The organist librarian

Liz drove me over to Mottingham in fog for 8.30 physio which cost a lot more than BSO! Still I now have exercises to do, icepack, antiinflammatories. Bruce helped to put the tree away which was great. Watched Songs of Praise and Flying Scotsman.Good programme on Sir Lenny Henry. 

 A dreadful night. Could not get comfortable left knee. In the end sat on edge of bed and rubbed knee for ages then slept on left side at 1 a.m. Liz booked assistance for the whole trip and checked in. Family took cases and Bruce to Acton. Ciaran lost a tooth. Ann's poles arrived minute later and new adapter for Oz. To St John's for big funeral of Riccardo who died in July. Sang Wood in Phrygian mode and Caesar Soul of my saviour. Also As the deer and Lord of the dance. Card to Ann Marie and booked physio for tomorrow at Mottingham. Saw photos of scan of the bump. Bit shivery. Huge amount of recycling paper and landfill, 2 food pails.Watched Christmas factory and a bit of West Side story. Fr John's homily was outstanding and from the heart. Listened to Westminster Abbey midnight mass = great sermon and singing. Watched The Ballroom boys, Life in the snow and drama about at the Brontes.

Pool opened at 9. Only swam 16 as I did not put enough on the meter! Some guy doing butterfly and black guy swam into me - he said "You saw me" I replied "I cannot see you if I am on my back and we need to all go round the same way!" Watched West Side Story background and Sir Peter Wright. Worked on the portrait trying to make it more feminine. Packing for Saturday. Louise and the boys arrived at the end of evensong from St Gabrieil Pimlico sung by Rudolfus choir. After dinnee pleayed through Carols for choirs and my big solo from Amahl "this is my box". Bruce went and bought Baileys! James May reassembling toys. I have gained 3 pounds and I never seen so much recycling and landfill! Michael Buerk on Pompeii.

Swam 20 the pool opened early so thanked the attendant as it is a holiday.  How many composers have you met? Stravinsky, Walton, Bliss, Macmillan, Darke, Francis Jackson, Rutter, John Barnard, Andrew Moore, Tavener, Alan Rees, Judith Bingham, Judith Weir, Martin How, Michael Fleming, Alan Smith , Roxanna Panufnik, David Hill,  Stephen Cleobury , Colin Mawby, June Nixon, Thomas Hewitt-Jones, Matthew Martin, Bernadette Farrell, Andrew Wright (in no particular order) and I am counting the widow of Vernon Griffiths as it was like sharing a meeting with him as she gave me a lot of his organ music! Enjoyed St John's Day at Upper Norwood and we sang Eyre. Lovely lunch in the vicarage and good chats to Gareth, Daniel Trott and Fr Mark Williams from Kennington. Watched university challenge, elephants, Alan Bennett's diaries, lovely midnight mass from St Chad's cathedral Birmingham

Waved off the kids and Louise and Tom - they will be back on Wednesday. Listened to second half of King's - lovely Michael Berkeley, Harold Darke, Howells, Lennox Berkeley and Warlock Bethlehem Down. Listing composers I have seen or met. A lot! Carols from King's. Dennis announced yesterday that the baptism will be on April 23rd in Dublin so booking flights. Nice walk round South Norwood lake very clear sky. Met Mary from St John's and had a good chat. Dennis and AnnMarie came for bubble and squeak. Watched videos from the 60s featuring Michael Goldthorpe and little Ann! Programme on elephants in Tsavo.

Sang carols at Mass at Lakeside home. Why are these places so stuffy and hot? And nothing to drink. Vespers with the Cardinal rterrific Buxtehude Magnificat and mass with Fr  Brian O'Mahony  terrific homily. Good to have ex-choristers singing. King's carols on radio as we drove up - lovely. Midnight Mass went well. We sang Away in a manger Normandy tune and Sing lullaby. Good descants played Bach In dulci jubilo Fantasia. Home just after 1. Today no choir played Andrew Gant's Paean, Noel Suisse and Jordan on Away on a manger. Buxtehude In dulci.  A lovely Christmas Day - superb lunch with all the family, the Queen excellent, musical crackers contained bells so we played carols, sang our favourites round the piano, loved Call the midwife.

Swam 20. Ivan came for his first session 90 minutes went well. Watched Mozart in London. Finished packing presents. My new razor I bought in Greenwich for Acton is good.  On radio 3 this morning George Malcolm playing Bach goes to town by Benjamin. Must find my copy. I had forgotten how subtle his playing of the rhythms is!  At Hyderi mosque Streatham for interfaith celebration.    It was really interesting and the Mayor of Lambeth who is the first Muslim to be mayor and a woman was there.

Swam 20.  Emma Hamilton at National Maritime museum very interesting and well presented. Jonathan Eyre excellent playing of Bach at Royal naval college and a good audience. D elicious lunch at Greenwich picturehouse before Fantastic beasts on a free ticket! Fabulous effects in New York.Watched Vienna and Chester Zoo. Darcey Bussilll on Margot Fonteyn excellent.

Carol service went really well. People enjoyed While Shepherds to Cranbrook. I played Balbatre Noels and Gordon Phillips and John Cook Paean on Divinum mysterium. The choir did well but they chatted right through the organ voluntaries. We sang Myn liking Sing lullaby and The angel Gabriel. A delightful morning with the boys who have now gone to Aladdin at Hammersmith with Agga so I am watching show jumping before heading to the cathedral for interfaith group. Ciaran would have liked to stay with me bless him.  Man Mohan Gupta on Vedic view of Laudato Si' should I become vegetarian? Not before Christmas! Only 5 came. To Swanley/Blackheath and Chislehurst meeting with Eddie - enjoyed it. Bruce arrived.

New mould for new hearing aid so much better and I have a fine tune session for February at Guys. To Selfridges to get musical crackers and St George Hanover Square for excellent playing by Wyatt Smith from Seattle - Bohm, JSB and Bruhns ideal on that organ. Copied Walsingham Mass. 

Swam 20. Delivered local cards. Watched Danielle de Niese and Rossini at Glyndebourne.

Swam 20. Great chat to Ann for her 60th and saw Owen and Mick - ginger! Annoyed with Tony - 9 there and he insisted on this stupid marching exercise which was too fast and 3 of us sat down. I suggested "The grand old duke of York" which worked better.  We then had a long meditation and I dropped off. I did not go to lunch as the official lunch is Jan 30th.   The Fire exhibition at the Museum of London is very child friendly and interesting. Loved see the Lord Mayor's coach and the 2012 Olympics cauldron. Watched Prince Harry in Lesotho and Vienna.

Played Willan on "Bristol" and Bach Wachet auf. We sang Fling wide the gates to Crucifer Come thou redeemer and Myn liking. Good carol practice. Nice chops for lunch. I have gained 2 pounds! Cape Town cathedral evensong.  At Evensong played Willan and Peeters on "St Stephen" and Peeters "Wachet auf" I like his cheeky approach. Jerry, me , Julie and one other. What is the point? I used the keyboard said psalm. Picked up Liz from St John's carols.  Wartching BBC Sports personality.  Andy Murray for the 3rd time and he has no personality. Alana won the Apprentice.

Li-in and cooked breakfast! Vespers and Mass Canon Christopher being jovial. Tidied upstairs and hoovered study and Bruce's room.  O antiphons start. 

Swam 20. To interfaith lunch and spoke about Book of Joy. Muslim Police officer was excellent. Watched Sister Rita to the rescue. To Catenian PEG  I gave Eddie a lift.Kevin Gorman went on and on. Friday swam 20. To Farm Street to see Sr Catherine - had a good chat. Via Kent House. Drove to Caterham with Liz and 2 extra singers - practice went well. Watched Muslims like us, Ben Fogle, Prince Philip, Apprentice.

Tuesday to organists supper at West Wickham URC hall. Only £10 and good company. I drove to Kent House because of the strike and got to Acton by 10.45 to watch The Apprentice the final 5. Wednesday took Sean n bus and train to Watermans for Snow play - 2 actors brilliantly reacting. Had lunch there. To Kent House to get car and Kevin's drinks at The Crown Shirley. The 6 of us won champagne 2nd prize in the pub quiz. I got a bit bored near the end! Liz was at servers council dinner.

Swam 20. Quiet day at home decorating the tree and writing cards. Liz went to the Garden nursery party. Watched Planet Earth II,  Come dine with me, 

I  played preludes on "Veni Emmanuel" by Bairstow and Statham and Wachet auf by Walther. We sang Martin How's Advent Message. To Mass at St Joseph's Bromley and then to Maidstone Catenian candlelight dinner at Aylesford wh the excellent Salvation Army band and we stayed overnight. To mosaic lunch at Fish in a tie - the 3 Kew ladies are OTT. Decorated tree. To Bedkenham circe and scroll to Eddie Synott.

A very goo d morning at Hurtado centre with Ft Stephen and Anne looking at pilgrimage and looking back at the last year. I was surprised but what I had left out of the Christmas letter especially the bad start to the year and the consolation of joyous events later on. Watched Citizen Khan, Vienna and Chester Zoo. To Darenth Valley golf club along winding lanes in the dark to Swanley's Christmas dinner and dance. Food good but the singer/comedian in poor taste and we left at 10. The slovac joke did not amuse. 

Yesterday I had a fascinating hour on the phone talking to Cathy from BSO about perception of touch. It seems that one moves from a distant handshake to a growing intimacy ending sometimes in hugs. The importance of a mother and father touching you cannot be denied. When I was a teenager I was fascinated by Lawrence of Arabia's aversion to being touched and that went when I became older and I learnt about body language and what was appropriate e.g. boys in the library grabbing my arm, Muslim women. I hardly recall touching Liz's Dad although I did kiss him when he had died. It seemed appropriate as I loved him so much. How our priests need to be hugged! Xavier is a classic example. 

Woke late so no swim. Christmas letter sent out but it says I am 79! To Beckenham bookshop and art shop about framing portraits. Nicholas Mannoukas played Advent and Christmas programme at short notice at St George Beckenham. Nice to see John, Ken and Peter. To Langley Park golf club for Beckenham's Christmas dinner. Sea bass enjoyed chatting to Barbara Ferrando. Paid deposit for Spain trip.

Swam 20. To art and the 2 pictures are finished. Left early to get to Acton for Ciaran's Year 2 Nativity. he spoke so clearly and James was good too. They sang well. I helpeds et out the PTA tea with Louise.  Home in time to change and drive to Bernard's in Bromley for lift with Vincent to Sevenoaks/South London joint. Presented Vincent with the scroll which took him by surprise. Excellent turkey and strudel and we sang carols including 12 days with actions in groups! Liz enjoyed Olive's 100th. I posted the card she left behind! Home at 11.45.

Monday to Catenians 6 of us, 5 visitors. No Dennis as Ann Marie was sick. Left early to go to Acton to avoid strike on trains. We got to Olympia in good time only to receive message from Louise that steam trip was cancelled. It seems the steam engine could not have got into ely stationa dn the diesel broke down. Offered discount on April trip. Had a quiet day at Acton watching the rest of "The Crown" which is excellent. Allt he plans to meet Fr John and play Ely cathedral organ after the carols went out the window. Watched Gareth Malone. Louise and Tom went out. Wednesday  Ciaran loved his nirthday presents especially the lego. Sean on good form with track and reading. Louise was home and Matt came about the extension works. I left early and got to Caterham early. Good organ practice. To Waitrose to get pain au chocolat and croissant. Liz had my passport so got later flight to Copenhagen! I played for Bakers undertakers carol service when all the names of deceased were read....

I watched Earth II and a programme on Britten's last years which I have seen before . Swam 20. No mosaic as Linda was ill so did Provincial President's blog. The Christmas letter is ready. To BSO for last session with Katy. Right knee still twinging but left is fine. Filled in forms for survey on perception of touch. 

Played Thiman on Winchester New Bach Nun komm der heiden heiland and Reger Wachet auf - the only Reger I attempt! Too many notes. We sang People look East and Walsingham acclamations.  Barbara Mosse gave a good talk on Advent at St Paul's cathedral. Excellent evensong from Portsmouth  Show Mor Barbara Mosse gave a good talk on Advent at St Paul's cathedral. Barbara Mosse gave a good talk on Advent at St Paul's cathedral.

Friday swam 20. Magisterial playing from Peter Guiding at cathedral but very quiet and SVP kids including Bianca and Simon servers practising play, Saw Francis and Noel and Ellen. Emmanuel's behaviour had been noted.  British library maps exhibition very interesting. Last session with  Nelson Ferreira  really enjoyed it but the people in Regent Street!  Lovely retreat day with Michael Holman SJ at Sisters of Assumption next to Heythrop. Brian at Mass, Peter played Bach at the end. Chester Zoo programme. 

Swam 20, art and started a new oil painting. Liz looked after Molly while fences were being redone. To Medway Towns Christmas dinner. We eventually found Medway yacht club - excellent food and company and carols. Hour;s journey back 30 miles each way. Worked on Christmas letter and waecged Edinburgh tattoo and Apprentice, Ben Fogle in Outer Mongolia with missionaries.

30 minutes wait at Selhurst. Signals blamed. We were late at the cinema.  A tour de force from Kenneth Branagh and the cast of The Entertainer at Clapham picturehouse. We missed the first 15 minutes. Enjoyed it and so relevant today!  2 contrasting exhibitions William Kentridge at Whitechapel and Robin and the dance at the Courtauld did some sketches  Nelso.n Ferreira  offered an extra session so we could finish. sean up at 9.30 and opted for a day at home again.  The Crown on Netflix is brilliant and moving. To book fair at school. To Gate cinema  A United Kingdom is a great film with David Oyelowo giving a fantastic performance. The British do not come out of this at all well. Sir Seretse and Lady Ruth Khama were a beacon of light in Africa and Botswana. Just read Alexander McCall Smith's Botswana novels! Like Love Haha Wow Sad Angry

Swam 20, chat to Ann, mosaic and tai chi.  The Radical eye at Tate Modern an interesting collection of modernist photography owned by Sir Elton John. Liz and I were both at BSO -work on left knee as well as right one. To Kensington but too late to get to new Design museum so tea at M and S.  Robert Fraser gave an excellent talk on George Herbert at Heythrop. Youth matters minutes sent out. David Walliams and friend on TV and University challenge.

Advent 1 we sang John Scott's arrangement of Creator of the stars of night and I played Flor Peeters and Alec Rowley preludes on Conditor Alme also Lloyd Webber rhapsody on Helmsley. Organ has been tuned. Carol practice with 4. Edited church website and put appeal on Streetlife. Watched end of Midsummer night's dream on TV.  St John's Cambridge Advent procession very good. Lovely Advent service at St John's including Michael Fleming's Kindle a flame (we sang in the first performance) Charles Wood and Stanford. Es ist ein Ros in German . Bridget's version of Wachet auf quite different to Ben Bloor's - well he is young! Interesting to see Plimouth plantation in programme on Mayflower pilgrims.

To Caterham and served tea and coffee at church fair. Engaged about carol singing and several people took leaflets. Morrisons car park jammed. Soper Hall crap school choir outside. Caterham school choir and band much better outside Morrisons. Home for lunch. To Ben Bloor's recital at Bloomsbury. Philip wanted me to turn but I had to leave. Excellent playing. Vespers Advent 1 and first candle lit by Fleur. Emmanuel served as his friends were having silver wedding celebration but he was as usual a pain and acted as MC!! Programme on Christies.

Friday was a brilliant day. I was greeted at John Fisher school Purley by the head Philip McCullach and he sat in on the year 7 lesson. I was greatly impressed by the preparation on the Catenians and the Powerpoint went really well with lots of interaction. Juan's son's friend was in the class! To Selhurst and saw Steve Murphy - he is now retired. First spiritual guidance meeting with Ivan - I like him. We met in the Selhurst cafe but it was noisy. Liz went to Acton after choir. 2 hours life drawing at National Portrait gallery enjoyed it and did 7 drawings. Watched Citizen Khan and programme on Thomas Cromwell. Carpets cleaned after 3 years.

Swam 20, oil painting, interfaith lunch delicious, to the tip with plants from front garden and got oasis for Advent wreath. With Duncan to Catenian Youth matters meeting at Medway Towns - very positive.

A quiet day with Sean. Yesterday was a full day Picasso portraits at NPG brilliant, left bag in locker and to St George Hanover Square. David Saint recognised me and played really  well. National Gallery for Beyond Caravaggio. Too many people, lovely to see Dublin pictures and good film. Back to NPG Black portraits. Tea then Wellcome for excellent Bedlam. Did a psychic awareness test with photo. Earls Court wait for Richmond train got Ealing one which became a Richmond! Good painting session and Nelson gave me a 1905 book on Palestine. Gareth Malone and William Kentridge in Joburg on TV. Car would not start outside school but Louise had bought a portable charger. Home in good time and changed with bowtie for Frank Bond. Bill Whitmarsh took Brendan Foley and I to Chislehurst golf club for joint Blackheath/Bromley meeting which was great. Sausage and mash. New brother Peter Graff knows St Joseph's college. Frank and Duncan delighted by scrolls.

Another excellent day with Dr Chris Hewer in Kingston on Muslim education and citizenship. Heythrop college for Professor Robert Fraser's talk on John Donne and bought Robert's poems which are fascinating! Bruce returned to Jersey. Robert got me to read the meditation For whom the bell tolls.

For Christ the King played Elgar Imperial March (bells started late and had to cut it short - no light) and Walton Crown Imperial. We sang  Stephen   Cleobury's setting of Let all mortal flesh with Linda and I singing top A in the descant! The keyboard works better than the piano and being in the chancel the singers sound better. Good carol practice and a new recruit. Will try for more at the fairs.  Christ triumphant has to be one of the greatest hymns with a wonderful tune. Lovely to have Bruce with us for lunch of lamb and Christmas puddings with pinot noir. Dennis and AnnMarie came down with Molly. Watched Planet earth II, Pentecostal Brixton church. Lovely programme on Sheku.

Spent the morning preparing a Powerpoint on St Thomas More and the Catenians for presentation to Year 7 at John Fisher school on Friday. Great birthday party for Ciaran and James at Wasps rugby club, Acton. Bruce took photos.  Silver medals for over 10 years service at the cathedral.3 enrolled. Paul had written to Liz so good thing I wrote to him. I started Jan 2005 and enrolled Dec 2005. Liz before that. Martin Plunkett at smoke vespers. Mayfeld school choir sang Mawby. Programme on Christie's.

Swam 20. Started a new oil painting, did not get to  Peter Stevens  Recital. Alas! Wallace collection The Middle by Tom Ellis a tour by enthusiastic young lady but I am unconvinced. Was he daunted by the collection? Hearing aid getting new mould. British Museum South African art very well done. French portrait drawings and Thai puppets.  Excellent event at National Bahai centre. Good dialogue with a Jain. Met some new people and old friends.

Swam 20. Bruce here. Dulwich picture gallery has a lovely exhibition of Adrian Van der Welde and an intriguing Is this Rembrandt? To BBC singers conducted by David Hill at St Paul Knightsbridge and free. Bramma, Sanders, Bielby and Colin Mawby good to see him there. Best of all premiere of Requiem by Philip Moore. Stephen Farr played superbly. Lots of emails.

Quiet morning with Sean playing track, reading books and watching TV. To Hinsley room and Brian Palmer who was administrator of the cathedral until 2007. 5 came but no Roy from the Jamyang centre. He will come in July - he got the time wrong. This is only the seocnd time a speaker has not turned up. Brendan picked me up to Swanley official visit and Malcolm was there with a party from Upminster,  Presented icon and scrolls to Austin and Dave. 

Lovely funeral for Isla Fishwick at Holy Rosary Hayes. Liz's birthday lunch and dinner at Station House. I enjoyed Opus Anglicanum at V and A. Painting and Gareth Malone. I would have gone to Andrew Wakefield's funeral had there not been a clash. Surprised to see V and A describe a burse as an ecclesiastical purse and in one case the lights were reflecting in the Glass!

Swam 18. Mosaic and tiles ready so started on face. 7 at Qi-gong and Tony kept talking! To Debenhams and Marks and got a nice black beanie. To Tooting on the bus. Had a coffee and pain au chocolat. Met with Sebastian Morello and Mark Nash at the Centre for Christian formation with Duncan. Very positive meeting and when I got home I wrote the letters requested to brothers, presidents, bishops, deans and Province 19 all by email although I am posting the leaflets to some presidents (10). Watched University challenge. 

Remembrance sunday went well with an excellent trumpeter for Vaughan Williams Old 100th and Last Post, also National Anthem. We sang Give rest O Christ and I played "For the fallen" by Elgar. The bells continue up to 10.15 so alas no opportunity to play Solemn melody and Nimrod.  A delightful meal with the whole family at the Roehampton club to remember Lyn Callan. Thank you Rosemary! Tea with  Dennis Woodhouse  and  Ann- Marie Woodhouse .

Had to do an emergency stop when a car came out from the left in Holmesdale Road in the pouring rain. Last night  had to reverse for a stupid woman who should have waited. She said I should get a retest!  Idiot! A good meeting with Jerry this morning about Christmas which is going to be simple this year and luckily I went into the church. Organ builders had fixed the cipher and reported rain in the organ chamber but had locked the console door. A locksmith was needed as nobody but the organ builder had that particular key! After kunch went on the train with Bruce, I went to Lewisham RC church to find a Mass in progress. so I went to St Stephen's and played there. It seems the organists were upstairs at the RCs and I dd not know. Rather annoying.Brian was late at vespers so mass started late. Deacon from France and RCIA candidates. Alain at the end.Watched the Royal Albert hall remembrance. Portsmouth did not have much to do which was a shame. 

Swam 20. A lovely morning to visit Beckenham and the Bethlem gallery (exhibition ends today) and the excellent Museum of the Mind - well worth the visit! Sorted Interfaith group talks on Amoria laetitia for 2017. We can stay with Malcolm which is a help. Liz took AnnMarie to the dentist.  Haydn's Creation at Sadlers Wells with the Ballet Rambert. Some of the dancing was inspired. Lovely singing from Sarah Tynan and James Gilchrist. Enjoyed it! Bruce is here!

To Croydon conference centre for Preventing modern slavery in Croydon. Mayor Wayne and chairman Peter Cox silence for those killed and hurt in tram accident yesterday. Good speakers and shocked at extent of the problem which is hidden. Anybody can be trafficked . To East Ham to meet Xavier and we went to an excellent Kerlan restaurant, Great to see him. The Apprentice and Masterchef. Chat to Ann. 

Swam 20. Set off around 12 and had an excellent lunch at Ask Gloucester Rd with a discount, I had calzone and tiramisu. To Trail finders and Julian booked 3 trips for us! Singapore, Adelaide, Sydney, Christchurch In January, Botswana and Victoria Falls in June and Spain and Portugal in September. Costs a lot but we should do it now while we are fit. It does mean I will have to pay deputies for several Sundays but that is Ok  I was greatly relieved that Jan Pringle can cover Jan 1 and John the rest. To painting and really got the colour mixing right do dark first, value, hue and saturation. to Acton Thomas in Swansea for a week. we'd woke to find Trump in White House horrified. Tram crash in Croydon. Rain and Sean keen to stay home and not go to Tamar's again. Watched Gareth Malone. To Dulwich Catenians - nice food and good company. Saw Christian Strover coming out of his gate. 

Swam 20. Terry's photos from yesterday are great. Late for mosaic as a result. Got Dennis's photo enlarged and copied so able to trace the outlines and did a bit of background. Qi'gong was good. To post office to send calendar to Oz. Royal Academy Ensor curious, Abstract expressionists unimpressed apart from Rothko. To BSO and as it was an exam half price. X ray shows some osteo arthritis and false gout which is calcium crystals. I am not overweight, healthy and exercise so am doing all the right things.  Feel much better. Discussed going to Oz in January. To Norwood circle and lots of visitors. Dennis presented with enrolment scroll and mentioned prayers for the sick. Good chat to Croydon who seem to be on our patch even South Norwood and Coloma! Richard Crail told me some outrageous stories about Fr Patrick at Selsdon.

Read the names of 108 deceased Catenians at the 6 provinces Mass at Westminster cathedral. Excellent lunch at the Doubletree. Grand President and Bishop Paul very good company. I had a long chat to Marcella.  Arrived to play for Evensong to find organ cipher which I could not clear so used keyboard and sang everything. I had chosen Vierne Berceuse and Epitaphe which do not need pedals. It was for All Souls. Watched new David Attenborough programme on the Earth and Poldark.

Swam 20. To art and did a lot of work. Liz out all day. To dentist for check and one filling sorted - £53.Put new poppy on car and new handle on freezer. Emails. Watched City in the sky about planes and Frankenstein from Royal Ballet. 

Woke early. Did Catenian scrolls, diary, emails. Fr Michael Quaqoe said It's your big day tomorrow! Laughed at Citizen Khan. We had sparklers after dinner. Dan Cruickshank's series on houses.

Swam 21. Peter Foggitt splendid playing at St Michael Bedford Park Bach, Howells, Tournemire, improvisation on Memories and 3 blind mice!  Guiding at the cathedral - very quiet, raining! To Church House bookshop to get calendars and Cathedral music magazine with features on Stephen Cleobury and Norman Harper. To Tate Britain the Turner prize a load of junk yet again!  A most enjoyable clergy supper at Addington Palace golf club with Fr John Pritchard as our guest.

Tuesday All Saints day we drove to Eastbourne for Ron's funeral. Great to see old friends again - we seldom see them. Richard thomas conducted Cast thy burden and Bgoroditse and all went well. The reception at the hotel was nice and lovely to see Ron's photos, Beethoven 9 score and album. Barbara has many more and she needs help identifying when the photos were taken. Lovely ones with Prince Charles. We went on A22 and came back on the M23. Tea and then set off for painting. I was late as train cancelled and first train to Richmond full. Had trouble mixing colours. Watched first Gareth Malone programme searching for best choir in Britain. Wednesday took Sean to Kew to see The Hive and had lunch. Had torubel getting him out of the playground and he wanted a toy but I said No. Picked up Ciaran and Liz went to the parents information meeting. 90 minutes to get home. Phoned Jill which was helpful. 

Swam 20 and Liz came as well. At mosaic painted two more tiles as kiln not working. We did Qi'gong and Wild goose Qi'gong. Did some shopping and emails. Not happy with Jerry changing muisc list, wanting me to pay deputy and not keeping me properly informed, Resolved in the end but if things go on like this.... To Beckenham for vigil Mass of All Saints - Ashley Beck very trad. 

Clocks went back an hour. Woke too early and dozed off. Up in good time left home 7.35 a.m. but on way to station in the car had to reverse up Dixon Road for a white van. Result missed train to Purley from where there was a bus replacement service. To Selhurst from Norwood Junction and to East Croydon. No trains to Purley so got bus 407. On organ at 9 a.m. Lourdes Gloria and Gathering not on sheet so did Murray. For all the saints cut to 5 verses and no procession. We sang "Holy is the true light" fairly well. I then started the communion hymn in D instead of F and realised on the second line so changed to F. I have never done that before. I think the travel disturbed my concentration. I played Howells Sine nomine and Flor Peeters well. Rehearsed for next 2 weeks. Never spoke to Jerry who had postponed meeting about Christmas because Anne Marie had a fall and broke her shoulder bone. Strangely Gisela had a fall off her bicycle and hurt her arm. Julie took posters and had don...

Watched Poldark and Victoria. Practised Faure and Rachmaninov. To Bloomsbury Baptist which is being repaired. Sarah Kim played Bach, Danse macabre, Durufle and Krebs. Pity I had to leave. Fr John at Mass and the choir of Holy Redeemer, Billericay sang well. Good to see Andrew Wright's assistant again - Archer , Kerll, Nardone and Haydn.

Friday  wrote tribute to Ron Archer for Judy and sent it to Simon and Francis. Great loss of Revd Andrew Wakefield in Wimbledon - mentioned at last night's meeting prayers by William and Anne Marie put it on Facebook. Saw him at interfaith gatherings. Watched Secret of Beethoven's 5th symphony. Ian Hislop and Gardiner trying to prove it is about revolution - not proven. To Paul Nash at Tate Britain. Not a fan of surrealism but he can paint and create atmosphere by leaving people out. To oil painting and good progress on mixing colours. Liz at practice. Watched Jo Brand on Bake off. 

I set the alarm off as I forgot to put my hearing aid in. To 6 provinces committee meeting which was held at the Bishops conference offices. Some honest discussion about falling membership. Urgent appeal for the lunch after the Mass. To the park to eat sandwiches and I went to Marks to get boxed drinks and fruit bars. The concert started late as there was a problem with water in the Albert Hall and loos only available on the ground floor! Ciarán and Seán loved it and we had good seats at the front of the circle. The best bit was "Going on a bear hunt".  Tom Redmond  compère Timothy Redmond  conductor Royal Philharmonic Concert Orchestra London Youth Choir The youth choir did well in the Mozart Requiem section. The brothers were great conducting and compering. We walked down to South ken and saw the tree lights come on at the ice rink. Met Louise. Home to watch the final of Bake off and Poldark episodes. Thursday to art and an important day - first time I used my oil pai...

Discussed holidays for 2017. Emailed about Okavango. 6 at quiet time. Liz to Acton. Provincial council was quite lively with some clear decisions. 

 After lunch to St John's for London Mozart players inaugural concert there. 600 including loads of kids who mostly behaved well - lots of Dulwich mums showing off. Mozart, Grainger, Vivaldi 2 trumpets, Handel and Copland encore. Bought a calendar. Liz helped with teas. Chatted to a violinist, Janet Marshall and Wayne now Mayor with his consort - says he is a Catholic boy. Watched Poldark and Antiques roadshow. Liz watched Aberfan cantata. Trip Advisor comments. Monday mosaic and painted tiles to be fired, qi'gong 7 there. Tate Modern Wiferdo Lam all the same very heavy Picasso influence. BSO and much better - good tutor manipulated my knee well. Daniel Moult on Big sing from Songs of Praise. To Beckenham official visit Thomas More well received and  they liked the bagpiper joke very much,

Saturday played for a wedding at 3. Bridesmaids and half the congregation 40 minutes late but Jerry started at 3.10. Long time since I played the Wagner and the Mendelssohn! Fr Andrew at Mass. Watched 3 episodes of "Victoria" which isvery good. Sunday played Andrew Moore and we sang Ogden's "Christ has no body". We rehearsed for next week and some discussion about Christmas! 

A quiet day at home blog and Face Book photos now up to date, emails done, boards for mosaics painted, study tidied. Watched Apprentice and Bake off. My 9 entries to Wimbledon photographic competition got through. 

Claire and Mick's baby is born - a boy. Spoke to Ann about half an  hour before the birth. Later named Owen.

30/9 70th birthday. Up at 7 for breakfast and wave the coach off. 4 of us left. Spoke to Dennis and Florence. Swam and jacuzzi. Out of room at 12 and Uber to JFK museum at Hyannis - good photos and videos, baseball bit not of interest. The real kennedy museum is in Boston. Taxi back to Blue Water - a deep voiced woman with no time for the Kennedys. At least it passed the time! Waited in the hotel foyer from 2.15 to 4.15 and then driver came to take us to Boston airport rain and traffic. Checked in at 6.30 - no internet. Ladies flight before ours. Read "Music and liturgy" BA flight left 30 minutes late - full gave us champagne. Watched A bigger splash and My big fat greek wedding 2 which was funny. Landed 10.30 a.m. Lou and the boys there to welcome us with big cards and hugs and took us home which was great! 

Last day of the trip and woke 3 times. Our checkout is now 12. Sat with David and his wife, he grew up in Brighton and was an aeronautical engineer and has a reed organ. North to Provincetown visitng Nauset light  via Dennis, Brewster and Eastham. Saw the 3 sisters and oldest windmill on Cape Cod. Ptown gay and unusual. A ship in the library! Coffee nearby. Dunes tour aquifers support the plants and animals. Weather not good enough for whale watching - we are ahead of the big storm. Overcast all day. This is an unusual trip in a  large car with specially inflated tyres. To Pilgrims memorial musuem with fine displays on the Mayflower, scrimshaw and local artists incl Hawthorne's fine portrait of a boy with a fish. Back at 5 so swim and jacuzzi. Lobster dinner - had to crack them open. Lovely big birthday cake 70 tomorrow! Watched channel 57 Ryan and Emilia - told that they filmed this in Williamsburg but did not see anything familiar! Not great!

We did not have to picl up the kids on Tuesday after all so I went to oil painting. Wed to Tamar and lunch at Watermans. Sean joined in a bit. To Hinsley room for talk by Farhana Mayar from Quilliam foundation. Eugenie and Alison came and said a lot. Rita wasn't able to come so only 7 but 3 new people. We saw quotes from the Qu'ran and agreed this might be published by the Vatican. Worth a try. I went to Pret for tea and reading Tablet and Tagore short stories. Martin Baker's recital at the cathedral was Bach and Reger - a heavy programme. Adrian from the Proms and Martin Ball came to chat which was nice. Thursday to art and finished the drawing and decided to use oils so ordered spike primrose oil. To South London visit by Vice National president Peter and Joan Rogers to present 40 year scroll to David - he was very amusing. It was my official visit and Thomas More was well received. Friday no swim and kept waking up. Boiler serviced. Sent off emails and tidied study. 

28/9 left at 8.15. 3 Ohio ladies at breakfast all support Trump as they are business people. they had a beach day although overcast. We seem to be ahead of the coming storm. To the Kennedy memorial next to the Kennedy compound. This appears to be all that there is to see! On high speed ferry to Nantucket. To. Whaling museum where we saw film and exc talk on whale hunt. Exc scrimshaw, sperm whale oil, very well presented, windy observation deck, display on the. Essex which was attacked by a whale and very few survived the journey in small boats. Exc talk on it too. Bus tour of the island with Wendy was was funny and sang. We sang too! Exc meal on mainland at Lobster. Boat baked trio,  Liz has lobster pricey but good. Connecticut ale. Sat with Gerry from San Francisco. 

27/9 very wet. Cheese omelette for breakfast. To Barnstaple to get ferry to Martha's Vineyard. Drove round Hyannis to find Marilyn the guide! Eventually on ferry at 11. It was dry when we got to the island and Edgartown. Buildings all white,  St Andrew's church has Tiffany glass and embroidery. Picnic on the observation deck at the harbour. Saw old pagoda tree and various houses and churches. To Oak. Cliffs with its brightly painted gingerbread houses, huge open roofed tabernacle, Methodist camping association, Trinity Methodist church and museum. A highlight of the trip. Ferry back at 5 did some sketches. Amused at flooring company employee uniform "remodelling your dreams"  we give you what we want? A very nice meal at Alberto's with couples from Alabama clams, cod called scrod as in catch of the day, sorbet. Local red draft beer. Back at 9.25 and watched fascinating programme on the backgrounds of Hillary and Trump -  he was on the Apprentice for 12 years and ...

Monday to doctor to get ears cleared which was a waste of time. But did get flu jab. Late at mosaic, Hendrika came. To Guys and got replacement hearing aid and no cost but no fitting either. To Tate Modern turbine hall loud sounds. To BHO and some good treatment. To dinner at Tredwells St Martin's Lane my starter cod cheeks not great but meal was good if overpriced. Tuesday a good session with Sr Catherine and walked to Royal  Academy only to find it closed as the Queen was coming. self portraits at Npg. To Bridget Jones baby at Watermans on free tickets and we had Indian dinner. to oil,painting and Liz to council. Wed took S to Tamar and London wetland centre. met Prommer Judith at lunch. to East Dulwich picturehouse for RSC Lear with Sher leading a great cast in good production. Beale was more moving and echoes of Falstaff. Had time to do tyres and petrol - earlier Liz had to get a new battery Fred. Packed and watched Bakeoff.

Slept in. Emails, washing. To West Norwood to get another mosaic board. After lunch to St John's for quiet hour. 8 there. I have not been for months. Took Liz to hairdresser and I went to oil painting.  Tom cooked a nice meal. Louise in Berlin. Took Liz and Ciaran to school. Read about St Philip Howard who was very badly treated by. Elizabeth I.

Swim before breakfast and set off at 10 having paid our bill which was much lower than expected! Smooth crossing and straight to the historic dockyard. Rather a long walk from the car park and to the new Mary Rose building. Fascinating and well presented. Particular interest in the musical instruments and the surgeon and pilot. To Portsmouth cathedral and Steven a lay clerk came to open up the loft. A superb Nicholson organ. Drove home via tea at Guildford cathedral. Unpacked and then to Bromley meeting as Andrew Hannan became a joint member. 15 there and rave reviews for the weekend. Harry Mellor was there. 

Swim before breakfast and set off at 10 having paid our bill which was much lower than expected! Smooth crossing and straight to the historic dockyard. Rather a long walk from the car park and to the new Mary Rose building. Fascinating and well presented. Particular interest in the musical instruments and the surgeon and pilot. To Portsmouth cathedral and Steven a lay clerk came to open up the loft. A superb Nicholson organ. Drove home via tea at Guildford cathedral. Unpacked and then to Bromley meeting as Andrew Hannan became a joint member. 15 there and rave reviews for the weekend. Harry Mellor was there. 

Swim before breakfast and set off at 10 having paid our bill which was much lower than expected! Smooth crossing and straight to the historic dockyard. Rather a long walk from the car park and to the new Mary Rose building. Fascinating and well presented. Particular interest in the musical instruments and the surgeon and pilot. To Portsmouth cathedral and Steven a lay clerk came to open up the loft. A superb Nicholson organ. Drove home via tea at Guildford cathedral. Unpacked and then to Bromley meeting as Andrew Hannan became a joint member. 15 there and rave reviews for the weekend. Harry Mellor was there. 

The provincial weekend came to its conclusion in triumph. Saturday to Osborne House on a  lovely morning sea very calm. toured the house which is hardly cosy then bus to beach where ai sketched yachts then walk to Swiss Cottage and bus back several Catenians went. Swam twice. The dinner dance was excellent. Michael and Janice Douse were great company and the Grumiitts came. Excellent band and dancing. Bed at midnight. Sunday no swm pancakes for breakfast. Quarr and saw Fr Gregiry  70 hosts. Played organ and all went well although Fr disappeared before the psalm to put the sound system on. Hard to hear him. To Albert Cottage exc roast beef lunch and people leaving to get ferrires. To Ventnor tropical garden hottest garden in Britain. Giant water lily in bloom. Champagne with Denise as we reunited her with her bag. Dinner and chat, bit of Poldark. 

We jump ahead to the present. We travelled to Portsmouth yesterday leaving at 8.40. Following the satnav was not great as we ended up via Colliers Wood and our usual Martin Way would probably have been quicker. When we got to Portsmouth RC cathedral time was wasted as we parked some short distance away,then had to find the parish office which is not properly signposted then could not work out how to get the organ on.We got separated at the loos which wasn't good either.Anyway I did play the fine Wells organ for about 10 minutes and we got the noon ferry and met Brian Daley on board. To Quarr for midday prayer the monks not on the same note and practised organ and psalm.Got beer from shop and guidebooks at a reduced rate also chatted to the portrait artist displaying her wares.Shopped for cakes and got to Channel View in time for a swim. Several have come early.Nice dinner and to our room which has stunning views both sides.Watched The Apprentice. Friday after breakfast blew up bal...

Quite a busy week since we got back. Monday to mosaic but spent time looking through photos. Hendrika did not come for tai chi - 5 there so went to Imperial war museum for excellent Reel to reel about war films with original costumes. To BSO and Xray confirmed wear and tear on right knee. Tutor syas it needs 6 sessions. Clare was there! Dennis became a Catenian - at last. Not many there and I had to show them the procedure even so Colin was like Ed Balls! Nice photos. I joined 3 Oct 1994, he joined 3 Oct 2016! Tuesday changed hearing aid appointment so ears can be clear first. To St Mellitus Gloucester Rd for St George's college Jerusalem update and lecture on Nazareth which was good - the new Dean from Brisbane. Told Bishop Richard and him about Barbara and New York. Only one of our group came but 4 from 2016 and 2 from 2014 sharing perspectives so nice to compare notes and met quite a few clergy. Nice lunch. To Acton and then to Chiswick Park for first session with Nelson oil p...

26/9 cases out at 6.30 woke at 1.30 bed not as wide as ours at home. Have been sleeping with right leg raised but not sure it really helps. Left at 8. Cranberry bog farm turned out to be interesting especially when the helicopter came to move the crates! We were lucky to see that. Bought jelly and honey in shop. To Plimouth plantation. Native American settlement, craft centre and shop where we bought pepper mints and fresh baked brown bread. English 17th century village with fort very primitive. Ate like a pilgrim turkey, nice pumpkin, not so keen on Indian pudding with grits and molasses. To Mayflower II replica 3 guides very good, Plymouth Rock unimpressive. Ice cream for a dollar, one stop grocery and bought wine and beer and lunch stuff. Blue water lovely room with sea view, beach right nearby, pool downstairs with jacuzzi. Watched debate between Trump and Clinton for 2 hours and Antiques roadshow. 

25/9 Sunday early breakfast and left at 7.45 to Boston. 1 hour. Local guide Kikee in coat and hat. Toured centre and visited Old North St church and Copps. Hill burial ground. Clam chowder at Quincy market. 20 minute talk by ranger at Fanteuil hall. Urged all to vote.Cradle of liberty incl blacks and women. Busts of Douglass and Lilian Stone. Holocaust memorial simple and effective. To USS Constitution which has an exc museum. Great for kids. back by 5 and walked to Catholic cathedral of SS Peter and. Paul. Met Douglas the organist and the cantor both large men and he invited me to play so I played Toccata in D minor on the large Cassavant. The priest from New Orleans was too political. Urged all to vote but antiObama administration which has accused religious bodies of discrimination, sexism, homophobia. There is no question in my kind that the RC church discriminates against women and gays. At this. Mass there was one woman reader and one woman special minister but the priest went t...

24/9 breakfast early. Brenda is our guide, lots on coach. Local guide Meredith to Providence, John Brown university, Roger Williams statue, 1st Baptist church in US. she was very good and amusing. to Newport over fantastic bridge. Lobster roll and chowder at Lobster shack on quay side. Did some sketches of harbour views. Only in Rhode Island shop and watched baseball game. To Fort Adams lovely views of bridge and schooner, Dell's lemonade, passed Kennedy and Eisenhower summer houses. Visited the Breakers Vanderbilt's summer mansion, 70 rooms, self guided audio tour good but no taste - platinum walls! Back over the bridge. All of us to Zorro's excellent food and so Many courses Italian pizza, chicken, delicious genoli and ice cream. Actually left some ice cream as had eaten so much! Chatted to Diana from Oklahoma. To Waterfire unique, wood fires are lit on stands in the river basin, boats taking people round and others feeding wood into the flames. Lots of people there and ...

23/9 left at 8.40 Uber sharing with lady coming from airport. Brennon took cases down for us - he is nearly 40 and very nice. Ann at Durban airport after a great SA trip. Lovely day again. traffic over Manhattan bridge bad . Amtrak train at 11 was 25 minutes late. Comfortable ride of 3 hours. 12 dollars for taxi to Hilton hotel. Uber would have been cheaper but phone very slow. 2 beds in our room, shower got fixed. Ate at Angelo's Federal Hill lasagne, chicken, choc brownies, burgundy from  California. 

I tripped on the pavement last night but broke my fall. I was OK and somebody immediately came to help. People are mostly very willing to give us a seat on he subway. I was tired and my knee still not right although walking seems to help. 22/9 lovely day to Bronx Zoo on subways - a long journey. Lovely woods but very spread out. Snow leopard, Amur tiger, Malgas an Indonesian bird, Guira cuckoo, tinamou birds. Reptiles including python on the move. bison, cranes, polar bear, brown bear, Asia monorail great, Indian rhino, tiger, elephant, deer. jungle world leopard, langurs, birds, bat, tortoises, turtles. Shuttle not running so a lot of walking. Lions, nyala, baboons and ibex from Ethiopia. Madagascar lemurs and fossa! bug carousel. Missed African wild dogs, aardvark, okapi and gorillas. Saw tree kangaroo, Komodo dragon. Great day out but tired. Express bus back to manhattan and subways. 

21/9 lie-in fine day, saw Brennon and TV now works. Michael on jury duty so no St Patrick's cathedral organ for me. Bus to Brooklyn and got tickets for "Something rotten". Ticket seller suggested we walked over Brooklyn Bridge - fantastic views, lots of people. Discovered Metrocard had run out so put 10 dollars on mine and used that. Natural History museum New York pass had also run out but it was pay what you wish day so 10 dollars.  Quick replan of the day so no Madam Tussauds or New York historical society instead the dinosaurs sketches and Liz went to special exhibition on birds as living dinosaurs. Back on our balcony and finished reading "The good life" excellent book which Ann gave me. Things not done - Morgan library, Madam Tussauds, MOMAS 1, museum of moving image, Holy Trinity, Asia society, Staten Island and Tibetan museum, UN. but we have done an awful lot. To St James theatre to see musical "Something rotten" about Shakespeare - very w...

20/9 to Brooklyn centre on bus 62 to get show tickets -no waiting! To Eldridge St museum which is an 1887 Orthodox synagogue videos and Sandy gave us an excellent tour. beautifully restored. Recommended Tenement museum in Orchard St .Good videos. Coffee and cake at Irving Farm. Excellent tour with Laureen about Irish immigrants. bought a calendar. Very good Austrian meal at Cafe Katja 79 Orchard Street. To "Waitress" at Brooks Atkinson theatre just off Broadway an excellent musical fast moving good songs well sung. well deserved standing ovation. Bases on a film. Back at 11.15.

19/9 it poured. To the Cloisters msueum - all mediaeval, chapels and cloisters. Wonderful tapestries, beautiful sculptures and ivories. To Cathedral of St John the Divine for recital by Raymond Neugen - Sowerby, Howells, Bach - excellent and a huge sound. Martin Ball was there! He is charming and liked the Wyton and Moore I played. he did not know the Wyton which was written for that organ an Aeolian Skinner. Big echo. Lunch nearby opposite hospital. To the Metropolitan museum Byzantine, mediaeval and Japanese - musical instruments closed. Pancakes and tea at diner Nectar 82. To the preview of Jerusalem 1000-1400 every people under heaven at the Met - lovely to walk through the empty galleries apart from staff. Superb collection of objects from all over the place. Lovely to see Barbara - it took 6 years to set up, she works at the Cloisters. Alas the book costs 74 dollars! She was delighted to see us. Mixed crowd lots of Jewish, Franciscans. Bought lovely local beer at Whole Foods. So...

18/9 10.15 mass celebrated by Cardinal Timothy Dolan who seemed in a hurry. Lots of screens, organ and choir loud, cantor not good. Met Michael assistant organist and will be in touch. Baguette and coffee at Cafe Bouchon. Lego shop. Paley centre for media Startrek gallery and cartoon films. Joey Falco playing at St Patrick's Demessiux, Howells, Franck. very large acoustic and huge sounds. Met him and he has not been to London. To Museum of modern art Matisse, Picasso, Kai Althoff, collection of junk! Bruce Connery It 's all true disturbing films, maybe was well named. Ate at Xian Famous foods tasty and cheaper. To St Thomas 5th avenue met Prof Marcia in the queue inter cultural studies at New York university. superb concert St Thomas choir, orchestra of St Luke's cond by Sir Simon Rattle with Daniel Hyde. lark ascending, Elgar serenade, Faure requiem Daniel Moore exc soloist. Daniel played Bach on new Dobson organ. What a treat and thought of Lyn -funeral today and Lpuise ...

17/9 to Queens on 7 line lovely day Queens museum panorama of City of New York, modern art, William Grupper cartoons, Duke Riley.Flushing Meadows tennis centre, Tiffanys lamps.walked to New York hall of science a paradise for kids and adults. Going places, vision, mirrors, anatomy, all sorts. Amazing Connected world . Is there life beyond earth? Seeing the light. Went past Medicins sans frontiers outside display for UN refugee conference due to go to Battery point next week. abandoned going to MOMI 12 and went to Our Lady of Carmel church where Mass was just finishing - singer with organ. home for dinner lovely evening on balcony.

16/9 bagels for breakfast on balcony. To Bowling Green to get on ferry past Statue of Liberty to Ellis Island fascinating. treasures from home, citizenship ceremony taking place in main hall with national anthem. Immigration process. Audio guide good. Ferry back to NY and walked to Museum of Jewish heritage which is excellent. Beautiful objects, holocaust distressing but well presented. Killing of children awful. Post WWII Jewry. Andy Goldsworthy Living stones. Had nice cake. Skyscraper museum interesting bonus. Singapore green cities. Whitney museum of American art is an amazing space. 2 floors of portraits incl Hopper, John's, Warhol and fine sculpture on outside areas. Stuart Davis artists from 20s lovely colours. Sophia Al-Marvin's Black Friday unimpressed. Met Brennon as we got back at 8. Tired. High Line is great! 

15/9 breakfast on balcony. Brennon fixed TV and showed us how to use coffee machine. To Prospect Park and the Brooklyn Botanical gardens herb gardens with painters at work, tropical, temperate, desert, orchids in Steinhardt conservatory. lovely Japanese garden, bonsai, fragrance garden and Shakespeare garden. Brooklyn museum is huge. Period rooms and houses, modern art, feminist art The Dinner party by Judy Chicago. European art incl Monets, Rodin, Egyptian and Assyrian reliefs. Conneting cultures. soda lovely day outside. shopping at Joe Brown's and whole Food market which costs more. back 6.45 right knee tired. fell asleep 9.30 after pasta, wine and limoncello.

14/9 bagels at Swedish bagels. Got metro cards shopped at Joe Brown's pricey. Back to room which has a fridge and can use kitchen. To Times Square to get prebooked New York City passes for 7 days. Tried to book UN tour without success. Subway and spent a happy hour at the Frick gallery which has wonderful Velasquez, Holbeins, Hals, Rembrandt, Manet, Degas, Titians, Goya, Vermeer. Exc audio guide needed longer. Liz went to Central Park. Bus to Museum of the City of New York. Tiffany galleries, portraits,dolls house, activists in NY, laughed at cartoons by Jo Chast? Beautifully presents. Fashion week event being prepared. Rain but bus to Bedford Ave. Ate at Walters across road from apartment. Trout. Catfish local beer,  chocolate bread pudding. We went into St James Madison Ave and heard improvisation on the organ opposite Lauren's fashion house, loads of police. salad at Kelly's Madison Ave.

JBA flight from Gatwick 13/9 OK lunch and a snack, sat near back, not full. Watched "Love and friendship" "A bigger splash" first part "Ellie swims with dolphins" hilarious "Camping". Arrived 7.30 ages at passports then delay phoning taxi and wait for car. Too many cars outside JFK. Cost a lot. Got to Williamsburg 9.45. Brennan very nice lots of steps to apartment and then steep ones but we have nice room and own bathroom. Balcony below. Good guidebooks too. Bed at 11.15. Great views of Cape Cod and the city as we came in as it was very clear. 6th time in USA.

Having a wonderful time with excellent weather. 

Swam 20. Returned Bromley scores to Penge library and scores to Central music library. Met Tina who was impressed by Liz's dress. Part of Victoria station closed. To tai chi and 8 there ended with the line dance routine which my knee did not enjoy. Watched programme on New York food markets. Doro phone is impressive.  To Maidstone Catenian meeting for the enrolment of Peter Batty and a nice meal of salmon and Eton mess. 70  mile drive and diversions in Norwood. Watched Nadiya returning to Bangladesh.

Swam 20. Returned Bromley scores to Penge library and scores to Central music library. Met Tina who was impressed by Liz's dress. Part of Victoria station closed. To tai chi and 8 there ended with the line dance routine which my knee did not enjoy. Watched programme on New York food markets. Doro phone is impressive.  To Maidstone Catenian meeting for the enrolment of Peter Batty and a nice meal of salmon and Eton mess. 70  mile drive and diversions in Norwood. Watched Nadiya returning to Bangladesh.

Watched Antiques roadshow and Poldark part 2.

Turned out wet. Got parked near Nat History museum in good time for rehearsal which went very smoothly. Back to door 2 and interviewed by the Telegraph about the flags dispute.   We went to the recording of The Choir about Parry's Jerusalem  and I met David Owen Norris in the street and complimented hom in his famous chords on Proms Extra! Full marks to Petroc on Radio 3 for mentioning that we are gallery prommers! As Auntie Flo said it was a once in a lifetime experience and we really enjoyed it! What a wonderful concert - full of lovely music. Florez was superb and brilliant acting. Great to see 16 young singers in Serenade to Music (definitely a desert island piece and we recently saw the score and photos at Leith Hill Place where RVW grew up). Thank you to all our fellow Prommers in the gallery (which alas Katie dd not mention but Sakari did) and to all the staff at the Hall. Linda came up specially to say hello. How proud Mum and Dad would have been - they are comparing ...

Up early and to XRay at Mayday - first in at 8 a.m. The chaplaincy has moved to a new office opposite the chapel which is a lovely space. Swam  20. Spoke to Ann but the line was poor on Skype - she was n a cafe in Plettenberg Bay. Watched Bake off and All together now - series on amateur orchestras.  The feedback session about the Proms was as annoying as ever. Cotton is due to retire and a good thing too! Only two of my points were addressed - taking off footwear in the gallery including the staff and filming during the music. Both were fobbed off. The problems of queue jumping were not addressed either. David Pickard did impress! I spoke to Petroc and thanked him.  Verdi requiem and on TV. Soprano excellent. Unimpressed by the bass. I thought the young tenors were forcing and trying too hard. Excellent young sound from the yooung ladies and deep basses! So a bit of a curate's egg. Not as moved as one should be! Good to see John East and Adrian provided some lovely choc...