The organist librarian

On bus and tube to Baker Street. Nice toasted cakes and coffee at Weatherspoons and we later had a good burger and beer there for lunch. 10.30 a.m. rehearsal and I slipped on the riser on the stage - wooden and not clearly marked and slippery. My left shoulder bruised, neck and side aches a bit and right shin has scabs where it got skinned. At the time I thought I was OK! The sopranos consistently sang flat so I got on the back row with David from Brighton and Peter! Actually the concert was much better and it was lovely to see Norbert Balatsch and meet his wife. Lots of faces from the past including Keith Chaundy, John Sims, Liz Letsky and Pat Stephens. Fiona, Pam, Eleanor, Muriel and the Shirasses were singing. Nice to do Shepherd's farewell in French. Vivaldi Gloria and Faure Requiem and everyone singing Hallelujah chorus. The conductor Robert was not very good. It was interesting to change the Charles Mackerras room. I took 2 photos from Orange and put them on the display which...

Spent the day interviewing which is exhausting. At lunch time went to the staff canteen and walked around South side shopping centre and sat in Wandsworth Town library. To Alexandra Palace on tube and W3 bus. Lovely views. Had John Smiths at the nice bar. An enormous hall and a good audience for Francis Jackson who is 92 and amazing. Able to watch on 2 big screens. At interval chatted to him and met his grandson Sam who graduated from Selwyn Cambridge and was turning for him. He played Bach, Schumann, Parry, Wolstenholme, Vierne, Franck and his sonata No.3. He asked if Ciarán is a Woodhouse. It took 90 minutes to get home but it was worth it! Sad to learn that Sir Charles Mackerras has died aged 84.

To spirituality day led by Mary Leigh on "Love is patient". Contemplated Holman Hunt's "Light of the world" and there is certainly more to this picture than I had realised. I always found the pre-Raphaelites too realistic but this is a fine picture. In the afternoon found St Therese's meditation on Corinthians 13 in last month's Oremus and her powerful message about being Love in the church. The recent amazing relics visit was all about Love! To Tate Britian listening to evensong from Salisbury. Wonderful Turner and the Masters exhibition with some lovely Watteaus and Claudes not to mention Rembrandts. The Turner Prize 4 were interesting if a bit disturbing - using brain matter - yuk! To Trafalgar square and had a duck wrap at Pret a manger. To ENO to meet Liz (she had been at Bow about drains and collecting paint so had brought car up). Superb production of "Turn of the screw" with Rebecca Evans and Ann Murray on fine form conducted by the eve...

Woke late having been awake in the early hours so only 26 lengths. Nudrat is coping well. Zia and I did the environmental audit of the library - paint is needed and some cleaning of the outside. Liz was at servers council. Listened to part of G & S "Patience" from the proms conducted by Mackerras. Everyone was having a great time! Dennis rang. Watched second programme on the pre-Raphaelites and Desperate Romantics Part 4.

The first recording session of the soundtrack for "Merlin" went really well and Rob Lane was very clear in his directions. He has had a distinguished career in film music including winning BAFTAs. It took a while to get used to having a headphone on with clicks to give the beats! Some of the themes were memorable and stay in the mind! Not sure I would watch the programme itself as it seemed to be full of medieval cliches! We were home quite quickly from Islington and watched The Planets conducted by Mackerras from the Proms.

Monday to Catenian circle meeting and Dr Austin Okonmah was enrolled. There were only 9 of us and 22 brothers as the Provincial President John MacMahon came on his official visit. I raised a laugh by saying that Harry Mellor's comments about the late Julian de Ruyter could never be put in Catena. Eric Tope was acting president gave me a lift home as it was our 35th wedding anniversary. The red gladioli have come out beautifully. Watched Cockaigne overture from the Prom conducted by Mackerras. To St Cyprian's to rehearse with composer Rob Lane for tomorrow's recording. He is good. Took as an hour and 20 minutes to get home.