Shock

 Thursday swim and to art. Finished two small paintings for Christmas presents which is good as I will not be at art for 2 weeks. To Fairfield Hall and Liz came (although she was in discomfort - the injection is Thursday week). Herman Jordaan played very well and over 100 there. Eclectic programme Rowley, Wammes, two South African composers and Durufle. No free coffee or reduction on food and shocked to hear that somebody at the Fairfield sent an email pulling the plug on the rest of the series despite bookings until May and some giving their services. I wrote to Nicola and took leaflets. In the evening I handed on to Cllr Andy who I know and he promised to get back to me. Animators meeting was very good again. Did minutes grabbed dinner and out to Braithwaite Hall for FTIC remembrance and peace events. Penny did well. No apology from either Mayor for changing the date at short notice and it was good that the turnout was not bad. I did some networking. Hard to find Palestinians locally - they may be keeping a low profile or busy protesting or more likely in shock. Spoke to all the imams present and the Jewish lady who has family in Israel aso Ajay from the Hindus who explained the namaste (which many now use for the Peace at Mass!) Home to Masterchef and Stacey Dooley at a huge undertakers.

Friday swim and went in fast lane as kids had gone. Spoke to the teacher about using the other lockers. Could not find an empty one! No Unacc as Trinity away. To Sainsburys for sugar for the baking. Bake off. Saku a delight! Wrote more about the synagogue visit for the Bridge. The Joan Chittister article in ICN. We both went to Ensemble 26 concert at Sydenham. It was lovely. Eleanor in the Saint-Saens piano quartet played a concerto! Stunning. 

Sat to brunch at St John's after the two minute silence at the Calvary. It was delicious and met Margaret and Jean at our table. We had pancakes, fruit, cakes, potato rosti with chorizo and proper cups and saucers! There was a match. Ciaran and family gone to Liverpool for his birthday present a premier league game. Liz went to Shadwell for Fr Keith's induction - a tricky journey. I set off to go to Beckenham but the match traffic meant that I ended up at Anerley. To Ensemble 26 concert Dvorak piano quintet is a delight. Nice chats to the organist at St Bartholomew's and Eleanor's husband about Finchcocks and how instruments from there went to the Horniman to be used by children and the curator will not allow them to be touched. Terence suggested writing to Inside Croydon about the recitals so I did. 

Remembrance Day. Bought a lovely knitted poppy at church. All went really well. We sang Pie Jesu. I played solemn melody at the end.  People loved the Binyon poem with Nimrod and Jaimee wants it next year! The trumpeter was Ok but Paul Miller who plays trumpet in the Epsom SO has offered to play for the carols which is great news. Jaimee put up the interfaith week poster and I put up posters for Christmas. Watched the service from Whitehall. The bands were terrific. Liz with Dennis and Henry to messy church - 500 kids there! I went to the Lohana centre for Diwali at Ajay's invitation. Lovely marble gods from Jaipur and it's a lovely centre open for 12 years! Met the past President who is 93 and young families in gorgeous robes (new for Diwali). I took Henry's small Diwali light. Poured with rain and picked up from St John's. Liz had fallen over bruise on her finger. BBC4 was just like TV used to be. Quality! Bernard Levin interviewing Caballe and Dame Kiri (I was very chuffed that I recognised Ryland Davies from the 70s) and an excellent programme on Levin himself. We do need brilliant minds like him now.

Monday Chat to Ann. She had spoken to Henry. Liz to Guys prep for injection. Swim and aerobics. Zip on my winter jacket stuck. One Croc left in the car. Sat on my glasses. Coffee machine would not work. Liz to Clare's and I went to the Phoenix centre. Not so many there for an excellent talk A to Z of panto with Chris Abbott. Nice chat to James who comes to UNACC. SMITF quiet time on Hildegard. Only connect, University challenge, Mastermind. Avoided Masterchef and read my book by Bobbie Darbyshire.

Tuesday swim. Unacc lunch for the King's 75th birthday. Pork and treacle pudding delicious. Sir Richard Eyre on Lear. Zoom launch of bok on ecology very academic. Dennis came to get family tree - he is cancelling ancestry.com. Zoom on Palestine Amos Trust - the story is shocking in all parts fo Palestine. SLN zoom and the way forward.

Wed Liz's birthday. To Croydon police station started late. Breakfast. Discussion of knife crime. I mentioned role models. I also asked about police numbers and they are under strength and stretched. The superintendent was concerned about Darren's case not being followed up so I gave him the details. Liz having hair cut. I abandoned my swim. Have now met John from Shirley synagogue. Unfortunately I can't visit until January! Home to do bins and bed. To cathedral cafe for lunch with Fr Hugh which was very helpful. 7 at the meeting including David Evans the national interfaith officer for the Salvation army and Leo Taylor from Interfaith Network for the UK. Plans for next year forming well. To Balham Catenians and a delicious meal Pork and plum tart. Liz loved the birthday cake and the sweater I bought her.

Thursday only 14 lengths. To Lambeth Town Hall for interfaith event 2 hours of speeches. Some people just talk too much. Nice to see old friends like Gisela, Nagase and Sarah but had to dash off tg et buses. Very wet. To David Lean cinema to see Klimt and the Kiss. Verging on kitsch. Wrote out carol part for trumpet for Paul. Booked Lifting the Lid. Wrote to Steve Reed again.

Friday swim in slow lane. To Unacc and Trinity was 30 minutes late - she had been in Kenya. Clare came. Caught up on Bake Off and Antiques roadshow - still loads to watch! Lots of emails. Children in need. Lifting the Lid. Stirred pudding mix and 4 puddings.

Sat lovely Bonnevaux walk with Richard. He has been on retreat with Rowan Williams. Nazareth letter and lectio. To St George Hanover Square where Richard Gowers welcomed us. I played Walther Wachet aud. iN 2013 I played Handel. Sheila had a photo of David at St Paul's. Apparently Ealing Oxfam take music. The car was on a yellow line for 3 years so rang Liz and she moved it. Saw Ena Demetriades when I got off the train. T St Boniface Tooting and the parish priest did a good job directing men to us in the porch. I was appalled to hear him say Catenians were a way to get away from our wives. No mention of the youth work, benevolence and bursary funds!! Got a few names. Home to pizza and Strictly and the standard very high at Blackpool. Lifting the lid. A national memorial day for those who died during covid? Canada has one.