The organist librarian

Played for Philip Chandler's funeral at the lovely church of All Saints Oxted and a very nice reception at Shirley Park golf club. Good to see old friends again. To West Norwood picturehouse to see live from ROH 3 super ballets Concerto, Enigma variations and Raymonda Act III. Wonderful dancing and so moving. My twitter comment appeared on the screen!

Swam 18 and drove to Caterham to practise for Charlotte's wedding. The Prestige organ does not impress especially the pedal sounds. Then on to Old Oxted to visit Philip who has made great progress and prepared circle accounts despite the stroke affecting his writing and eyes. He loves to chat. Home for lunch and Chris the decorator has made a good start on the hall. Liz went to hairdresser and I went to Royal Academy of Music Dukes Hall for final BMus recital be Jeremy Lloyd. Durufle, Alain, Vaughan Williams and Mendelssohn but the best was the Bach. The Academy museum is amazing. Section on WW1 and lovely strings. Not enough time to see the piano gallery. Changed and to Catenians. Juan and Danny have applied and Freddie was very chatty!

Thursday Liz went to college. I swam 20! First time for weeks - been sleeping badly, waking up and dreaming. To church to get my pitch pipe and also returned indexed scores and picked up some more. To Notting Hill Unitarian church for a most interesting film about Orthodox spirituality. It was pointed out that it was very male in focus covering Sinai, Mt Athos and Russian monasteries. I came home to get my senior railcard and to East Croydon on the bus. Just caught fast train to Crawley  -then a cold wait for bus to hospital. Philip was pleased to see me and is making good progress - still cannot walk. He liked the small chess set from the Christmas cracker! I left at 8 and had a cold wait for first train but then changed at Three Bridges onto a fast one. Friday to St Matthew's and Margaret spoke well on Celtic spirituality. I had prepared Celtic evening prayer and it went very well especially St Columba. They liked Ciaran's sheep. The theme was Psalm 23. Unfortunately I misl...

Monday to mosaic (I was late as trains were delayed). Worked out lettering on 4 blocks. Tai chi was good - my right knee still twinging. Train to Crawley and straight on bus to the hospital. Philip pleased to see me and I gave him a mosaic. Physios were assessing him so I went for a coffee and muffin and when I returned his sister was there. He spoke quite clearly at times and is moving on to thickened liquids. I was amused at Mary trying to stop him writing. He now has a small radio - they can't get digital there! I left at 4.30 straight on a bus and train to Victoria. Met Liz at Pret. Power was off for new street lights. First confirmation session and met everyone. Julie took register and cash upstairs so I went round the room introducing myself. Fr Paolo is very good and clear and I am looking forward to the sessions. I was impressed by the young people. Eugene is among them. Watched film on Mandela. 

It is weeks since I went swimming. As I have had a chesty cough and cold it is not a good idea and I have been waking in the early morning. I do seem to have lost some weight since Christmas 10:2 at the moment. Monday 30th took Bruce and EJ to IKEA and Boots in pouring rain and they went to the National Portrait Gallery. Liz and I went to Clapham Picturehouse to see Saving Mr Banks which was excellent. Fascinating the clash over what should be done to Mary Poppins - do children want a softer version? Excellent songs and the flashbacks to Australia were very well done. Home to see Sacred Wonders of Britain. 31st grouted the mosaics I made yesterday - Bruce kindly cut the MDF for me. I have now made 3 of the Walsingham ones and 2 Keep calm and pray. Bruce and EJ went over to Louise and Tom's as they had a baby sitter. We went to the Clapham Picturehouse for 4.30 to see the Berlin Philharmonic New Year concert live conducted by Sir Simon Rattle OM with Lang Lang playing Prokofiev 3. ...