The organist librarian

No bells Patronal Feast St John. Played Bach prelude for New Year, Gordon Phillips The holly and the ivy, Le Beque Noel Pier nobis and John Cook Paean on Divinum mysterium for which I got some applause! I walked to Norwood Junction as there was a match and got buses back as train was cancelled.  To East Dulwich playhouse to see the Berlin Philharmonic New Year concert live which will be Sir Simon Rattle's last. An enjoyable programme with Joyce Didonato singing Strauss and Bernstein superbly although subtitles would have been helpful. Dvorak, Stravinsky, Shostakovich, Bernstein and Brahms. Great to see Sue Carroll there - we missed this last year as we were flying to Singapore. Enjoyed 2 hours of Victoria.

Quiet day at home. Collected turkey from Penge butchers. Choir and organ featured Bach. After Mass with Fr Andrew for Feast of the Holy Family (Johnnie too loud, cantor far too heavy a voice for Away in a manger, Filipino reader getting words wrong) to Myatts Fields Longfield hall for Abi's 18th. Very loud music so sat in kitchen - nice cake. Home at 11.15 quite tired. 

Mass. What a pleasure to meet my amazing teacher Nelson Ferreira in the Grand cafe and visit the Royal Academy life drawing exhibition. I popped into the Dali/Duchamp which I knew I would dislike to see the Crucifixion. It was very crowded. To St James Piccadilly to see Suspended in aid of Safe Passage. Evidence of homeless sleeping on our streets. At least they can sleep in that church. Booked up Bristol course.  Watched Christmas Bakeoff and Victoria Wood. 

Up at 8 am 20 minute drive to Caterham.Anne-Marie Garton celebrated and preached on gifts. I took my organ card. Played Gant Paean, Sumsion Cradle song and Noel Suisse. Packed car and drove to Acton. Prosecco! Boys busy doing amazing lego. Spoke to Dennis in Dublin.Tom excelled himself turkey, ham, pigs in blankets, all delicious. Presents and I now own a Kindle! Sleep and pudding. The Queen as wonderful as ever and featuring a young choir. Slept soundly through Strictly come dancing Christmas special! Lots of TV catching up to do. Sadly missed call from Bruce Woodhouse  Delicious late breakfast. Liz to Brook Green for servers Mass. Walk to Acton Park. Spoke to Bruce, Dennis, Henry and Ann-Marie on phone.Call the midwife excellent.Traditional carol singing and the boys joined in a bit. The highway rat and French and Saunders hilarious.TV carols from King's very good. The weather put paid to plans for the zoo and Tate modern or Waterman's. French and Saunders hi...

Up at 6.30 a.m. 2 buses to Caterham as train replaced by bus at that time but now running. Played Gordon Slater on "St Botolph" as we sang my favourite Marian hymn "For Mary mother of our Lord". Beautiful tune. I am afraid " Shall we not love thee mother dear" feels very Victorian. We sang "People look East" which seems very appropriate as people were very busy after service preparing for Christingle and Midnight. I think I have 4 sopranos tonight so descants are on. Lloyd Webber on Helmsley a great piece and also played Noel pour L'Amour de Marie. Compliments about carol service but more importantly ecumenical first.  Washing put away, presents wrapped, dishwasher loaded. Delicious ham lunch with squeak and Aldi Chrstmas pudding. Can now settle down to listen to King's - let Christmas begin!  Served at 6 p.m. mass at the cathedral which was packed. Blessing of the crib. Ex-choristers sang lovely Reger and Stille nacht. Missa de angelis...

Watching the incomparable Judi Dench and her passion for trees. W S Sad to read that Misha the Aardvark was a victim of the zoo fire. When grandson and I spent an overnighter at BUG house all the children were fascinated by her as she roamed in the dark. Liz.  a At Vespers tonight we said the O Emmanuel antiphon which is a bit sad!  30 minute delay at Victoria. 7.23 train at platform 9 never announced!  Figaro from the Met on radio 3.  The latest is that we are joining Louise and Tom on Christmas Day and everbody is coming here on New Year's Day. We had delicious gammon cooked with ginger and ginger beer today. Enjoying a Spanish white at the moment.Delicious avocado and shrimps.  d 3 30 minute delay at Victoria. 7.23 train at platform 9 never announced! 30 minute delay at Victoria. 7.23 train at platform 9 never announced! 30 minute delay at Victoria. 7.23 train at platform 9 never announced!0 minute delay at Victoria. 7.23 train at platform 9 never announc...

To garage to get oil but man helped me get oil cap and off rechecked dipstick and he said oil not needed. Swam and Mass. Dec 22 mayhem in Sainsbury's car park drivers parking by bumper. Woe no chestnuts. A trolley food for 5 and there's 2 of us until New Year. Retreated to cafe. So much ginger? The second series of The Crown is excellent and quite revealing especially about Jacqueline Kennedy and the Duke of Windsor. Councillors suggest a petition to get  parking restrictions for residents. David agreed but asked about cost. Played Haydn and My fair Lady. Delicious sea bass with baby corn and beans accompanied by a Cape red followed by a Spanish white, Pears with cinnamon and cream. What's not to like?  Programme on Mexico art and wildlife and carving. 

No swim but Mass.  Went to South London interfaith group lunch and spoke about Safe Passage, Christians and interfaith in Jerusalem and Grenfell Tower memorial service Watched The Crown = shocked by Duke of Windsor revelations. Spoke to Ann. Masterchef professional final. 

Swam, Mass. Pub lunch with Anerley Wed coffee after Mass group. Food OK service slow. Hooked on The Crown series 2. Liz came back from Acton.  To St John's for carol service In the bleak, Geoff's carol and Sir Christemas and Adam lay ybounden. 

Swam and Stuart at Mass. This must be one of my favourite gospels. Zechariah's incredulity mirrors Thomas. At the funeral of Jim Fitzpatrick MC at East Grinstead his silver medal of the Guild of St Stephen was placed on the coffin, the second reading was the martyrdom of Stephen and the prayer of the Guild was read at the end. He came to Catenian Six provinces Mass at Westminster cathedral and attended the annual servers Mass at Arundel cathedral. The parish priest described him as big,lovely, gruff! May he rest in peace. Father Brown on TV again - great! Seen it before but it is really great. I went to quiet time but head full of carols! Carol service at St John Caterham Valley went really well. We sang In the bleak midwinter Darke and Rutter Nativity carol and Shepherds Pipe carol. 17 in the choir and it was lovely to have Louise Maher and the boys there. Mulled wine and mince pies. I cam back on the train with Alan Rainer. Good to start a relationship with Sacred Hear...

Swam - there are now 3 circular lanes and flags across so you know when the end is near!  To East Grinstead for funeral of Jim Fitzpatrick MC and former Catenian. Saw Mary and Danny O'Sullivan at reception in Crawley and met Catenians from Bexhill. Drove to Caterham for carol practice.  Spent a lot of time with Shona on the carol accompaniments. 3 sopranos came.It seems others expect to tutn up tomorrow and sing after 30 minutes rehearsal! A woman as Bishop of London!

We sang Creator of the stars of night arranged John Scott. I played Bairstow and Sumsion on Veni Emmanuel and Flor Peeters on Conditor alme. A train full of noisy loud 20 something's. Nice lunch. One of my Advent meditation books makes the good point that Paul's "Rejoice in the Lord always!" is an impossible idea. However the way forward is to be grateful for everything and turn that into prayer and joy will follow. Watched Mary Berry at Goodwood house and showjumping from Olympia. For evensong played Willan on Bristol and Flor Peeters on St Stephen and Wachet auf. Very annoyed to find that my parking place outside my house has been taken and for the second time the bollards have gone as well! How dare they take them away! Sports non personalityof the year. Sir Mo won. Liz gone to Clare's. Ciaran playing his new guitar on Whatsapp. Apprentice joint winners! 

Early visit to Dennis Woodhouse then Advent day at Sisters of Sion with Fr Richard Nesbit featuring David Attenborough and Carlo Carretto. Good to see Fr Frank there. After Mass (had to go and get offertory) to Simbang Gabi Philippino club Christmas party only 3 carols on sheet so we got Silent night numerous times! Programme on Mexico wild life

A fine homily from Fr Stuart Meyer at Mass today on the Gospel reflecting on how John Profumo and Jonathan Aitken gave so much to others after their disgrace. The media have a lot to answer for.  Unhappy to see crib at Mass. Why not close the curtains? Tree up as well.  Watched lovely programme on Sheku. Both of us  t o St Mary at Hill for a delightful concert by Follia featuring Telemann and Noels. I think I play some of them too quickly. Sam Stadlen outstanding on bass viol and he played an amazing piece by Marin Marais Les voix humaines. Great to see Yat-Soon Yeo. We were late thanks to trains and bus running late. Good practice for Tuesday's carols at Caterham. Surprised to find Brian putting up tree at same time but it did not bother us Tanya has arrived! Liz came.Got Radio Times and cake and pudding at Aldi. Sweetmakers at Christmas and Harrogate Christmas.

Swam and Mass. Grenfell Tower memorial service from St Paul's is going to be very moving. Be still my soul and Fr Gerard Skinner and representative from the mosque carrying the Grenfell banner. St Paul's service beautiful and very moving especially the children. Giles Fraser on this old heart of mine radio 4. To Design museum to see Beazley designs of the year (I voted for a new typeface for all languages),Ferrari and Jon Snow ties. Tea and mince pie at Marks.  Prof Frank Clooney SJ brilliant on 4 Jesuits in India at Heythrop. Good to see old friends.Michael Redman, Sylvia MacDonald, Fr Malachy.  

Swam. Chat to Fr Stuart at coffee after Mass. Year 3 and 4 Christmas Musical at St Vincent's very well done.Ate at Field's. Took Ciaran to Hanukkah at St John's Wood Liberal Jewish synagogue. He liked the doughnuts! Saw lots of friends.  3 left The Apprentice. Julie Walters on rail in Devon.

Two enjoyable Catenian events Beckenham pub lunch and Sutton Christmas party and carols with National President Peter Rogers presenting 50 year scrolls to Gerald Soane and John Cook. I was sitting with Roger Woodhams from Ascot who is also a tenor and art lover! Edgar gave me a lift home! Brilliant and much appreciated. In between quiet time moved to chantry as Harris Academy rehearsing in church. Met Two of Gerald's sons one an Opus Dei priest, the other an organist.

Doctor Ojo gave my toe the all clear and flu jab and shingles vaccine. Enjoyable mosaic group visit to Chiswick house covered in mosaics and party at Kew. Gave out gifts and got some nice ones. Cheryl and Linda drove. Nice eats. Long time getting home as not trains running to Clapham Junction from Richmond so went via Victoria instead of Willesden. Liz went to see Henry who has a bad cold. More decorations up and watched programmes on Mexico and Haddo House. Finding an Alan Ramsay,Claude and Raphael. It seems the Corfu painting weeks have been swopped so the week I could go is not covering Gerald Durrell's home after all and a £1500 it is not on. Interested to learn that the Kew ladies pay by the session not by the half term! 

Snow. We heard about Caterham Overseas AidTrust. Advent message Martin How. Lang on Winchester New, Rowley Conditor alme, Reger Wachet auf. Carol practice.  Oh dear tiny glass globule in an apple from the same Ocado batch. We have had a refund for the batch and messages from Ocado. Evensong at St John's Gibbons, How lovely are the messengers. Blue planet 2 came to an end. 

Lovely Advent retreat at Hurtado centre with Fr Mike Smth SJ on God among us.    Interesting chat with Fr Michael about getting first communion children to prepare and bake hosts for Mass and the need to train readers. Saw lots of Santas at Aldgate East many of them drunk at 2 p.m.  Whitechapel gallery liked Thomas Ruff portraits and films by Nguyen Phuong Linh and Luis Lazaro Matos. The refectory is very good. Canon Christopher told me interfaith group events will not be announced at Mass which is a shame. He wants a book bearer and somebody beside him. Victoria children's choir not improved - their vowels are horrid. Programme on lost Jordaens painting and handicrafts of Mexico. 

To Mass. Immaculate Conception one of the prayers spoke of prevenient grace (it means chosen before) so why not say that? Tree up and boxes in from shed - quite a tiring effort. Listened to old choral evensongs.  To Medway yacht club for Medway Towns Catenians St Nicholas dinner with carols. Very enjoyable. Home by 11. 

Swam, Mass and at coffee invited to Christmas lunch on 20th, quiet day with Eileen McDade at cathedral on The Light of the world. two bite the dust on The Apprentice. Sean was brilliant in the reception class nativity. Frankincense bearer takes centre stage! At Somerset House very taken by film in Melancholia exhibition by Guido van der Werve. National gallery cello inspired by Cima Mario Brunello Bach and Weinberg sonata. People cannot sit silent for a Cage piece. Same thing in church if there is a silent gap.  3 exhibitions at Tate Modern. Too many people in Modigliani but did sketching from the catalogue in members room. Intrigued by Kabakov not bothered about Russian revolution stuff. The swings are fun! To Our Lady of Victories Kensington where we married 43 years ago.Church and hall vastly improved and plans for new pipe organ. The Cardinal was at the Lourdes carols to support the Westminster Lourdes pilgrimage. Nice to see Carolyn Morrison. Nice eats.  The r...

Woke at 3 a.m. Britten on brain, read McCall Smith. No swim as toe has dressing. Mass with Fr Stuart. Long queue at post office - guy in front large bag of parcels. £1.17 for one card to Eire! Henry came - crawling and played piano, good at standing up with a chair. Mick came for sd and went really well. To quiet tiem at St John's fell asleep. 4 of us. Liz to Lourdes Mass and Acton forgot her freedom pass. I went to Hurtado Fr John Moffat SJ on "What is truth?" Well done but a bit above my head. Fr Andrew Connick, Eugene and Alison there. Wine and sandwiches. Turner Prize winner announced in Hull. Gay teenager's life. Mexican art. University challenge. 

For over a week I have had a sore right big toe treated with salt water and cream 3 times a day and antibiotics. I just wish it would clear up. Wearing organ shoes and leather shoes does not help! I am wearing trainers as sandals are too cold! It is like a whitlow.Swam, Mass, to mosaic. Not please with Linda as I thought I had paid up to the end of Nov and now have to pay £28. I gave her £21. This mosaic is costing too much to make! Did a bit. Decided to skip tai chi because of toe. Christmas cards done. To see Dr Ojo - he put cotton wool between toes and that helps a lot. My second toe comes over the big toe (from Dad), More antibiotics so to Sainsburys and got cakes and presents for mosaic group. Saw Johna and Darren and John Stephens. Listened to Temple church evensong and quartets at BBC. Julie Walters on Northumberland coastal railway a delight. To Norwood catenians. 8 and 2 visitors. Tom Tannion will be Provincial councillor. Umberto's cancer incurable but having chemo. Deme...

Played Wachet auf Bach and Walther. Nun komm der heiden from Orgelbuchlein. We sang Stay awake by Chris Walker and Bernadette Farrell Christ be our light.  To St Paul's cathedral to hear Margaret Whipp on the Grace of waiting. Bought her book so much she said resonated with my life and helpful in spiritual "direction".  Great Advent carols from St John's Cambridge. Ian Shaw I sing of a maiden a highlight.  Beautiful Advent carols at St John Upper Norwood with Keziah Thomas in 4 movements from Ceremony of carols, O thou the central Orb and Wood Magnificat in E flat. Bach preludes and great hymns. Love Lo he comes!  For over a week I have had a sore right big toe treated with salt water and cream 3 times a day and antibiotics. I just wish it would clear up. Wearing organ shoes and leather shoes does not help! I am wearing trainers as sandals are too cold! It is like a whitlow.  I thought my diary was lost but found it in my bedside drawer! Blue planet and end of ...

Beautiful coffee concert by Keziah including Malcolm Arnold's Fantasy for harp. Mchdelov, Rousseau, Tournier, Stadler all delightful. Tried a sketch. Nice chat to her and wrote to the director of the Proms as she should play there especially at the Cadogan hall. Met her husband and son. Nice chat to Mary Johnston and Ian Golds. Watched programme on Joe Orton which was a bit near the knuckle.  The young cathedral servers enjoyed doing the Find the animals, birds, fish quizzes and completed them in about 20 minutes. Ideally you would be 7 and up. The terms pulpit, vault and pillar were not known to them - the solution would be to include a small photo of the pulpit. Before Mass the thurible was found to be full of water so there was a delay. Advent wreath candle no. 1 lit by one of our new servers. On the train home I found 3 tiny glass globules in my Ocado apple - a complaint will be made!

To Mass and St Stephen Wallbrook for Peter Wright's recital. Janacek, JSB, Daquin, Jongen Sonata Eroica, Alain and interesting pieces from Tombeau de Titelouze by Zsolt Gardonyi. Welcoming at the cathedral non-existent as the school nativity play was on. Nice singing in Nativity carol and O holy night, lots of pop and flashy costumes. Simon did the fish quiz in 20 minutes and pointed out the mistakes - just what I wanted! Libera are performing there tonight. I saw Stephen Haylett and Sr Carmel in St Paul's shop. Choir practice at St John's quite a few mssing. Good work on Britten. Listened to Living with the gods. 

9.10 train to Caterham - got poster put up for carols cost £4. People already there, Tamil hymn rehearsed with lady at piano. Flute. Canadian soloist decided to sing unaccompanied. Twice I was asked to transpose at sght which I cannot do. Sextet and soloist sang Take him Lord to Wesley Lead me Lord - went well. I played 15 minutes. Va pensiero went well and I managed all the sharps F sharp major. Congregation big and really sang I cannot tell, Be still my soul, Guide me. Priya from Sri Lanka. His wife comes to 8 o clock. Got 12.05 train only to find train at Norwood Junction cancelled so abandoned going to interfaith lunch and went to Balham library via East Croydon and Clapham Junction. Identified all but 2 of the fish so have printed the fish guides. Listened to choral evensongs from Edington, Edinburgh and RSCM at Lincoln. Mary Berry visiting Scone House.