Northumberland

 Remembrance Day went well. Linda and I sang Faure Pie Jesu as Lynda's daughter was not well. Played Last Post and Reveille and Nimrod. Imogen commented on Steve's absence. I agree it's not the same. To Louise's for a lovely birthday meal with cake. Slept upstairs. I was tired.

Monday to King's Cross. Train LNER good and we got 2 facing in a 2. Picked up hire car at the station Vauxhall Astra. 6 gears. To Armstrong building at University to play the organ in the grand King's Hall. Couple of stops not working and confusing but good for early music and modern. Drove to Ryton and Jill and brought Flo. Very comfortable room and slept well. Coped with 2 big dogs! 

Tuesday to the Biscuit factory lovely art and crafts and posh cafe. Discovery museum excellent story of Newcastle. Went to pick up Flo and she had fallen in the bedroom. She insisted on coming to the birthday dinner in Hexham. Lovely to see Barbara and Den and Shirley and Jim. Lovely meal and cake. Flo to hospital for Xrays and home at 3 a.m.

Wed decided against Beamish and went to Gibside - nice autumn walk chapel was closed, cafe and bookshop in order! Then to forest centre and walked and had tea. To Flo's and she was quite chirpy. 

Thursday Hexham Abbey organ for 30 minutes - young lady appreciated the Mushel Toccata. Coffee and cake and then to St Mary's RC - nice 2 manual. To The Sill despite heavy rain and switchback road. Lovely paintings and poems and National Landscape centre display and shop. To Flo's and then to Aroma Italian in Ryton - an excellent meal . I had risotto funghi and homemade tiramisu. Pizza to start and limoncello. I paid and it was very reasonable £83 for 4! 

Friday Flo into hospital so Jill went early. We went to the Great Northern museum which has been refurbished. Returned car. Trains cancelled to Edinburgh so we got an earlier train and we were back in Acton by 6. Fish and chips. Great to see the boys and Ciaran's friend. 

Sat Liz set off 5.30 to Birmingham for WMUK conference. I drove home. SM reception not good. Lounge looks lovely. SM zoom was good. Lifting the Lid Nick on what happens to the body. Polish group on grief. To Mass at Streatham Hill and Benediction at the end. Could have done with Liz! Our singing unaccompanied was not great! Liz back in time for Strictly on my phone (TVs not connected). Dvorak Armida opera on radio 3. 

Christ the King. Played March and Elegy from "Richard III" and Crown Imperial Sir William Walton. Anthem "Let all mortal flesh" Sir Stephen Cleobury. Started practising carols. Interfaith discussion on death was good. To St Stephen Dulwich for Tamino orchestra conducted by Nicholas Ansdell-Evans who is 52 and looks like John East! 2 of his compositions, Boyce, Finzi, Leighton, Stravinsky. A good audience and a nice chat to Lionel and Jill.

Monday swim. Chat to Ann. To St Aidan Coulsdon, Fr Peter very friendly and Steven on placement - he is in 4th year at seminary. Organ not very good, soloist OK. A good turnout despite the rain. Nutfield cemetery and then the crowded Queen's Head. Back home and quick change to go to C and W for scan of my head. The noises were most unpleasant. Only connect, University challenge. Sean working on lounge and kitchen.