Getting ready

 Bartok at Proms and amazing violin playing. Worked on the projects. Prepared song sheets for recital. Liz completed cross stitch of Westminster Abbey, 

Sunday played Dad's Entry of the bride (lucky I recorded it on my phone as it was not on the broadcast) and most of Lullaby for Claire. Noel Rawsthorne on Bread of heaven. Janacek Fanfare from Sinfonietta. Deja vu beforehand Margaret asked if I had signed Barbara's card - whe is 90 this week! Of course I could not find my copy of Happy birthday so we sang it unaccompanied and masked! At Coulsdon I was once asked John will play "Happy birthday". "No he won't he needs the music!!" It never happened again!! Andy Scott splendid playing at Durham cathedral including Alan Gray and Alex Rowley.  Blackfriars good homily. Jeremiah Stephenson on stunning form at Selby Abbey. Produced recital programme for Caterham and did all the page turns and lyrics in the scores for the songs. Finished reading "The lemon tree cafe" by Cathy Bramley. Jay's Yorkshire workshop and Ian Hislop on railways. Prom Kanneh-Mason family Carnival of the animals with Michael Murpurgo - the narrator was just irritating but Sheku made up for it with the Swan! 

Bank holiday Monday. What a treat for us both to go to Bromley Parish church and hear Gary Sieling play passacaglias including Bach and Leighton. I bought a Stanley Vann and Leighton CD and Gary's own toccata and fugue on a certain theme by Mancini. I wonder if people will spot it? A good turnout. It was quite like old times! Prom oboe Saint-Saens, Dutilleux, Poulenc. The Alan Gray pieces are a delight and Gary's piece is fun and most of it I can attempt. I reckon Arthur Harrison must have been a nice bloke! I was reminded immediately of Elgar, Grieg and Gregory Murray. I grew up in a household where all things York Minster were revered especially Bairstow and of course Alan Gray descants! FJ followed in that line and so did Philip Moore. I doubt if anybody would get away with such a long intro to Easter hymn these days!! I will definitely be playing these!! Andy Scott sent them. Serengeti II amazing photography. Chat to Tristan and Patrick on zoom. It seems the proposal regarding the students was misunderstood. Start of the prom then Only Connect and University challenge. 70 years of the Edinurgh military tattoo.

Tuesday Henry not coming and it's the last Tuesday. He has a fever. ST, B, Southwark. Last night's prom, Serengeti II, new hard drive arrived so saved videos and documents. Tristan from Glyndebourne at prom. Painted picture of flowers Ciaran photos had sent.

Wednesday Sept 1 start of season of creation woke at 5 and dropped off. SM Sally rattling through it so went to B and then Southwark cathedral where Revd Libby gave a good homily. Lovely videos from Belmont Abbey on the psalms. Ecumenical prayer service to launch the season was very well done and representative. Tried to join Martin's group in Bristol without success. Chester Zoo, V and A museum. Training Faiths for climate justice Oct 17/18 - good turnout and 3 UK contacts. Jane's meditation. Handel from the Prom then Repair shop. I went to bed not wanting to watch A and E again!

Thursday Liz early to Thomas's. B, SM, Southwark. Finished one McCall Smith and started another! Louise sent video of the improvements - looks great. James Lancelot playing at Cirencester. Arctic series 5. Paul Carr and David Saint playing at St Chad's. PIano practice. Churches conservation trust 4 tours of churches and excellent talk on gargoyles and grotesques. Julian rang so reached a compromise - Jack to do history video, Julian organise the event video - total £1350. Good programme on Sir Walter Scott. Restart zoom on carbon in electronics.

Friday SM, B., Southwark. To Christ Church Streatham to practise - a wait outside. Met the bishop who have met before! Sarah took me to see the school hall which will be fine. Met Helen at the car. Collected the books from Ebrahim in Camberwell. Mick. To James with books - each set of accounts would cost £270!! We need to find old sets of accounts! To Clare's and got back door open. Emails re accounts and prommers zoom. The Prom was good - Schumann and Mendelssohn.