The organist librarian

Up late. Liz at Alpha retreat. Fisher House Mass. What a joy to have all three grandsons here. Henry and Sean played track and in the garden. Ciaran took all the books I ahd put aside for him! Rimsky-Korsakov The legend of the invisible city of Kitezh has wonderful music. Dutch national opera conducted Marc Albrecht. Long chat to Bruce Woodhouse. He sent delicious chocs and a book on the liberation of Jersey for Father's day tomorrow. Lovely cards. Royal Opera House live. Vadim Muntagirov beautiful in Gluck. Das Lied von der Erde chamber version with Dame Sarah Connolly. Royal Opera House Live concert Va

Swam and returned items to CML then to cathedral for part of funeral. Martin Plunkett was presiding and he was the man I wanted to see about Sunday's vigil! To Sr Catherine and a good discussion then back to CML to get scores. Home in time to let Nick in who sorted my computer - 397 attacks on it. My new card came. To film of Haitink in 1987 conducting with Felicity Lott singing Ravel and Petrushka.  Fab Mahler 3 from Haitink and LSO especially the posthorn. Woman next to me put her stuff on the seat and got a place on the rail then lay on the floor for most of it - how selfish is that? Haitink is 87 and 50 years at the Proms conducting 88 in all!

On Friday listened to concert live from the Barbican - Sarah Connolly singing Berlioz Death of Cleopatra and Andrew Davis conducting BBC in Bliss Morning Heroes - such a shame I could not make out a single word! I once got Sir Arthur's autograph at the Albert Hall and told him his Royal Fanfares were played at our wedding (twice! because they were waiting for Fr Benedict from Ealing who didn't come!)

Overslept - it was hot in the night and missing Liz. To Thornton Heath library where many of the art group turned up at 10. Did chat to Molly about joining us. Karen was there and we ended up having coffee downstairs and heard about the new 8 year contract! Labour won't be able to get out of that! There is a lovely children's library with a garden! To Farm Street to see Sr Campion. There for 2 hours and reviewed the year. Must try to get a better balance between going out and being at home! To erudite pre-Prom talk on Rosenkavalier and asked a question about early 20th century in the opera and commented on Glyndebourne's horrid sets! The performance was splendid although I did get lost in the vocal score a few times! The new torch I bought from Tescos is great. To Acton and saw Diana Mills at the bus stop. Slept in play room (no curtain) and thank goodness new sofa bed has been ordered. Big hugs from the boys (throughout the day). All look tanned from Egypt. Did you get t...

Liz and I swam - I did 20. Yesterday little woman removed my bag from the disabled change room and did not answer knocks on door. Liz reckons she was having chemo. I cleared the patio and rearranged it. Fixed wires to the fences. Spent a lot of time doing Catenian invites to clergy and widows. Listened to Festival Hall organ concerts. Thomas Trotter was brilliant and Andy Scott gave a good interview. Poulenc and Berlioz very good.

Tuesday no need to go to Acton so did more reading. Took Ciarán to music but he was having a "I want Mummy" day as he has started at the new nursery. He did settle down after a while! Had lunch at McDonalds with Louise. He slept for ages! To ENO for Der Rosenkavalier from the Christmas voucher from the children. Gorgeous singing and playing and production. Sarah Connolly, Amanda Roocroft, John Tomlinson, Sophie Beavan, Adrian Thompson all excellent. Drumming noise rather spoilt things. Home by 11.30 p.m. Thursday to interfaith breakfast - met a Muslim leader and asked him if he had read "Contextualising Islam in Britain" report. Also leader of Brixton Hill Islamic centre came for first time and a Scalabrini father from Kennington. Served at Mass for religious at 11 a.m. acolyte. Nice lunch and met 2 Sr Teresas and Myriam and the sister from Maria Assumpta who is celebrating her 60th anniversary. To coffee after Heythrop Mass and then library. Gabriella...

A quiet day after the busy week! Liz got more compost and did lots of work in the garden. She also strimmed Grandma's lawn. I hoovered and sorted out my clothes throwing out nearly everything not worn in the last 12 months and hanging up my summer shirts. Even my 2 favourite jerseys have gone as they have small holes in them! Watched rest of The Apprentice and evensong from Lincoln on Iplayer and "Dido and Aeneas" from Covent Garden with Sarah Connolly in cracking form. Not so sunny today but warmer. Also caught up on the blog!