Advent

 Wachet auf Bach and Walther Anthem Veiled in darkness Rudolph Advent (Prelude) Martin How. Bruce came and we went to lunch at SJ. Beautiful Advent service at St John the Evangelist, Upper Norwood. We sang O radiant dawn and Michael Fleming’s Kindle a flame. We sang at the first performance - it’s a lovely piece. Dennis Ann Marie and Henry came down so Henry could light the first candle on the Advent wreath. Wolf Hall was terrific. Johannes out of Strictly.

Monday woke at 9.30 - yesterday was tiring. Chat to Ann. She sent piano playing by Owen at concert. He has taken to the trumpet. Swim and aerobics. We went to Beckenham to buy a new Bosch dishwashe and it will come on Thursday. Homebase is closing down so got a 5 foot Christmas tree for the front garden as the original one has rusted badly. It's really old! Sent Christmas letter again with photos by email. Daniel and Malcolm - it was too large. Only connect, Mastermind, University challenge, Masterchef.

Tuesday woke late again. Swim. Nice chat at quiet time and I read Merton on Advent. Interesting zoom on ethical banking. Bruce back. Put photos in golden wedding book. Sue Perkins in Romania.

Wednesday woke late again. Cancelled swim. Took lots of stuff to the tip. Zoom with Nottingham folk. Came out of Sion centre zoom - talking too fast again. Excellent NJPN CAFOD zoom about the Jubilee. Terrific turnout. Winter walks very enjoyable. I think I had seen one of them before. Aylesford cannot do a Laudato Si' centre. Town hall to be illuminated on Sat and Sun for Grief awareness week.

Thursday swim and art - backgrounds done on two horse pictures. Collected new lights for tree from Argos - what else can go wrong? New dishwasher installed very quickly. To Penge to look at new blind for study and try to get dishwasher salt and Poundland. First in series on Michelangelo and the Renaissance. Two Big cats series from Okavango. SLN talk on Julian of Norwich. Lights on tree done.

Friday was a lovely day weather wise. To Christmas at Chartwell which was lovely and based around champagne. Had soup and bap. To farm shop for tea and apple tart and cream. Got to Bluebell Railway for 4 p.m. Eventually ended up in first class which was nice. The lights were terrific on the train and all along the line. Bought calendars and a bear! Drove in the dark to Chequers Inn Maresfield. Took a wrong turning into a driveway and when I got out to open the gates lost my hat! Not a apleasant drive although it was not that far. The hotel very comfortable, exc dinner - prize winning beef and steak pie, Chocolate fondant, Harveys bitter.

Slept well and full breakfast. Storm Darragh So glad had pulled out of carols in Caterham as the handbells did. Drove back to SJ for second part of Pietro's recital of Italian favourites and Ginastera. Met Michelle's friend. The organ is ready for tomorrow with 32' stop. To Mass and Mark played far better than Richard last week. Peter is ill. Second candle not lit on wreath. Strictly. Watched Big cats.

Sunday off so stayed in bed and finished Elizabeth Buchan's excellent Bonjour, Sophie. Liz sang at SJ. She went to messy church and I went to tea and cake at Wibberleys. To Town Hall to find the lights were not on in orange as promised so complained. When I got to SJ thought i would be sick but it went away - probably wind. Henry came to light second candle. Strictly result. Wolf Hall, Antiques roadshow. Syrian regime collapsed. Finished decorating tree.

Monday Ann away. Lovely photos from the wedding. Liz to pack medals. Swim. Did not go to aerobics as I thought Colette was having a zoom but no reply from her! To Phoenix centre party. Very loud band. To St George's cathedrol on buses. Bishop John Hine's body receieved and Mass of Immaculate conception. The ladies sang Messe basse, Poulenc and Holst Ave Marias beautifully.Abp Kevin very pleased to see me and told me about Peter Tyler's new book from Toledo meeting £28 on Kindle. ONly connect, Univ challenge, Mastermind, Renaissance 2.