Teddy bears picnic

 Woke early. Took Liz up to SJ with teddy bear and she looked after the small bouncy castle. Swam 12 and to Unacc. Triniti coming to party. To teddy bears picnic and long chat to Barbara, Kazia's mother. Amazed how quickly the bouncy castles came down. Listened to Voces 8 and Kings singers prom. Grainne and Dennis brought the table down. The opening of the Paris Olynpics was amazing! The lights and the river boats. Everybody got wet - the poor pianos. Celine Dion at the end. The balloon with the flames! Loved the horseman bringing the flag. I dropped off at times but there could have been more classical music. Seems I missed some including Orlovsky.  The Louvre sequence was fun. The start of the fashion show might have been a take on the Last Supper? I hope not. The emphasis on refugees was very moving. 

Saturday SM with Ingrid at the Thames. Hurtado on Psalm 139. Olympics started. Listened to Dad's speech at our wedding - all very clear and well thought out! Simon's speech is a bit muffled and lots of laughter. Watched swimming from Olympics. Much controversy over the opening ceremony skit on the Last supper. To Mass and a dreadful homily read by Fr John. Margaret and David looking forward to next Sunday and Fr Andrew said newsletter could not be printed. Prepared Name that tune and sent 19 photos of scores or links to you tube to Pietro. 

Did not sleep well. Played Ley on Down Ampney, Willan on St Peter, Sortie Rawsthorne. Flocks in pastures green with organ - choir definitely slower than me! To St John's garden party very enjoyable and lots of chats. Many people had forgotten about next Sunday! Swimming from Olympics. Adam Peaty got joint silver.  Completed the music quiz. 

Monday swim and aerobics.Long chat to Ann about hols.  Traffic not good as Auckland Rd closed. To Marks and Spencer Croydon for new trousers, shirt and tie. Had tea and cake. To The Works for photo frames, plastic holders for documents and small canvases. Very hot. Man shouting on bus home! Olympic skateboarding, gymnastics and swimming. Amazing stuff. 

Tuesday very hot in the night. Heatwave! Swim. Met Helen's Mum in street. Ben Bloor finally in touch and managed to get him to lower his fee a bit! To quiet time and chat about children and South Africa. Listened to Cheryl Frances-Hoad's viola concerto from Prom. Olympics swimming fantastic freestyle final and gymnastics. 

Wednesday slept better still hot. Swim and took Liz for hair cut. Meanwhile coffee at garden centre. Olympics. Liz went to have nails done. Complained to leisure centre - cleanliness, flippers, woman opening disabled change door when I was in the shower (third time this has happened!). Sam was very apologetic and will look into a better sign on door. Nice to see Anne and Adrian in the gallery and Liz saw Jean. Mesmerising viola concerto by Cassandra Miller played at the BBC Phil Prom by Lawrence Power. “I cannot love without trembling”. You had to listen and the audience did! A memorable performance of Shostakovich 4 at the BBC Phil Prom conducted by John Storgards. The timpani were fantastic! This work should be played more often. The anger and sardonic humour and grief! Great to see John Bradbury and meet his teacher Owen who was in London Symphony chorus. He loved the Guilini story. Home at 11.15!

Hot in the night heard Elgar 2 and rest of Anna Lapwood from Norwich. Thursday swam 14 and had a chat to the young guy who wears flippers also Roger the blind man who also wears them. Sam told me that are not allowed and he is working on the cleanliness and the door lock to be improved. To art and sketched two new paintings. 3 coming from there. Carole and Kevin are coming from Bolton! Took Liz to lunch at Quattro Stagioni formerly Chapter One at Orpingotn recommended by Terence and it got top marks. Pork loin and creamy potato, delicious desserts and starters mackerel. We were there for 2 hours! Had alcohol free sparkling which was OK. Blessing from Abp John arrived. R and B excellent incl Tony Cassidy and Nicholas Postlethwaite.

Friday slept better. No swim or Unacc. Liz to church hall. Louise came over and sorted out photo displays. Packed up car and took her to station. Dennis helped unload car and we bought more ice packs. Saw Fr John briefly. Very hot and fell asleep. David came and cut down legs of table from Clare's and it fits in lounge well. Olympics. Printed off some more photos and did agenda for LSIUK meeting. Debussy Nocturnes with Phil chorus ladies from Prom cond Petrenko.