Vermeer

 Sat SM from theatreland with Richard and Jolley. Liz went to help Grainne and Dennis brought some stuff down. Garden folk arrived after lunch and did footings. It's a jungle next door. Vermeer exhibition excellent. Art fund allowed free watching of the film from the Riksmuseum. To Mass and then to bingo at St John's. This proved to be enjoyable and the food was good and we both won chocs! AnnMarie was there. Sat with Patsy. 

Rain. Sunday played Bach Descent from the cross and Erbarm dich. Peregrine was back and the Humfrey Hymn to God the father went well. He did not stay to practise. Paul came and I was so tired. Not only did the service start late again it was far too long - finished at 11.30! Long spiel from Noel about joining the church council. The hymns were not suitable for Passion Sunday and I spoke to Peregrine and Julie. There must be a discussion about this. Did not go to Henry's bowling party. Pulled out ivy and cut back roses next door as the footings of the wall have been done. Iftar at Hyderi mosque Croydon on Islamophobia. Excellent speakers including Julie Siddiqui. I spoke about Faiths Together in Croydon and read the prayer for peace attributed to St Francis. Watched BBC4 concert BBC Welsh Saint-Saens, Grieg piano concerto and Scherezade. Conducted by Gurulier. Hilarious Morecambe and Wise tribute.

Monday up early parked at station. Train to Farringdon then to Paddington. Liz got tickets to Redhill instead of Reading so ticket office sorted it out. Did not realise UK Biobank was so far by taxi from Reading station so we were late but we did all the tests. Some were quite exhausting. Not very keen on the holding breath one ecg and scan. Brain scan. My height is now 5 5 and I have gained weight. Bodymass and BP OKish. Liz went to confirmation class. Only connect and University challenge. NZ national anthem arrived for funeral. Plastic count results better than last time.

Tuesday brick wall built in garden. Liz went to help Grainne and then to pack medals. To LMP friends at the Cube. Lovely harpist Rosanna playing Handel, folk tunes and Tournier and a chance to try a zither! No wonder the nuns liked it. Met Howard and his wife. Alice on bus. Took stuff to tip for Grainne and to quiet time. We met at the Abrar centre Edgware Rd and I spoke at the iftar about fasting. Michael Redman spoke well less impressed by the Muslim doctor. The Muslim woman was nice. Home at 10.15.

Wednesday went with Alexei to the tip and had a lovely conversation about Cyprus. Coffee and cake at teashop next to Kent House. Got euros and to Mass. Deacon from Croatia Neo-Catechumenate preached well but he could have widened out to persecution of all faiths. Heard start of Bach recital by John Challenger from Salisbury. The interfaith group was very wearing esp Alan and a new member a Nigerian Doctor. Came home exhausted. Lent group was very good and the singing at Bread for the world was outstanding and beautiful. Final of Bring on the drama and all 3 winners got acting jobs!

Thursday woke early. Swim and then to Grainne's and the tip with Alexei who was not so chatty! Cheltenham prayer group heard about Clare protesting about Gaza outside the MP's office and she met him! To Aldi and Sainsbury's with Danny. Nice and sunny. My back is playing up. Animators meeting 21 there and Irene seemed to be trying to take over? To West Norwood The motive and the cue Brilliant acting and play. Quite a lot there.

Friday no swim as Liz went up to Grainne's. Apprentice. Noor has gone. Took pads to Peony court. Liz went to Farm St for service and cantata. Shirley Bassey the diva Gresham. Zaks collection of Russian modernist art. Wrote article about fasting and revised Diocesan lists. Chat to James. RCM orchestra conducted by Pappano Strauss and Mahler 1. Nelson in Nepal!

Saturday SM at St Albans. Hurtado invite came very late. Nazareth with Cath and group meeting was good. We need new locks on back gate and shed. Oiled the bolts. Ade in Orania Afrikaaner stronghold in S.A. Mass this evening felt short-changed. No singing. We did have the Palm Sunday gospel at the start but the St Mark Passion was the short version and read by the priest while we stand there with booklets showing the parts we should be saying! This is the one time we should hear the whole story! The reader headed for the ambo after the homily and started the prayers so no Creed! Gounod Romeo and Juliette from the Met on radio.

Played Brahms Herzliebster Jesu and Bach Passion chorale and Tears of grief which was appreciated. Trumpet very good. Ben came and Sarah at rehearsal for Holy Week. How silly to admit first communicants on Palm Sunday when we have the Passion, procession and extra gospel. Result was a service lasting 90 minutes and we had a rehearsal for the Triduum after service. The wretched percussion instruments were added to the last hymn. What is this getting children to bless palms and people?? Blackfriars was good. Scary evening. I sat down while singing in Stainer's Crucifixion. My legs just gave way under me. The rest of the evening was an ordeal worrying that it would happen again. Straight home in bed. It’s not my favourite work because of the text! Lovely poetry and Bach cello suites played by Adrian Bradbury from SM - heard a bit of it.

Monday to Dunelm with duvets and pillows from Grainne's. Sean came to do repairs and painting. To Unacc to pay for lunch tomorrow. Lots of people doing meditation. To swim and aerobics. New lady arrived in wheelchair in black hat which she did not remove! The cabaret was in yellow. Bought locks for shed and back gate. Phoned doctor about referral and last night's incident. Filled in form. Simon Reeve in Australia. Green party asylum and migration group zoom. Only connect, University challenge. Liz to confirmation class.

Tuesday swim. To lunch at Unacc which was delicious. Jean was back and chatted to Shirley and Philhomena. Liz sorting out cash at Grainne's. Quiet time. Adam had seen me at the Stainer. He had a friend who collapsed suddenly twice. Dean Mark Oakley on poetry. Compline from SM.

Wednesday of Holy Week. No Blackfriars. SM and Swk. Swim and straight to Bromley. Took trousers to Bon Marche to have security tag removed and got bags for coins from HSBC. The cinema was locked on arrival. After some technical problems got going at 12.30 finishing at 4. Gounod Romeo et Juliette - super singing and production. Henry came - Liz had been to school. She went to Tenebrae. SM last Lent group. Bob Chilcott at Bread for the world. Tenebrae from Westminster cathedral.

Maundy Thursday. Swim and art and good work on the black and white part. Mark Oakley on poetry. Rang Shirley Oaks and they will get the scans. Adrian did not come to pick up Liz. Played Wordsworth Nicht so traurig and Mawby Ubi caritas. No incense. No humeral veil. 5 in choir. We sang God is love Murray and Psalm 22. Apprentice.

Good Friday had a bad night. Took Liz to SJ. SM morning prayer and Southwark. 12 service lasted just over an hour. 2 items were omitted. I could not hear anybody singing! All highy unsatisfactory. The cross and candles had not been taken out. The wooden cross was surrounded by candles and some on the altar. The "Tomb" in front of the high altar was a blue tent with woolly lambs. The 2 pm service 6 in the choir. Psalm 22 was better than last night Michael Fleming reproaches and Pange lingua. St John Passion on radio and Gareth Malone programme on TV. Blackfriars and SM Passion play.

Holy Saturday. SM from Albert memorial to the Serpentine. Tenebrae from Blackfriars.To Shirley synagogue and a warm welcome, nice singing and eats. Liz went to servers rehearsal. Big gay wedding 10 years on was interesting. Come dine with me. To the Vigil at Beckenham. Stood with the choir and read the fourth reading from Ezekiel which we heard at the synagogue. Unimpressed by Richard Warren. Mark played some items on the organ. The congregation did not have hymnbooks! Of course there wasn't a choir robe for me! Liz served. Went to the hall afterwards and saw Fr Steve.