The organist librarian

The funeral of John Michael East at St Etheldreda's was beautiful with 3 male cantors singing the Latin requiem plainchant. Fr Tom sang the Mass in Latin. 29 present including many old and new friends. Enjoyable reception in the crypt. There were 3 Old Johannians present and 3 directors of music at St Etheldreda's. The Society of St Gregory, Latin Mass society and Monastic musicians were also well represented. We both went to the Royal Academy. Phyllida Barlow did not impress and as usual the Summer exhibition was a hotch potch! Liked the elephants and one or two paintings and prints. The architecture section was very interesting. Mali Morris RA had a small colourful display of works on paper. Ate at Itsu. Liz took robes back to the cathedral, went to servers council and dropped her Freedom pass. I went to an excellent lecture on the architecture of British mosques and I met 2 Muslim ladies one of whom asked a question about involving youth in planning mosques. Cambridge mosqu...

To South Norwood mosque in Clifford Road to discuss visit in July on the interfaith walk -  a warm welcome. Nice meal with New Zealand wine. Watched Michael Portillo's railway and University challenge. Printer working again. I popped into Battersea library to photocopy and return book and it's much improved.

Friday to hospital and fed Grandma. She ate a 3rd of dinner and all the yoghurt but she is not getting enough liquid. She listened to the news headlines I read her and smiled a lot. Straight to choir practice and I was 15 minutes late. My texts did not reach anyone who was there (only 4 there) so I now have the others' mobile numbers although they do not use their phones! We finished early and I practised the Mahler before giving the ladies a lift home. Dennis arrived later. Liz was at a slapup catechists dinner. Saturday to the cathedral to serve at 9am Mass with Archbishop Vincent and Bishop John. He was great at welcoming everyone and Fr Christopher described me to him as "Mr Interfaith" which we suppose makes Liz "Mrs Interfaith"! To the West London synagogue for a splendid service with organ and choir (organ sometimes too loud but some fine Mendelssohn and Bach). A lovely bar mitzvah with the family fully involved and 2 baby girls blessed. Lunch there. To ...

Met Sister Sheila on Thornton Heath station and told her about John Ennor being in Mayday. To Oxford Circus and arrived a little late for the meditation session at London Fo Guang Chinese Buddhist Temple in Margaret Street. No idea it was there! Very helpful guidance sheet. Coffee, cakes and chocs - my friend the monk from Battersea Peace pagoda was there. Shocked to find Mowbrays bookshop is closed. To Baker Street and walk in the rain to Regents Park mosque - Bishop John joined us and about 100. We were given a nice brochure and a very short introduction and invited to pray silently in the mosque. I thought of the psalms "O pray for the peace of Jerusalem" "Out of the deep" If only Israel would trust in the Lord! Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi and several people I know - lots of Catholics! Bus to Baker Street and underground to Rayners Lane. The Zoroastrian centre is a converted 30s cinema in Harrow - 3 million spent on it. Lunch brought from Birmingham by Sachkhan ...

Monday 5.50 a.m. caught express bus 68 to Waterloo and underground using oyster cards to Heathrow so that we arrived in good time for our British Airways flight. We boarded from the new section of terminal 1 and were served with a good hot breakfast. On arrival the coaches took us into the city where we were asked to change to the Hotel Richmond which was a good move as we had an executive room with a Bosphorus view and very comfortable. We went looking for the Atlas restaurant in Beyoglu but in the end went to Afacan which is self-service and we had aubergines and salad. Tuesday to Borusan BMW headquarters and we rehearsed with Mark in the morning and lunch was provided. The orchestra the Istanbul Philharmonic are pros but the conductor Gurer Aykal has them say sorry if they make a mistake! There are 5 of his relations in the orchestra. He was charm itself throughout and at every break there was coffee, tea and delicious cakes! We picnicked in our room and had a rest! Wednesday was a ...