The organist librarian

  Mum died on this day in 2006. I can hear her saying Old age I can give it away! Your father has got all the answers now. St Augustine of Hippo I think the C of E prayers for the day are closer to Augustine’s words. A very fine Bank holiday recital at Bromley Parish church. We began with William McVicar interviewing David Hirst who is one of the few English organists at a French cathedral. Buxtehude, JSB trio sonata 5. Claire de lune (I checked the piano score it never goes above mp) Bryan Hesford variations on a theme of Paganini. Nimrod played very slowly and it works (I shall have to rethink my version) Reger Variations and fugue on God save the King. Great to see Christopher Moore . What a joy! Clearing up garden. Mindful mix Prom gorgeous. BBC4. Forgot to watch Only connect and University challenge so caught up on Tuesday evening!  Edinburgh tattoo on TV been updated.  Annual moan. The presenters for the Proms on TV tell us so little of any value. Tom is all wild en...

 Tuesday Liz went to West Wickham to get toenail done and shop. To quiet time and David was hilarious. Lady turned up late with a baby in the chantry. His comment "Just shut your gob". She left early. Over tea he said he likes his girlfriend  "because she likes me". Liz and Adam were there.  Stunning prom from Petrenko and the RPO. Shostakovich 10 and Beethoven piano concerto No 4 with Alexandre Kantorow who also played a virtuosic encore. Firebird finale. Wed slept late so no swim. Bed and towels. England won semi-final against Australia women's football. Catching up on Proms. Impressed by Dora Pejakevic and Voces 8 singing Roxanna Panufnik and Barber. Mahler 7. Henry came and painted a canvas - a tortoise. Travelling auctioneers. Small mouse when I was cooking. Not nice. Thur another hot night and lie-in. Liz temp up so resting. Listened to last night's prom Elgar In the South with MS and Aus Italien - not been played at the proms since 1900s! Did hooverin...

 Monday nice chat to Ann. Swim and aerobics. Jim will answer any alarm calls when we are away.  Fabulous Carmelites at the Proms. Robin Ticciati so expressive! He was a joy to watch as we were in G stalls. Orchestral details one had never noticed, glorious singing and acting. Nice to see Lionel. Tricky jigsaw.  As Liz told me I would not get it done by Tuesday of course I finished it at 11.59 ! Tuesday packed. Dennis came down. Buses to East Croydon and train to Gatwick in good time. Got searched and trousers were threatening to fall down! Assistance to the plane and Liz went to duty free. Bruce picked us up and we went to Pizza Express. Wednesday to Janet and Richard's for coffee and a nice chat and Janet brought us back as Liz's phone needed to be connected. We enjoyed Samares garden and saw some new areas - the carriages and tropical garden. To Doubtfire for delicious steaks. Thursday to Jersey museum and Emma was off so that was nice. Always new things to see. Bruce t...