The organist librarian

Flight went OK. We got the water taxi early and so we had a long wait at the airport where the internet was very reluctant to work. It was quite a trek from the water to check in. Flight of 2 hours and Gatwick on time and got train to East Croydon. 2 Tablets, 88 emails but not much post. Horrified by the extension next door - no way our fence panel will go back. It's ugly breeze blocks and too high. Unpacked and did some catching up. Left at 5.15 and got to Swanley early for 7.15 Catenian provincial council AGM and I was duly installed as VP. Fergus very good in the chair and we got directories so can plan ahead. Home by 10.30. Wed up early and to Acton. Seán seemed a but subdued and he played happily and enjoyed seeing Tamar again. Picked up Liz and we went to try and get a watchstrap for me but no luck so we ate at Field's. I picked up Ciarán from reading group at 4. Evensong from Exeter. To Westminster cathedral for recital by Roger Sayer - not a bad turnout considering ch...

Venice Fr Ken moved the Feast one day so we could hear the prayers for St Mark’s day. This was the last Mass of the pilgrimage to Emmaus and it has been memorable especially in empowering us to do more. We arrived in Venice with a fabulous view of the Grand canal from the Giudecca. After lunch there were long queues trying to get a vaporetto ticket and a people mover ticket – only one machine which only took change. We got a weekly ticket at Piazzale Roma and were off to St Mark’s visiting the Ducal palace splendid but lots of steps and then the Museo  Correr. We attended first vespers for St Mark’s day at St Mark’s – the organ and choir were loud and lots of doorknockers. Shocked to see collection taken during the Magnificat and the same man was rude afterwards about people not paying!  Got the No 2 and people mover back to the ship for the last night. Could not find the lady who wanted the details of recent reading – had seen her at St Mark’s! Adagio came adrift once. Woke...

Played for service and Fr Leon very friendly – he is American and sings everything including the Gospel. Only 17 in church. We managed the psalm OK although Debbie and Phillipa did not arrive early enough to practise it with Bill. I dashed off at the end. John Williams asked me to park further back which I said was no problem although I do worry about the bollards! Dennis kindly took us to East Croydon and we got the train straight away to Gatwick. The British Airways plane was a basic one but the crew were friendly and we go wraps to eat – no entertainment. Arrived on time and got the train to Termini which is a nightmare. First a minicab  driver tried to get involved and then at the taxi so-called queue a driver swept us off to an unmarked car with no meter. We got there OK but then he wanted E35. I think we gave him 30 but in the course of it all a 50 euro note has gone! All very annoying. Fraterna Domus is ideal with a comfortable room and we were given a very nice dinner whi...

After Mass to St James Piccadilly for Tredici 10th anniversary concert. Sat with Jill from Conversations for the soul! Unfortunately the 2 soprano soloists were the ones using the hard shrill tone which spoilt the overall sound. John was in the tenors. Mike the bass spoke to me at interval. 

Liz went to get her hair done. I started packing. Wrote report about Jerusalem and listened to David Goode from King's college and interesting programme on organ music CDs. Watched Island parish 1 from the Falklands. 

Interesting session on dementia at St Matthew's then to the Royal Academy for the Diebenkorn exhibition and to Regent Street for oil painting class. Watched Diarmaid MacCulloch on sex and the church.

Ciarán really enjoyed his holiday with us going to 2 films and Macdonalds today. Apparently the real highlight was that i had to sleep in his bed as he had moved into our room by the time I went up! I enjoyed art today and the background of the Chennai picture is looking much better. Guiding at the cathedral I met a young Jew attempting to write one page on the 3 major faiths(!) a Hindu and a priest from Canberra who served there in 1959! He was at the farewell for George Malcolm. Very interesting! The Oxford organ visit programme is now drafted.

Put up the plaques from St George's college and the plate from Hebron. An enjoyable day at Polesden Lacey doing the Easter egg hunt and children's trail in the house and then the play area where we met Christ Everitt who left St John's in 1960! 13 came to conversations for the soul at Brixton - a fascinating discussion! The publicity is working! Watched programme on Greek art.

Woke early after a bad dream. Ciarán came in about 6.45. Set up a mailing list for Jean Taylor commemoration lunch with singing on July 19th. To Hobbledown farm West Ewell where we saw otters and meerkats being fed. Ciaran loved the play castle and tunnels and the bouncers. We had lunch while he played in the sand and then in the indoor barn area. There were loads of things to do. To art but very delayed by a fatality at North Sheen.Got off train at Barnes and eventually got bus to Hammersmith then underground so arrived for second sessions but made a lot of progress. Home at 10.15. 

Louise took the boys to Priory Farm where Ciarán got lost for a while but he was very sensible.  Splendid playing from Daniel Moult and a good audience at Bromley Parish church. I'm no fan of Liszt BACH (my Mum once said never play that again when I attempted it!) and the MacMillan piece didn't work for me. The Wesley, Bach and Britton on I've got rhythm were fun. The May 9 trip to Oxford is now set up with 4 interesting organs.  Did some sketching and played Eric Coates on the piano. Liz did loads of washing for Dennis and Ann Marie. Wathced Big painting challenge, Simon Reeve in the Caribbean and the Billion dollar hotel in Dubai. 

Lz stayed home to cook the turkey. I played Bach, Ferguson and Easter preludes. It was Fr Paul's last Sunday and 51 came. It would have been sensible to do the presentation at the notices spot but instead they did it after the service. Nobody told me so I had to stop the Toccata. As this was the first time I was performing the Gigout Toccata I was not happy. I did take some photos. Carolyn and Paul were delighted by the Tabgha plate and there was wine and cake. Home for lunch and Dennis and Louise and the boys arrived. Did some sketching while they played in the sunshine. Got the garden mosaics out. We had turkey and Christmas pudding. At evensong the 3 of us sang Rutter and Stanford and enjoyed the Te Deum. Indian summers was good. 

Tenebrae and I was book. Superb Victoria and a great strepitus! Played for the Vigil and the Hallelujah chorus got a big clap then straight to the cathedral for the last part with stunning Cochereau at the end. Watched The Big painitng challenge and lovely Easter at King's while I worked on my mosaic. Home at midnight. Have now uploaded all Jerusalem photos. 

To morning prayer at the cathedral and the choir sang Victoria and Anerio superbly. The soloist was a 13 year old with a fine tenor voice. Went to Methodist central hall for hot cross and coffee and very good meditation by Canon David Stanton. Procession to the cathedral where the Cardinal gave a fine meditation on the trail of Jesus. His homily at morning prayer was also excellent. Cam home and played at 3 p.m. at St Michael's - Paul sang al the prayers and preached well - it seems the Chrism Mass at Rochester was uninspiring. Liz came back around 6 and watched University Challenges. 

Swam 20. To art - Julie not there, price going up a pound next week! Checked tyres and worked on videos from Holy Land. Computer keeps crashing. To first hour at the cathedral excellent homily from the Cardinal, Josquin and Baker Mandatum. First train broke down going up from Kent House. Back for 8 p.m. at St Michael's - went well but only 10 there and horrified that Debbie was back in the choir - she has not beeen at any rehearsals! 

I came back early to go to 8 p.m. Tenebrae at St John's. Simple and mobing and we sang some Taize, Ah holy Jesu and To mock Thy reign and some plainchant. It was pity Andrew did not get a server to extinguish the candles and the strepitus was one book! Went to station to pick up Liz an hour too early and car would not start so got Britannia Rescue when she came. Wet and windy.

Swam 20. To Chrism mass always a great occasion. Acolyte 6 and consecration torch 4. All went well but it was a long stand and kneel! Lovely Byrd Ave cerium with pp ending beautifully controlled. Haydn little organ mass and Bach at the end. To lunch and saw lots of old friends. To National portrait gallery for Sargent which was superb but too many people. The Wellington special exhibition was less crowded but a bit dull. Did a sketch of Frank Dobson head of Sitwell. To Chiswick Park for double session of oil painting and have no done second layer. Not so keen on using my fingers. To Acton Lou in New York, boys have bunk beds. Wed took Sean to Osterley for lunch and soft play. On the way in he spotted Thomas engine ride And that is where I found him after ordering food.