The organist librarian

The full moon was very low in the sky this morning and evening and looked wonderful in the night sky. It reminded me of a lovely evening in Istanbul overlooking the Bosphorus but I could not be romantic as Liz was not on that chorus trip! At times the hazy moon behind bare branches looked like a Caspar David Friedrich painting! 38 lengths of the pool yesterday and 40 today plus tai chi with Tony yesterday afternoon. He explained the 5 Chinese elements and the exercises for each one. I particularly liked the water one - low scoop to pick up the water. On BBC2 Peter Owen Jones a C of E vicar followed the footsteps of St Antony to live alone in the Egyptian desert for 3 weeks. In previous programmes he did kung fu in China and was an Indian holy man. There was another query about my doing health and safety course. What my intentions are! Who knows? After a day like today with electricians, computer cleaners, drilling, staff shortages I might retire now!I enjoyed reading The Tablet in the...

It's been an interesting week! Liz is delighted that the back fences have at last been replaced. On Wednesday the Understanding Islam course started in the Hinsley Room ably led by Dr Chris Hewer. 27 people came so I was very pleased and the session was excellent. I went to the National Gallery and enjoyed the exhibition of German stained glass. Part of the gallery was closed because of a strike! In the evening the Chorus party was distinguished by superb food prepared by Jackie and an enjoyable quiz. On Thursday I visited the new Wellcome Trust exhibition in Euston Road. The collection is very well presented and there is a virtual library. The exhibition on "Dreams and sleep" was fascinating. The chorus started rehearsing Dvorak's wonderful Requiem for the Istanbul trip ably directed by Mark Griffiths. Friday Liz was out with Fr Swavek and the catechists for dinner while I took choir practice. I was home in time to see the remarkable C of E vicar Peter Owen Jones on ...

Adoration of the Magi by Velasquez We had solemn vespers last night with incense and a great team of young servers at Mass much appreciated by Father Mark. We even had consecration candles for the first time on Saturday evening! At the end Oliver played "Arrival of the Queen of Sheba" which he said he had played at a wedding! It worked well. Watched HDD of programme on British choreographer working at the Bolshoi for the first time and the remainder of the Pavarotti programme. His father had a great voice too! Friday evening we had Peter Owen Jones in China at Buddhist monasteries learning about kung fu and meditation. Today we sang Darke in E and Ouseley's "From the rising of the sun" and I played Buxtehude and Gade on "How brightly shines the morning star". John didn't feel up to Three Kings by Cornelius as like me he had a cold. Listened to John Humphreys on Desert Island Discs. The Bishop of Rochester is causing controversy by saying there are ...