The organist librarian

To Addiscombe for the funeral of Richard Siepka. It ws well attended and Fr Joe greeted me. The Foleys and Mike Nestor were there. Antony Sisley played badly - he does not use music and he makes that lovely organ sound the same! We waited in the hall for the crematorium party to return and enjoyed lunch. They are a great family. A  200 mile trip to Dover group's (all 3 of them plus wives) meeting. A delightful Chinese and English meal at Jim and Haini Duck's  and we stayed at Seabrook House which is excellent. We visited Walmer Castle, Samphire Hoe and Sissinghurst Castle. Walmer has a lovley setting and much about the Duke of Wellington and a lovely Queen Mother's garden and tulips. We had tea and cake. It was windy and wet and Samphire and the same at Sissinghurst but saw the book conservation in progress (£20 a book!) and climbed the tower. Had a cream tea. Home by 3.15 so 2 letters from my MP! 

Took Liz to station as she was going to Westfield to see Thomas film with the family including Bruce. Phoned Holland America and put deposit on 21 day cruise to Scandinavia and the Baltic. To reading group to discuss The tiger's wife which divided us but intrigued as well. To Burlington House London open day. Linnean society intro, fine library. Excellent tour of Society of Antiquaries by the former general secretary who was amusing! Decided to skip Geological society and to Marlborough House which is Commonwealth HQ. Coffee and picnic in garden but rain came on. Splendid statue of the Queen Mother in the Mall. Carlton House terrace Royal College of Pathologists and tour of Royal Society - another fine library and Arabic science display. ICA unusual display about Regency using a live model. To vespers and Mass (very few priests now) and Fr Paolo. Excellent homily - he forgot incense at gospel and was slow at offertory. Excused Papal Mass anniversary rehearsal as we are communion to...

Dunnet Head is the actual Northernmost point of the mainland not John O'Groats. The Queen Mother restored the castle of Mey and the walled garden gives shelter to fine gardens.

To Dunert head which is really the most northerly point of the mainland. Misty and wet. To the gardens and castle of Mey. We were shown round by Nancy whose father, husband and now sons look after the Queen Mother's cattle. She was excellent and it was just like the dear Queen Mum had just left - her hat and coat and clothes. How she coped at 101 with the winding stairs and she insisted on going to church every Sunday! Princess Margaret never slept in the special bedroom for her - typical but the house must be cold. In the dining room fireplace is a fine memorial to George VI by Martin Charteris. The carpet was given by Queen Mary and frayed but could not be thrown out as you never do that to something your mother-in-law gave you! The electrolux fridge is ancient but still works! Even pictures from the previous owners were still kept up! Nancy said the saddest she ever saw the Queen Mother was when Diana and Charles split up. It was an intimate and delightful tour. The Christmas ca...