The organist librarian

Swam 20, grouted 3 mosaics and then to St Michael Cornhill for Kevin Bowyer's recital which was not Widor 5 but some interesting smaller items. I wish recitalists would use the microphone! Bought wood and cut it to patch up bottom of shed. Very hot! Had a chat to Ann and they had found Frank  William Woodhouse at Canberra ANZAC museum and sent great photos. Both went to iftar at Notting Hill Unitarian small Sufi group nice chanting and hot food, Habib and Alan were there. Home by 11.30 and slept downstairs.

SS Peter and Paul played Peeters on Sine nomine, Moore on Aurelia, Titelouze on Annue Christe. Gigout Toccata went well at quite a pace! Crystal Palace station then Spectrum at St John's excellent wind ensemble. 21 at organ recital at St Michael's strawberry cream tea! At the station Count me in session with simple rhythms and saw Sue Carroll and Alan Thomas, Community choir sang a madrigal - it includes Duncan. Then to St John's Spectrum octet playing Faure, Massenet, Debussy and Mozart. Had a chat to Fiona about her paintings based on music and tried a new tea. David Wright did not speak and some of it was ponderous but 21 came and I spoke to him afterwards. Stephen and he both apologised. Nice cream tea and met the organist from Penge URC. Home and Liz came back from first Mass at Hounslow. Dennis came to Spectrum concert including Shostakovich, Sibelius, Holst, Mahler (not so good) and Camilla Jepesson singing Gershwin and the Blue Amen. Nice chat to Fr John. Not many...

Mixed feelings about the day with Richard Woods on Eckhart. 2 Altar Server s enrolled at Mass into Archconfraternity of St Stephen. Choir and strings from Christchurch RC cathedral sang Mozart and Mawby sounded odd with strings. Very good organists dinner at West Wickham URC with Daniel Moult and Canon John Thewlis giving good speeches.

Swam 20. Clearing shed Liz found a dead rat and the wood has rotted away and holes in felt. Went to guide at the cathedral and there were 7 guides and a funeral so no tours! After tea left. To Acton and the boys in the pool and making track.  To St John Notting Hill to hear Oundle winner Christopher Baczkowski who is excellent! Sam Barber was on duty. Decided not to go to Holland Park mosque iftar as I would have to hang about for over an hour. Liz enjoyed Michael Flatley and Irish dance.

Swam 20. Saw Dr Ojo - he laughed when we asked about going up Machu Picchu "You're 68 not 88!". To art and finished the rugby picture. Disappointing that a glass case cannot be found to show my mosaics - the one we used last year at the pool is broken. To interfaith lunch and made announcements. Ivor's sisters were there from Australia. Chat to David Standley about a Christian who became Muslim. To dentist and she did bottom left fillings. She has changed her mind about the right hand side and says one is to be extracted! We both went to St John's for Thomas Trotter's recital which was excellent. Stanford, JSB, Hollins, Holloway and Mendelssohn. The Macmillan was quite challenging. Helen Murphy was there! Dennis and AnnMarie dropped in. Several more returns about alley gate. Proms passes came.

Swam 20. To Addiscombe for the funeral which I was dreading but in fact it was a fitting tribute. It did seem a bit odd that the organ was unused beforehand (recordings) and for some of the items e.g. Ann singing the psalm and Sanctus. Nice to see old friends from Catenians and the choir. Kit Bradley's daughters were there Hilary has retired from directing the Woodford Green choir after 25 years! Mary Endacott is in a nursing home. Jo and Paul said nothing but everyone else very friendly esp Fr Dennis. Evensong from St Albans and Come dine with me. Spoke to Sonia about the roof at the front and we will go halves on getting it done. Seems her builder has gone leaving a mess and a disaster! 4 replies so far to the Alleygate idea -  we need all 30 to agree! To the cathedral for Daniel Cook's recital - he plays really well, Willan, Elgar, Bossi and Holler. Not a very large audiece. Had a long chat to Reuben Thomas, Ben Bloor and the guys from Harrisons and Michael O'Leary.

Both swam and I did 20. Loved Mr Holmes at Clapham Picturehouse. Sir Ian Mackellan was brilliant and the music and scenery superb.T o lobby of parliament about Palestine. Saw my MP's assistant and went to meeting - several MPs of all parties said opinion was changing! We waited at 5.30 for Diane Abbott to come but she did not show so by then tea room was shut.  To iftar at Abrar House Sayed Ali Razawi spoke brilliantly on fasting Revd David Tuck and Dr Shafti spoke well.An hout to get home and tired.Cate was there but she did not speak. 

Swam 20 and Liz came. To mosaic and tai chi - only 4 there. Grouting postponed. Somehow tiles got knocked off one of mine in the cupboard - why was it moved? Liz was at Hyacinth's when I got home. Dave form the council rang about the gate scheme for alleyways. By the evening Liz had delivered letters to all the households. The problem is that everyone must agree. Watched more singers competing. To Ask Beckenham who pulled out all the stops and gave us an excellent free meal to make up for the Valentine's Day disaster. To Beckenham Catenians for Provincial visit and wore my red collar for the first time. Fergus spoke really well. Brendan gave me a lift home. Finally got the emails to work!

BBC Cardiff singer of the world won by Bellaruss and Mongolian bass got audience prize. Worthy winners - liked the tenors! Lovely interview with Judy Dench.

It being Sea Sunday I played Walter Webber Trumpet tune on Lobe den Herren, Bonighton on Melita and Neils Gade Lobe den herren which has a fun waltz section. Toccata from Suite Gothique which always makes me think of the sea!  Superb virtuosic playing from Richard Pilliner at  St Michael and All Angels Beckenham  - he loved the organ. Delicious cucumber sandwiches and strawberry cream sponge cake. At evensong at  St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood   we sang Coleridge-Taylor's fun setting and Britten Jubilate Deo. "Sing choirs of heaven" to Richard Shephard's tune and "Songs of praise the angels sang". Bridge Adagio in E.

Spent some time doing the programme for June 28th so not happy to learn that David Wright is coming after all having told Facebook and organ recitals.com about the change of player! To Wapping and quiet morning at Hurtado with Ann and Stephen on Bartimaeus and the Trinity looking up and down. Met Sister from Poplar and Verity who is interested in praying with Muslims. Bought a hand-painted coaster of Kerry at Wapping fair on the green. Served at confirmation and told Canon Chrotsopher why I ws there - Fr Derek and Fr Kim pleased to see me. I ended up doing bell - Rebecca is even giving out jobs! I don;t think I will bother in future 103 candidates takes a long time and the local kids did OK. To Tate Britain and unimpressed by the history painitng. Cream tea in Friends room. The Duveen installation is by Christina Mackie. Vespers and Mass. Home to watch Cardiff singer of the world song final won by South Korean.

Swam 20 and went to church to choose programme and practise for recital on Sunday week. To Kent House stationwith fliers and St Gerorge's Beckenham where I gave tham all out. Oliver Nelson played Prokofiev magnificently and I did a sketch. Back to the chirhc to practise and long chat to Sean. I went to Heythrop Alumni association quiz and drank far too much wine = Veritatis veritatum included Prof Richard Price but came third - we were robbed! A great evening!

Swam 20 and Liz came. To art and finished the Chennai painting for Fr Renato and started a rugby picture which is the theme of  Thornton Heath Arts Week . Traffic and late running trains meant there was no way I would get to St John's Smith Square to hear Patrick Russill play so went to Royal Academy to see Eileen Cooper's work. She combines Picasso child-like faces with passion! The schools work was pretty awful - one would have thought the standard would have been higher?  Had a M & S picnic in Green Park. The Royal Society of Antiquaries has a good film and small Magna Carta exhibition. To British Museum to see the new Woolfson gallery but all that gold and bling! Exquisite but .....? Served as crozier as Cardinal said Mass of sick and retired clergy fund supporters. Delays getting home and watching third round of  BBC Cardiff Singer of the World . Impressive Mongolian baritone!

Had a quiet morning after last week's unpleasantness Had a break from Tamar's Pandemonium! 10 came to hear Joan Salter tell how her family were saved form the holocaust - her parents were amazing and lucky! 7 at Conversations for the soul and a stimulating discussion about Japan! I was early so sat and prayed during the chanting - love the sound of the bowl/gong and the chanting is done at high speed.A stimulating day considering I had felt tired after waking early. 

To Acton with William who has interview for Southwark Diocese today and watched Monkey planet. William came to both meetings on Wednesday and seemed confident about the interview for Southwark Justice and Peace.

National Portrait gallery to see special exhibitions then to St Paul's for Music and Faith. Andrew Carwood talking to Timothy Radcliffe who has a clever way of not answering the question by telling a      joke! Some excellent quotes about music notably Roger Scruton.  John Ainslie, Allen Morris, Martin Foster, Frances Novillo and             .William Rhind 

Swam 20 wrote minutes of council. I was up early and wrote a measured response to David Wright and Stephen. He pulled out of the recital over the typesetting of the programme! Talk about nitpicking. I should never have agreed to Stephen's suggestion. He appeared not to know the audience would be so small. He is 85 and lives in Boston. It looks as though I may have to play. To Odeon Kensington on Overground to Olympia and bus to see the beautiful Far from the madding crowd - loved the music and scenery and excellent acting. Liz went to Holland Park. I went to RA summer - liked the bright coloured walls and the arrangement. William Kentridge South African and brown etchings of Galapagos. Some fine landscapes. Schools exhibit closed. Tea then to Cassart to get varnish. 

Catenian council and I did minutes. Philip was grumpy and awkward - what's new! Earlier David Wright had pulled out of the recital on the 29th - he was nitpicking and very rude. Life is too short for these people! I wrote a reply on Monday morning including Stephen. I expect I will have to play. Dennis and AnnMarie came and have lent her 2 books. Swam 20 - had to wear old costume! 

Yesterday we went to Jim and Hyacinth's to collect some plants - they have an amazing garden! Woke early and went to the pool only to find it closed until 8.30 a.m. To mosaic and main pattern finished - just the boring white background bits to do. I think I shall take a break from it in the summer. To St Michael Cornhill and gave out Beckenham and St John's fliers in the course of which I met Prof Michael Musgrave who studied with Downes and Darke and is an expert on Brahms. Stephen Farr played beautifully - Preston, Mendelssohn 2, Bartok (!) Judith Bingham, Alain, Thurlow and best of all the Dorian! Always makes me think of Dad doing his FTCL. Home and working on Croydon meetings idea.  Also  a new blog on Jerusalem. http://cmjerusalem.blogspot.co.uk/

Have now done all the recital programmes and copied them. Played Rosalie Bonighton on Hanover and Postlude for ordinary time, also Francis Jackson East Acklam prelude. Only 11 at service taken by Fr Herbert. 23 came to Adrian's excellent recital and I turned for him.Lovely cream tea. At evensong we sang Murrill in E and Walton's Litany. Watched Antiques roadshow and Domingo at the BBC, also Magna Carta today.

I was reflecting on baby sitting. It is both a pleasure and exhausting. Seán has enormous energy - he can go from 6.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. In the end it is best to just leave him alone to go to sleep. He is now chatting away and making connections. Ciarán is very much easier to deal with. Sean just turns on his charming smile and laughs - he's not afraid of anyone and quite happy to defy you! But a lot is going in e.g. the songs that Tamar teaches us! The weekly contact with the boys is invaluable. Had a wierd dream about Jersey being divided into Christian, Jewish and Muslim areas and painting a picture in each area during the War! 

Friday Liz took Sean to London Zoo. John was at Wychcroft for SPIDIR course day with Graeme Watson on the Song of Songs. excellent. Saw photo of Jean  Jean Yearwood  and Marie King. Ann-Marie gave me a lift from Caterham. Liz made a fuss about her flowers but n fact theyw ere OK. Alarm call in middle of night but nothing wrong.  Sat Louise and Tom back from the wedding in Ireland. While Ciarán was at swimming after his sleepover Sean and I made tents in the bedroom and read fairy tales. Back to the cathedral - I have not been there for 4 weeks due to holidays and illness! Did programmes for concerts.  Watched the Trooping. Ciarán "Why is the Queen so old?" "Why do the men ride on horses?" Sir James Macmillan, Karen Armstrong MBE.

Croydon congress on domestic and sexual abuse thought provoking and good for networking e.g. Fr Michael Scanlon and Mrs Martin also Sarah Burns from CVA. Arnhem gallery nice lunch. Disturbing film and good speakers including the MP we met last Saturday in Hounslow. To Acton and got 266 as no trains from Willesden. By the time I got to Acton they were running again. 

Mother of 4 year old annoyed me at music. She never stops her daughter taking items from other children so I commented! It's about learning to share and learning to ask properly if you want something but I do not think she understood me. Sad really. To Osterley Garden centre for lunch and met Stephen and Meryl Rose and had a lovely chat. To Beating the retreat at Horse Guards parade. Very impressed by massed bands, choir, dancers and Waterloo enactment with cannons and fireworks. Spotted a Catenian but all I can remember is that he is John! 

34 mile drive from Burrswood then delays on train and tube meant we arrived one minute late at English National Opera for Queen of Spades. Why we could not have slipped into our end of row seats front row of dress circle is beyond me. 30 minutes watching screen downstairs where subtitles were not always shown then we were allowed into back rows of dress circle where you cannot see the subtitles! Still we enjoyed the music and great singing especially the tenor! Some oddities in the production which in many ways was very clever. Felicity Palmer is amazing!

 lA ovely quiet day at Burrswood Groombridge near Tunbridge Wells led by Brian one of the retired chaplains on the theme of lessons from the wilderness. He gave us meditations on Noah, Abraham, Moses, Elijah and Jesus. The gardens and chapel are lovely, an excellent bookshop and tea room where I had lasagne and strawberry meringue with ice cream. I found the little hut chapel but there are also very nice lounges in which to sit. I shared my Sinai experience. The agape sharing of a loaf and grape juice in little glasses took back 41 years to St Mark's Presbyterian Yeoville Johannesburg. There was no consecration. Brian's meditation about being in the desert at night and seeing the panoply of stars took me back to the romantic camel ride up Sinai!

To Abrar House for Muslim Unity forum 8th conference for Christians and Muslims A Cry for Peace with Julian Bond. There were people from Morocco, Palestine and the USA present and interesting discussions. Fr Naseem Nasser as always was excellent. I think people spoke too long and a lot about changing the media, education, civil institutions and political institutions but the point was made that change begins with me! Great to see Bishop Paul Hendricks there and the director of the London Interfaith centre. The Christian Muslim forum clearly needs funds and direction. Had a runin with Cate before lunch - she butted in and I objected. She said I was bullying her so I said she was just rude.

Not a good night! We had Corpus Christi procession this morning and I played voluntaries on Picardy and Adoro te including the lovely Boellmann. Dubois Toccata, Fr Leon gave us a long explanation of why the parish should join the Society of St Wilfrid and St Hilda which is basically against the ordination of women. I am not convinced! After 23 years it's about time the C of E stopped tearing itself apart! Shared lunch but not many there. Liz home after a night of babysitting Sean and partying! It seems it is true that Beverley voted against the ordination of women bishops in the Southwark synod because provision for traditionalists was weak. Had a sleep after picking up Liz. Evensong and benediction was fun with Smart in B flat and I saw the Lord. Fr Leon seems to know everyone including Mother Theckla! 

Friday was a quiet day. I went to Bedford Park to hear Paul Rosoman play very well indeed, Bach B minor, Pachelbel, Bonnet and Lustig. Met him afterwards. There were 23 there and met a lady from Oz and one who ws interested in the Beckenham series! Sean messed up Ciaran's lego car and was very reluctant to say sorry. "No I can't, it's boring". Even Ciaran was laughing! Tom brought in Indian dinner - very tasty. Saturday Louise back from New York but I had already left for Hounslow interfaith walk which was well policed and organised and we kept more to time. Started at Hindu temple, then the large C of E Holy Trinity built in 1964 with fine stained glass and art works. Lunch at the R.C. church where I Frs Kevin and Kim and Deacon Cyril. Fr Kevin gave a good talk on the saints. Interesting chats about education and politics. The 2 MPs and the Mayor of Hounslow came. The mosque is impressive and we finished at the large Gurdwara when I left to get the train back to...

Tuesday Brendan came with 2 boxes of Catenian minutes -chucked some already! To lunch at Middle temple with Cate and Kate Allan  - had guinea fowl. Temple Church has excellent Magna Carta exhibiton and WWI panels. Lovely library with portraits of prime ministers. Really enjoyed it. Returned Westminster library book and looked at Queen of Spades score and BBC Music magazine, also CMQ. To Acton and Louise went to New York Wed a.m. Wed to Tamar's and Gunnersbury park for ice cream and sandwiches. Sean seemed a bit off! Thursday to British library Magna Carta exhibiton which is very well done. Liz served at Good Shepherd masses at cathedral. I went to dentist and a long session on root canals! Caught up on blog.

Back to church and on good form. I  played Willan and Archer on Nicaea, Quentin Thomas on Laus Deo, Mawby on Angel Voices and March on St Patrick's breastplate by Alec Wyton at the end. Fr Leon liked "How shall we sing that majesty" to Coe Fen - what a tune! Only 15 there.  Fr Leon very supportive and keen to sort out the organ tuning. I emailed lots of people about the recitals. At evensong we sang Weelkes and Gibbons but Kathy's tuning was awry again. Keys to Adrian. Made videos of holiday photos. Monday back to mosaic - not many there. Ursula gave me a wooden elephant! To St Michael's Cornhill to Hear Jane Parker-Smith. She is brilliant but it was all so loud and no information about unknown composers! To Catenians and took minutes. Dennis came!

Tim tog o home after a fantastic family holiday. Lovely clear day and can see Guernsey. We went to La Braque for a lovely breakfast - I had banana pancakes. Bruce joined us. It has been so good to see him and he is working hard. To NT bird watching hide. A and D returned by ferry - it took 23 hours. We returned cars and got flight without any problems arrived at 2.10 and taxi was there. In the end did not go to cathedral as unpacked and I went to Mass at Anerley and saw Fr Sunith and Stuart.

Friday rain so to St Ouen parish hall for market. Bought 3 books and had a nice chat to the lady who paints and is still a londoner after 50 years on the island! Coffee. Also bought a cake and toys. To St Ouen church which is carpeted and happy clappy. To the fisheries for lobster sandwiches and mackerel. NT bird watching hide - saw harrier hawks We took Sean as Lou and C wnet to surf school. S slept inc ar as we enjoyed St Brelade's church and Fishermen's chapel. To Corbiere lighthouse but it was so windy I could nto draw so went back to the car. Had tea at the Poplars - same Bisson family since 1100! Babysat downstairs and S finally went to sleep at 10! The little monkey! 

Thursday to Pallot steam museum and enjoyed steam train ride in a circle. Amazing collection including organs. Contretemps over going together! Le Houquest le Cie is a Celtic mound with 2 fine chapels and German bunkers. Excellent Maritime musuem and Liberation tapestry - had to pay as we had done our 4 for 3! Boys loved it. Tea in St Helier and went to National trust Georgian house which is lovely. Liz bought dresses at East and we got food at Marks. Bruce came to dinner. 

Watche Joan of Arc on Tv and finished "Do you love me?". Had a lovely time on St Ouen beach making castles and paddling in rock pools. Sketching. Egg for lunch. To La Mare wine estate and bought wine and black butter. A bit overpriced if you were not drinking. Lovely cream tea outside. Weather is very good! Dinner at La Braque which is excellent - sea bream and prosecco so a 1 mile walk to La Rocca but Ciaran enjoyed it! 

We went to the glass church of Lalique glass St Matthew's - did not like it! Hamptonne country life museum is excellent and a good guide in the kitchen. Piglets and calves. Had soup. Mont Orgueil castle is fantastic with great views to France. Art works in many rooms. Drove back via St Catherine's Bay. Tom went home. Chicken and wine for dinner. Ann-Marie and Dennis had a quiet day.

Monday a holiday and we all went to the Durrell trust - a lifetime ambition achieved. Lovely site and great work for conservation. Andean bears, amphibians, orangs, gorillas, gibbons, lemurs, otters, meerkats. Boys loved it. Waited ages for a burger! All enjoyed St Brelade's beach and group photo. Liz and I went to concert for Nepal at St Thomas's which has remarkable paintings byMark Hammond. The choirs did well but the organ was pop style and did not like the soprano. Boys upstairs as Lou and Tom went out for dinner. 

The 4 of us went to the Jersey museum which really is excellent. We bought a 4 for3 offer.We arrived at the gardens of L'Ouen manor at 2 which was good as it was the only day they were open. Had cream tea outside with strings of Jersey music service playing well. Lovely St Anne's chapel, think the flowers could have been more and better cared for! The house has been restored. We went to Le Noir Pre orchid field - lovely to see so many orchids. Louise had booked a meal at the Treehouse which was ideal with a children's playground and crazy golf. Had lobster pizza! Watched Antiques roadshow. 

We were all up early and taxi arrived and off to Gatwick for 6 am. Flight at 7.10 arriving 8.10 and Bruce was there to meet us looking well. We picked up the cars Ford Ka very nice and ideal as max is 40mph and most of the time narrow roads and 20mph. To Bonne Nuit beach cafe - a lovley breakfast and great harbour view. Boys enjoyed the beach. We got into the apartments at 1 at La Rocca. Very comfortable and a great view (when you stood up!) We went to 6 p.m. Mass at Sacred Heart St Aubin's - organ and small choir, friendly. Priest mentioned Cameron's approval of Catholic Social teaching but I pointed out that he shows no signs of implementing it! Deacon one of 5. Heard about concert for Nepal. Ann-Marie and Dennis arrived from the ferry - a long journey.