The organist librarian

To New Scotland yard for a communities police meeting - met a nice imam and an interesting discussion. Quite daunting to go through security and find the metal end of my pencil and belt buckle set it off! To the Tate gallery - loved the Modern painters Camden Town group exhibition and the beautifully lit neo-classical sculptures including a stunning Flaxman Adoration of the magi relief. Did not like Peter Doig or the 5 women artists. The rehang of the modern galleries is good but the drawings exhibition is poorly labelled. Why put all the labels at one end of the wall? Fascinated by a film by Breda Beban of a man dancing with a gypsy girl and how changing the music and the slow motion of the film made it immediately seductive. On way out answered a Mori poll for Wayne and pronounced being a member of the Tate very good. interesting that I did not spot that The Independent had sponsored the Peter Doig! The last of Understanding Islam and 30 there - felt quite sad but Chris was hilarious...

Spoke to Ann on Skype - they enjoyed Dresden. To Coulsdon and arrived early so we chose music up to halfway through April. Got train in good time to be at Understanding Islam course by 1 p.m. Chris on good form and told us about prayer. The Regents Park mosque visit is set for the 27th at 12 noon. I shall be away so will go to the Croydon visit on March 1st. 11 people came to the first of the Lent groups "Who is my neighbour?" from 4 to 5 p.m. A lively discussion and it is sad to learn of our society where people refuse to be greeted even though they see one at church or at home. To first part of Mass (Fr Michael O'Boy gave an excellent homily on winning the lottery) and then to chorus for Dvorak. Mark Griffiths seems to talk too much and he goes on to 9.15 every week. Liz and I got train to pick up the car.Interesting to find that one of the Islam course folk is a religious from Beckenham who have seen at Catenian clergy suppers!

Spoke to Ann and they enjoyed their visit to Berlin. To seniors coffee morning in the Hinsley Room and met Eric and Patrick and a lady from Doon Mary Mahoney. Patrick goes to Lourdes with the Jumbulance every May. 31 at Understanding Islam including some refugees from the Coulsdon course who missed this week's session there. Sue Lyon among them! To the British library to see the treasures exhibition, the Folio society exhibition about the Bloomsbury set and the European Avant Garde display (latter not to my taste). Had a look at St Pancras and the roof is very impressive. Do not like the big sculpture under the clock! To chorus and Edward Caswell is excellent. He was making a guest appearance. We worked on Elijah and Beethoven 9 and he likes legato singing and the sound improved a lot. Liz arrived home with the old car 330 miles from Dublin! She stayed in Shrewsbury overnight.

Moved garden rubbish up to Grandma's where there will be a skip to clear the garage once the new bathroom is done. Bus held up by the police closing roads around Vauxhall and Victoria but got to the Hinsley Room in time. 29 at the course and Chris on great form. Stayed and had tea with small group members and looked at Louise and Tom's official wedding photobook which arrived today. It is lovely! The photo cutting the cake isn't in the book!

Ivan's funeral at the cathedral - Simon playing the organ but no singers. Good to see Graham from St John's and James O'Donnell there. First met Ivan at Belmont Abbey on retreat with the late much missed Dom Alan Rees. Ivan was such a nice man. There were 35 at Understanding Islam which was excellent! Liz came too. Skyped Ann and Paul in Wurzburg - they enjoyed Singapore! I have at last finished the rather dry book "How to understand Islam" and now have Chris's book to read!

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 ...