The organist librarian

This morning we sang 3 kings and Tim and Tony joined us. I didn't feel the choir were watching me enough. The Buxtehude variations on How brightly shines went really well. Nice lunch. Put Christmas stuff in the shed and tidied up - a nice bright day. At evensong we sang Moeran in D and Wood's Expectans expectavi. Watched Antiques roadshow and Lark rise to Candleford. Did programme for organ recital at St Edmund's.

The water feature yesterday shows how cold it is but today it is even more frozen although still flowing! Liz went up to Grandma's while I got up early to get the hourly train to Coulsdon so I had lots of time to practise. Choir turned up late and wandered around getting glasses so I got rather cross and said we must start singing at 9.20 a.m. Actually the anthem "Three kings" went really well and there were lots of compliments for John Linney. 2 buses home straight away and walked home from Grandma's for late lunch. A delicious ham and finished off the Fish Hoek white wine. Watched Songs of Praise about astronomy, a programme on the Star of Bethlehem, Antiques roadshow, Lark Rise to Candleford and a fascinating play about Shaun Greenhaulgh who fooled the art world.

It's been an interesting week! Liz is delighted that the back fences have at last been replaced. On Wednesday the Understanding Islam course started in the Hinsley Room ably led by Dr Chris Hewer. 27 people came so I was very pleased and the session was excellent. I went to the National Gallery and enjoyed the exhibition of German stained glass. Part of the gallery was closed because of a strike! In the evening the Chorus party was distinguished by superb food prepared by Jackie and an enjoyable quiz. On Thursday I visited the new Wellcome Trust exhibition in Euston Road. The collection is very well presented and there is a virtual library. The exhibition on "Dreams and sleep" was fascinating. The chorus started rehearsing Dvorak's wonderful Requiem for the Istanbul trip ably directed by Mark Griffiths. Friday Liz was out with Fr Swavek and the catechists for dinner while I took choir practice. I was home in time to see the remarkable C of E vicar Peter Owen Jones on ...