The organist librarian

To East Acton and took Ciaran on underground and then DLR which he loved to Cutty Sark stop. Walked to Greenwich theatre to see Michael Rosen's Great big bear hunt which was brilliant. Very close to the book with puppets and songs and cast of 4 - excellent show. To lovely sausage shop opposite. Came back on the clipper on the river and then underground from Embankment and train to Acton. Ciaran had a great day and we all slept well. Watched Question of sport. Thursday Louise was working and it was damp so James came to play for a bit and later they were going out trick or treat. I served at 5.30 mass with Fr Paolo and the men sang a nice Grandi mass. First Mass of All Saints. To the Tablet lecture by Robert Mickens but being in the gallery it was hard to hear clearly and loop not on. Nice reception and saw Jenny Mitchener, Diana Klein, Mike, Hannah and told Catherine Pepinster I loved the Tablet. The talk itself was a little disappointing. 

We went to Clapham Picturehouse to see the Met production of The Nose. Very different and not particularly like Shostakovich! Very inventive production by William Kentridge. Can't say I enjoyed it but there was some amazing sustained singing. John Thing rang very pleased with the CD. Decided not to make the trek to Alexandra Palace but instead went to St Paul's cathedral to hear Lucy Winkett and David Lammy MP on generosity. It was most interesting. Ann Welch and Fr Dominic were there - the latter was in Soweto for 3 months in 1993! Thanked David for mentioning libraries and he opened the new Tottenham mosque. 

Up at 6 to take EJ and Bruce to station to go to London City airport  -they really enjoyed their stay. I swam 16. It's odd how it was so warm in South Africa but the water was too cold to swim. Blabbermouth was there and proceeded to swim in my lane. Her explanation "Sorry darling I'm not awake yet". So how did she get to the pool? She then chatted in midlane to her friend. Hoovered and tidied bedroom. Did some emails re organists visits. 

Caught up on University challenge and Downton Abbey. 

Back to church and a warm welcome from Fr Paul. Shock is that Terry Fuller the deputy organist died and Stephen had to play. Also now using Common Worship lectionary so new psalm setting by Andrew Moore. Alan's house has twice been burgled including removing a fireplace so gave contact details for St Dominic, Waddon. Drove to Acton and had a nice lunch at Acton Park cafe/ The boys were great. Liz had them both all day yesterday. Louise and Tom enjoyed their weekend and like EJ. We watched a programme on English public school boys from Radley and how they turned out. Monday took the boys to the childminder who is really nice. Dropped off at Clapham Junction only to find no mosaic and 3 buses to get home as the storm had stopped all the trains! Watched Educating Yorkshire.

Liz went to Acton to babysit. I got bus to St George;s cathedral Southwark as there was a big match on. Jonathan Rennert played superbly and we could watch him on the screens. The Dorian, Boyce, Moore, Darke and Willan. He remembered me! The new Romero cross is too big for the chapel! To Tate modern to see Paul Klee but there were far too many people there and the canvases are small. Across Millenium bridge to get buses to Bloomsbury Baptist for David Pipe playing Stanford, Bull, Huw Morgan and Harold Britton (both present) and George Haynes. Had to walk further as bus stop closed so missed vespers. Fr Michael Quaqoe welcomed me back and asked after Liz. EJ and Bruce went to Greenwich. Watched University challenge.

Friday woke late. Watched Downton Abbey which was horrid - why change it so much? EJ and Bruce brought luggage over and picked up parcel from Post Office and a huge picture they are taking back. They set off again and I met them at 4 at the National Gallery. We saw all the major pictures well most of them. It's interesting how easy it is to be distracted by other pictures! We walked to Covent Garden and met Liz and had a lovely meal at Jamie Oliver's. The ballet was terrific - great dancing and nice music, inventive sets and production - most enjoyable. We got home at 11.30 p.m. and slept well.

, I was interested in your comment on the need for change in the church. The 2 Catholic Masses we attended (Kensington Joburg and Hermanus) both on Saturday evenings were well attended but not many young people – both had organ and small choirs but some of the music was pretty dire including that awful Lees Lord’s prayer. The proper was not sing at either of them so basically hymn sandwiches. The priest at Hermanus (elderly, Irish) tended to do his own thing! St Alban’s cathedral Pretoria was a very different story – Higher than Rome and with a splendid team of servers in tabards and a thurifer doing complete swings of the censer. We arrived at 11 and they started at 9.30 – they had reached the Offertory. Well-dressed congregation mostly Temba I think. Good to see Ronnie Jones – he has played there for 42 years! Music combination of traditional and modern hymns from various books. There were 5 musical items at communion which went on a long time but the people’s singing was tremend...

To Heythrop for lecture by Jose Casanova on religious freedom in the modern world. Brian and Rita were there. To Mass celebrated by Michael Barnes.Nick Wibberley played and the schola sang flat in Faure and Mozart. I gave Michael his mosaic and he liked it. To Acton and Sean still not walking! Made a track for Ciarán. To Quantus in Chiswick to celebrate Bruce's 30th birthday - lovely meal (much more expensive than South Africa!)

Had a lie-in after a restless night during which I dreamed about the Queen! Sent off 6 CDs to Old Johannians in U.K. and John East. Per Thunarf from Stockholm played well at St Michael's. Gigout, Lemmens, Swedish composers and Hesse. Nice to see Dorio - he seems to be getting deaf. To dentist and had to wait. I am to have a denture and 2 top teeth taken out which should improve my smile! To meet Bruce at Queensway and hand over theatre tickets then back on bus to cathedral for excellent recital by Johannes Geffert from Cologne. Bruhns, Bach (with scores), Vierne, Schumann and Liszt. Saw Rosa, Martin Ball, Peter Stevens and Andrew Cessana. Watched Great British bake off and Educating Yorkshire.

Monday morning another scrumptious breakfast and  a lovely day. Drove to Bettys Bay and the Harold Porter garden which has an excellent eccotrail covering 4 types of vegetation including wetland, dunes, forest and fynbos. A good break and then a superb drive along the winding coast road. Arrived at airport in good time, One mark on back of car (it happened when reversing at Stan's - if he had not been there I think I would have parked at the top of the drive for the whole time!) We were covered with comprehensive so no problem. Tom tom returned - it had its odddities too like falling off its screen holder and not recognising some roads! 2 hour SAA flight to Joburg then watched victorious soccer team arriving with much dancing and singing. Liz had forgotten sunspray was in bag so that got taken away. Shopping at Out of Africa. Slept a bit on Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi and an hour there before flight to London - same hassle getting through security again. Arrived on time and an hour...

An excellent breakfast and Ken advised a drive up the mountain on the Rotary way to get an overview. It was overcast so we saw the new harbour and then drove to various viewpoints to see a large whale ending up at the lovely Blue Flag Grotto beach. We had coffee at Dutchies cafe and watched a large busload of mixed race men unloading their braai. Had a look at Roman rock and then returned to the room for a quiet afternoon. At 4.30 we set out again and saw 2 female whales with calves one of which was white. Found the restaurant at last and then to St Peter's for choral evensong with a competent choir and organ - a little slow and Victorian tunes including Nearer my God to Thee! A rambling sermon from Fr Adrian - he's no preacher! He said that Elizabeth Cherry was worn down by the parish when Len died and the choir members said she was very distant. No idea what has happened to my godson Jonathan Cherry! We had an excellent meal at Ocean Basket and dodged the rain. Prawns, angel...

Nice breakfast sitting with our hosts who were very interesting about the effect working away has - so many divorce and children are badly affected - the theme of greed came up again! We set off at 9.30 and at 11.30 reached Swellendam where we visited the Old Drostdy museum and Old Gaol with fascinating collections of work tools. Also a fine Victorian house. Had lovely passion fruit and pineapple cake and cappuccino at Oppystoep. Saw outside of the big Gothic style Dutch Reformed church. 2 hours break and then another 2 hour drive to Hermanus. No. 16 Main Road is 4 star and a lovely room. Pool too cold!. Saw 6 whales from the Point and went to Mass. Organ played competently - just hymns. Some awful carousel type music between 2 communion hymns. Sanctus and Agnus not sung but Peace perfect peace at the Peace. and the horrid Lees? Lord's prayer! Elderly comgregation and Irish priest. Good sermon on the unjust judge and corruption.  To very nice restaurant in town and had springbok c...

Packed up Friday and went down to the pool to swim but water was very cold! Lovely gardens. Said farewell to the stunning view and unit and drove to Mossel Bay stopping at Knysna for petrol. Pleasant b and b out of town. Diaz museum complex interesting but very dated. Interesting shell museum and aquarium and Post tree. To the Point and cave below lighthouse but no sign of whales. Watched surfers and hyraxes. Excellent fish at Kingfisher restaurant - Liz had butterfish and I had kobeljou. Enjoyed wine and to bed. Saw Louise and Ciaran on Skype which was lovely. Delighted that I passed M.A. 5 of class got merit and Daniel got distinction. Xavier and Thomas passed as well so that is good! 

Sunday cont. After our interesting drive sat in the sun and read my book. To Sirocco restaurant on the Thiemens Island waterfront for delicious calamari, fish, sushi and chocolate brownie. This was our treat for Stan and Mette and was excellent value at R900 for all 4 of us with excellent De Greuvel wine (R175) included. I found my diary in the car under the seat so that was a relief and have now put the remaining three addresses into the Tom Tom. Monday Stan had a meeting about the Knysna literary festival so we had a quiet time  and a nice chat to Ann on Skype and then set off with Mette to go on the ferry to Featherbed reserve. We boarded a car pulled by a truck to the top of the hill in glorious sunshine and then walked down with a walking stick which was a great help (wish I had had one on Mt Sinai). A 2.2 km walk. I did not attempt the Needle point rocks or the sea cave. A lovely buffet lunch with loads to eat. We went to the Food lovers market and bought spices. Worked o...

Tuesday evening to buy fish and chips at Sailor Sam's - very good. Wednesday rain has appeared. Posted videos to blog and sorted emails. 51 guys came to the reunion out of a potential 104 plus 24 wives/partners. 44 at the chapel service and quite a few at Golf lunch - 14 I think in the end. Out of 25 in Lower 1 1953, 13 attended the reunion who went the 10 years to 1963. 4 have died.  I parked at the top of the steep slope down to this house as I had problems getting up yesterday and that was scary! 

Monday Stan had a meeting of the Kynsna literary festival folk so we took Mette to the quay and joined the ferry to Featherbed reserve. Tractor train to the top then a 2.2 km walk down. I skipped Needle point and the sea cave but Liz got some good photos. Very well signposted and a delicious buffet lunch. Most enjoyable. In the evning Stan cooked fish and stirfry and we had a great chat recalling things form our childhood not least Jeremy Taylor songs Ag pleez Daddy. Tuesday Lovely breakfast of egg and bacon. Mette and Stan setting off for Caledon and then Cape Town so said goodbye and thanks. We went to the garage and checked tyres - front one looking down. Got petrol. To Knysna elephant sanctuary and we fed and walked with the orphaned elephants - amazing experience. Had Belgian waffle and ice cream and coffee then drove to Buffelsbai and Goukamma reserve beaches - lovely scenery. We also drove onto Leisure Isle in the Knysna lagoon. Loaded videos onto blog but it is very slow. Some...

Saturday An excellent breakfast with flowers adding that nice little touch. An African grey parrot joined the dogs! We got money and drove 30 km to Protea farm at Koo in the Langeberg. The tractor ride was well organised and we had seats on the trailer. Good thing we had jerseys and coats as it got colder the higher we went and blankets were issued!. Stunning views and eventually we reached the hikers shelter where dried fruit and Montagu muscadel were available (like in the room last night). I didn’t have any! Then the rain came down as we descended but it did clear. We had a good lunch with meat and veg and rice, koeksusters and fruit salad, chocolate brownie and ice cream. We walked down to the car with a ride for the last bit and set off around 1.15 through the Burgers Pass to Montagu where we got petrol and then to Swellendam and the long haul on the N2. Eventually past Mossel Bay and George with 3 stops for roadworks. As we approached the last of these Liz rang Stan and got the...

Friday the gardeners arrived! We packed up and said goodbye to Cape Town and Colin’s lovely house. The weather was cloudy but improved. We drove via Stellenbosch to Franschhoek where we visited the interesting Huguenot museum and memorial. Then it was a fantastic drive over the Franschhoek pass and nearly to Worcester. We had our picnic with stunning mountain views. Then we arrived at Robertson where we bought wine and on to McGregor a picturesque village. We had tea and peach tart and ice cream there. Back to Robertson, through Ashton and a wonderful valley to Montagu. The Airlies guest house has lots of original features including bath and wardrobe with trunk on top of it. We drove to the hot springs but were unimpressed so came back for a lovely dinner at the Magic Tin where we saw the microbrewery next to guest house and enjoyed wine on our balcony. There is a pool here but it’s not  warm enough to swim.

Thursday A most interesting visit to the South African Jewish museum. I looked in vain for Kadden and Sherman in the lists of passengers arriving and those at the Jewish shelter in Cape Town. It was good to see Helen Suzman celebrated among many others. A big surprise was the reconstruction of a shetl from Eastern Europe and a wonderful collection of Japanese netsuke. The modern art did not appeal. The great synagogue is most impressive. I bought a rabbi fridge magnet and a guide book. We were back at the house in good time for our 12 o clock pickup. The driver finally appeared at 12.30 after long costly phone calls to Ecco Tours and even calling a cab which I cancelled. The ferry to Robben Island actually went late and was a good trip with video to watch. The bus guide took us to a wonderful viewpoint looking across to Cape Town and we saw a huge gun never fired in WW2. I would have liked to see the Mosque. Then a former political prisoner took us around the prison and we saw Mandel...

Wednesday our pick up Ishmael arrived at 8 a.m. instead of 8.30 a.m. Picked up 2 honeymoon couples and went to Bokaap with brightly painted houses and mosque then to District Six museum which was fascinating. I had forgotten about bioscopes! We saw the District Six memorial park and then drove to Langa township where we bought a ceramic plate made locally and had a walk. The shanty town was quite shocking - so much needs to be done to address poverty and unemployment.  When we got to the Robben Island museum we were informed that the ferry was not running so we got a transfer to 1 p.m. tomorrow. Driver came to take us back home where we found that the bus stop roadworks crew were working on the pavement in front of the gate. Also Linda came to check on the house. Any way they guided me out and we went to Kirstenbosch. Another stunning day and the ride was well worth the money. We would never have gone so far. We had tea and the gardens are so lovely. Colin rang so we are now on in...

Monday had a nice breakfast and packed up. The bill is not as much as expected – the exchange rate is favouring us! George has been brilliant and I feel for him over Saturday’s mess-up. People can be so unreasonable. To the library and Jenny was delighted by the mosaic and as chatty as ever! We the went to Wits university campus which is huge compared to my day. The Origins centre is fascinating especially on the San people with marvellous wall hangings and films. You also get a commentary on a headphone set up. We arrived at Oliver Tambo airport in good time despite some diversions using the GPS. Car handed over without a problem and then to domestic terminal to get 3.10 flight to Cape Town. Liz did not have a window seat but as the plane was full that is not surprising. Her balck neighbour seemed decidedly odd! We picked up the car which a brand new Toyota Corolla. I hired a Tom tom from another company as Avis had run out of them and he was most helpful even coming to the car to i...

Saturday 5 th . Honey muesli breakfast and Colin arrived at 9.45 to lead us to Parktown. He thanked me for the mosaic and gave us written instructions and keys for the 2 properties. Marius the young organist was there and thank God he was as the Rieger has a continental stop setup and he set up the stops on a programme for me. He changed stops and turned which was great. It went reasonably well but I could have done with hours more time to get ready. It was nice that people came including Mike Matthews and Doosy and his wife. . Colin introduced it and Paul Devaux came with him. Everyone seems to have enjoyed it. Heather and Fred then came back to the club for pizza and coke. The place was full of Springbok rugby supporters. I spoke to Ronnie Jones and insisted on Pretoria tomorrow which is good as there is no food here on Sundays! Ronnie Gill provided a better route avoiding Yeoville! Another glorious sunny day. Had a first look at the CD of the 63 leavers – it is full of fascina...

Friday October 4 th a day to remember always! Met at 8.30 Colin Robinson (who has not changed a bit), Quentin in charge of cash and badges (somewhat shaky), Fuzzy, Paul Deveaux  and George the manager joined us for our planning meeting. We all have our allotted tasks. It seems amazing that the great day has finally come after so many emails and Skype chats. The CD is a lovely production and a  Power point has been prepared. Colin later produced a printed version for people to see. Liz handed Quentin a large sum of Rands to cover the CDs for the British guys. As a result we  took a drive to the Bank at Killarney Mall going down Munro Drive. The Houghton streets seem pretty deserted compared to other places. The stories people tell are fascinating especially about Yeoville. At 11 a.m. I enjoyed an hour on the chapel organ – the school is as stunningly beautiful as ever. Met Fr Jaques and Cameron Macintosh the head of music who was very friendly and explained about the do...

Tuesday minicab to station where lift not working and train to West Brompton then underground to Earls Court then Hammersmith. Stood all the way to Hounslow west where we changed onto tube to Heathrow terminal 4. Arrived in good time and through security. On to Etihad flight for 9 p.m. but it took off late. I was soon asleep. Watched a bit of Great Gatsby had a nice meal and dropped off again. Landed at 3.15 a.m. London time in Abu Dhabi and trek to terminal to await another 7 hour flight to Joburg. Strangely computer connected to wireless network but no internet access! Flight to Joburg went smoothly. Liz’s sewing scissors were confiscated by Abu Dhabi security. I told her not to put them in her hand luggage. I listened to Mendelssohn string quintets, Franck violin sonata played by Joshua Bell, Wagner on the piano, and Szymanowski symphonies conducted by Gergiev. Picked up Avis car which is bigger than we usually have Toyota Corolla and also got a Satnav. It took a while to work ...

Swam 20 and general tidy up and packing to go away. To St Michael's for good recital by Georgina 4th year at the Royal College of Music. 

Swam 20. Wrote speech and watched Dan Cruickshank on Ludwig's castles and London, also Universiy challenge. Liz went to serve at the Red Mass. To Selsdon medical centre (the map supplied was useless) and new hearing aids which are much better and 5 settings ordinary, crowds, TV, music and phone/loop. An immediate improvement! Picked up Bishop John Arnold at East Croydon and all went well. Speeches went smoothly and he told us about his CAFOD trip to South America. All done by 10.30 and won chocs on raffle which raised over £300 for the 3 charities including Tommys.. Canon Jack Madden is celebrating his golden jubilee and 25 years at St Edmund's Beckenham.