Organ recital

Wed 9.7.24 woke early. SM, B, Swk. Swim. To St Michael's to hear Eleni Kentsidou play well once she had got light on the pedals! Bach very good. Not so sure about the William McVicker pieces. Picked up Henry from school and went to Dulwich gallery - beautiful Japanese prints. I sketched a whippet and we had tea and cake. Henry played with some kids in the garden. Painting at home and he did 2 nice canvases. Zoom CCA was interesting. Sr Scholastica on Benedictine history. 

Thursday Liz to Guys for Dexa scan. Swim (fall) and to art and more or less finished the squirrel. Picked up Liz at Aldi. Cheltenham prayer was excellent Vice chair of Green Christian from Farm St. Laudato Si' encounter on community empowerment. Caritas international director very interesting esp on Australia. Chat one lady only spoke Spanish, lady from Philippines and 85year old from Oregon. Animators lively zoom. Tennis. Did minutes. July 25 mtg may not happen. Simon Reeve on the Nile. Fell asleep Digging for Britain WWII. 

Friday car went in for service. Did a lot of walking. To and from the lake (car in for service) exercises with Triniti, cathedral crucifixes exhibition then National portrait gallery. to see portrait awards. There was one of a trans person revealing all which I did not like at all. I chose a portrait of an Israeli hostage tragically killed in Gaza. A beautiful portrait of a husband dying in the hospice. Not sure about the winner! Breadline cafe and met Liz her fish wasn't fully cooked. To Horse Guards parade for Royal Marines beating retreat (nice young man from Liverpool and filmed a lot) and back to Charing Cross. Norwood Junction to home! Tired.

Sat cleaning razor it fell apart and I stepped on sharp teeth. Ouch! Missed buses to St John East Dulwich. Saw Ian at Goose Green fair. Mark Baker, Callum Orr and Sarah Best all played well and a delightful programme. New 40 bus to Elephant. I was early and Liz only just got there for 3. She drove in the end. Lovely Marriage Mass. At the Marriage Mass at St George’s cathedral with Canon Liam Gallagher Episcopal vicar for marriage and family life. It was lovely to see Mary and Ed (40) Isabella and Francis (1) Philip and Mary Pond and Peter Batty and met nice couples from Deal and Dartford. Choir were good and sang Peeters Mass and Panis angelicus. We only got 3 hymns to sing! Drove to Beckenham and had a nice chat to Fr Andrew after Mass. Tennis. Ladies doubles final excellent. Unhappy to see passenger side front tyre flat. Screw in it according to MOT report but was it changed?

Sun up early and 2 buses to Caterham with a wait at Park Street where I thought I smelt weed? This morning was one of those blessed times when playing I was conscious of Dad urging me on to play better. I made him proud! I was early so practised the Dorian. I played Stanford Prelude in G minor and Pilgrims chorus from Tannhauser. We sang Fairest Lord Jesus arranged Martin How. The hymn choices were much enjoyed - When morning gilds the skies, Let all the world, Lord Jesus Christ, Just as I am, O worship the Lord. The theme being Extravagant worship. Catherine's husband was very complimentary. Men's final of the tennis Carlos was on fire and the Princess of Wales was there with Charlotte. Lovely Parry from Norwich. All 4 cassettes work upstairs! ACTA AGM I enquired about being a trustee so I will be an observer at first. Spain won the football. Vienna Phil summer concert from Schonbrunn. Carl Jenkins tribute. Part of Alsop conducting Verdi requiem from the Proms. Awful soprano and the young men while good lacked depth and quality of sound.

Monday car collected and I went with it to Whitehorse Road tyres where we went before. There was a screw in the passenger side front tyre so new one for £60. Swam 12 lengths as I was late and aerobics. Collected framed pictures. To Acton from NJ. Discussion about food at the party. To the school for 6 pm Aladdin. Sean was brilliant in the main role in fact they all were. His singing brought tears to my eyes remembering the little boy so reluctant at first to join in at Pandaemonium. Lovely to see Emma and Mrs McCarthy who was so eloquent and moved by the show. Phoebe gave us a lift to Acton main line in the rain and we were home in record time. Fell asleep on the sofa.

Tuesday took ages to get to sleep and woke early. Finished The royal librarian by Daisy Wood. Swim. To All Saints for supervision group which was as always fascinating and amusing. To quiet time and checked on tables and fridges. Sent music to Mark Terry for Sunday some of which he has had already! To Allenby Road Eleanor and Lawrence for a lovely soiree with supper. Met Pietro Iacopini and he will play for the party. He also wants to sing at evensong and knows Russian. He is so nice and a brilliant improviser so Eleanor suggested a spot the tune quiz. Such nice people and interesting conversation about music especially Bayreuth and Wagner. Pictures of the Queen and the King in the loo! Home by 10.45

Wednesday another early wake up. Swim and met Susan the cleaner who tells me she comes 3 days a week. So what happens on the other days? Petrol. King's speech gives some hope but where is the Climate and Nature bill 60,000 marched for and what about child poverty? Love all the grandeur. The Green MP spoke well on TV. Stamps and coins to Charles tonight for Mary's meals.