The organist librarian

Lovely visit to Christmas at Kew in pouring rain with  Louise Maher   Tom Maher Bruce Woodhouse  Ciaran and Sean. Really enjoyed it especially the carousel! New Year's Eve concert live from the Berlin Philharmonic with Sir Simon and Anne-Sophie  Mutter on great form. Massenet, Chabrier, Ravel, Saint-Saens and Poulenc. Met Sue and Brian Carroll. Good meal at Strada Clapham Common.

We both went to celebration event and lunch at Hyderi mosque Streatham to celebrate the birthdays of Jesus and Mohammed. There was a quiz and we sang We three kings. Liz went to the doctor. Watched Dambuster, The Queen, David Beckham on 7 continents and Gareth Malone choir reunion. 

Listened to Ripon cathedral broadcast (well done Tim Harper) and watched History quiz on the Tudors and Mrs Brown's Boys. Nice chat to Ann in Tasmania. We walked up to Grangewood park - railings need painting. C atching up on recorded TV - Dickensian, Carlos Acosta in Carmen, Darcey's ballet heroes. Dennis came for dinner and I played the piano and we watched Christmas lecture and Michael Palin on Artemesia Gentileschi. Brentwood cathedral Midnight Mass was splendid.

Boxing Day at Acton boys loved their presents and I now have a Sat nav! Also a fascinating book called Letters of note and How to babysit a Grandad and a lovely sketching kit. We sang carols with the keyboard and Liz and I went to Mass at Acton at 7 - recording of Silent Night after communion - why? Played Cranium - hilarious! A lovely day. Sunday excellent breakfast cooked by Tom. Dropped Liz at St John's - I won body lotion in the big raffle. They raised £3000. 15 at St Michael's and I played RVW Greensleeves, Christmas pieces and Cook on Divinum mysterium. Archdeacon Paul but he left quickly to get to Canterbury cathedral for evensong. I remarked that it would have been good to discuss the future of the church as it will be closing for 5 months in June for the improvements to the narthex. Several PCC members said they did not know this. Fr Leon never said it was confidential! The cat is among the pigeons! 

Delicious salmon and homemade chocolate profiteroles for Christmas Eve dinner. Carols from King's on TV was lovely and O magnum mysterium by Ola Gijola with cello is a real discovery!  Played for Mass at 11 pm. Noels and Bach In dulci. 41 there mostly strangers! 3 in choir sang On Christmas night, Salazar Gloria. Some discussion about last verse of O come all ye faithful - played it! Now listening to Brentwood cathedral on radio 4 while waiting for Bruce and Liz to emerge from St John's!  21 at 10 am Mass at St Michael's. More Noels and Andrew Gant's Paean on the morning of Christ's nativity. Went to 11.15 mass at Anerley. Good to see Fr Sunith and Fr Stuart - the latter celebrated and played the organ for 4 hymns (3 of them the same as at St Michael's!). Presents opened - very nice! Fr Leon gave me chocs and rioja!  Very impressed by singing from Brentwood, Southwark, Ripon and Bath Abbey broadcasts. Well done all!  Enormous dinner at Croydon Park hotel and st...

Went in the rain to sing carols at the Eucharist with St John the Evangelist Upper Norwood at Lakeside nursing home. Many were in their rooms so not so many in the lounge this year. I pray I never end up in such a pl ace losing my mind and it's so hot - I like fresh air! Thank God for the blessings we have! Christmas can now officially start having listened to King's - lovely to hear Rutter, Willcocks, John Scott, Darke and Howells and the Richard Causton words and music stunning!  Carols from King's on TV included a wonderful O magnum mysterium by Ola Gijola with cello. 

Wednesday a quiet day. Louise took a couple of calls and Seán played and watched DVDs. Bruce helped to keep him amused. Did not go out. Watched Masterchef and Christmas university challenge and finally saw the last Christmas lecture about robots from 2014! At dinner opened a bottle of Julio Gallo Rose 2014 and it was sour so opened another which was fine! Did some work on ancestry.com - Pauline Clarke no help at all! BBC archives programme interesting and Mrs Brown's Boys.

Louise went to work and Bagattis. Seán had a good day. We did go to the shop and post a letter to Annie Spain who I spoke to yesterday about John Chumrow. It was windy and wet. Bruce helped to amuse him. I went to Sydenham Our Lady's to collect rosaries to send to Mike in Halifax (Catenian) and then to St John's for Robert Fraser's excellent talk on T.S.Eliot. Benjo was there from Greece. Met Mary a Buddhist and Hilary who works at the National Gallery. Annie Besant lived in Upper Norwood!

Monday swam 20. Quiet day at home and put Christmas cards up and watched programmes on defection of Nureyev and history of modern dance. Sent Catenian circular. Excellent programme on the Queen's Christmas broadcast and Downton Abbey. Louise came with Seán and Bruce arrived from Geneva at 11.40 p.m.

To Christ Church Streatham for the eucharist to celebrate Ivor Smith-Cameron's 60th anniversary of ordination. A remarkable assembly of friends including Andrew Wilson, Harry Bramma, Siriol and Chennai trip friends. Nice lunch and met people I used to know at Battersea Park library. Met Franciscan Fr John from Bradford. Came home and then to cathedral to put out leaflets about interfaith group and deliver letter. Saw George and Jerry. George was friendly and introduced me to his sister. Saw Rebecca and I came away - my blood pressure was definitely up and I felt tightness in my chest! To Holy Apostles Pimlico - nice Italian young priest, electronic organ for the hymns, 4 servers who did not acknowledge the altar at all! Saw Maureen and Freddie. Sean and Ciaran stayed overnight. I slept with Sian who woke at 5.30 with nappy down and bed wet! He went back to sleep OK.  Just 11 in church this morning/ I played Bairstow and Statham on Veni Emmanuel, Peeters on Conditor alme and Les Cl...

Lie-in as woke at 4 a.m. still worried about Mr M. who has not replied to the email. Completed the Christmas letter and sent it off and cards all done. 65 not email! Decorations all up. Watched Sebag Montefiore on Spain. Meryl told me David Parker had died. Ann said Edith McEvilly had died. Watched Andrea Chenier from ROH (saw this at the cinema in January) and took presents to Dennis and Ann Marie who go to Ireland tomorrow.

Back to swimming! Art and worked on Cusco picture. To South london interfaith group lunch and heard from Lambeth police officer Jack. Chat to Jon dal Din. To Croydon interfaith celebration of Christmas and Archbishop Tennison choir sang including Molly and Gill Hope accompanying conducted by her daughter Felicity. Hilary Fyfe was there too. Nice eats. Watched Apprentice and   programme on saving money on Christmas food.

We both went to Seán's nursery for the Christmas lunch and the excellent magician Mr Carl and Santa. I went to Hinsley room and the end of the guides talk by Canon Christopher on the Year of mercy and eats. 18 came to hear Diana Mills and Amos Trust films and photos. Lively discussion. Got home and changed as Brendan had come. To joint Blackheath and Swanley meeting at Chislehurst golf club. Meeting about Kirkham cup and sorted it all! 

Tuesday we both went to Cav and Pag from ROH at Stratford Picturehouse and had good takeaways/ It was an excellent production with brilliant singing. Liz went to Acton and I went to Tate Modern. Alexander Calder mobiles are effective but the World of Pop was puerile and gaudy. Sat in the Friends room preparing for the evening at Abrar House  to speak on challenging a culture of hate. Lively discussion and some good points. I quoted Pope Francis and Luke 3. Nice meal afterwards and met Habib's sister. 3 of the hecklers were awful and one reduced a 22 year old panel member to tears calling her naive. 

Wrote to Paul requesting a meeting.  T o Greenwich playhouse to see the incomparable Benedict Cummerbatch in Hamlet - great cast and production. The Pepys exhibition at National Maritime museum has some lovely things lent by the Queen. I felt that it seemed very disparate and lacked clear focus but it was well presented with plenty of screens where you could read the famous diary which Magdalen college Cambridge are not allowed to loan! To Beckenham Catenians which was enjoyable. 

Slept badly.  Played Archer and  George Thalben-Ball  on Gopsal, Moore on Bread of heaven and preludes on Nun komm der heiden Heiland by Bach, Walther and Buxtehude. 15 in church. Chatter before and after service. I stopped playing and had a break - let them finish their chat. Watched Sr Rita to the rescue programmes. To evensong and sang Purcell, Played the organ (Bairstow and Buxtehude) and a very nice organists dinner in the vicarage with money going to St John's appeal and the pianola. Booked for Malta.

A good quiet Advent day with retired Bishop John Crowley of Middlesborough at Sisters of Sion Kensington. Alan Rainer was there.I prepared my talk for Abrar House and chatted to several people at lunch. Bishop had to leave at 3 to get back to Harpenden so went to see the new 1600-1815 galleries at V and A.Lots of goodies and musical instruments. Also went to see the Indian instruments. Brian on at Mass and Liam was thurifer. On the way home an email from Paul suspending Liz from serving. It's outrageous and puts us both in an impossible position. Coming on top of the unhappiness and closure at Beckenham in June this is another blow. 

Thursday lie-in again. Liz in Acton. To art and started on Cusco picture. Spent the afternoon writing the Christmas letter. To Catenian South London meeting and final 50th meeting of Southwark Group - did not stay for dinner  2 priests there. Liz moaning more had not been done on decorations. Friday to Golders Green crematorium for funeral of John Chumrow. A fitting tribute. Unfortunately Stefan got in on the act and conducted Brahms and Mahler - it was very loud and sopranos not good. Quite a few old friends there and saw Chris and David, Keith Chaundy gave us a lift to the hotel and we saw Stefan there. Keith gave us a lift to Victoria so we were home in time for Neil Molony coming for dinner which we enjoyed. Watched Island parish and Timothy West interview,

Liz at Acton and servers council dinner. To St Mary's for 9 a.m. practice tme lost by morning prayer then told to play! I played Faure, Elgar and Handel and Brahms. Fr Michael very friendly. The ladies turned up to sing plainchant mass setting unaccompanied - not bad. Fr M announces nothing and adds to the Mass all over the place particularly bad during the censing of the coffin. Louise Sage there. I got to Bandon Hill cemetery in the end having got slightly muddled. Tony was buried with Bernadette. To Wndmill pub and Felicity and Hilary were there and John Beers' wife. Met Michael Mead and 2 singers from Southwark cathedral Thursday singers - it was my email which alerted Peter Wright to the funeral. To LJS for Channukah. Paul Champain director of 3 Faiths forum spoke and the mixed-up chorus sang well, We learnt 2 songs and 4 candles were let. Met several people over doughnuts - John usher at cathedral, Bishop Michael Ipgrave, Michael Redman, Alan Rainer. Home to watch The Ap...

Another lie-in. Liz went shopping and I did minutes and returns including the portal for votes. Decorated tree. To St Paul's cathedral to hear Rowan Williams on a Christian Christmas - excellent. Watched the Great Pottery throwdown and Carlos Acosta also Dab Cruickshank in Poland.

Slept in as woke in the night. Grouted mosaic. To Clapham Picturehouse to see The Winter's Tale from the Garrick with Judy Dench and Kenneth Branagh - excellent acting and staging. The final scene had echoes of the Virgin Mary and was most moving and beautiful. Umberto said they went to the theatre and paid £60 and couldn't see properly in the stalls! Decorated the tree. To Catenians 6 of us and 8 visitors. Interesting chat to John Miller from Swanley.

Met Louise and Ciarán at Norwood Junction. We went to St John's panto Aladdin and Dennis joined us. It was hilarious and well done and we all enjoyed it. Bought a raffle ticket for £10. Saturday we went on the bus to Horniman for an excellent hands on event with old toys. Also went to the fairground and musical instruments outside but it was very windy. Bought some books for the kids and met the authors. Visited Dennis and Molly. Tree lights on and started putting decorations on. Met Louise at Victoria. Canon Christopher at Mass and Hornchurch school choir were good singing Durufle. Sunday p layed Peeters and Walther on Wachet auf, Lang on Winchester New and Philip Moore on Merton. Fr Leon appeared in the loft to see Bill beforehand and there were no announcements before service! I dashed off to get to Acton leisure centre for Ciarán's 6th birthday party. A lovely large room with bouncy castle and excellent animal presenter. Kids loved it. Went back to Shakespeare Rd for suppe...

Lie-in. Liz at Acton and going to carols at Ealing. I found details from Dad's book of Hobart City hall organ concerts but the only photo I have of Dad at the organ seems to be the 1953 one from Joburg! Watched Come dine with me and Christmas lecture! To art and Iguassu is finished. To Dulwich Indian restaurant on Bromley Hill - food good but a long wait and noise level bad. Friday Liz took car on recall for airbag at 8 a.m. I went to see Sr Catherine at Mount Street and we had a good chat. I set up a meeting with Fr Leon and Carol for January as a result. To Royal Academy enjoying the decorated Mayfair shops on the way. A lovely exhibition of Leotard and interesting architectural drawings by Chris Wilkinson RA. Surprised that friends were expected to pay for the De Wall White so did not go to it. Did not go to guiding at cathedral as the school play was on and I saw it last year. Ciaran arrived with Louise and we took him with Dennis to Aladdin at St John's hall - it was hila...

Had a lie-in - woke at 4 the St Michael's situation not helping. This will be resolved as the church will close for the improvements in June so no recitals and an opportunity to play elsewhere!  Put tree up and put foil  behind radiators. To Watermans using free ticket to see Lady in the van which was excellent. Had a half bitter beforehand. Read Monastic musicians and Tablet. Started on Monks and Mystics III. Wed to Tamar's and told her I recognised the Lalo tune she plays for the instruments  -she says she made it up! Will not see her next week as now going to Tony Potter's funeral. All day long Eddie worked on handyman tasks Liz stayed - she had been at 2 cathedral "donkey" carol services one with the Cardinal. I tripped over scooter and thought I had hurt my right wrist but it is OK. Louise has her tree up. Conversations for the soul with 4 there was very interesting and we heard about mental health issues and interfaith action to find properties to take migr...

Swam, mosaic and ready to grout, long stand at tai chi which the ladies did not like! To Dr Ojo and he will ask for a new hearing test and possibly new hearing aids. Caught up on magazines and watched the Crossrail 3 programmes, University challenge and excellent programme on the Orient express. Dreadful email from John Williams - he doesn't change. Tony Potter died aged 88. Funeral on 9th so babysitting.  Liz went to an Indian cookery course and found the company had gone bust. She got a refund. 

played Willan on Bristol and St Stephen and Peeters on St Stephen. At the end Bach Wachet auf. Kyries from Missa Camino by Paul Hutchings went well. We sang a hymn I did not know "From glory to glory advancing" tune Sheen by Holst (NEH). Before service Leon appeared to check when the Kyries would be sung. I was amazed to see him take down the notice about quiet during voluntaries as it had been agreed and he left a new list of hymns for Advent. I spoke to Bill who confirmed the ladies had joined St James to sing an anthem at the earlier service. I came away. Apple pie for lunch. Lovely Advent service at St John's -  we sang Howells Gloucester Magnificat, Richard Lloyd and Richard Rodney Bennett and listened to Bach. Dennis was there and got panto tickets. Watched antiques roadshow, Simon Reeve in Ireland, The Hunt. Uploaded rest of holiday photos. I wasn't able to go on the climate change march.

A great visit to the superb organ at Bedford Park and the large Walker at St Mary Acton. I played Thalben-Ball Elegy and Andrew Moore. Lunch at Field's then took the boys to meet Father Christmas as St Vincent's school fete. Abandoned attempt to get to Bloomsbury Baptist for the recital as 207 was so slow but met Rizwan on the bus and had a good chat. He is a Sufi and a friend of Alan Rainer. First candle lit on the Advent wreath by our youngest server!

Both went swimming. A quiet day clearing the garden of leaves and putting the  contents of the boxes into bags. I took the bags of clothes to Emmaus Lambeth at West Norwood. Did the draft Provincial President's calendar. Watched Citizen Khan, Simon Reeve in Ireland.

Swam and not many there. To art and worked on the Iguassu picture. Good interfaith lunch and 20 there. A good discussion on National interfaith week and IS and the arms trade. My article on Jerusalem published in Westminster Interfaith newsletter and PMM pubIished the short article about the Sarum course. I was surprised that hymns for Sunday were changed and got this reply. "I wish to preach on O Come Emmanuel and the other hymn is in Anglo Catholic repertoire and if not well known can at least be tried if you can play the tune,please. As Bill, Shirley and Phillipa attend Monday rehearsals at St.James I intend in future to use the same or similar choices of hymns in both churches as they have suggested.Many thanks for your adaptability and cooperation.Kind regards, Fr.Leon" In other words the work I have done on hymn choices is being dismissed out of hand. Why was I not told about this arrangement? Very annoyed and unhappy.   Wached University challenge and Simon Reeve in ...

Tuesday swam. To RAC club to meet Michael Redman for lunch. I had forgotten to wear a jacket but there was no problem. Siriol did not come. Had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in the Long Bar. Took a photo of the lovely swimming pool. Then to Aldgate East for visit to the East London mosque which is very impressive. I popped into Whitechapel gallery and saw Emily Jacir exhibition.  Liz and Jan came and Juber was a most informative host explaining Islamic history very clearly. We also saw the old synagogue which the mosque has purchased - it is right next door and there were still old prayer books and shawls under the seats. Then we went to Moorgate and got a train to Alexandra Palace. The dinner was good (steak pie and trifle) and was in the Lanesborough room which has remarkable frescoes. The silent film was brilliantly accompained by Duncan Mackenzie. Buster Keaton in the Cameraman and we also saw London scenes. There were some technical hitches and at one point the organ stopp...

Swam. Dynorod came and cleared drain - he suggested drilling holes in the cover so I dd that so rain water can get in. Mosaic and 7 at tai chi with Hendrika. To Halfords to get tyre caps and windscreen cover - severe frost this morning. Worked on Face Book events and wrote Oremus article about Laudato Si' series. Football but went to Beckenham - 5 from Norwood there. Watched Doctor in the house.

Played Vierne Epitaphe, Thalben-Ball Elegy,  George Thalben-Ball  on Gopsal and Crown Imperial it being Christ the King and St Cecilia. Camino Kyries start next week and rehearsed for Christmas. Turns out the Advent service uses Penitential rite 3 so we will sing the complete Kyries after the lighting of the Advent wreath candle.  Both went to interesting scriptural reasoning at British Museum on pilgrimage and to Strada Great Queen Street on free dessert offer! Excellent food and service - veal, sea bass. Watched Antiques roadshow and The Hunt.

Excellent playing by Sandy May at Bromley Parish church and they now serve real coffee! Liz went to Lakeland and I picked up the goods. Ernest says Celia is much the same. Cold! Ca me home and washed up as cannot use water and dishwasher because of blocked drain. Liz was serving at Mass with Cardinal. Diversi-tea at Morden Islamic Community centre  walked to the mosque by mistake..   B rilliant event with cakes from Azerbaijan, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey, Slovakis and many more plus Salvation Army! Kate was there and met 3 Jews also former Saturday assistant who is now a GP!  To Tate Britain but impressed by Frank Auerbach's daubs. Fr Alexander smoke vespers and Mass - good choir from Peterborough with Andew Reid.  Taxi to St John Hyde Park Crescent for opening recital of the Hill organ by James O'Donnell. Tom Flood's concerto for organ and wind rather loud also Stravnsky Octet. Schumann, RVW, Bach, Saint-Saens and Widor. Lots of champagne and canapes.

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

Tuesday Up early to get to Twickenham by 9. Free study day on Laudato Si' at St Mary's Twickenham with theologians, economists, physicists, geographers, philosophers! Mary Grey and Peter Tyler were the highlights. It amuses me that academics argue over hermeneutics of a scripture verse when we have huge global climate problems! Boys sang well at Mass Ebner, Hurford and Vaugahn Williams. To Tablet St Mary's debate on freedom of speech vs religious rights with Jack Straw, Francis Campbell and Adrian Pabst. I spoke about the interfaith group and British values.

To messy play and Sean went straight in and enjoyed painting and the sand boxes. Then for a cappucino and soft play. At Tamar's a small group and the guitar and ladder. He was joining in much more than before, Thomas Bonneville gave the interfaith group of 10 an interesting presentation on interfaith Animal alliance. Margaret went on about foxhunting and do animlas go to heaven? Then to House of commons committee room 9 for fascinating debate on arms trade. Norman Lamb a Liberal MP and Andrew Feinstein former ANC MP who has written a book on this. Thomas said he became vegan after hearing how dairy cows are inseminated to produce more calves and increase lactation then the calves are taken away and killed as their meat cannot be eaten.

Plumber Danny Searle came and sorted kitchen sink and toilet was blocked. £70. To mosaic and painted ceramic tile to be fired for faces. Tai chi.  To British Museum - the Celts exhibition was good but quite a lot of people. Was it done to fit with the shop? Much preferred Egypt faith after the Pharoahs which was relatively empty and lots to see. Tea and pasta at  cafe opposite St Martin;s and went to evening prayer in the Dick Sheppard chapel. Karen Armstrong attracted a large audience in last of series on religion and violence. It was a bitty talk with ideas firing off in lots of directions. A Syrian spoke at the end. Home to meet Liz back from Newcastle. 

After lunch got to Hyderi early by car Rizwan was setting up. The Shakyh turned out to be young. Why he could not contact me is beyond me! I tried phoning, text and email and posted the book to him. Started late and then rabbi and Sikh came late. The latter rambled on and did not say a prayer for peace! Then the Shakyh spoke about migrants and there were various speeches calling for action but nothing specified at all. At last we did conversations for the soul and people enjoyed it. Cut short by prayers at 4.30 which were long. We had refreshments. I was alarmed that 6 of the booklets were not returned. Left at 5.15. It went well and good thing I stayed calm. At least the Brixton sessions were advertised. 3 came from SGI. Caught up on The Hunt and Antiques roadshow. Spoke to Bruce who is in Spain! Liz liked her birthday present.

The psalm was as I expected pretty disastrous. Bill has had his op but not well enough to come. Shirley arrived at 9.20 and we went through it. When she went down to the lectern there were people abut and I do not think they helped at all. We went through it again at the organ which meant I only played one voluntary. The warning buzzer is working and is loud! Phillipa arrived at ths point so the situation was one singer who had rehearsed but is new to all this plus 2 who had not rehearsed together. Leon went through it on Tuesday. They stood in front of the lectern so all I could hear was Leon on the loop. The main problem was starting! By the third verse things were more confident. The alleluya Leon was of course busy so I played and sang loudly. In future it will be done upstairs or said. After service we rehearsed psalm for next week, Camino Kyries, Salazar Gloria and On Christmas night. I did play Griffiths on Maria zu leben and Lloyd Webber on Hemsley. I copied my contract and pu...

To Hurtado centre at Wapping for session on listening. Only 6 there but interesting reflection on Philip and the Ethopian eunuch. Back home. Threw out frozen cauliflower cheese and had pasta and pan au chocolat. Prepared materials for the mosque (still no reply from the Shakyh) and stuff about organists visit to Acton. No trains from Selhurst so parked and bus and tram to East Croydon. Got there are 5.40 to find Emmanuel doing smoke, the girls with wimps, the new guy book. George and Paul Tobin. I said Good evening to Mr M and he once again ignored me. The bishops and Fr John very friendly. The cardinal thanked the servers. It was a mass for evangelisation with bibles given to catechumens. I did nothing while Emmanuel cleared the altar! There were prayers for Paris and an appeal for Aid to the Church in Need.I went straight to the Vigil at Trafalgar Square for Paris and lots of French people there. I saw Bishop Paul and the secretary of the Muslim council who greeted me as John! Catri...

Swam 20. Spent the day doing hymn lists up to Baptism of the Lord and Leon accepted them. He did mention that WE might need a congregational rehearsal of the Taize Wait for the Lord. I would not have thought that necessary. I must say I am unusually ambivalent about St Michael's. The All Saints debacle with the rebuke about starting the hymn too soon during the Peace and the late start, the laughing and chatter on Remembrance Sunday, the unresolved tuning issue, above all the uncertain future and the bad atmosphere. Add to this the refusal to outreach at the station at Christmas and I really think this cannot last. The cathedral also gives cause for concern - the lack of welcome from one key person and the appalling treatment over no longer being catechists. Why? Worked on the mosaic and the programme for Laudato Si' series is complete! To the Tablet lecture at the Emmanuel centre by Paul Vallely about the synod on the family. Really interesting survey and answered the questi...

Swam. To art and worked on Jersey picture. Liz off to Newcastle until Monday so gave her birthday present and card.  An interesting lecture on chant curing people in medieval period at St Sepulchre. . Cards and calendar posted to Oz. At last to Leighton house (took a bit of finding). Interesting Arabic material and photos of the last surviving guardians of Mohammad's tomb. On the 9 to National Gallery for Goya portraits (expensive but worth it) but I do wish they would limit the number of visitors. The film is good. To Festival Hall for free Philharmonia concert of two Julian Anderson works which he introduced. Then bus to St George's cathedral for Nick Gale memorial concert. Stephen Disley played. Durufle requiem was too loud - organ and choir. Diction very poor and not a blended sound - very little difference in volume. Some voices stick out especially altos. Chatted to two of them at reception in Amigo Hall and saw the Harpers and Richard the organ tuner. Home via Vauxhall....

Swam 20. Spent the day on Catenian business and emails about the interfaith group. Laurence Jones is no longer a Catenian - he joined in 1977 - sad really. I managed to get onto the portal and discovered Head office had a very old email address for me - no wonder I have not been receiving circulars! The visit to Hyderi mosque to discuss Sunday's meeting was cancelled. Liz went to servers council but there were too few to meet. I sent an email to the Catholic Herald about an attack on Paul Inwood in the paper and on Face Book -outrageous! Peter Sanders rang about his visit to St Michael's on Thursday. He said John Mander had pushed Alan into the Kellner tuning and Nigel Groome had said he would not play that organ as it just sounds out of tune! To Vaughn House for the launch of Monks and Mystics 3. Lots of people there I knew and delighted to see Shakyh Hamzy. The speakers were good Fr Jonathan from Ampleforth, Archbishop Kevin and Dr Shomali. I said I found mosques full of wa...

Swam 20 and Liz came. To mosaic and did gold tiles. 8 at tai chi and Tony talked a lot. To St Michael's and met with Leon who summoned Carol. W discussed the last 2 Sundays and my contract which I found when I got home. Also talked about Christmas and an 11 o clock start. Went through psalm for Sunday and Camino setting. Not enough time to do Rizza. He knows Fr Peter! To Mike's for Catenian council meeting - Philip was a pain again. I wish they would stop thinking about the past and start thinking about the future more! 

A rather mixed day. I played Solemn melody, Elgar For the fallen and Nimrod and St Anne fugue. These were spoilt by the new choir member Shirley laughing and joking which upset me a lot. I spoke to Bill about it and he seemed unaware. Also told Leon and we are meeting tomorrow. I said nothing to Shirley which was perhaps just as well as she left with the Williams. The act of remembrance was very low key and in the porch which made it impossible to hear. I did hear the intro to the National anthem but I only played 2 verses and the people sang verse 3 unaccompanied and went very flat. 19 in church. No Last Post. After lunch worked on invites for next year and have 5 speakers so far Catholic, Anglican, humanist, Muslim and Jewish. I went to evensong. Adrian not there and Bridget talks too much. She did not rehearse the section of the Stanford which  I pointed out was not together so the same thing happened at the service in the Nunc. We sang Holy is the true light - no attempt at pp...

Got to Heythrop early via West Brompton.  Archbishop Michael spoke on Christian relations with Muslims. Professor Sajjad Rizvi from the University of Exeter spoke well about Shi'a views and Building Bridges. After lunch Damian on Jesuits and Martin read the paper from Jean Jacques Pérennés OP on the Dominicans. By then people were leavng! The three days have been inspiring and empowering. I liked the quote "we want to see in the other what we find in ourselves" and the church is a fabric of stories. Fr Alexander celebrated Mass. Fr John O'Toole was there. The festival of remembrance was impressive.

Got bus and tube to Heythrop. Cardinal Kasper's excellent talk was read by Fr Curran. Professor Raymond Cohen and David Niehaus SJ were both excellent. Anthony O'Mahony spoke on Paul VI's visit to Jerusalem in 1964. It was an excellent day focusing on Jewish Christian relations. Abp Kevin agreed to speak on Laudato Si', Bishop Paul will come to some of the sessions, Anthony will find me an Orthodox speaker and a Jewish lady has offered. Met Revd David Wheeler. Xavier came home with me and we changed for clergy supper (black tie) but he went off to Tooting to see a family soon after we got here. Fr William was on good form but the meal was not great nor was the speaker. 

Swam 20. Met Jon Dal Din and Sr Eileen waiting for circle line. Nice to be back at college and lots of people I know there not least Xavier, Fr John O'Toole. Also an opportunity to meet people from Peterborough, West Midlands and Dublin! Rita, Kim, Fr David, Sr Elizabeth, Alfred Agius, Damian. Michael Barnes is on sabbatical. Archbishop Michael Fitzgerald excellent and I got in a question about Paul Knitter to Gavin d'Costa! Cardinal Kasper unwell so not coming in person tomorrow which is a pity. Good lunch. Martin Ganeri was as always dull. Archbishop Kevin much better. To mass at cathedral and Brian gave an excellent sermon on the lost sheep. Buxtehude at the end. To St George Hanover square for concert by recorder, viola da gamba and harpsichord (Yao) which was excellent and nice eats. Helen introduced me to an adult piano student who paints and lives in Bromley.   New work by Freddie Meyers. 

Swam 20. Did the minutes of the Catenian meeting and started emailing about Cambrudge and the interfaith group Laudato Si' series in 2016. To local glass shop and got mirror for the mosaic frame for £15. Posted calendar and other items in West Norwood and got gold tiles. Served at Cathedral chapter Mass. Boys sang Faure Messe Basse and Parry and I was acolyte. Rebecca was there and Richard. Mr M said nothing to me! Tea and then to Initiatives of change for Renewal Arts on transforming power of the arts. June Boyce-Tillman was great and got us all singing. Jodie Marshall from Sheffield told us how theatre transforms kids. Kwame Reed spoke about poetry and drama against gang culture. It was inspiring! To Acton and Sean to Tamar. Renewed Watermans membership as the parking permit was not in the car. Sean seemed a bit off and at one point went in the lift on his own which upset him. He slept for ages. Ciarán loved the presents especially the Peruvian panpipes and animal items. Watche...

Swam 20 -  the lady who cuts corners on her back shouted at me as I overtook her! To mosaic and not many there. Linda charged for 4 weeks again. Started work on a new one. 6 at tai chi including Rosie who is an artist. Caught up on emails. Liz went to doctor at Shirley Oaks hospital - it is muscular. To Catenians and Fergus Poncia on great form. Fr Keith Sylvia from Addiscombe very nice and he spoke well. 25 there including Gerry Haines! 

Arrived at church to find we had 2 baptisms in the middle of the service. I don't mind this but they did go on a long time. Celebrated All Saints with Flor Peeters and Howells Sine nomine. The service started 9 minutes late - I stopped and started not knowing how long to play for. I have asked for somebody to coem and tell me if there is a delay and how long it is likely to be. I dashed off to get to St Paul's cathedral for the talk on the theology of desire by Professor Coakley. At St John's a lovely Durufle Requiem. Enjoyed Antiques roadshow and Downton.

Got up and went to make tea forgetting about the alarm! Being away so long has it's downside! Lie-in. Compared diaries - still waiting for my phone to come back. To Bloomsbury Baptist to hear Anthony Hammond from Cirencester - good player. Bach, Widor and Calviere. Problem with buses not going further than Tottenham Court Road so got 73 to Oxford Circus and tube. Smoke vespers and All Saints Mass with Martin Plunkett - he's nice. Watched The dresser with Ian McKellen and Anthony Hopkins - excellent.

Mass and Lauds combined before breakfast. Rain again! Next September it is to be Ampleforth. Returned home from Salisbury via Winchester with a tea stop at Guildford cathedral. 195 miles round trip! We had a most interesting tour of Salisbury cathedral including Magna Carta in the wonderful chapter house and Canon Jeremy Davies joined us and showed us the lovely vestments. We made our little pilgrimage to George Herbert's church St Andrew Bemerton.

Swam 18. We set off for Salisbury and drove via the A3 and M3 and A303 to Salisbury. The speed limit on the motorway was 50 mph and we had one stop so we did well to get there by 2. The Panel of Monastic Musicians is always a pleasure and it was good to see old friends and note that many familiar faces were missing not least Abbot Richard from Roscrea who is on sabbatical. Our room has a lovely view of the cathedral spire so I draw it and also did a drawing of the cathedral font. Retired bishop David Stancliffe gave us two excellent sessions on his online resource on the Sunday gospels with art, music and literature. He wants us to produce our own imaginative linkups. Canon Jeremy Davies retired Precentor spoke on Sarum use and Shakespeare and showed us a DVD of a medieval liturgy staged in the cathedral and Sr Jean asked me to write it up. Martin Foster did an excellent session on choosing Mass settings just what I need. We did 3 new. Mass settings Missa Camino with. Paul Stubbings w...

Saturday another lie-in. Liz resting. To the cathedral and 10 servers at Mass! Met the new intern Francis and new organ scholar Alexander Pott who played Bach at the end. Fr John celebrated. Victoria looked very gray and wet after the vibrant South American colours. Caught up on Downton. Sunday took Blackberry to send off to Manchester - it will not start. Played Adagio from Elgar cello concerto and Andrew Moore's tribute to Dom Gregory Murray and Nobilmente. Fr Herbert was there and 20 there. Chatted to council members and Christmas will be on the 20th a pageant - cannot see they have the people to mount that! Midnight and Christmas day 10 a.m.  and no crib service so that's a relief. Watched Leeds piano competition won by Anna the Russian and Beethoven with Leif Ove Andsnes. Songs of praise with a ghastly fat tenor. Sent email to APT group and Marissa sent group photos. Ben Bloor has been appointed to the Oratory. Liz went to Mass at St Mary's.

Dennis came last night. Had a lie-in. Liz was better. No chance to see the boys as the family went to Norfolk straight from school and I did not get to hear Margaret Phillips play Bach either. Watched Downton and the Naked choir also programme on 20th century romance. Tried to get Outlook email to work and Blackberry is not working. Posted photos to Face Book. 

Sick at breakfast but recovered to do packing. My plan of putting one carryon case into the big one worked well and we were not overwight. Francisco took us to the airport and helped with checkin. Saw doctor when we left hotel and he reminded us to email. On planes Boychoir, Habemus Papam, Max, Required to be normal, Soile Isokoski singing Mozart, Bridge and Franz Reisenstein piano sonatas. Coco before Chanel. 11 hours Quito to Madrid 2 to London 1 hour Guayaqonquil to Quito Wheelchairs throughout - there was farce at Madrid when we went in a lift vehicle but all had to walk to the building to get chairs where there was discussion about who was going where! It was a very long trek to the London plane. At Heathrow 5 we went in the buggy and then were dumped in the luggage hall. After 20 minutes we walked the last bit, met the cab driver and commandeered a chair for the bit to the car park. Cost £60 because of the delay and the parking fee. Home at 8.45. Thursday took Liz to see Dr Ojo...

Sat 17th rest went on hike. We went on panga ride with Grace and in fact saw as much as they did! I did 2 drawings of Pitt Point - lovely morning. We saw sealions, pelicans, crabs, sheerwater, boobies, frigate birds, tropic bird. Lunch and talk on geology by Ramillies. Panga ride to cathedral and arch at Cerro Brujo - Darwin was on this beach. Lots of sealions and baby oystercatcher - wet landing. a long walk which was pleasant but hard going in the sand. Sunset and dinner with the couple from Oxted (again!) Watched Attenborough part 1. Sun 18th did not attempt 2kms over boulders to see albatross! The captain was very pleased to show us the bridge. Started reading Darwin's autobiography (to page 78) the library is good and I read parts of Voyage of the Beagle and other books by Browne. Down House takes on new meaning! Did a drawing of wildlife. Glass bottomed boat with Grace and saw sealions, angel fish, monkfish, starfish, swam at Gardner beach Isola Espanola and wet landing. Se...

Francisco met us and we went to Hotel Hilton Colon Guaquyil which is very grand and near the airport. The resident doctor took us to his office downstairs and gave Liz a thorough examination. It is lumbar and sciatic so she has injections, pills and gel. Dr Julio. Amazing foyer and ift goes up 10 floors and is glass. Welcome drink and ate well at Cafe Colon - I told the waiter off for taking my creditcard away. Friday 16th nurse did injection as I could not get the syringe correct and we left in good time to the airport. This time it was very straightforward with boarding passes. Wheelchair and front row seats! Left case and small case at hotel concierge. Good flight toSan Cristobal and great views as we landed. Bus to port then on pangas to La Pinta. After lunch drill and briefing which was very comprehensive and we were off again to land and take buses which are old and uncomfortable to see the giant tortoises. Basically we climbed up a hill to see baby tortoises and then down agai...

Breakfast on the skiffs with plates at the confluence of the two rivers and the start of the Amazon itself. Rain then to village to but basketwork and instruments and handed over more pens and pads to the teacher. Duck for lunch and farewells. Drive to manatee centre where we fed them - saw caiman and turtles.Liz in pain walking. Drive round Iquitos centre and flight to Lima - wheelchair and front row thanks to Remi. Marissa very concerned and called nice doctor so had injection at 1 a.m. $120. Thursday 15th up at 4.30 a.m. Marissa called she was late waking up - not surprising really. Quick breakfast and to airport. Used last soles to buy a llama from streetkids shop and chocoaltes at Brittshop. Very nice LAN flight ro Guaquyil and sat at front watching "Boychoir". Liz was better. Farewell to Marissa who has been brilliant. It's a pity we have only seen Marriott hotel in Lima!

Sunday 11th a long day. Liz still in pain. Mark and Joanne gave up their seats so we could sit together on the plane to Lima - Marissa did her best but 2 couples were split up. She herself is very unwell. On the second flight to Iquitos we were together. Long drive to get to the Delfin II for the cruise. Monday 12th Up in the night - Liz pain in back and legs. Early morning skiff trip saw monkey, iguana and lots of birds. Saw paramedic who suhhested Electrolite for potassium and sodium and painkillers. Drawing and reading. The room is comfortable and spacious. Afternoon 4 p.m. skiff saw birds, iguana, dolphins at sunset. Another nice meal. Tuesday 13th. Up at 5.45. 6.30 saw macaws and then jungle walk in wellies. Lots of mud - saw trees, ants and termites. Talk on Amazonian fruits by Luis. Fish for lunch. Had a rest and Liz went kayaking with Paul which she enjoyed. Saw monkeys, caught piranha (red) and a catfish. Liz did not catch any. Nightfall and saw caiman. Great meal and danci...

Hotel room has good view of the lake. I was awake twice in the night - room cold. Dreamed about Dad. Went to breakfast and the room was so hot and I did not feel hungry at all. Tummy a bit loose again so took tablet. Private boat with Carlos (Marissa was ill) to the floating islands which was most interesting. Felice and his wife and one month old baby invited us into their home and dressed us up for photos so we bought several handmade objects from them and other families then went the reed boat to get passports stamped. We handed over a large back of pens, pads and toiletries for the school APT supports. Then in the boat to the peninsula to climb up to the restaurant. Liz had to have oxygen and complained of pain. Pure alcohol stopped her being nauseous. Had a little to eat - lovely views of the huge lake. Carlos was excellent and the staff helpful and Robin who is a doctor also checked pulse. By the time we got back to the hotel on the boat her oxygen level was OK so had a sleep. M...

Awake at 5.30 having woken twice in the night. Eggs never came at breakfast! Left at 7 to get the Perurail train to Puno. A 10 hour journey enlivened with music, fashion show and nice food. Lovely scenery and lots of llamas, flamingoes and birds. Libertador hotel is on Lake Titicaca -  waited for pizza and the bill! Safe is a key system. Bath dirty and broken door and door catch. Not well designed. Altitude very high - the train stopped at the highest point La Raya with small chapel 12,000 feet. Local guide Carlos seems very nice. Train goes through a railside market at Juliaca.

Peru. Last day in Buenos Aires good breakfast but had to get my own mile for tea. Appalled to get a bill for $33 for laundry when the items were taken from the bathroom and brought back in tissue paper but we never asked for them to be done! Marissa sorted it out. We walked to and from Teatro Colon and enjoyed the tour. It would have been able to see the auditorium lit up but we did see a lighting rehearsal for Macbeth on stage. The decoration is impressive and it is the largest opera house in the world seating 3000! We had lunch in the room (the cold tortilla from last night). Walked through the crafts market to the fine art gallery which has Impressionists and moderns and a useful survey of Argentinian art. Did a drawing back at the hotel and left at 4.15. Long wait at LAN counter to checkin and not together. Security thorough and passports slow. At least we got the flight but no chance to spend our remaining pesos. Marissa had to ask a lady on the plane to move so we were together...

Liz was awake in the night with stomach ache and aches in chest and back so slept until 12. I got her some toast. I went on the tour to the other part of  the city with a view of the huge River Plate, the cathedral of San Isidoro and cruise on the river Tigre in the delta past lots of houses on the water. Weather cold but dry. Marcel got us opera huse tour tickets for tomorrow. We went by taxi to the Zoo which is old and a bit run down. Many of the buildings are historical. A huge hippo and quite a lot of African animals. Interesting to see South American cats, bears and deer, also monkeys, agoutis and capybaras. Back by taxi which cost slightly less and to supermarket. We were going to eat at Favour but it does not open untl 8 and is expensive so we went to La Ramblas where we had delicious food and excellent Patagonian lager for around £37. Taxis are not so expenisve here. I did a drawing of different lamps in the city which is called the Paris of the South - it has no beaches o...

My 69th birthday early swim and nice cards - champagne at breakfast. Could not get stamp for postcard. Did drawing of Iguassu at airport in Argentine and lady spoke to me about it. Window seat. Alvear Palace hotel is very posh - we have 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms and butler had 2 shirts pressed. 220v and to my delight laptop working OK! I unpacked and we toured spa and found indoor pool. To great tango show in new dark hotel. Excellent meal and another cake and the dancing and band were good finished at midnight so a very long day. A 4th cake in the room! Thursday October 1 walked with local guide to cemetery and saw where Eva Peron is buried and amazing family mausoleums. Coah tour and saw lovely buildings. Cathedral and Mass going on! Main square and Presidential palace. To Cafe Tortoni for wine, cheese and meat and coffee. Teatro Colon no tours so walked quite a few blocks to see bookshop in converted theatre Il Aeterno and then back to hotel for a rest. We went for a good meal ne...

In the night there was a thunderstorm and laptop not working at all - it was quite hot. 6.25 breakfast and left at 7 to airport. Got window seat LAN flight to Iguassu. Lovely hotel Cataractes very near falls and in the national park on Brazilian side. Walked down but Liz bitten by caterpillar so she went to have that treated and bandaged but it was not poisonous and met her at the elevator. Plastic camera cover wotked well. Snack lunch then on boat trip which was great - got very wet and cold - glad I wore swimsuit and shirt. Lovely views saw coatis, birds, lizards. Swam in lovely pool at sunset as had costumes on. Excellent buffet dinner. Yet another birthday cake in the room! Tuesday 29th to Argentinian border (delay) then to Devil's throat walk then train - fantastic. Saw kingfisher, large fish, butterflies, birds. Decided not to do other walk lunch and bought a broad brimmed hat. Needed the rest. Back to Brazilian side to visit bird park - very good and many species never see...

Swam and breakfast outside. 9am jeep tour to the gardens which are huge with many fine trees and Imperial palm avenues. Back in jeep to nature reserve forests and a couple of stops to see view from Chinese house and banana flowers at waterfalls. Back by 1 and read by pool and did 2 drawings from photos. Swam. To beach which was by then less crowded and ate again at Maxim's - excellent fish and bananas.

Had a swim at 7.30  and a good breakfast. Coach to go up in little cog train to Criste Redemptor - did a sketch despite all the people! Wonderful views. We had an excellent lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse Casa del fuego where the food kept coming! 2 cable cars up Sugar Loaf mountain - amazing views! Did a colour sketch. To Mass at Notre Senhora 4 blocks away 4 blocks from hotel. Missalette in Portuguese. All done by women apart from the guitarist/cantor. Some sections wer different to the leaflet. The elevation gets a long silence - more like adoration. People have sections to say in Eucharistic prayer. Sanctus was definitely different. At the end mini rosary! Watched rest of Go Between, Longleat and miniature Britain on Iplayer downloads.

Woke at 4.30 and dropped off again. Good breakfast and went for a walk to local Santa Lucia park but it was quite cool but mountains clear. Flight with LAN was fine but no window seat again. Others took photos of the snow capped Andes. 4 hours to Rio and read St Augustine. Coach to Copacabana place hotel which is very grand but we are at the back! Nice room. All went for meal nearby and had fish and octopus but far too much! Local beer. Chocolate cake for my birthday in the room!

Good breakfast and set off at 8.30 with Marco our excellent guide. Rain and stopped at Casablanca where we sampled wine! Sun came out for our walk around Valparaiso which we liked. UNESCO site but graffiti and murals are now part of the attraction! Went in steep 1833 elevator/funicular and then to Vina del Mar resort city for lunch (salad and juice for around £10). Saw an Easter Island statue and lapis lazuli shop where the card machine not working so all done by old method! We bought a penguin made of copper. Too late to go to the art gallery or the statue by funicular. Relieved that case 2 was in the room when we got back.

Thoroughly enjoyed jacuzzi, steam bath and sauna in the spa. The Singular hotel is excellent - huge room with 2 double beds. Had a lovely lunch at the rooftop bar. Marco did his best to take us round Santiago but it is basically a modern city with an older section which is not that old! We saw the modern cultural centre next to the President's office. Went in the cathedral which is dark and conservative. Not impressed but so many Chilean flags on the sanctuaries. Reception with picos and wine and nice food and we introduced ourselves. All are Australian or New Zealand of our age bracket. Unfortunately I never got half the names or details as we also had to choose a restaurant.

24 hours on the go. Car came in good time and despite traffic we reached Terminal 5 with time to spare. Ate at Giraffe. BA flight to Madrid tunred out to be Iberia - have to pay for food. It was late leaving but we made our connection. When we checked in it seems we were not sitting together on the Santiago flight so when we got to the desk that was changed but of course we were in the middle not at the window so never got all the nice views of the mountains. Food was not great and no screen at each seat so watched a bit of Go Between and slept reasonably well. We had been trying to check in all day and so had APT. Iberia are rubbish! Then the final straw was no sign of Liz's case - she was told it would come tomorrow in  a very offhand way. Marco advised going back and so I went on a trip round the airport. Information did not speak English! Unbelievable. Iberia office directed me to desk 25 where I got confirmation that the case would be delivered to the hotel tomorrow afternoon...

Swam and packed. Hope we have got everything! Unable to check in on Iberia flight and APT could not do it either!! We are checked in for flight to Madrid and going by car as weather is awful. Watched Fake or fortune which ended with a fake Chagall being destroyed! Liz's lost passport came back but of course it has been cancelled. 

Swimming pool closed because of chemicals. To tai chi - only 4 there. Started packing and making lists. Watched Fake or fortune. Dennis and AnnMarie came down. Interesting programme on Tamil Nadu temples. Leon cannot come to clergy supper. Have asked cathedral clergy - Brian cannot come. 

I played Buxtehude Fugue in C and Toccata and Fugue in F, Percy Whitlock on Werde munther and Thalben-Ball on St Bernard. A nother good day of weather for Open House. Depressing to tour Central Hill estate and Cressingham Gardens and learn that Lambeth council want to demolish these estates especially the latter which is very well designed and built next to Brockwell Park. Why should this housing be replaced by homes for the rich?  Tea and chocolate cake at the South London botanical institute which has a fine garden, visited an excellent loft conversion in Herne Hill Road using recycled materials and an archway at Loughborough Junction made into an attractive landscape architect's office and workshop the Edible Bus stop. Downton abbey is back. Antiques roadshow. Jerry Hall Who do you think you are?

Open House and glorious weather. Returned scores to Balham library then to Golders Green and the H2 bus. St Jude Hampstead garden suburb where I met Eleanor Day who used to be matron at St Paul's cathedral choir school. At the Free church I met the organist Jonathan Gregory. I walked to Waterlow court only to find it closed so had picnic on the heath extension and then saw gates open so saw the courtyard. Bus to Hampstead but a 90 minute wait to go into 2 Willow Road. I will go back as it is NT. To Fitzrovia chapel (not easy to find) in Mortimer street and then the UK supreme court which is very fine. Had tea there. Llandaff cathedral girls sang well at Mass with 3 concelebrants - had to get another priest;'s host and new organ scholar played wrong hymn at start! 3 new servers and 2 from Llandaff. William Lo oved the mosaic and had it blessed. Watched two Fake or fortune.

Swam, grouting and walked to the park. Warched programmes on Napoleon, policing London, some of the Bach solo violin Prom but not to my taste. Had trout for dinner. University challenge, Leeds piano competition round 1.

Swam, art (finished painting and started new one),  met Sr Catherine at Farm Street - she is very nice and a bit  like Campion. I shall certianly want to continue with her as my spiritual director.  Ai Weiwei and Waterloo cartoon at RA - mixed reactions! Some brilliant, some junk. Also 2 Japanese artists at Burlington House.Tea and then walked to the cathedral via St James Park. Mass in the crypt and South London Provincial President's visit. Fergus on great form. Unimpressed to not be at top tale but a good meal with lots of wine. Started reading Marcus Aurelius - book belonged to K.

Met Mary McGhee to discuss volunteering to visit schools to talk about marriage. A first visit to the Saatchi gallery which is impressive. To Westfield Vue to see Aida from Sydney harbour. Took Sean to Tamar's and he joined in the first part. had lunch at Watermans.  10 came despite heavy rain to hear Mohan Gupta's interesting talk on Vedic culture and belief. Only 3 at Conversations but had a good chat. Watched University challenge.

Swam 20 and Liz came. Mosaic and brought everything home. Tai chi - have not been for months. Returned scores to St John's. Catenian council at Kevin and wrote the minutes. Watched progamme on Longleat and Room 101. Liz had been to Costco. 

Played Jerusalem and some of the Enigma variations and Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. A most enjoyable lunch in the garden, videos and singing to remember Jean Taylor. So nice to see Simon and Jenny and Francis Herbert again and David came from Brent. Dennis popped in as well.

A good day at the Christian Muslim forum event at London interfaith centre and Islamic Centre England - good speakers including Chris Hewer and Damian Howard and an excellent lunch. Left before the end to get to singalong and Last night of the Proms. Jonas Kaufmann was amazing and the whole concert was very good. Nice party afterwards outside door 2. Great that Dennis Woodhouse came.

Swam 20. Getting ready for Jean Taylor party on Sunday. Listened to Ives Symphony No. 4 from the Prom. If I had not lugged the huge full score home from the library I would not have bothered. The second movement is called Comedy and that sums it up really - extraordinary complicated to little effect. Gu iding at the cathedral -once again too many people there and one added herself in despite this! I left at 3.15 and returned Kensington library scores. The meeting about the Proms was OK but rather the same as before. There are improvements which could be made - better lighting, better seats, more care about what is suitable for children. However it has been an excellent season. A lovely Gerontius with excellent youth choir conducted by Rattle. 

Swam 20 - the windmill knocked into me and I told her to go in circles. she said "You go" no apology. To art and did a picture only a little bit to finish off! Catenian minutes done. To dentist and a piece of filling had got stuck in a gap so that has been removed.  Most enjoyable Vienna Phil Prom Brahms 3 and Schmidt and a good talk about the composer. Nimrod as the encore. Listened to  Nielsen violin concerto with score and Ives. Finished readng The Night watch by Sarah Waters.

Galilee painting delivered to go to Bishop of Kingston's office. New watch battery (had a nice chat to the jeweller who is an organist) ears syringed, yellowfever injection at Trailfinders clinic.  Scores returned to Balham and bought ear drops. The BBC proms poetry winners were great.   An excellent Prom the St Petersburg phil with Temirkanov playing Rimsky-Korsakov, Tchaikovsky, Elgar and Stravinsky. Wednesday Sean in good humour and he enjoyed Snakes and Ladders. We had lunch there and Liz spent the day at school. The evensong at St John's to celebrate the Queen becoming the longest reigning British monarch was great with a good sermon from Colin Boswell. Stanford, Vaughan Williams, Parry and Handel. Why we had to have Ives at the end is beyond me! Wine and nibbles - Martin was there. 40 singers.