The organist librarian

An enjoyable overnight visit to Whitstable for Canterbury meeting joint with Blackheath and Chislehurst. We explored the harbour and town despite the wind and the threatened storm. The air b n b was a garden room near the Marine hotel.  We sang in the final concert at Fairfield Hall before it closes for 2 years for refurbishment (we hope). The acoustic is wonderful. London Mozart players were joined by the Countess of Wessex string orchestra and Salvation Army band - Vaughan Williams. Mozart and Haydn farewell symphony. We sang Zadok the priest and  Roxanna Panufnik 's Fairfield Fanfare all conducted by Dominic Peckham.

To Warlingham for coffee then Aylesford for KCSP Mass with Bishop Paul Mason for 600 children who were having a great time! Catenians mentioned at Mass and I ga ve out Bursary Fund posters to the secondary school students. To Rainham to collect 3 Catenian cups and then to Peter and Marcela Stevens for tea. Provincial executive group meeting. 110 miles in all and the weather went from sunny to rain! The cups are lovely. The music was provided by the Southwark Catholic youth service - very happy clappy but the kids loved it. 

Monday swam 20. To mosaic and finished Sean only needs grouting now. Tai chi we stood for 30 minutes while Tony wittered on and on! Got petrol and went back to Norwood Junction to ask about ym mobile phone which disappeared yesterday. Got home and emptied boot of car and there it was! What a relief! Phoned up about Catenian cups and they are ready. Practised Panufnik.  Really enjoyed Werther live from ROH at Clapham Picturehouse. JoyceDiDonato and Vittorio Grigolo very moving and Pappano superb. Horrendous journey home from Balham to Clapham Junction then to East Croydon no trains so walked to Whitgift centre and 75 bus to Selhurst to get the car!

3 in choir and a new recruit! We sang David Ogden's "Christ has no body now but yours" I played Parry on Rockingham, sections from "Elijah" and Trumpet voluntary. My phone lost! Picked up Liz and we went to St Joseph's Bromley for Bromley president's Sunday - lovely bring and share lunch. Liz went to serve at Fr Tony's first Mass at Willesden Green. I took my two entries for photographic competition and turns out John from swimming is married to Louise. Met neighbours and a dancer and we discussed the referendum.  I  watched BBC Question time special - more angry argument. Unconvinced by programme on the new Tate modern. Penelope Keith's series on royal residences has been a delight. Started looking up scores. 

To Sisters of Sion Chepstow Villas for illustrated talks on women of the Bible in art by Anne McGough. Sr Margaret Shepherd told me about her dealings with the Vatican and Bishops conference. Collected Parish choirbooks from Bloomsbury Baptist and heard part of Nicholas Wearne's recital. Traffic very bad because of Pride march so tube to Victoria. Martin Plunkett gave an excellent homily and Excelsis sang at Mass. To West Wickham for organists dinner and William William R McVicker  and Revd Bill Bowman were entertaining.

After this morning's angry shock to Kennington Park to discuss with Shereen Lincoln. Park looking lovely. To All Saints Upper Norwood for Art and Spirituality - I loved the icon but not happy about an artist who calls a yellow canvas "The Holy Spirit"!  Martin and Duncan there. To Fairfield Hall for Organ Fest organised by Andrew Scott  with Adrian Adams, Tom Little and Joe Matthews. Free and a good turnout. Chatted on bus to Jenny Hassell and saw friends from the Proms. Maybe one day I will get to play that organ! But the hall is closed for 2 years and the Council are not to be trusted.

To Kevin Bowyer's interesting recital at the cathedral. Chat to David Grealy, Peter Stevens, Ben Bloor and Michael O'Leary. The Reger was very loud. Ernest Tomlinson and Alan Gibbs contrasted well with JSB, Mendelssohn and Dupre. Home and Thursday swam 20. Liz took Ciaran to party as school closed for referendum. Voted Remain. Horrendous flooding overnight so 2 hours on train to British museum and saw David Standley. Sunken cities of Egypt interesting and some lovely statues. To Collaboration house to meet Mirella Yandoli Church of Scotland interfaith officer - interesting chat and eats. Julian Bond there. To Courtauld to see Georgiana Houghton's spirit led paintings and Monets and drawings of trees. Also enjoyed Saturday club young people's art work from around the country. To Daniel Moult's recital at St John's and he repeated much of what he played at Bromley. Worked on July 17 Mass booklet. 

Swam 20. Emmetts Garden looking lovely and fine stained gla ss at St Mary Speldhurst. Plenty to see in Tunbridge Wells museum.  A most enjoyable meeting and dinner at Tunbridge Wells Catenian circle. Lovely to see old friends and make some new ones! People need to sign up for provincial weekend so Brendan did a plug and so did I! We were at the Spa hotel early and could have had a swim. Fr Peter was ill. It was a bit odd that we were not sitting next to the President - the ladies did the seating plan! Home by midnight. Up early and to Acton by 8.10. Coffee at Fields and a rather damp sports day. Ciaran ran well and Sean behaved himself. Stayed in and Louise worked from home. Played Putt in the park which replaced the Acton park bowling green, Very nice and boys enjoyed it and the swings. 

To the SPIDIR AGM at Southwark cathedral. The reason our group have not been asked to go any spiritual direction since we finished the course in June 2015 is because the database is in a mess. We now have a new committee! A pleasure to meet Rev Patrick Woodhouse (descended from Liverpool born John Woodhouse famous for marsala wine for Nelson) and he spoke on the psalms. His book is excellent. To the new Tate Modern - very confusing and lifts far too slow and not enough of them! The bridge on level 4 is scary. Unimpressed by much of the work and the Bhupen Kharkar exhibition! Thameslink not running so train to Denmark Hill and 468 bus.Liz went to Calne to investigate the Bodinnars.  To Bromley circle - a small attendance at a good venue. I was very surprised to learn that the Catenian bursary fund will not support work on an ecological project in view of Laudato Si'.

An enjoyable Father's day. Early start as the train was replaced by a bus from Purley to Caterham so attended 8am BCP communion. Have not experienced that for years! Took refuge in the National Portrait gallery and National gallery as the West End shows inTrafalgar Square were very noisy. Enjoyed Tristan at ENO - Edward Gardner conducted and the orchestra were stunning. Stuart Skelton and Matthew Rose shone out. The set by Amish Kapoor was odd. Nice lady next to me a very keen opera fan. To St James Piccadilly for the first ever iftar there organised by City Circle. Sadiq Khan spoke well about Jo Cox and housing in London.  Played Bertalot on Repton,  George Thalben-Ball  on Gwalchmai and Thiman's Postlude on Harwood's Thornbury

Gave out Explore leaflets before the marriage anniversaries Mass at St George's cathedral Southwark. It was good to several friends there celebrating!! To Battersea Park peace pagoda and lots of speeches on a rather cold afternoon. Pat Gaffney and the Mayor of Wandsworth spoke well. Good to see friends there and the sister from Amaravati monastery. Fr John celebrated at the cathedral and smashing Franck chorale No. 3 at the end. Good chat to  Peter Stevens .

Woke late. I really enjoyed meeting art students from the Brit school at art at AgeUK Thornton Heath this morning and looking forward to clothed life drawing in July! I drew 6 small paintings on the theme of harmony and in the afternoon painted them.   Francesco da Mosto's TV series on Venice excellent but sad too. Are tourists destroying the city we love?  Deeply shocked by the death of Jo Cox MP. Terrible, Up early to  Explore session on marriage at Beacon school, Banstead. Regal cars are rubbish - late, went wrong way, etc. The students were year 10 and the quietest so far - maybe too young or too big a group? Not many questions. Liz went shopping and I took stuff to the tip at Lambeth and the pictures to Alan Gadd, Watched Penelope Keith and Silk road, also Benedict Cumberbatch as Richard III. Alexander Armstrong on underground Rome excellent. Royal Academy summer exhibition programme.

Up early to get to Acton via East Coydon and Richmond. A quiet morning with Sean including reading stories and watching Come dine with me. Had problems getting the Hinsley room keys but all was sorted. Got leaflets from Edmund Adamus for Saturday's Mass and saw Jon Dal Din. Carol Gould enjoyed the tour of the Way of Mercy and gave an excellent address on the Jewish response to Laudato Si' to 11 people. I then went to SGI UK Brixton and 5 of us discussed future plans - the stall at Lambeth country show, Kennington park beds for the disabled and the health fair Peace of Mind in October.

Swam much quieter. To Greenwich picturehouse for stunning RSC Hamlet - wonderful black actors.  The incomparable Paapa Essiadu as Hamlet. an excellent evening at Swale circle at Sittingbourne and there was an interesting guest speaker about the history of the Isle of Sheppey. Did you know the Dutch took the isle in 1700s and only returned it in the 1960s having forgotten about it? A 92 mile round journey.

Swam 16 but Liz did not swim at all as it was busy. Good work on the hat at mosaic and Hendrika did a good session on breathing and tai chi. She says the pain in my right thumb can be helped by pressure on the acupuncture points in my arm. Sorted Catenian matters.  To Vaughn House for Fr Michael Quaqoe's talk on Amoris laetitia. Is it unclear? Is it really such a problem? So much good stuff in the document so why let controversy wreck it? Al married couples should read chapter 4.

To Hurtado centre Wapping for meditation on Mary Mother of mercy then St George's cathedral Southwark for Your Catholic legacy Mass, nice lunch and talk by the Mizens. Met a Catenian and a potential Catenian. Arcbishop Peter Smith walked off when I was talking to the Mizens but saw him later. To the Jewel house Westminster and Painting with light at Tate Britain and watched the dancers in the Duveen gallery. Fr Quaqoe at Mass. To Big iftar at West London synagogue - lovely food and saw Rabbi Neuberger and met several people.  Played Bliss Royal fanfares (which we had at our wedding!)  Thomas Hewitt Jones  Fanfare for Queen's 90th, Moore Nobilmente and Crown Imperial which was much appreciated as was Lead me Lord. Practised with 3. Evensong at St John Upper Norwood marking RSCM Music Sunday Howells Collegium Regale Britten Jubilate Deo When in our music God is glorified. Enjoyed the Royal coverage especially the Weir anthem.

Amazing interfaith funeral for Ali.

Today we had a glorious day on the Romney Hythe and Dymchurch railway with excellent fish and chips at Dungeness. Lamb House in Rye (home of Henry James, E.F.Benson and Eleanor Farjeon) and Smallhythe Place where Dame Ellen Terry lived.  Liz found a piano stool for £40 in Rye but we could not find a cash machine! Total of 242 miles.

Visited the Hornby museum which includes an interesting section on the Battle of Britain. St Augustine's Abbey in Ramsgate built by Pugin, ice cream at Sorbetto and saw Ramsgate harbour, St Augustine's cross and the Viking ship at Pegwell bay. Dover Castle underground tour about the start of WWII and underground hospital tour both excellent. Stayed at air b and b with Gilly who knows Claire! It was a surprise to find the room to be on the top floor with 2 flights of stairs to a shared bathroom. We dined at Dino's with the Dover brothers and John Rayer and their wives =10 of us.

5 visitors and 20 dining.  The meeting was rather different with :David getting in a muddle several times. I presented the icon and recycled my speech. I also presented a scroll to the new brother Anthony. There was some controversy about ladies attending meetings which was of course the issue at Dover plus personality clashes. It is sad when friends break up like this.Anne said that one of those who resigned is her dentist and sits in front of her at church! The meal was very good lamb cutlets and cheesecake. We sat with Mike and Terri McCarthy and 2 recently widowed one of them looked very like aunt Gladys and we had a good chat. Woke at 2 am.

Tuesday set off around 10.30 checked tyres. Faversham and eventually found the shrine of St Jude and saw brother Robert. Some fine stained glass. Went to Brogdale home of the national fruit collection. Long wait for lunch so got more tea and orange juice. Bought present for Anne, pear juice and strawberries. To Spitfire and Hurricane museum which is fascinating. Not enough time to see RAF Manston museum. To Minster and fine St Mary's church and Minster Abbey. Met tbe nun we know from Monastic Musicians lovely to have a chat. To Cliftonville and we have a fine room at a cheaper rate sea view 4 poster bed! Went for a walk lots of youngsters hanging about. Ate at the Orangery at the hotel mushrooms, lamb, defeated by 3 large profiteroles! Coach from Yorkshire. Slept well.Wed to Turner contemporary along beach - exc exhibition about circles - loved Paul Nash and Hepworth. Interesting chat to attendant. Visited lifeboat. To David and Anne for lovely lunch and sorted music for July 15....

Swam 21. Mosaic worked on the hat. Qigong Wild goose - Isobel is new. Returned book to Battersea library.CAB is now in children's library and it looks good. Saw Alison Williams and Paul Daley. Lovely and sunny. To Norwood circle -  Dennis did not come. Gerry and Tom were there. Lots of visitors including William Rhins and the VP from Wimbledon. Long chat to Bob Cooper. Man came to put up new bathroom cabinet, knife rack and garden light - only £90. 

A quiet day at home with Sean happily playing. Dorset chamber choir sang at Mass - splendid Langlais Gloria from Messe solenelle. I went to Beckenham circle's supper which was delightful. I left in good time to get to the cathedral from Kent House. Dennis and AnnMarie tuned up late and then said they were going to the cinema. They were supposed to babysit Sean so that meant Liz could not go out and I was annoyed.  Played Chanson de Matin of Elgar and Dubois Toccata. Sang Hurford Litany to the Holy Spirit. Had to rescue Celtic Alleluia copy from under the pedals! A lady called Imogen loved my article in the church magazine. To St Paul's on Thameslink to hear Revd Judy Hirst from Durham on Struggling with holiness. Quite good. Saw the boys in the car before they left. Had lunch in garden very sunny then back to Caterham for discussion with Jerry. Contract and choir and repertoire,  At evensong played Dad's voluntary on Ar hyd y nos and Robert Groves's variation and Elga...

Neck ache probably got a chill at Odds Farm from the cold wind. Welcoming at the cathedral not very busy. Liz took Seán to Gambado and on the tram. A most successful and enjoyable dinner for new Catenian presidents at Chislehurst Golf Club and a pleasure to entertain the Grand President David Rowley and Eileen. Presented a scroll to him and to Terry Mahoney for 12 years as provincial marketing officer.

Having enjoyed "Decline and fall" I laughed even more at Evelyn Waugh's "Vile bodies" . Did Mr Fellowes get some ideas for "Downton Abbey" from him e.g. the motor racing?  Took Jack, Ciaran and Sean to Odds Farm. A bit cold for first day of summer but loads to do. We stayed as Louise was delayed at work - Tom is in New York with his Dad. We came home Thursday so no art. Lots of emails again!  Seán has arrived to stay. 5 minutes in Thomas the Tank DVD on. Looking at the wedding pictures he commented "My Daddy is a magician and my Mummy is a princess! " Lots of DVDs and sorting out toys in the garden. We went to bed very late. Enjoyed episode 1 of Versailles and programme on Heathrow. Asda late delivery. I seem to have developed a pain in my right neck - might have caught a chill at Odds Farm. Add to the discomfort in my right thumb. 

Got drenched going on the bus to the cathedral - we had to be there at 9.45 a.m. Enjoyed the ordination of Bishop Paul Mason at St George's cathedral Southwark. Being in the choir had a great view and lovely to see so many priests I know. Pity everybody was not together in the marquee afterwards especially the ecumenical guests as I know 3 of them! There was a great deal to sing but the people were able to join in as it was well-known.  I endured the choir rehearsal on Saturday for the consecration of our new bishop which happens today. I did find it irritating that the music booklet called it "the ordination" and some of the composers were not given. The hymn tunes not printed either - why? Some of the Diocesan choir cannot read music but lots can. For the first time some of the youngsters from the Cathedral choir are singing with us. It remains to be seen if the organ will be used.    As a tenor I find the attitude towards harmony puzzling. Why some items in harmony a...