The organist librarian

Thursday to BSO and saw Evalina. Very good progress and decided could now leave it for a while and keep doing the exercises. The tutor was nice as well. To Royal Academy to see chiaroscuro woodcuts and Norman Stevens ARA prints. Also a second visit to the Sensing Spaces especially to see the bamboo and the forest effect displays. Had squash salad and tea in the Sir Hugh Casson room in Keeper's house. Although it was a Friends preview day it was not so crowded - maybe going in the morning is better. To Burlington Gardens to see the second year works but more impressed by James Turrell's use of light. To Notting Hill and dropped into Waterstone's. A lovely day again. Alan's series on interfaith and the whole person. Marianne Rankin spoke on universality of spirituality. A rather aggressive and poorly informed Hindu was a bit of a trial - a monologue rather an a dialogue. I pointed that what he was saying did not match what I had studied and over tea I pointed to Hindus k...

Had a lie-in. Did the ironing and sorted out the shed so the keyboard is now stored there. After lunch to the vicarage garden which is looking lovely. Bridget's 40th birthday so we had sandwiches and cakes and champagne. A lovely afternoon - very pleasant. We left to park at West Norwood but Liz had runny tummy so she came home. I served Mass with Fr Michael Quaquo and we had 4 servers, I decided not to go to the Prom but came home hitting football crowds. The film music was good if a bit samey in the second half. Also listened to Young Apollo (Britten), Berkeley serenade for strings and Britten simple symphony from the Proms with scores.

Swam 20. Emails about St Michael's organ recital series. Cambridge pretty well fixed up - 7 organs are possible! Read article on scriptural reasoning. To Methodist central hall for Boroughs interfaith forum - the room was noisy and my right hand hearing aid is not working. It was interesting to reflect on 10 years of the forum but I had to leave to go to Hinsley room for Lent group - 5 came and it was a good session. Crozier bearer for Bishop John at Mass and choir sang Berkeley. Bishop John reflected on Pope Benedict's last day. Faith matters with Archbishop Stack on art - it was a bitty talk with some good bits especially on the Crucifixion. There should have been more pictures and more on art in churches rather than in galleries.

So sad to learn that Liza had died of cancer and it all happened so quickly. She was a great soprano and always pleased to see old friends. Spoke to Ann. Saturday and Sunday morning completed essay 1 - the review of Hugh Goddard's book. Watched Who do you think you are Len Goodman and Tracey Emin and an excellent programme on Lucian Freud. Recording of Elizabeth played on radio 3 so I sent Rob Cowan an email and he replied. Netta was singing in the Dulwich chamber choir at Mass last night - they sang really well - Berkeley Missa brevis (magic soft ending to Gloria) and Bruckner Ave Maria. She doesn't sing in the chorus any more.

Friday and wet and windy - woke late. I am using a large black umbrella as my German one has finally given up the ghost. The German ones are so much better than cheap Chinese ones - much sturdier! Finished reading "Basil Hume 10 years on" and enjoying dipping into "John and Myfanwy Piper" by Frances Spalding which has stunning illustrations e.g. the windows at Robinson college. To the cathedral for farewell to Bishop Bernard off to Birmingham. The Archbishop quoted the song "We don't want to lose you but we know you have to go" although it was hard to hear his homily and hot on top of the heater. The full choir sang Rubbra Missa St Dominica, Berkeley's Psalm 23 and we had 2 fine Newman hymns "Firmly I believe" and "Lead kindly light". Elgar Imeprial March. Cardinal and lots of clergy and bishops present and ecumenical reps as well. I was communion torch with Michael and dashed to get the Coulsdon South train which I just caught....