The organist librarian

A quiet day with Sean. Yesterday was a full day Picasso portraits at NPG brilliant, left bag in locker and to St George Hanover Square. David Saint recognised me and played really  well. National Gallery for Beyond Caravaggio. Too many people, lovely to see Dublin pictures and good film. Back to NPG Black portraits. Tea then Wellcome for excellent Bedlam. Did a psychic awareness test with photo. Earls Court wait for Richmond train got Ealing one which became a Richmond! Good painting session and Nelson gave me a 1905 book on Palestine. Gareth Malone and William Kentridge in Joburg on TV. Car would not start outside school but Louise had bought a portable charger. Home in good time and changed with bowtie for Frank Bond. Bill Whitmarsh took Brendan Foley and I to Chislehurst golf club for joint Blackheath/Bromley meeting which was great. Sausage and mash. New brother Peter Graff knows St Joseph's college. Frank and Duncan delighted by scrolls.

Woke early and then slept to 8.30. To ferry and to Valletta. Walked up to St John's cathedral very ornate and pricey but the Caravaggios and the choir books fantastic. Had picnic outside castle St Elmo but decided to skip the war museum and back on ferry. Got bus weekly cards. Back to apartment and ironing.

Lie-in as I had a Sunday off. The original plan was to go to St David's cathedral with Turnham Green choir but we were not needed! So I went to St Paul's cathedral for the 11 a.m. Mass with orchestra. Mozart Coronation Mass and Epistle sonata in C. Fugue in G minor on organ at end. Splendid - 3 boys sang solo and John English was the tenor soloist. Unfortunately I had a cathedral nutter near me who kept commenting so eventually I moved although it was pretty full especially with Afro Caribbeans in national dress. Enjoyed it. To Adrian and Graham's for champagne and canapes. Stephen Roberts was there. Lovely day. Bob gave us a lift home. Birmingham cathedral evensong on radio 3 and Simon Boccanegra from the Proms. Watched Rude Britannia programme and Who killed Caravaggio and start of Meistersinger. Hoovered and tidied and singers came to rehearse for the wedding in August. Slept at Adrian's and on settee so awake in the night. Looked at Heythrop courses.

Mgr Mark Langham mentioned in a homily at the cathedral the excellent exhibition at the Queen's gallery, Buckingham Palace, of the Art of Italy. I spent a happy 90 minutes enjoying pictures, sculptures, drawings, furniture and books. The audio guide is excellent. Alas the shop did not have postcards of the pictures I really liked but here is the Caravaggio.