The organist librarian

Mouse No. 4 seen in the lounge last night - yuk! Saturday to St George's cathedral to hear Marilyn Harper play very well. I made myself known to Mylene. She played Bach, Rootham and Bedard. About 25 there. A lovely day and visited the Tibetan peace garden. I had parked at West Norwood so took bus back and then to Dulwich picture gallery for Hockney prints. Overpriced at £10 for pensioners - the rooms are too narrow and too many people. Parked at Kent House. Fr Quaqoe at Mass and there were 5 of us serving and all went well. To Hayes Catholic church hall for a delightful May supper with Beckenham circle - lots of nice food. Gabrielle who is German was rather dogmatic about the Church! Enjoyed the chat as the house is so quiet. Liz was at the diamond wedding celebration.

Liz went to Acton to babysit. I got bus to St George;s cathedral Southwark as there was a big match on. Jonathan Rennert played superbly and we could watch him on the screens. The Dorian, Boyce, Moore, Darke and Willan. He remembered me! The new Romero cross is too big for the chapel! To Tate modern to see Paul Klee but there were far too many people there and the canvases are small. Across Millenium bridge to get buses to Bloomsbury Baptist for David Pipe playing Stanford, Bull, Huw Morgan and Harold Britton (both present) and George Haynes. Had to walk further as bus stop closed so missed vespers. Fr Michael Quaqoe welcomed me back and asked after Liz. EJ and Bruce went to Greenwich. Watched University challenge.

Woke early. Felt like I was going to be sick - might be alcohol reacting with malaria tablet but in fact I was OK and had some fennel tea. Spoke to Lyn and Rosemary on Skype and they are not coming to dinner tomorrow because of the snow and ice. They fly to Sydney Feb 12th. To St George's cathedral for ordination of Stuart Meyer with Nicolas who is a married former Anglican priest from Winchester college. Archbishop Peter Smith was impressive. Less impressed at Norman's loud fast playing and the men rushing plainchant. Nick Gale conducting Haydn far too vigorously- result too loud! Benedictus really hald things up. Durufle motet and organ music and Villette motet less well done. Sunith was there and Stuart will be based in Anerley! Colin was there and a couple who used to come to St John's. Nice eats afterwards and spoke to Fr Philip Glanfield and Ann who used to be in interfaith group. Fr John as friendly as ever and got bus to cathedral with Canon Christopher. Fell aslee...

Finished reading the Pieris book. Liz went to course retreat at Tyburn. To St George's cathedral for Peter Wright's excellent recital of Bach, Vierne, Cochereau, Bairstow, Jackson and the Leighton Et resurrexit again. Not impressed that Mark Johnson ignored me - it was the St Cecilia day as well. Norman Harper was most welcoming and there was a reasonable audience. On 344 with Dorio to St Mary le Bow. An excellent demo by the church secretary of the Kenneth Tickell 2010 organ which is a real treat. I played two Andrew Moore pieces. There was a good turnout too. To M & S for tea and cake. At Mass RCIA candidates were enrolled. St George's Sudbury all male choir did not distinguish themselves! Nice meal of pork chop. Michael Portillo has continental railway journeys series!

Having come home early on Boxing Day tummies settled down! Had a quiet day catching up on TV = excellent broadcast from York Minster, horrid one from St George's cathedral Southwark - difficult to find anything good to say about it! Becoming Jane excellent, alleged portrait of Jane Austen, Nutcracker from Royal Ballet 2000, Christmas University challenge has been good. London's burning about the riots in Clapham Junction was terrifying. Tuesday to St John's for sung eucharist - nice David Thorne setting and AJEyre carol. Surprise lunch in the vicarage which was lovely.

I am on the back page of the Catholic Herald leading the procession last week! On bus to St George's cathedral and a warm welcome from the Dean Canon John O'Toole. The men were singing and good to see Norman Harper, Nick Gale and Mark Johnson. The turn out of Catenians not that great - about 50. We were serving but took a back seat. The servers arrived at the last minute and there was no MC and they certainly need training! Shambolic! The plainchant was far too fast and the whole Mass felt rushed with no silences at all. I'm not sure I woudl want to repeat the experience and I only went because of our deceased brothers. We came home on the bus and I started work on my first essay. Evensong from Exeter (again!) At St John's we sang Coleridge-Taylor canticles and Bainton's "And I saw a new heaven". Terence has a crutch but recovering well from the hip operation. Watched Antiques roadshow.

Took Liz to station - her first day at Heythrop on Pastoral Mission course. Bruce took us to Heathrow. In the excitement forgot to pack Ciaran's quilt, nightlight and portable cot! He was watching Thomas DVD. He slept in car after we had popped into Battersea Park library. He ran to Louise when she came through and she was in tears. Had a fabulous time and bought loads of things. Dropped off at Gunnersbury Park despite traffic and got tube to Victoria. Acolyte at Blessed sacrament procession from Westminster cathedral to St George's cathedral Southwark. A glorious day. The rosary gang were there in force and occasionally sang Ave maria and eventually O sacrament divine. Benediction at the cathedral with Bishop Alan Hopes. Greeted by Fr John O'Toole and the MC about serving next Sunday at Catenian mass. Cathedral was full so reckon about a 1000 there! It reminded me of the Via crucis in Jerusalem - some indifference and some respect. Rebecca borrowed Liz's cassock and to...