The organist librarian

Great chatting to Ann and the family in Balmain before the fireworks. To Mass. Henry came and played very happily. To East Dulwich picturehouse to see the Berlin Philharmonie New Year concert. Barenboim playing and conducting Mozart Coronation concerto, Ravel and Bizet. Bolero was beautiful and Pavane very special. Nice to see Sue. Christmas University challenge was fun. Watched tribute to Dame June Whitfield and Raymond Briggs. Just back from Midnight Mass at Anerley and watching fireworks mince pies and wine

St John's day at Caterham. Played Campbell on Grafton as we sang "Word supreme" Rowley Christmas suite and John Cook Paean on Divinum mysterium. No drinks at vicarage as their son-in-law is dying. Bought art materials at The Works. Lunch at The Kerala delicious so avoiding the football match at home. Arrived at Selhurst at just the right time to avoid the worst of the football crowds and get parked at home. Enjoyed Merton college evensong. Well done Benjamin Nicholas and Tom Featherstonhaugh and Alex Little. Interested to note Christmas cards for Son and Son-in-law, Daughter and Daughter-in-law. Listening to Sunday worship - not my musical style at all but excellent contributions from Dominic Robinson and Sarah Teather. Have managed to read the Christmas Tablet online as the postman has again not delivered it but the crossword is impossible on screen. Prince Charles on Private Passions. Programme on  city wildlife and Antiques roadshow and animals in the snow. ...

Quiet day at home. Astonishing programme on British chocolate factories. Long programme on Norway reindeer migration. 4 of us serving Mass. I found the Cross seemed to get heavier! Fr Andrew Gallagher celebrated. Programme on Emily Bronte. Posted on Facebook pictures from the year's sketchbook. Soup and Christmas pudding with brandy butter. 

Holy Innocents at South Norwood. Only 18 churches in UK have this dedication. Fr John and  5 others! Nice lunch and chat. Helped to clean the Lady Chapel with Mother Roxane. We really enjoyed Mary Poppins returns at the new West Norwood picturehouse. The library is nice but could do with more books and a bit of presentation of stock! For some odd reason the desk is on the back wall well away from the entrance! Christmas university challenges. Not a good idea to put mince pies in the microwave! I won The Tablet crossword Dec 8.

Just checked the tenor soloist in the Darke on TV from King's better than on radio I think. Bombshell from Lou re school. St John's Day celebrated splendidly in Upper Norwood and an excellent vicarage lunch after Mass. Adrian played. Had a long chat to Daniel - he has been choosing the hymns without the planner! He only got one week on conflict in his training! Surely clergy need more on dealing with people? Terence told me about Chile and China. I am still not keen to go to China.  Dennis and Henry came. Slept peacefully now listening to Leeds cathedral midnight broadcast. Long facebook messaging  Jackie Jones on Muslims taking part in Oldham Christmas day TV broadcast and Andrew Pritchard on Catenian recruitment. Christmas at St Paul's lovely programme. Christmas University challenge. 

Lie-in and listened to the rest of King's carol service. Brought car home as there was a match. Bus to Dennis and we had Yorkshires and Christmas pudding with brandy butter and cream. Home to watch Buckfast Abbey midnight. Loved Morecambe and Wise xs 3. The programme with Torvill and Dean was really interesting.

All went well this morning at 10 despite no choir! At 2 a.m. we Skyped Oz and had a lovely chat. An unforgettable Christmas! I played Paean on the morning of Christ's nativity Andrew Gant and Buxtehude In dulci. Gordon Phillips on O little town at communion and Noel Suisse. That great chord on the final verse of O come all ye faithful. On the way home enjoyed our 2005 CD Christmas in Coulsdon - lovely fresh sound. And here's a toast to the bus and train drivers enjoying a day off. I was startled to see 2 207s when I drove home at 1 a.m. The Queen was great as always and a great honour for King's a Royal foundation. Lunch at Dennis's fnally appeared at 4.15 fell asleep and then enjoyed Call the midwife. Walked home and watched Torvill and Dean.

Oh bliss Oklahoma on TV remembering our canyons trip and the John Wilson Prom. Yesterday I was playing The King and I on the piano - great songs! Liz went to get her hair done. What I heard of Kings sounded lovely. At vespers at the cathedral we had Buxtehude Magnificat and Victoria O magnum mysterium. At 6 p.m. We had blessing of the crib and exchoristers singing Reger. Just spoke to the family in Oz on Facetime. Santa arrived! Carols from King's on TV. Superb tenor solo in the Darke and a Muslim woman reading the Annunciation - Yes! Love the new carol Judith Weir - it really is a carol. What I love about Christmas is how music brings back so many lovely memories especially Mum and Dad and so many wonderful Christmas celebrations in Joburg, Cornhiil, the cathedral, Addiscombe, Coulsdon, Beckenham and now Caterham not to mention Oz and India. And not to forget visiting Bethlehem 3 times! Delivered the circle records to Derrick so he can continue the history. Mi...

Watching The Bishop's wife with Cary Grant and David Niven (1947)

Dark and cheerless is the morn... Rain and first bus delayed but I caught the second one OK! Advent 4 Flor Peeters and Walther Wachet auf Lloyd Webber on Helmsley. We sang People look East and some Marian hymns. For Mary mother of our Lord such lovely words. The busy world had got no space or time for God on earth; a cattle manger was the place where Mary gave him birth. From For Mary mother of our Lord To St John's for the carol service. The Stopford I found rather dull and none of us warmed to the Whitacre - it needs a big choir. The Shephard Song of Mary works well and we also sang Sussex carol. Sad to find verses cut out of Once in royal. Good to see Adrian,Robert and the Wests. Mulled wine and cupcakes sent by Bishop Beverley. I met Edmund Max's brother who is a philosopher.  Watched The Bishop's wife. 

41 books read this year, 27 last year, 30 in 2016, 30 in 2015. Liz went to children's workshop at St John's and returned with a large white paper star. Ein Karem scene of the Visitation has a tragic past linking it to Yad Vashem and the destruction of Palestinian villages and the massacre at Deir Yassin. 254 children, women and men died in1948. We must never let these holocausts happen again. Tony Graham With sure fierce love towards Galilee1998. How time flies! 10 years since the Belmont Holy Land pilgrimage, I first went there in 1972 and have been fortunate to go 3 times in all. And still no peace! Catching up on Masterchef the Professionals and Laurence won! I had hoped all along he would. Reflecting on Christmas 1914 when carols brought a day of peace maybe music could bring enemies together in the Holy Land? Daniel Barenboim gave the lead on this. Just watching 100 years of King's carols. It must be molto scary to be a treble there and suddenly get to sing the...

To Mass and the lovely reading of the Visitation. Delightful recital at St Stephen Wallbrook by Jonathan Dods and eats and chat to follow. Sebastian and Ray were there. The lady doing the teas gave me some nice foliage for our wreath. The turner over also played well - he is 13.Tate Britain if film makers must win the Turner prize please provide seating and make up a cinema. I liked the sculptures in the Duveen galleries but hated the enormous slugs on the front. They are just horrid! I avoided Burne-Jones as I do not like the pre-Raphaelites. To choir practice at St John's for the carol service. The Whitacre is tricky.

Took Liz to station and parked outside the pool only to find the showers not working so abandoned it. After Mass delicious chocolate cupcakes and coffee. To St Bartholomew the Less for a sheer delight A4 brass quartet mince pie and wine. The Harold Darke sent shivers down my spine and the Poulenc! Amazing virtuosity in the Smetana and such talent. Amazing Assyrian exhibition at the British museum. Their Iraq project is unique. I am greatly enjoying reading An English Christmas edited by John Julius Norwich which Louise Maher and Tom Maher gave me last year.

To Mass and the crib is there only baby Jesus is missing. Please curtain this off until Christmas! We are in Advent. This happened last year as well. Henry came and I set up the Christmas train round the tree which he loved. He was due to come again later but they were delayed at St George's. I went to quiet time and I commented on the image of God which Graeme Watson mentioned in the talk. Liz went to school carols at Acton. Watched Babies, Only connect, shoemaking, Cliveden, masterchef. Put up hanging decorations. My right heel has begun to heal - I have had to keep it dry. Boys having a great time in Sydney. 

To mosaic and an enjoyable Christmas party for the group at St Luke's Kew where we were treated to songs from the ukelele group. I was interested that a lot of the songs had no intro and were set very low probably in C or D. To Caterham for practice for the carols. Why am I awake at 4 a.m.? The subconscious fretting over the carols. Watched Only connect and University challenge last night both enjoyable. Liz went to Bromley circle's Christmas meeting. No doubt all will go well on Thursday! I was furious that only Shona the conductor from Sacred Heart turned up at the rehearsal. It seems her choir are rehearsing tonight for a nativity and 3 Christmas Masses. Last year we had 2 singers at the carols who did not attend a rehearsal at all. All very unprofessional and a lot of the time I could not hear what she was saying! The Victoria is accompanied which helps. 

Advent 3. Bairstow and Statham on Veni emmanuel and we sang Veiled in darkness by Rudolph. Dyson in C minor and Ord Adam lay ybounden at evensong. Sports personality and The apprentice won by Sean. 

A wet Saturday with a match. Listened to Choir and organ episodes and read The Tablet. Fr Quaqoe at Mass. DBS checks all completed before and after Mass. Lots of servers there but many will be away next week. Family having a great time in Sydney. 

Woke at 5 so lie-in. Mass. Cards and emails finished posted or delivered. Boxes back into shed. Watched Legomasters, hotel at Christmas, 4 year old Christmas and babies. Liz made a delicious salmon laksa with Indonesian flavours for lunch. To Langley Park golf club for Beckenham Christmas meal. 3 courses for £29 it was very nice. Some of their carol singing was pretty awful starting with the wrong tune for O little town and then too low with the right tune. Good programme on Sir Cliff 60 years in show business. 

To Meopham for the funeral of Peter Stevens . There was an excellent turnout from Province and further afield including National Council. The parish priest is also chair of KCSP and was not friendly at Ashford sports day. He is autocratic and very much a one man band so no servers! The organist is old and seems to only use one lot of stops. She murdered Mozart, Purcell and Bach! Soloist also elderly. We did not go to the crem but straight to the country club where the company and food were good. Long chat to Charles Nicholls and some networking with directors. Watched Masterchef and Apprentice and programme on Bentleys. 

Liz to school, swam and Mass. No coffee as I think they had the Christmas lunch today. Watched tigers, Cliveden House and Michael Portillo on Brighton. 

Woke at 6 Liz was dreaming about a phonecall about ladies in the Catenians and I was dreaming about Panis angelicus at chorus and not being allowed to sing the second line by some soprano! Mass.  Dennis cried off the Beckenham Toby carvery lunch so I went alone as Liz had the servers council dinner in the evening. £15 it has been refurbished. Service was a bit slow. Straight to St John's for quiet time. Watched Apprentice and School. Finished the main tree. 

Mosaic then to Balham station to get organ shoe heeled and then to the Horniman museum where I sketched 3 animals and  then to see Ros, More decorations on the tree. Beckenham circle where I was the only visitor.

Sang "Creator of the stars of night" arranged John Scott and played Rowley and Peeters on Conditor alme finishing with Reger Wachet auf. Good Carol practice. Started clearing out old choir robes. 3 p.m. Mass at St Mary's West Croydon. 2nd reading today from Philippians not the epistle to the Phillipines! And it is the winding of the ways (as in winding from side to side) not winding (as in a wind blowing) in the Gospel! Fr Celestine strikes again. He introduced the new p.p. Fr Patrick. Tom Tannion kindly drove us to Aylesford for Maidstone's Christmas dinner with carols with the Maidstone Salvation Army band. Most enjoyable. 

Lie-in. Lights on the lounge tree once I had untangled them. To Louise's for a very nice family meal. Liz went to help at the school fair. 

Thursday swam, mass, art and lots to eat- drew migrants picture, Mind, body, soul was good. Straight to see Clare and a lovely chat. Tree up in lounge. Friday Liz turned alarm off so only 8 lengths and short sauna, Mass for St Ambrose. Haircut. To Turnham Green and Jonathan played an entertaining programme with a class of kids enjoying it. Welcoming at cathedral and choir came to rehearse for St Lucia. Tree up in front garden. Feeling tired and caught my right heel with Ecco shoe. Chester Zoo and Wensleydale cheese. Corinthia hotel programme. Fascinating programme on the princess who disappeared from Dubai.

Liz to school, swam. Dashed to St Andrew's only to find Mass is now at 10 a.m.and not 9.30 so waited in the car for my healthcheck at Brigstock Road practice. Very nice lady says I am fit. Cholestorol is a little bit up, blood pressure good. To quiet day with Roger - 11 there on the Magnificat - great music. Being and doing, bringing Jesus to birth Saw Sean and Louise arriving for nativity play with donkey and sheep in the cathedral and saw last bit. The Dignity Carol service went well with choir of 6. Played Christmas pieces and Vierne Berceuse. Watched The Apprentice. 

Swam, Mass. Emma has knee problems. Delivered some St John's leaflets in Canham Road - some gardens had dodgy steps. Facebook comments on the Catena letter. To Westminster Abbey for a service about Christians in the Middle East. Reflections including Prince Charles, Sayed Ali Razawi, the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Excellent sermon from the Archbishop of Canterbury, Great to have the Coptic and Syrian orthodox choirs.

Mosaic and some progress despite a late start. To St Martin within Ludgate for a lunchtime programme of baroque music with Jim Wills (baritone). One marvels at the inventiveness of Bach, Telemann and Handel. Liz has gone to the Jesuit Refugee Service UK advent carols at Farm Street Church. To circle 7 plus 6 visitors. £4.50 for a pint! I wrote to Catena about the anonymous article attacking change. 

Played Bach Nun komm and Wachet auf and we sang Advent prose. Horrid hymns Mine eyes and Colours of day. St John's Cambridge missed first bit as I fell asleep. Liz went to lunch at vicarage. Bravo Cecilia McDowall and Gabriel Jackson. The Telemann was amazing. But the lessons were almost inaudible. Same thing at St John's- no Wests. Fr John played loudly, Wood, Mendelssohn, Guest arrangement. Longing for light and Hark what a sound, People look East from A and M. Boys had one barney and they had gone by the time I got back. It was very wordy. Dynasties on painted wolves. Inside the Foreign office was fascinating. 

Grandsons happily settled in and doing drawing. I enjoyed the London Mozart Players 4 cellos coffee concert very much and did some sketching. Advent 1 and the youngest server lit the first candle on the wreath. McDonalds before Mass and the boys sat with Lourdes. Michael was cantor. 

Alarm did not wake me so no swim. Mass for St Andrew's Day. Liz put the flowers from the front garden into black sacks. Sorted car seats. To the tip and took recycled clothes to Age concern Acton. Picked up the boys and it took 90 minutes to get home. They quickly settled in watching Legomasters and playing with Lego. Finally got them to bed. Watched Michael Portillo at Bradford cinema and read Tablet online. 

Mass, art, South London interfaith group lunch and a good presentation on The Gratitude journal and people delighted about the commendation for Westminster cathedral interfaith group. To East Dulwich playhouse to see The King and I live from the Palladium,Excellent singing, dancing and production.

Discovered a sauna next to the pool which is great! Liz went early to school.I spotted a mobilephone call from the Thornton Heath surgery so rang up to find my healthcheck is postponed as nurse not well so missed Mass and spent day at school library. Saw Anna, Miss Bond and Monica so hopefully meeting with staff in January. Year 2 classes borrowed but system not working well. Hoepfully Anna will be freed to go in at lunchtimes. Classes mess up fiction and Bibles for some reason. To Chislehurst golf club for joint Blackheath/Bromley meeting for Frank Bond with bow ties. Sausage and mash. I got a lot support for my comments on the items in Dec Catena one of which is anonymous. Watched The Apprentice - 2 fired. Thursday to Mass and art - thinking about migrants painting. Julie encouraging me to do figures. Interfaith lunch - Fr Adrian on crutches. Interesting presentation on Gratitude journal. Spoke about the commendation. 

Slept from 10.30 p.m. to 7 then 8.30 a.m. Liz went to John Sylvester's funeral. Mosaic and some progress. St Michael's Cornhill for an excellent English plus Bach programme from Graham Thorpe. Why did he play a different Howells? The Parry was splendid and good to hear the Darke. Royal Academy fascinating film of Renzo Piano and Klimt and Schiele drawings. Schiele has such a troubled style. To Beckenham circle. University challenge. Tuesday swam, Mass. I applied for a £500 award for the cathedral interfaith group. 44 projects got awards and 66 were commended. Lord Lieutenant and Mayor of London support Faith and Belief Forum formerly 3 faiths Forum. It was good but I will not apply again. To Royal Society of medicine to receive a commendation certificate at the London Faith and Belief awards. Lots of speeches and some amazing people getting awards. The Lord Lieutenant Sir Ken impressed. Met a lot of people. The food at 9.45 was good! Met the founder of HIV chaplaincy last nig...

David Dunnett played well at Bloomsbury yesterday - Widor, Buxtehude and Beethoven. I left to get the 24 bus but it never came so tube to cathedral. 4 servers were admitted to the Guild of St Stephen. Liz was home late and I had to be up early for buses. Christ the King we sang Tony Hemson's Alpha and Omega which quotes today's readings. Crown imperial went rather well. Carols practice cut short by baptism. Finished reading Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks -  a great novel. At evensong we sang Brewer in D and RVW Let all the world. Douro river and Porto with the Wests, Cliveden hotel, lions in dynasties. 

A stimulating morning at Hurtado centre on the darkness before the dawn. Lunch at Whitechapel gallery. Liz at servers AGM and school dinner after Mass. 4 servers admitted to Guild. Peter Stevens died. The Hurtado session this morning reflected on darkness and we were asked to use the Ignatian idea of looking down on the world with God. I did think half of the world is in the light all the time but there is so much darkness everywhere especially for migrants and in our country so I concentrated on darkness near to home where I might shed a little light e.g. the grief of our nextdoor neighbour and his loneliness. Are films really art? At Whitechapel gallery 30 minutes of grainy shots of Saturn by Tom Ireland very boring. Ulla von Brandenburg's Sweet feast is fun and Mikhail Karikis No ordinary protest is rather touching with 7 year olds reflecting on the environment. Elmgreen & Dragset did not appeal so skipped it as you have to pay. 

Insie the foreign office very interesting. Went to choir practice - still don't know much about Advent carols. 

Swim and Mass. At art finished the Lourdes painting. To Trailfinders where Aaron booked our August trip and we were there 2 hours. Ate at the Trafalgar Square breadline cafe. ENO’s War Requiem. Totally amazing and wonderful to really appreciate the texts, which when taking part sometimes get lost to concentrating on notes. Wonderful singing from all.  Emma Bell, David Butt Philip and Roderick Williams and the production really worked because of its simplicity. Enjoyed Sean's year 1 assembly. To coffee then Tate Modern. If you like weaving Anne Albers is for you but not for me. Jenny Holzer's ideas are intriguing. Spent 2 hours in Christian Marclay's The Clock which is very clever.

Liz to station and short swim. To St Chad's for Mass for Grainne Kedves-Constantinides birthday. Priest could not pronounce the name! St Cecilia festival at St Paul's. RVW, Stanford, Parry and Thea Musgrave. Nice to see Carl Jackson in the procession! The Anglo-Saxon exhibition at the British Library is a must see! Bishop John Sherrington gave a most interesting presentation and discussion on Amoris laetitia. Chester Zoo programme. 

To Mass.Henry came and was very relaxed. Dennis came with us and Louise was there also Hyacinth and Jim and Sonia.  A horrid day for the funeral of our neighbour John Ennor aged 84. Rain at the graveside. Visited Rosemary Callan and the house is being transformed.

Lie-in and to mosaic. 2 hours to do 3 stars! Came home for lunch. To National Gallery to see the wonderful Lotto portraits for free. Archbishop Justin Welby spoke well on Encountering God at St Martin's in the Fields. Watched Lego masters. 

Up early after waking several times and got early bus so at church early. Played Bridge Adagio and Peeters on St Stephen. Ironically we did sing that tune as the wrong number was in the leaflet and that hymn goes to St Botolph! Started practising carols. Found hall was booked so back to church and lost practice time as there was a baptism. Watched 3 programmes on the new London sewer. Nice brisket for lunch and a mincemeat tart. Watched Prince Charles on Parry and Canadian canal journey on Rideau canal. 

Lie-in. 100 years of the RAF. Wonderful Evensong with Rubbra Canticles and stunning MacMillan anthem at the Abbey for Romero. The Dean gave an excellent sermon replacing the Cardinal who sadly is ill. Met Philip Jakob! Now headed to favourite M and S for tea!!!! Won’t go again, been changed into Market Place with paper cups and loads of hot food. They have lost seating. Excellent programme on Holst and RVW,

Swim, Mass. A quiet day at home. Mick came. Watched hat making, part of film on the Great War "They shall grow not old" caught up on choral evensongs from Salisbury, St Paul's and Cambridge. Read The Tablet. Liz went to Bromley with Dennis and choir.

Swim, Mass and coffee. Apparently the abuse I received yesterday could be considered assault. Alas I had no phone with me or even a pen. The dent in the car door will be repaired but there was no need for the shouting from the other driver. To Charterhouse Chapel which is being repaired for Peace of mind music and words on the theme of apples. I did not like the soprano much. What a joy to be in Croydon minster for their first broadcast evensong. Martin How's anthem splendid and thrilling end of Howells Westminster service. The organ sounds terrific. The Ireland and chanting were great. Next time can we sing a hymn please? Lots of singers in the congregation. Liz was at school. To Dulwich catenians - nice food. On return watched the Apprentice. Thursday Liz is 71 - she liked the books and musical mug. Scarf and flowers. Both to Mass. Art and good work on Lourdes oil. Both to dentist - one filling needed covering. Chaos over Brexit. Delicous birthday meal at Mantanah Thai restauran...

On the way back from swimming turning from Buller Rd into Mersham Road where it is always difficult to see car drove into my side. Some damage to wheel arch and door. The young woman was incredibly rude shouting at me and calling for witnesses. The boy with her was in tears but she did nothing to comfort him. I did not have phone or pen. Her parting shot was that she was late for school. I phoned the insurance company and he was very helpful. I was pretty shaken. Her car had some damage to the light and bumper. There was no phonecall from her! Marnie from the Met proved to be interesting but surtitles were badly needed! To the Horniman museum to see the World gallery and have a meal. Catching up on Songs of Praise who do we find but Daniel Moult and Ashley Wagner at Birmingham conservatoire!

Mosaic. Bravo Jonathan Rennert for a magisterial Dorian at St Michael's Cornhill. My favourite Bach. Henry came for a while. Watched programme on the tube. Finished Robert's book.

A moving remembrance day with a full church. For the fallen poem accompanied by Nimrod worked well. Played Elgar In memoriam, solemn melody and When I am laid in earth. Trumpeter Steve did well. Mandela's unsung heroes on channel 5 very interesting. Most impressed by the Westminster Abbey service marking the centenary of the armistice. Anthem by Judith Weir.

To St George's cathedral to sing in RSCM service of remembrance. A good programme well conducted by Norman Harper. Considering this covered three RSCM areas not a large choir and do not like the idea of areas being joined up. Victoria choir at Mass still not much improved. Royal British Legion service from Royal Albert Hall was different. Bryn Terfel and Sheku.  

Went to the Foundling museum to see Ladies of quality. I did not have time to visit the main galleries so will have to return! Peter Wright played well at St Stephen Wallbrook. Choir practice. Listened to choir and organ and reading Tablet online. 

Liz off early to go to a medical interview about an alzheimer's study but her medication means she cannot take part. Swam, Mass, art and worked on Lourdes painting. To the Horniman for fish and chips and loved the new World gallery and the The Lore of the land exhibition. To see Ros and bus home. Good programme on Prince Charles at 70.

Swam, Liz went to school, Mass, coffee and to Post Office. Quiet day at cathedral led by Antonio Benet on the Kingdom of heaven is within you. Watched secret life of the Zoo and The Apprentice.

Swim, mosaic and to St Michael Cornhill. Jeremiah Stephenson played Widor 6 at short notice - bravo! Dennis and family popped in. Saw Darren and John's funeral is arranged. To Catenians and secret vote was equal with one abstention. Several changed position from last month. Mass and gave a tour of the cathedral for Elmbridge multifaith Forum. Very chatty group. To Maudsley to talk about Dennis's childhood which is hard to recall! To Crow on the Hill bookshop Westow Street for the launch of Professor Robert Fraser's "Pascal's tears" which we look forward to reading.

Not a good start to a day at Caterham. Train at new time 8.11 from Norwood Junction only 5 coaches to Caterham. On reaching Purley it was changed to Tattenham corner and no Caterham service so now on a bus. Station staff no help at all. I have complained to Southern. Frankly fed up with the poor service. All Saints and baptism. Played Peeters Sine nomine and O quanta qualia also Howells Sine nomine. We sang I sing a song of the saints of God. Trumpeter came to rehearse for next Sunday. Now having lunch at The Kerala opposite the church. It was delicious. I stayed in Caterham sorted music and practised. The church got rather cold! All Souls at 4 and some people came because of the earlier time. I played Vierne Epitaphe and Berceuse, Thalben-Ball Elegy and Elgar Angel's farewell. A first - the cake prepared during this morning's sermon served after the service - very nice! Watched Antiques roadshow WWI and Bake off final. 

Coffee concert at St John's by the fine Royal British legion band. Mike Leigh's Peterloo is a fine film. Lots of speeches set up the final appalling massacre. Most poignant line the woman shouting at the soldier about to kill her "I know you". A shocking indictment and a lesson for us all to preserve our hard-won liberties. 12 at Mass - I had to tell one boy off for waving on the sanctuary! Engaged couples. Watched Lucy Worsley on suffragettes. 

Wednesday to school library and all catalogued and cleared up. To Shakespeare Road and home for Halloween. Dennis was coming but got locked out so Liz went up there after mass at Addiscombe. Swam, took Liz to station setting off for Newcastle, Mass of All Saints, returned home to find electricians here instead of 1.15 - no problem with the connections and saw Darren as well. To art and finished holocaust painting. Stayed for free session of Mind, body and spirit yoga instructor - enjoyed it much more than Tony's endless prattling. Finally got to watch Dagmar female production of Julius Caesar - amazing. Hamlet with the brilliant Andrew Scott and Juliet Stevenson as Gertrude. Michael Portillo's history programmes. All Souls to Mass and collected Liz's jacket from the surgery. Watched programme on Cary Grant. Welcoming at cathedral - met twins from Napoli but it was quiet. Train to Norwood Junction then bus as trains were being cancelled. Faure at St John's. Maz had us t...

Swam, Mass, to East Dulwich picturehouse only to find Met Fanciulla del West not being shown so refund and complimentary tickets. Was looking forward to Jonas Kauffman. To excellent Ribera exhibition at Dulwich gallery. To St Paul's cathedral for Jesus's women disciples which was fascinating and well attended. Rahul won Bakeoff! Chorister of the year on radio 2. Saw ambulance and police and John next door had died. Went in to see Darren. 

To Trinity House for day on supervision wih Antonia Lynn. I went to Guys to get the new right ear mould. Quite a good day and discussion about the refresher course and met Odette who does the bookings. Watched Art of France and Tracey Emin programme. 

Watched programme on ballet during the blitz and after the War. SS Simon and Jude. We sang Holy is the true light. I played Parry Elegy and Simon Preston Alleluyas. He is 80 this year. Fabulous Walkure live from ROH orchestra brilliant and thrilling singing Skelton, Stimme, Lundgren, Connolly, all of them! The football match caused mayhem. I parked at Selhurst and collected the car after the cinema. The train from Caterham came in on platform 3 instead of the usual platform 1 - took 5 minutes to exit Norwood Junction station. The traffic was horrendous with people doing stupid maneouvres. I was lucky and got straight on the train at Thornton Heath. Liz was at King's and stayed at Dennis's. Watched Simon Reeve on the Med. Finished Varden's excellent book on loneliness. 

Had a lie-in. Sparkling playing from Jonathan Allsopp at Bloomsbury Baptist. Hollins, Bach Passacaglia, Bliss. Fr John at Mass. Des was a waste of space again. Watched Still open all hours. 

To Catenian clergy supper at the golfclub. It was lovely that Fr Michael Donaghy came. Not good that he was not sitting at our table! Henry, Louise and the boys staying the night. The boys really enjoyed Go Wild at Parkwood scout centre especially the whittling and sausages cooked on the fire! Louise got fish and chips and the whole family (apart from Bruce) tucked in! I went to choir practice and Trevor was asked to sing tenor. In the Faure I asked Max about excelsis and Treor chimed in! It all felt rather unmusical. 

Swam, Mass, coffee (I think the list for the Christmas lunch was not well handled - it made it feel like that one was an extra and we will not be going.I went last year.) Petrol. Quiet day watching Repair shop and listening to evensongs from Blackburn and Armagh. Catherine Ennis played well at the cathedral with a good audience. A treat to have the Parry and Reger Sonata No. 2. Even Thomas Trotter was there! The Apprentice was good.

Henry came early today and enjoyed himself. We went to East Dulwich picturehouse to see Samson and Delilah conducted by Mark Elder from the Met. It was simply fabulous. Great singing from Alagna, Garanca and Naouri, terrific sets and production, the chorus were amazing! Finished reading Simon Reeve's excellent autobiography "Step by step: the life in my journeys" Highly recommended! Watched repair shop, evensong from Chester.

To Mass at Our Lady of the Annunciation Addiscombe and what a pleasure to have Fr Dennis celebrating! Coffee with Tom Tannion and he is taking the public speaking trophy to Provincial Council meeting tomorrow. To Southwark cathedral to hear part of Graham Thorpe's recital (Chuckerbutty played at the cathedral in the 20s!) and then to SPIDIR committee at Trinity House. I avoided becoming secretary and am to organise a course of refresher days in autumn, winter 2019. Watched Apprentice and Great British bake off also Simon Reeve on the Med. 

Listened to evensong from Durham cathedral and Choir and Organ. To evensong. Terence has had his op and is on a crutch. Coll reg and Tallis O nata lux. Bob sang the solo in the absence of Dave. One alto part was missing. Fr John played the organ rather loudly! Maz conducting everything very flamboyantly rather annoys! Programme on George Benjamin. BBC4 showed his new opera Lessons in love and violence from the Royal Opera House - quite extraordinary. 

To meditation centre for an excellent day with Margaret Lawlor on the paintings of Sieger Koder and she introduces some fine poetry. To the Estorick for figurative Italian art. The gallery is besieged by roadworks. Liz never made it to the cathedral. Lots of servers plus 3 priests. I forgot to get a tray but Fr Andrew didn't mind. Made them practise processing again. Paul De Blic is a handful. Gave out letters about emails and rota and all the birthday chocs gone. Reading Simon Reeve's book and enjoyed programme on the Med. Played Stanford on Gartan and Wyton March St Patrick's breastplate. We sang "Christ has no body".

Up at 7 Uber at 8.05 to East Croydon and straight onto train to Gatwick. Coffee and pastry at Wetherspoons where you can fill flasks. Slight delay on tarmac Easyjet. Smooth flight and picked up car Vauxhall Corsa. Drove to b and b where we stayed before. Alas they are selling it. Picked up Bruce and Emma and back to car hire so Bruce can drive us around. To St Peter's garden centre for tea and lemon meringue pie. Bought calendars excellent choice. Back for rest. To Wildfire grill in town. This is discount month I had melons, steak, profiteroles and cider, Liz had belly of pork. Delicious £55 for both of us. Watched programme on 4 year olds with elderly. Tuesday showers excellent breakfast. To Jersey Zoo saw Andean bear, keeper talks on macaques, gorillas, orangutans. Gibbon. Madagascar teal , cranes, bats, howler monkey, After lunch Visayan warty pigs, meerkats, reptiles, Kirindy forest lemurs. Komodo Dragon has gone. Coatis. 3rd visit and really enjoyed it.Slept. To Bass and Lob...

To mark the centenary of the Raf I played Walton Spitfire prelude, RAF March past Walford Davies a great tune and Dambusters March by Eric Coates. We sang L. J.White Prayer of St Richard of Chichester who I found out yesterday was originally from Droitwich. Went on buses and back on train after rehearsal. Wrote out trumpet part. At evensong we sang Walmisley in D minor and Wood Expectans expectavi. Disposer supreme fitted the first reading about the fall of Jericho's walls exactly.

To Worcester for the Society of St Gregory AGM. Delays on tube meant we missed our train and had to pay. Stayed at Travelodge and visited Greyfriars House NT and the Commandery where we learnt a lot about the Civil War. Evensong at the cathedral lovely Poulenc Tenebrae. James Lancelot is temporarily in charge. It seems Peter Nardone left under a cloud. Sadly no organ. Excellent drink at the Cardinal's hat and delicious Italian meal. Fr Brian from St George's great company. Excellent lecture from Alan Smith on Elgar and St George's. Fr Paul Gunter gave a most interesting Crichton memorial lecture. What a treat to play for Mass despite a difficult rehearsal - very hard to hear what was being said. Daquise is not great! I played the Vesper voluntaries using the stops Elgar used. 1 and a half hours from Paddington to home via Tulse Hill. This is in fact the first time in all these years that SSG has asked me to play anything and it is all thanks to Alan Smith. 

Swam, Mass, art, to the tip with garden stuff, broken breadmaker and frame. I no sooner got back and Liz said you forgot the old mobiles. There must be some charity which collects them? She had been to dentist to get tooth fixed disturbed during her medical procedure. To the Abbey for joint evensong. Parry Hear my words stunning. Marenzio Magnificat. The Messiaen was not a good accompaniment to visiting the shrine of St Edward. I love the new Hockney window and the memorial to Stephen Hawking. Ben Bloor played superbly at Servite priory Fulham 50th anniversary of the organ. Pity so few came.

First outing with Henry was to Kelsey Park and he loved it. Good session with my spiritual director. To Mantegna and Bellini at National gallery. 5 p.m.a good time to go as not so crowded. Scriptural reasoning in the Jerusalem chamber at the Abbey. Michael Redman and Ken were there. Final preparations for public speaking heat including a late entry. Josh Anderson played well at St Michael's. A very successful heat of the Catenian public speaking competition with some good speakers and judges. Bishop Thomas Grant school did all they could to make us welcome. Well done St Gregory's Tunbridge Wells first and second prizes. I found my suit was ringing wt. We started late thanks to Coloma, the refreshments came out at the first and not the second break, the judges took ages. I personally thought the young man who came second should have won but that's the way it goes. 

We both enjoyed the concert at St Martin Ludgate Hill. Maria Thomas played Britten and Telemann very well and good to see gallery prommers. Not enthusiastic about the bass but the flute and piano were lovely. Excellent lunch at Joe's diner. Barbara paid the bill which was a big surprise! To Museum of London to see London nights and impressed by GFWatts memorial in Postman's Park. We both went swimming this morning!  I can't say I enjoyed Roger Sayer's recital at Brompton oratory. Magnificent playing but far too much in minor keys and fiery reeds. Mendelssohn, Brahms, Reger and Reubke to finish. A lady remarked "it was all a bit modern for my taste" which is interesting as the most recent work was Reger in 1916! I do think programme notes should tell us what the chorales are about. It cannot be assumed that we know what " Herzlich mit verlangen" means. Brahms "O wie selig" is such a consoling piece which I often start with at funerals but t...

Harvest played Statham on "Monkland" and Peeters on "Wir plufgen" and we sang"Thou visitest the earth". Excellent Harvest lunch. Dennis went with Liz to King's and she has a hiatus hernia. At evensong sang Grayston Ives canticles (the Common Worship texts caused confusion) and Parry My soul there is a country. Watched Vanity Fair and Simon Reeve on the Med.

Up early. To first half of Jay Bevan's clarinet recital at St John's. Served at National Mass for servers with Bishop John Sherrington. Rebecca seemed to be everywhere. Nick asked for 2 to step down as others had been asked to do offertory. He should not have done that! Tea then back for vespers and Mass. Catching up on Repair shop and Songs of Praise and amid much crap we got Sir Bryn Terfel singing about trees! I met the new priest at the cathedral. 

Swam, Mass then an excellent meeting at Bishop Thomas Grant School about the public speaking. Abandoned going to Chiswick Park for the organ recital thanks to big gap in train service so a first look at the amazing Oceania at Royal Academy very good audio guide. Not needed to guide at cathedral as 3 on duty. Watched Grayson Perry on rituals and Great Bake off an extra slice. Enjoyed Prom of Trial by Jury. To choir practice Max does bang the piano a lot. Grayston Ives canticles and Parry.  I spent a couple of hours on public speaking programme and emails. 

Swam, Mass, art and good work on the Holocaust painting (the cakes were much enjoyed). Programme for public speaking heat drafted. Catching up on TV programmes on Cheltenham, Winchester, Norwich, Liverpool cathedral. To East Dulwich playhouse to see The Winter's Tale live from the Globe which was excellent especially Will Keen and the women!

Swam, mass and coffee and took some of Fr Stuart's castoff books. Returned scores to Central Music library. To quiet day with Sister Agatha from Sisters of Mercy, Bermondsey. Surprisingly she left at 2.40! At lunchtime heard part of Nigel Groome's recital at St Matthew Westminster - he was replacing Travis Baker. Heard some of the War Requiem rehearsal in the cathedral - boys and soloists excellent. Bach choir did not impress - poor leads. Some of the choir could not see because of tall people in front of them! David Hill has a grey beard which does nothing for him. Saw Martin Baker. Came home as Liz had returned from school unhappy. 

Swam, to Mothercare to get new baby seat fitted, Henry came, to Age UK for lunch at older people's day and our art work on display. Quiet time at St John's. Great British bake off. Red wine with dinner. Mushroom soup, hearty meat stew and potatoes. Discussed diary.

Swam. Took rest of birthday cake to mosaic and it was much enjoyed. Very little progress as I need thicker black tiles. To tai chi Tony talked all the time at one point for 15 minutes! To Guys and new mould for right ear ready Oct 29. The reason the right one did not work yesterday was wax in the tube. To British museum for Ian Hislop's interesting protests. Car seat came but I could not fit it myself. Took Dennis to Catenians. John Rayer and Brendan Ducey there. Unanimous decision to close in March - financial and falling numbers. Watched university challenge.

I got a thank you and Happy birthday at the service and the Polish cakes went down very well in the hall! I played Sidney Campbell on Grafton, Tambling on Slane and Brewer Marche heroique. It is good at 72 to be playing new music like the Brewer (well a first for me) and it is a great piece. By chance the hymns included favourites Father hear the prayer and Brother sister let me serve you plus that great tune Grafton and Jerusalem at the end! The choir of 4 sang Rutter A Clare benediction well. A delightful family lunch at the Rosendale. Claire came. Had beef. Nice cake at the end. It was noisy. Had a chat to Louise and Tom in the playground. Watched Antiques roadshow, Vanity Fair and programmes on the history of York and Belfast.

Quiet Friday - sent off rules for public speaking John Rayer had supplied them. Listened to Prom of Tallis scholars and skimmed Last Night from the parks cutting out the awful pop singers. To Gloucester Road for lovely dinner with Ginger, Philip and Jenny. To South London Liberal synagogue for Shabbat for Sukkoth and a second barmitzvah by a gentleman who grew up in Yeoville Johannesburg. Saw the transformed flat and this will be ready for a refugee samily in 2019. Visiting rabbi gave a good sermon on continuity and change.  I do like an organist who conveys his own joy in the music and Geoffrey Morgan did so at Bloomsbury Baptist in Bach, Elgar, Bridge and Parry. Liz did not get to Mass. Canon Christopher and lots of servers - the processions were too fast and a mess so practised it again. 

Swam 20 despite sore right thumb. To 12,30 funeral of John McManus at Anerley. Tom, Mike and John Joyce his son-in-law. Lots of family . Stuart played rather muddily I thought. Sunith very slow. John resigned from Catenians for some unknown reason - he could not remember why himself. Did not go to crem or the golf club. Liz to Acton as Lou at theatre. To Blackheath black tie. Pork for dinner very good but cost me £46 as had to pay for Liz's. I stayed off the booze. Thursday slept in. Art and finished the lake oil as Julie wanted it for the display in the hall on Tuesday. To interfaith lunch and a peace Succoth had been built in the garden so we sat in the sunshine. Spoke about US visit. To Gasworks near Oval for first time. 2 installations by American James N.Kienitz Williams.

An odd day. Slept in having woken early. To Mass. Looked up car seats and met Dennis at Halfords. AnnMarie insisted on coming despite having got spots from Henry and being off sick. There was no need for them to come. 30 minute wait at Halford so went to Mothercare where the young man eventually fitted the seat in the car. It is now on order -  it swivels.  It all took far too long. To quiet time. Ann was there. To Caterham and looked through carols. The Grow meeting was much more cooperative as AnnMarie was there. Home at 9 as trains not great. Watched Queen of the World.

Up at 4.20 a.m. to get Bruce to Selhurst to return to Jersey. Back to bed. To mosaic and they liked the chocolate bar. Completed the trees. Tai chi and Tony talked a lot. To National Gallery for the Richard Cole exhibition - interesting to see early paintings of America and the influences from Constable and Turner. Watched Great British bakeoff. To Beckenham Catenians - South London and Norwood closing.  

The large choir of King Edward's school Witley sang well at Mass. Schubert, Bruckner and Bainton. Wettest day so far missed bus so train and replacement bus to Caterham. We sang Campion Never weather-beaten sail and I played Griffiths on Regent Square and Andrew Fletcher Impromptu. Great final evensong for Adrian and lovely party. Great to see so many from the past. Stanford, Bruckner and Elgar Great is the Lord. It was all rather loud and lots of timpani from Paul Brough.

London open day in the rain. 5 churches in the East End. Zena Woodley was the guide at St Dunstan Stepney. Tour at Bow Church and bought some poems, sermons and leaflet on George Lansbury. St Paul Old Ford brilliant wooden pod inside the building used by Into University and a gym. St Paul Bow Common tour with Bernadette the vicar. Organ at German Catholic Church impressive. I had been there on the interfaith walk. The young organist had us all in the gallery but I did not really get his organ demo. He played Buxtehude and Bach well. Good to be back at the cathedral. Liz and Bruce went to Sean's party.

Mass, to Glyn Close - Henry not well and Dennis in strange mood so meeting and car seat purchase delayed. Enjoyed the tango prom on TV, Berlioz with Joyce Didonato, Proms extra, Antiques roadshow. Uploaded first lot of photos from trip. Watched Versailles and University challenge. Bruce arrived.

Enjoying Handel's Theodora from the Proms. Louise Alder and Iestyn Davies on great form. Schmidt Symphony no. 4 impressive and the pianist played 2 encores! Great British bakeoff. Loaded photos from trip onto computer. To St John for Carl's recital - all unknown music and quite enjoyable apart from the Demessieux. Cross with John who criticised Belmont Abbey organ as too loud. 

A good day in the school library clearing up the mess and listening to the Last Night of the Proms (TV version). A great concert! Now catching up on the TV versions of the Marin Alsop and Edward Gardner concerts. RVW Dona nobis pacem a great work unjustly neglected. Sophie Bevan like an angel. Watchedprogramme on Princess Margaret and Great British bakeoff. Thursday to Mass and Noel came to the car to ask about the trip. To Dr Ojo for ear clearing and checked wrist and said nothing broken. I fell over in Glyn Close. 

Sunday to Mass at Anerley and heard John MacManus has died. Dinner at Harvester using voucher - I had gammon. Monday a.m. Marshall Graham's funeral at St John's - a great sendoff. Stanford, Faure, Kontakion. Body had been in church overnight - he was confirmed at Westminster Abbey and they attended St Peter Eaton Square. Ann is his widow. Nice eats and good chat about the trip and the new choir director. Told Adrian about the Musical museum. To St Martin in the Fields to hear the wonderful Rowan Williams on encounter. Alan, Ivor, Brian Pierce, Rita there plus 2 others. Met rabbi Stephen at exhibition which I did not like much. Our conversation was interrupted by an American Jewish lady who I have often seen at the front of PreProm talks. She announced she did not celebrate Yom Kippur and could not get to the synagogue in Greenwich. When asked why she became very aggressive - said we were asking personal questions - she had visual problems because of a brain tumour. I apologise...

A long day on the coach. Robbie behind us again so have asked to be moved.what was funny 2 days ago no longer is! Photo at Utah capitol. Cycle race. Logan. Bear lake and lunch at Garden city.Ice cream at Jackson, bar saddles labyrinth outside St John's church. Mass at wrong times. Jackson lake lodge very nice cabin.Bison burger and beer with Ash and Judy from Florida. 9.9 river trip on the Snake river large inflatable. Saw eagles, osprey, swallows, great views of Great Teton. Quite hard to get off. To visitors centre, lunch picnic at Dormans, church of the Transfiguration. Peter's falls, pronghorn. Yellowstone Old Faithful Snow Lodge. 4 course dinner. Chowder, saussges, pheasant Liz's too pink. Sundae. Early night knee tired.10.9 a wonderful Day in Yellowstone park. Left at 8.45 Grand prismatic spring amazing colours from the microbes. Gibbon falls. Artists paintpots are continually changing. Saw bison. View of caldera volcano basin. Lower falls and Artists point Yellows...

5.9 breakfast was buffet .We bought salad meals which were pricey but nice. Saw the rabbit again. Stop at Little Hollywood museum Kanab and bought a sandstone magnet and hats for the boys. Many Westerns were filmed in Utah. Lunch outside Ruby's Inn and got ice cream pistachio, huckleberry, rocky trail and grasshopper. Walk along rim of Bryce canyon was fantastic and thunderstorm held off thanks to Mother Teresa whose feast Day it is! Stop at Fairyland canyon. Flash flood. Great ride to Zion national park through tunnel with spectacular views. Definitely the best so far. Lovely lodge and a nice celebration dinner as 5 are leaving at Vegas. 2 glasses of wine, trout. Had to get help to open safe. 6.9 after breakfast team shuttle tour with headsets, photo with organpipes rocks, shop then walk along Virgin river and did a sketch. Lunch at St George Panda express Chinese and ice cream. Arrived at Vegas and saw Golden Nugget. Mankini and bare breasts! Photo at welcome sign 100 degrees....

Left 8 a.m. Good driver with a nifty way round Tooting. At terminal 3 9.15. Full English breakfast. Left one hour late problem with communication system. Watched Peter Rabbit, Fake or Fortune, documentary on Senator John McCain who has died in Arizona, finished A brush with death by Ali Carter her first novel and a Suzy Mahl mystery. Let's hope for more. Listened to War Requiem conducted by Noseda with Ian Bostridge and Simon Keenlyside. It will be interesting to see how ENO stage it. Arrived long wait at passports then 20 minute walk to super shuttle. Went past Phoenix zoo and botanical garden.very hot and dry. Hotel Valley Ho very nice. Liz went exploring. I got to bed. 2 am London time 7 hours behind. Woke twice and watched Simon Rattle Ravel from Prom a delight.Prokofiev from Edinburgh Victoria Mulkova. 1.9 swam at 6, walk round arts district and found All cafe. Lovely waffle fruit boat. 3 ubers. Musical instrument museum fabulous. Had salad lunch. Mass at 4 Blessed Sacrament...

Swam, Mass, new watchstrap at Aurum, Post Office, no art. Scores to Westminster music library and was relieved to find the Webern on the shelf. I knew I had returned it! Peter Jones to get memory card for my Amazon Fire so the 10 hours flights can be eased a bit, lemon meringue bar and tea. Yummy! Had booked for V and A Frida Kahlo. Too crowded and what are looking at? Photos, videos, dresses, some paintings, prosthetics? Did not like the post miscarriage lithograph. The attitude to religion is weird as Kahlo rejected her faith. Retablos are votive paintings which should be in churches. How did they get them? Why did they collect them? Primitivism? I conclude that the purpose of all this is so the shops to sell a lot of colourful stuff. It is not about art at all! Don't go. Have a look at the book in the shop. Henry came - Dennis has tummy bug. Packed. Listened to Verdi requiem from Prom. On Iplayer Ravel with Magdalena Kozena and Sir Simon Rattle and the LSO.

Swam, Mass I was late as dropped Liz at doctor. Car to Battersea park and on the way dropped scores at Balham and got 2 guides to USA. To St Matthew's Westminster to hear Nigel Groome. Got calendars at Church House bookshop. Lunch at uni. Fell asleep in talk on aurora Borealis! Petrenko conducted Royal Liverpool Phil Elgar In the South, Strauss songs and Iain Bell sung by soprano replacements (songs were changed and no announcement in the hall),  Bartok concerto for orchestra and a lovely encore Rachmaninov. Sir Andras Schiff playing Bach from memory. We left after fugue 12 I was tired and could not follow the score. The mental activity required is huge. What an achievement but I do think concerts should not be an endurance test! He was still playing by the time we got home on buses and car! 

Woke early, read then slept to 8.45. At end of Mass Sunith stopped - after I had lit my candles (5) spoke to him - he said with MS the body just stops. I said it was a miracle he is still with us! Scores back to Penge library - at bus stop chatted to lady who goes to Mass. Invites to public speaking done. One judge has cried off! Have two hearing aids again but have to go back to Guys in October. To Guildhall library to see the Tylers and Bricklayers display which was not well presented. Who knew Ben Johnson was a bricklayer? The new mosaic at Westminster cathedral won an award the martyrs one!  Guildhall gallery De Morgan Symmetry surprised Battersea not mentioned on the map of De Morgan London connections. Victorian landscapes. Interview with Sebastian Faulks fascinating. We need to remember massacres so they do not happen again. Above all the arms trade must end if we want a better world. Fabulous Bruckner 4 Rotterdam Phil Yannick Nezet-Seguin. Bravo the horns. Yefim ...

Up early so to the hall - redcoat made us stand in a line! Cadogan for tickets - we were on the back row?? The National Army museum is free and splendid. I spent some time in the Army and Society section. The Special services exhibition a bit disappointing - the black walls and plastic flap screens are confusing. All a tad depressing. I cheered up with a fruit tart at Peter Jones with Marilyn! She had been to Vanessa at Glyndebourne. Have been to G twice for our silver wedding and Magic flute on the day we won the London Olympics. Black tie and champers! Now that's an idea for next summer! A delightful Cadogan prom from Wallis Giunta amazing to watch! Tribute to Lennie. Marin Alsop conducted Baltimore Symphony orchestra in Bernstein and Shostakovich 5. Brilliant but I was tired. Saw Lawrence briefly, the Sopers and Brother John.

I played Dad's Bishopthorpe suite, Adagietto from Mahler Symphony No. 5, Elgar Ave verum, Richard Knight on Duke Street and 2 short interludes to cover to and from the font for the baptism. Service was rather long. The congregation seemed reluctant to leave perhaps because of the rain. At the offertory the hymn was announced so I started then was asked to start again!? Speak O Lord. That has to be a first although once at a wedding the priest cut On eagle's wings after the first verse. At communion I did not hear much singing in Be thou my vision but One more step at the end was obviously known. I look forward to getting hearing aid mould 2 on Tuesday. Relying on one ear is not great and the loop seemed indistinct - perhaps the lapel mike was too low down? Also if the celebrant adds in comments it means you have to listen hard! The Tablet has an interesting article on the art works at Lichfield cathedral where Ian Knowles and his team are creating a beautiful crucifix. Heard ...

Returned scores to Westminster. I love the cafe at the Estorick delicious custard tart and cappuccino. The Campari exhibition is rather fun. Did a sketch. A most enjoyable Bernstein workshop with Ed Price and BBC singers including Emma Tring. On the town, his warmup and West Side Story. To Design museum for Alaia fashion design. I don't normally go to fashion designer shows but his sense of line is great. Edward Seckerson fascinating radio 3 interval talk on On the town. Very struck by the dynamic and rhythmic subtlety of Bernstein's scores. A great prom Bernstein On the town. John Wilson does it again!

Swam, Mass, meeting with Mrs Boyle at BTG and plans for public speaking heat well in hand. Great to have the boys with us this week and they took art work and origami home. Mick came. Liz went with Henry to Gambado which they all enjoyed. Early to the hall so ate at the Union. The talk on Bruckner 5 was anarchic. Benjamin Grosvenor played Mozart 21 and a Rachmaninoff encore. Sakari conducted the Bruckner very well indeed.

Had a great day taking Sean to Grangewood Park for family forest fun which he loved. Had a rest and listened to some preProm talks. The discussion on Romanies was fascinating and the answer to my question about religion revealed a strong evangelical outreach and Romanies tend to join the local religions so in Turkey they are Muslim, in UK RC or C of E, in France RC. A super concert from Budapest Festival orchestra Liszt, Brahms, Sarasate on the gypsy theme. Saw Michael, John East and Chris Tew. Also listened to some Handel and Copland. 

Took Ciaran to his diving course and he did really well. Liz took Sean for a swim. We enjoyed sketching at the Edward Bawden exhibition at Dulwich picture gallery and then made a beachhut out of lollipop sticks in the garden and the boys did some more drawing. Met Pauline Kirwan and Carol and Roger from St Michael Beckenham. Roger told me the organ is covered during the works and several people have died or are seriously ill. I had a seat for Inspire new music at Broadcasting house but it would have been difficult to get to the Prom so Liz went. Budapest festival orchestra Enescu, Mahler 4 and encore Laudate dominum sung by orchestra! Watched university challenge. I complained to the gallery about a staff member who was officious about the stools! 

Swam and Mass with Fr Stuart. Wrote a letter to the Tablet about the review of the Proms Brahms requiem and checked the TV broadcast. Soprano and chorus were just not right at all. Organ too loud - result chorus sang too loudly and had nothing left by the final movements. Golda Schultz just not the right voice - needs a light pure tone above the stave. Ciaran enjoyed the first day of the diving course. Watched the repair shop. Enjoyed the Mozart clarinet concerto prom and it was a joy to see the 3 cousins playing so happily. Henry was full of smiles. Bergen Philharmonic under Edward Gardner Flying Dutchman overture and a thrilling Sibelius 2. The discussion with Rolf Wallin told us little and the violin concerto did not impress. It felt like he ran out of paper or ink.

Listened to BBC singers prom from Cadogan Hall on radio. Good programme. Parry, Holst with scores. Had falafel salad at Union.Sparse attendance at Prom 51. Parsifal prelude, Strauss 4 last songs sung by radiant Malin Bystrom. Dausgaard launched into Per Norgard Symphony No. 3 an impressive opening organ and bells but oh dear it was just loud waves of sound. The talk had not really told us much - "a modern masterpiece" always makes one nervous! Home to find match just ended. Ontrain watched Proms extra and spotter prommer in NYO, 2 songs of praise. 

Buses to Euston we were early. Watched Fake or fortune on William Nicholson. Marigolds hotel in Udaipur. Tram to Radcliffe from Manchester. Gill and Chich met us and drive to Bolton. Visited loudly church of St Stephen and all martyrs Lever Bridge hot chocolate! Met Ian who taught Peter Stevens. Nice chat and meal. Sewed poppies. Friday Gill and Chich set off for Edinburgh. Mel Plomley picked us up and All Saints Stand has a most impressive 3 manual organ and we also went to St Paul Astley Bridge where Mel plays. A Hill messed up by Cowin. Mass at St Patrick's with 2 hymns. Practised and Carole and Kevin came as flowers came. Nice soup and crumble at vegetarian kitchen. Bolton Parish church shut.  finished Proms plus. To Tavernfayre in buses. Got off too early. Delicious steak and kidney pie, Lemon meringue pie. Malcolm and family. Couple who are Prommers.  Uber back at 11. Slept well. Sat a quiet morning. Elgar and Schubert from the Proms. Got wrapping paper for present wh...

Met Henry and family at the new playground at the lake - you can play music! I went off the Mass St Maximilain Kolbe. Greenwich picture House for 2007 Met Eugene Onegin conducted by Gergiev. Renee Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky (what a loss he was) fab acting and singing, loved the bare sets. And the tenor Ramon Vargas was moving and impressive. Had a good meal at Imperial College Union and the discussion on ecstasy was fascinating. Barenboim added Eugene Onegin polonaise and violin concerto changed to Tchaikovsky. I brought the Brahms score as that was in the prospectus. Very well played. East West divan orchestra.Hamilton too long and never heard a single word! Scriabin was impressively loud well done the brass.  12.30 Mass at Chiswick for the Assumption. Carluccios in Chiswick is shut so we had an excellent meal at Kitchen and Pantry. Sean enjoyed his icecream. Discovered we had managed to leave the keys inside the house so got a locksmith who eventually changed the loc...

Swam, late at mosaic thanks to roadworks at Royal hospital but we had a great view at Cadogan Hall. I liked the first piece by Xenakis. Colin Currie is amazing. Interesting to watch but would have turned it off on radio! Trying to draw a percussionist impossible but interesting to note that his head stays more or less still! Saw Steve Murphy. Returned scores to Westminster music library. To Ben Uri gallery lovely David Bomberg exhibition. Interesting discussion about Sibelius 5. Estonian Festival orchestra with Paavo Jarvi Arvo Part who was present, Sibelius 5, less happy with Grieg piano concerto - poor tuning from woodwinds, too fast for the hall. Encore Claire de lune. 

To match first reading played Mendelssohn Elijah "It is enough" and "Lift thine eyes". Quite tricky as solo voice on choir clarinet and cello solo on Great. Stanford on St Columba and Finale from Saint-Saens No. 3. I thought I played it rather well but John remarked it needed more practice and a rallentando and drums! Cheek! Rehearsing Mahler Adagietto, Pachelbel Canon for the wedding and Dad's suite also Brewer Marche heroique. Anne-Marie Garton sang well and a good sermon. What a frightening experience! Mass at St Mary's 25 minute sermon on Elijah. Fr Celestine again! Tony Moynihan has died aged 93. Lunch then to two great Proms with a fine discussion on Dona nobis pacem with A. C. Grayling. Joshua Bell Mendelssohn, Saint-Saens, Bridge and Beethoven. Boulanger, Elgar, RVW. Beautiful singing from Sophie Bevan and Edward Gardner conducted BBC. Saw Chris Tew.

Cleaned the white plastic window surrounds and porch and back windows. Cleaned up the patio. To the wedding at Addiscombe of Clare Kingman and Anthony Longhurst - it was lovely! To Dave West's 60th birthday party - lovely house and garden. The Prom of West Side Story was great. Packed. Good talk.  Brilliant tenor and soprano and John Wilson at his best. Liz went to the party after the cathedral Mass.

Swam, Mass. To St George's Beckenham Colin Andrews Indiana University. Piece heroique at a steady pace. Bach Passacaglia big pedal Reed nearly throughout tended to obliterate the manuals and tiring on the ear too which was a shame as he plays really well. Bonnet Variations de concert a great showpiece. After delicious lunch at home returned scores to Balham and went to the Foundling museum to see Joyce Carey's Sea. Had I known this was 3 sculptures I doubt if I would have bothered. It always worries me when an artist has to explain the works. Fascinating discussion with Salley Vickers on chaos and prophecy. Pappano conducted Haydn leading into Bernstein Jeremiah symphony and Mahler 1. Excellent. Met Bella and Mink Bex.

Heavy rain. Swam, mass by the time I came back roofers had fixed chimney and roof and cleared gutters. Art and started Lourdes painting. Lunch then to Keats House Hampstead Heath. An excellent tour. I have been to the Rome House and his grave. Sitting on bus at front buggy got on kid holding wet umbrella open which mother took off him. Guess who got wet? In depth discussion on Wagner with Stephen Fry and John Deathridge. It overran and had to rescue my bag from stage door. Super Philharmonia Prom. Webern went seemlessly into Mahler 10. Act 1 of Walkure great singing and playing. I dropped off and had to find place in miniature score! 

Liz to prom I went to St John to hear the excellent Jonathan Vaughn. He signed his Tchaikovsky CD for me. Good to see Crydon Minster folk including Martin How and  Andrew Scott. Interesting programme Parry, Sowerby, Alain and Elgar. 

A delightful day at Kew gardens with the boys. We followed the Dragon trail and found all but one of them, saw the monster, the wonderful temperate house the largest greenhouse in the world, the pagoda and Dragon activities and actors as Princess Augusta, Sir William Chambers and the mason who were excellent.

Swam (swimming lesson in fast lane which is not good) Mass (fire engine in road when I arrived) 2 cars parked on double yellow line at bottom of our road! Hot again. Played Elijah and Brahms Requiem plus RVW and Howells songs on piano. Such wonderful music. Middle E flat not working but no sign of a dead animal inside the piano thank God! Fabulous exhibition at the Wallace collection and had a lovely chat to a curator.  Talk Revd Lucy Winkett and Sarah Hamilton discussed Brahms's requiem. Best pre Prom talk so far this season. The problem with having sung in a great chorus like the Philharmonia for so long is that the memory of that great choral sound stays. As a result the BBC efforts at Brahms's Requiem under Richard Farnes were disappointing. Yes the sopranos coped well and there was some soft singing but too much loud organ and orchestra exhausted ATB so some lines were inaudible. Faster tempi did not help. The text was unclear. The soprano soloist just did not have ...

Tree surgeon came, mosaic and a super Cadogan prom with Dame Sarah Connolly. You could hear a pin drop! Played the organ at St Mary Cadogan Street. It is a basic 6 rank 1964 Walker and such a fine large church deserves something bigger and better. No reed or strings. No swell to great. Crescendo pedal. Excellent lunch at Cote Sloane Square calimari, seafood linguini, peach crumble with ice cream. Looked at hats in Peter Jones. I would not pay £40 or £119 for a hat! Talk on Ives Symphony no. 2. Prom 1 tonight Candide overture, Gershwin piano concerto and Ives which I slept through. Minnesota orchestra. Prom no. 2 the amazing Aurora orchestra Shostakovich piano concerto no. 2 and symphony no. 9 from memory. Could not follow scores as lights turned off. Now on bus to Battersea Park to pick up car. Home 12.45.

Liz had the scores for last night's concert. Ligeti's Lontano is almost impossible to follow and must require great courage to know when to play! Bravo National Youth orchestra! The trains have been changed yet again so going later as the bells seem to be on holiday! Bells were back and actually started again while I was playing! Played Karg Elert Nun danket for our wedding anniversary also Peeters and Philip Moore on All Saints. Mozart Ave verum at communion. Fr Jerry got me to illustrate his quiz with Jerusalem and Panis angelicus which is top of the charts! Had a good chat about the washing of feet and Lourdes. The congregation sang Shrine Mass 1 well. The 2 Brandenburg Proms did not come over well in the hall. Harpsichord was lost. Brilliant trumpet and solo playing but I dropped off and the same at the talk on classic literature. Marilyn brought lovely cakes from Oakham bakery. Organ had been tuned which was a treat but piece of stone found in clarion rank! Brian is inves...

Listening to the super Halle prom with Mark Elder Warner, Debussy and the Firebird. Seems the folk prom now on TV was packed and enjoyable. Got no 9 in queue for Liz.  Reading Barbara Boehm's Jerusalem in the fab National Art library Victoria and Albert museum.  Beautiful book. T shirt wringing wet after Vespers and Mass. Glad I wore my shorts. Listening to NYO Prom on phone (lost end of the Benjamin) Liz is at the concert. Shower, cold beer, cone. Ligeti, Debussy La Mer, Ravel left hand piano concerto, Mussorgsky, Benjamin. 

Swam, we both went to Mass. Bravo Fr David Price for splendid playing at St Michael Bedford Park. Good to honour Francis Jackson, Bach Toccata in F and especially Langlais Te Deum one of Dad's FTCL pieces so know it well. Must go back to playing it! Also Stanley and Franck. It is 32 degrees. Glad I put my Indian cotton shirt on. A warm afternoon welcoming at the cathedral. There was a wedding rehearsal with a lot of kids - what looked really silly was the mother carrying a toddler - far too young to take part in a procession down the main aisle!  I was delighted that the children were enjoying the children's guides.Excellent meal at Mantanah Thai which I cannot believe has been open 25 years and we have lived up the road for 43 years and NEVER been there! It was delicious!

Swam, Mass. On phone regarding car insurance and Liz finally got £14 back for the interim of the change to the new car which is costing more. Enjoyed art group garden party and the boys at Go Ape Battersea Park. Jody Talbot and Christopher Wheeldon most engaging at the talk. He has choreographed his music. Delightful prom Nutcracker, Glinka and Talbot guitar concerto. The late night Prom was good Baroque arias with Anna Prohaska.