The organist librarian

Swam 22. Short chat to Ann who had been in Perth. Art and worked on clothing. Home for quick lunch and to the cathedral for a memorial service which we thought was at 2.30. It actually started at 2.15 so we just made it. The music was splendid - Allegri, Byrd, Burgon, Widor  -it must have cost a lot. The general conclusion was that you can be wealthy, marry a merchant banker, cook, shoot birds, be a great friend, get cancer and go to heaven. No mention of charity or the poor at all! Brian was helping the elderly priest and Paul Tobin was in charge. Liz went to Balham library and I went to The Works in Croydon to get another smaller art carrying case. Watched Come dine with me and Wolf Hall and a good programme about making the series with Mark Rylance. 

Car was serviced by Nick - 4000 miles a year and coming up to 10 years old. To mosaic and it looks as though I will take a break. Tai chi with Hendrika. Liz picked me up and we had lunch. Watched Wolf Hall and sorted out Catenian email account. Also ordered more Uhu glue. To Henry VII chapel at the Abbey for Stand up and be counted series - talks by police commissioner and 3 police on their work and how it is changing. To Beckenham circle and the vistors outnumbered them 12 to 10. Brendan gave me a lift home. 

Tuesday snow so no swim! It cleared quite quickly- bus, train and tube to Clapham Common. Lady on train with baby in pram which was crying and baby refused juice and dummy so I suggested she might be teething. Oh no she's just tired! So why not pick her up and cuddle her to sleep then? I can tell the difference between cries! Tales of Hoffmann from the Met was superbly sung and produced - really enjoyed it and not seen it before. Posted photo CDs to Fr Renato Zilio in Marseille - had to buy tape as the tape on the envelope was coming off. To the House of Commons committee room 8 the Wellington room for the excellent GlobalNet 21 meeting "Does bombing an ideology ever work?" Excellent speakers esp Michael Stephens on the Middle East. Most voted No. I asked a question about control of the internet and the role of multinational oil companies. Met a political editor for ITV news and an agnostic Jew! I love looking at the plaques in Westminster Hall. To Acton. The usual day ...

Got up in the night to take Ibuprofen as left ankle hurting and bottom teeth twinges. Swam 20 and we both went  -the woman with the hand paddles annoyed Liz - she is very inconsiderate to other swimmers. BBC coverage from Auschwitz. Drove to Swanley for Catenian provincial council. Luis has vacated all positions so  Fergus of Maidstone stepped up to become Provincial President in April and I offered to be Vice-President as there will not be a provincial weekend this year. It was agreed to say a prayer for the Pope although the original email is probably a scam. It was all quite light-hearted. Drove to Selhurst and in an hour I was at Acton 11.15. Wednesday to Tamar's and Seán was much more interested and liked the train song and animals song. He recognised the maraca. He can be quite naughty and did not sleep all day. Ciaran seemed a bit off colour and came home from Isobel's. Watched Wolf Hall, Up the women and Starkey on Magna carta. 

Tuesday we both swam and I did 20 - it was cold again.Liz went to Brick Lane and Somerset House and then to Acton. I went to Church House for the Boroughs interfaith forum. There were reflections on recent events and I said I was bewildered but wanted the police to do something about hate crime. The MP from the Dept of Communities a Liberal agreed. We heard about Near Neighbours and food banks. I left early to go to the cathedral for evensong sung by St Paul's cathedral. Stanford in G (did not like either soloist and the men were far too loud at the start of the Magnificat, Brahms Geistliche lied. Exc sermon by Canon Oakley. Nice to see Michael Durand (with a stick) and Anne Welch. To Alexandra Palace for fine recital by Gerard Brooks. Saw Jack Beeson and the Shepherds. Coleridge-Taylor, Lloyd Webber, Guilmant and Widor (with a sense of humour!) My tea came out of the cup! Reached Acton at 10.15. Wed Sean ran about and his behind the curtains at music but he did join in some of i...

Monday enjoyed Voces 8 concert at St Mary at Hill. I was on until 8 and pretty tired. Tuesday reading group discussed "Wolf Hall" and surprised how many did not like it! They seemed upset that I am retiring - you've only just come!