The organist librarian

The Richard Rohr meditation at quiet time was about hate and how we can never control others. Fear is the basis of all hatred. I agree but not a good basis for a meditation! Never knew Andrew Wilson grew up in Solihull! Sad that Jessye Norman died. She stood so near the tenors for Mahler 2 and Oedipus Rex at the RFH. She was fab and so nice! Over 100 birthday messages. Watched Ben Fogle and Bake off. Sent details for refresher course and new poster for interfaith group. I told the vicar of the Temple church after the Mass about the locked doors at recitals and he was clearly surprised and thanked me. They should be open at all times! 

Swam 20, art and started a new oil painting. Liz looked after Molly while fences were being redone. To Medway Towns Christmas dinner. We eventually found Medway yacht club - excellent food and company and carols. Hour;s journey back 30 miles each way. Worked on Christmas letter and waecged Edinburgh tattoo and Apprentice, Ben Fogle in Outer Mongolia with missionaries.

It's hot - flopped out in Tshirt and shorts watching Ben Fogle Great animal migration!  My back has been playing up despite rest. Sao Paolo symphony orchestra are doing fantastic work - makes our English orchestras educational programmes look very thin! They played really well especially the strings for Marin Alsop. Nobre, Rachmaninov and Villa-Lobos and 2 encores. Gabriela Montero played the Grieg piano concerto and improvised an encore on Land of hope and glory. She was back for the survey of Brazilian popular music with the Sao Paolo jazz Symphony orchestra and strings of Sao Paolo Symphony Orchestra. We stayed until 11 and enjoyed it. Home at 12.20.

Woke at 6 still coughing and cold in head. Liz went to Mass at Anerley. A small piece of tooth came out of the socket yesterday so I did the warm water salt treatment. Still using Bruce's cough rememdy and cough mixture. Dennis rang. The fireworks last night were fantastic. Watched Vienna philharmonic concert conducted by Barenboim. I have now listed all the spare organ music (at long last!) It strikes me how some tunes like St Hugh and St Bride have gone right out of favour. Nice meal with Bruce and EJ - they have enjoyed their stay. Watched second part of Ben Fogle and James Cracknell in the Arabian desert. Delicious Christmas cake made by Liz and roulade.

Enjoyed a walk round the lake and Ciarán was a star on his new bike. He sang beautifully yesterday both Grace, Little donkey and Away in a manger. Dennis arrived and Tom went to watch football at the pub. David brought the baby down - so sweet. Watched Open all hours, Death comes to Pemberley part 1 and Ben Fogle and James Cracknell in the desert. Louise made a lovely pie using leftovers. Lovely broadcast from the Abbey for Midnight.