The organist librarian

A rare opportunity to hear the Ralph Downes organ in St Clement Danes. Jack Gonzalez-Harding RCM played Wood sea songs, Howells and premiere by Geer who I also met. To Serpentine gallery for Grayson Perry then  tea in the park next to bowling green.  Took the boys to enjoyable Adventure in Moominland at South Bank centre and a good lunch at Giraffe. Last night's prom enjoyed Brahms and exuberant Schumann 3. Berg well played and the Larchner was intriguing. The talk about sleep had some good tips eg sleep 3 times a day is normal, do not worry about not sleeping, light is crucial. Work out what type you are. I am early morning awake and second wind p.m. sleepy after lunch. An enjoyable Prom with French music influenced by the Orient including Saint-Saens, Lalo, Franck and Delibes. I fell asleep during the talk on djinns. The problem was Ian MacMillan standing between the two guests so they were not speaking directly into the mikes. Elif Shafak is usually more interesting! Met C...

Woke with back ache again. Watched Mrs Thatcher's funeral which was all done in perfect British style - very stiff upper lip. Lovely music especially Stanford in G Nunc Dimittis. Pity we heard none of the organ music from St Paul's but we did get some Albinoni at St Clement Danes. David Dimbleby said De Klerk had said Mrs Thatcher opposed apartheid but she did oppose sanctions. In effect she supported the South African government. The Bishop of London gave a good sermon in which he said the line about "no such thing as society" was a misquote and Barry Mellish in fact supplied the full quote so it was a misunderstanding. To Hinsley room and 6 came for good discussion on Sharing Eden - now have the points for next month clearly laid out. Jon Dal Din was there so I paid for the June walk. The meeting next week at Hendon on Tuesday has been changed to Wednesday to suit Sr Margaret so I won't go.