The Flying Scotsman
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 enthusiasm. It’s best to watch it later and zap to the music itself. And who are these people? The loss of the preProm talks has impacted in a big way as the talk often became the radio 3 interval item. TV is literally pointless ”celebrities”. I often listen to radio 4 when driving home from church and too often panel games descend into innuendo and filth. The same goes for QI on TV. Bring back the good old days when Auntie had rules! I like a double entendre but at noon? Whatever happened to good taste?
Tuesday Louise brought Sean over. Fantastic day the Flying Scotsman at the Bluebell railway. The sound of the engine gaining speed! The station master at East Grinstead was suitably attired in kilt. Liz stayed in the observation car and the guard suggested it!! The museum is very good and I bought a T shirt and calendar. Home around 7.15. The Buckley Prom was OKish.
Wed After my swim to St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood to help clean up the vestry. The stuff in the cupboards! Also helped clear the drain in front of the hall fire exit doors which was full of earth and worms. Not sure it was very sensible to have 3 people unwinding tangled electrical leads - will they ever be used? Met 2 new people. I will give Danny a lift to Woking retreat. While ironing listening to Mahler 3 from the Proms gorgeous. My new T shirts from Jersey Zoo and Bluebell railway. Posters for church on choir and organ and need for more singers. Zoom with Magda. Watched the Simon Rattle Prom on TV it really was outstanding and very moving. Why do we get Sandi Toksvig commenting? She has never met Sir Simon. Sheila Hancock is 90 and gushed all over the place. At least John Wilson said sensible things! Why did they not interview orchestra members or one of the singers?
Thursday woke at 2. My sub conscious is dwelling on the knee operation, Liz's health and Dennis. Read a bit and dropped off but woke feeling a bit tired. A bit of SMITF and Fr Thomas gave an excellent homily at Southwark cathedral. Liz to doctor. I got to the pool late and just got in to be told it was closed for half an hour. To art and did the triangles about music for Creativity unwrapped display and Milica's displays later on for the induction. All black and white. Liz picked me up. Cheltenham prayer. Finalised recital programme. Sent Fr James materials and prayers. Young man came about new kitchen blind and we chose one which matches the wallpaper. £200. Prom was Jurowski and Berlin radio SO Weill, Ades piano concerto, Rach 3.
Friday took 4 bags of garden rubbish to Dennis's bin. They come back from Ireland today. Second day in a row no swim. Why close the pool for half an hour in the middle of a morning in the school holidays? No reason given. Liz and I went to Sainsburys and I got 2 new tops and leisure trousers. To UNACC for chair based exercise. The Brighton trip last Friday was much enjoyed. There is to be a fundraising quiz night Sept 8 at 7 - anybody interested in joining a team? It's at South Norwood lake. One of the members was attacked in Beddington Park when a dog ran up to her - she was seriously injured. Police were called. The dog owner could have killed her. What kind of a society are we living in when you can't enjoy a quiet walk in the park? Decided not to go to Rochester cathedral - rail strike. Today is world day of prayer for creation and start of Season of creation. Prayer service on you tube. Lovely films at the end. Saw rest of Animal park, climbing New College Oxford and Northern Belle train journey to Cardiff. Chineke Prom with an excellent trumpeter, not so impressed by the conductor.
Saturday lovely walk with Richard and Jack in Ithaca. A wonderful concert this morning from Cristiana Achim who returned to play some very energetic music from Argentina to America to Europe! The only problem was knowing when Debussy and Correa ended! Returned home to change to sing at Nick and Camilla's wedding. Brahms How lovely. When I survey (!) O thou who camest, Dear Lord and Father, Come holy Ghost. Delicious cake made by Fr John. Lots of champagne. Reception in the church. There is a 40 year difference between the couple. Liz had a disaster when asleep so Sunday a.m. big clearup of the bed. Must be something she ate at the reception.
Yesterday bought sweatpants at Sainsbury’s. Today Groupon email offers me sweatpants. Big Brother is watching us!
Creation Sunday played Francis Jackson prelude on East Acklam and The heavens are telling. To Mass at Purley NO mention of the Season of Creation at all. If we have suffering we must “offer it up”. I rather think a more compassionate approach is needed? And it seems some clergy are very willing to be relevant and conform to the world. Is that really so? If Fr David were to visit me in hospital I would send him away! I left at communion to avoid watching him scrupulously cleaning everything! To the Trojans starting at 4 and ending at 9.30. Great singing and playing incl Graham Neal!! Alice Coote, Michael Spyres and Paula Murrihy all riveting. So glad we were in the stalls and spotted Sir Mark Elder. I took my Covent Garden programme.
Monday zoom for facilitators of supervision groups. We both went to swim and chair aerobics. TV new music at the Proms. Very hot. Bruckner 8 BBCSO conducted by Bychkov. Adrian, Terence and Fr John in the circle. Saw Gallery prommers and Juliet. Tremendous performance. Only connect and University challenge.
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