box and hymnbooks and organ shoes! All went well and the Mozart was OK despite one manual and pedals and no expression! It was appreciated and then to Spa Hotel for a lovely reception. Sat with Jim and the Shufflebothams. Got banners from Paul and delivered them to Brendan. On arrival home a letter from Laurence Jones. To Meditatio for excellent talk by Br Patrick Moore on the Victorines and then to Euston to once again meet Liz back from Manchester!

Did not sleep well. Swam 20. To spirituality day with Antonio Benet. Unfortunately his Spanish accent is not that easy to follow so it was a little disappointing but a good turnout and some new people. Read George Wilson's comments on dissertation and his 2 articles. To Tate Britain for the excellent Lowry exhibition, Gary Cole (not to my taste) and Patrick Caulfield. The rehang is excellent. Picked up my bag from the locker and saw Ian. M & S for tea and saw Michael and Francis. The concert was fabulous and followed Monteverdi and Gabrieli with score. His Majesty's Sagbutts and cornets and 2 organs - very effective use of pulpit and the high walkways! Have I gone to heaven? Saw Margaret Tobin. Apprentice on return home and Question of Sport. 

Swam 20. Met Michael Redman at Royal Academy and went round the summer exhibition which Brian Sewell quite rightly slated! Very few pictures of quality - one fine drawing of a spoonbill and some nice prints. Hugh Casson display much better. To RAC club for a lovely lunch and chat. I had roast beef and a huge Yorkshire pudding. To British library and joined up again by a very nice man who goes to Christ Church Beckenham - he loves the organ and had 6 hymns at his wedding at St John Redhill! To Senate House and found scores then had to buy a bag to carry them! To Catenian council meeting at Brendan's. Philip was being awkward again! Fell asleep on the sofa and had a dream about a presentation for Catenians today! Wed Swam 20.

Liz off to Manchester again for RCIA course and Dennis making good progress. To mosaic and tai chi and then to Bromyard Avemue gym to swim with the boys. Sean loved it and Ciarán has the start of some strokes Tea and scone and then home. To Catenians and Tom Tannion and Jim Connolly were there. A light-hearted meeting and some good jokes.

Liz to cathedral and I went directly to Beckenham to practise the Mozart Requiem extracts for Thursday and the Faure In paradisum. Service went well despite 4 big hymns for Peter and Paul! To Crystal Palace station where behind the cafe there is a large room and we heard 2 sopranos one American and the other sang Ivor Novello accompanied on the harp by Keziah Thomas. There was a good mediaeval ensemble with recorder, singer, percussion and small harp. Christian played well including a Bach trio sonata which he likened to Pride and Prejudice and he used the copy from school 60 years before! Edward Marsh and Lefebre-Wely and 2 blues type preludes. I turned and there were 21 there. To evensong Stanford in B flat and Give us the wings of Bullock. I stayed on for the Spectrum concert of wind and brass arrangements of Sibelius, Shostakovich, Ravel and Debussy and Holst - very well played. The ideas was to see colours with the music but that does not work for me at all. Cake and wine at inte...