The organist librarian

Swim and Mass. Wrote articles for Music and liturgy and Monastic Musicians. Henry came. Long chat to Ann on Skype on Liz's new laptop. Went up to St John's for quiet time but Fr Tom not there so sat in lady chapel and home for food.  Rochester cathedral boys sang with Westminster cathedral boys beautifully Britten, Lallouette, Crivelli. Great to have the Dorian fugue. Good parish meeting and met the new manager. Watching Reformation programme and Lucy Worsley. Well done  Scott Farrell , Martin Baker and  Carl Jackson .

Liz stayed at Acton and babysat so she could go to Ciaran's assembly. I went to art and finished the Jersey picture and did the ground for the Iguassu picture. We set off after lunch for Rochester airport and had a very nice room at the Holiday Inn. Had a short swim and to Rochester cathedral for evensong. Purcell in E minor. I felt the young assistant overconducted and there was not enough piano singing especially in Call to remembrance. The 6 men did well but tended to sing rather loudly. Saw Ben afterwards. We were back in time for the Medway Towns meeting and an excellent dinner with Michael and Ubbo Bakker. Slept well and had a swim and sauna and jacuzzi. Very good breakfast and then to St Thomas of Canterbury Rainham where Pete showed us the parish centre and church and we briefly met the new priest. It will be fine for the quiet day in May. Went to hearing aid clinic and I am due for a test and new moulds. He sorted out the broken left one and the tube and cleaned out the m...

Got up early and prepared hats for Last night. 9 a.m. minibus to Rochester and there in an hour - 11 of us and nice chat to Ann and went for coffee with them  We sat together in centre nave so had a good view. 12 ordained deacon and did see Stephen briefly at the start and the peace and during communion which went on for ever. 2 hours service and the voluntary choir did well with Kelly and Sumsion. There was one naff worship song where the key changed mid verse and it just sounded wrong! Glad I went and met Father Christopher Paul's predecessor who is now at St Alban's Holborn. Visited the castle and Eastgate house - just missed a train but got to the hall around 3.30. Liz was at Malta Mass. Clearly no need to queue all day as we got our seats and were on the rail for the second half. Sakari did very well although he did not mention the gallery prommers in his speech! The Strauss Taillefer was interesting and lovely playing from Janine Jansen and Roderick Williams was great! ...

Put a new hook on bedroom door and got the water feature working again. Did tax forms for church. To Kent House and left car there and got train to Rochester. Tea at Cathedral tearooms and to evensong sung very well by the voluntary choir. Sopers there and Dan was playing. Lovely setting by Grayston Ives and anthems by WHitlock and Parsons. Served at Catenian province 7 Mass. Liz was mitre and I was book. Both Bishop John Hine and Bishop Michael very friendly - latter knew Mum and Dad! Good music Dan played and voluntary choir sang Rutter "For the beauty of the earth". Dan played Thalben-Ball Elegy and Boellmann Suite Gothique. Train back.