Bournemouth

 Packed up and left 8.30. Big queue at Sainsbury's for petrol and again beyond South Croydon so did detour vis Selsdon and Whyteleafe avoiding queues in Godstone Road. Practised and great to have 3 in choir. Liz sang alto. Thou visitest the earth. I played Sumsion and Thalben-Ball on Monkland and Peeters Wir plufgen. Big spread for Harvest lunch. Left at 2 and got more petrol on M3 - exorbitantly expensive. Arrived 4.30 and room is a bit smaller than last year and only one chair. But it's OK. Had a swim and sauna. Nice dinner roast beef, smoked salmon. Bottle of rose. Watched Leeds piano competition - won by excellent guy from Azerbaijan. The TV screen is big and we can get Netflix and Iplayer! 

Monday Dorset breakfast and to St Stephen's met by Julian. Lovely Hill organ in Pearson church. Whitlock played here so played Salix, Moore, Elgar and Howells. What a treat! To URC but organist had forgotten so going Thursday at 11. To Hengistbury head and got land train walked along sand and ferry to Mudeford - very windy. On return swim and sauna. Good dinner although had to wait because of coach party of 47. Only connect, University challenge. Metropolitan museum. 

Tuesday avocado for breakfast. To St Peter Parkstone this is a big church with a fine 3 manual organ. Then to Kingston Lacey which has fantastic art including Velasquez. Long wait for coffee and chocolate cake, Rain threatening so skipped Japanese garden. Back for swim and sauna and shower is warm today! Another chair has arrived in our room! Bake off. Pork for dinner. 

Wed glorious sunshine. Avocado breakfast toast never came so set off early to Poole Quay. Delightful Jurassic cruise to Swanage and back. Great views of the cliffs. To Poole museum which is excellent. To Blackgang Chine beach and sketched - no ice cream. Quick look at the gardens. Tea, swim and sauna. Belmont Abbey retreat on the psalms. Hake and chocolatre torte for dinner, delicious soup. Entertainer but lounge full so up to room - Repair shop, 

Thursday grey day I am 75 and woke to Dennis and Henry on phone! Pancakes for breakfast. To United reformed church and we got coffee - very friendly. Dan left me on the organ which is a 3 manual Willis changed by Toy and not for the better. The acoustic is wrecked by carpets. To Christchurch priory recital by Thomas Moore of Wakefield. Watched on screen. Good audience. Red velvet cake and tea. Red House museum and art exhibition - ridiculous prices. St Peter's Bournemouth Keble and Gladstone. Console locked! Rain came down after we got back for tea. Changed tube in right hearing aid but it is still not clear. Bruce rang. Andrew Chandler on closing of churches and secularisation. Gresham lecture on racism and immigration into UK. 

We are safely home from Bournemouth. Hotel Collingwood was excellent as it was last year. Swimming pool, lovely food, comfortable and convenient. My birthday yesterday was lovely with an organ to play (URC) organ recital at Christchurch Priory by Thomas Moore of Wakefield, the Red house museum and champagne from the children at dinner which was roasted brie, duck and chocolate brownie. We had a delightful lunch with Simon and Jenny in Whitchurch on the way home. Have not seen them for 6 years! Home at 6 slow going on the last part but we do have petrol. Unpacked and 2 Tablets to read.