The organist librarian

Woke 2.30 and 6.30 so no swim. To art and dentist. It took Rebecca a long time to scale down the new crown. Met Julie Fifield in the street and told her. She has diabetes and her husband is now 75 and as she said we are all getting older.  Painting Norway: Nikolai Astrup at Dulwich picture gallery is interesting. He's not really that good which gives us all hope!  Standard at Southwark stage of Catenian public speaking competition very high. Jael Umerah-Makelemi from Sacred Heart Camberwell was a worthy winner. St Thomas the Apostle school at Nunhead pulled out all the stops. The judges were excellent Dr Joseph Spence from Dulwich College, Archbishop Peter Smith and Susannah Hardyman. I spoke to the student who spoke about marketing the Catholic chcurch as I did an online survey aboout just that today!  Back in time for the weekend the series on BBC has been fascinating. I have also found Michael Wood'sThe Story of China a real eyeopener.

To Tamar's and Seán singing the African song! We went to Kew to see the lovely orchids and I saw a couple I used to know at Battersea Park library. We had lunch "sharing is caring" says he! He had the playground to himself and Climbers and Creeper. I said 5 minutes. When we were leaving he said I didn't get my 5 minutes! When he went down the slide again I found a Crunchie in the buggy pocket. He said "Where did you get that?" That would be telling says I. We arrived at school to find Liz and Ciaran had gone. I went to St John Caterham to play for the 7.30 service. Took 90 minutes on trains and I was early. Small elderly choir but a fine 3 manual. I know Jill Caudle from 10 pin bowling and Anne-Marie Garton from spiritual direction is the vicar's wife. Back at Acton by 10.30. Walked to school for Year 1 assembly which was sweet. Be still and Ciaran reading very well. I went to art. Watched Father Brown and Story of China. To Stratford to see fabulous Jo...

Swam 20 and saw Max. Had not been for ages. To art and planned the gap in the Cusco picture then off to Streatham for interfaith lunch which was very well attended including Diana and Ken who are going to Jerusalem. Diana and Sarah told us about their 5 hours in Calais. How very priviledged we are in our paid for homes, travel, pensions, free travel, etc. Home and then to Portcullis House for meeting on Austerity and Social Justice. The MP for Edmonton could not come but recorded a message (she did not say much) The 5 actresses acting out people's stories with music were terrific. I spoke to a midwife from Edmonton and I spoke about libraries.  Home to watch Story of China.