The organist librarian

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...