The organist librarian

 Sunday played at Riddlesdown.  Willan Fugal trilogy no 1, Ireland intrada, Moore on Moscow and Knight on Wiltshire. Brain of Britain and working on flowers jigsaw. W onderful Bach by candlelight at St John Upper Norwood which attracted over 100. Beautiful singing by David McGregor and Ben Bearklian-Carter and playing from James Gough, Ali Baumann and Angelika-Rose Stangl. Young musician semi- final. Monday Henry came and he spoke to Ann and took him to Bell House Dulwich for touch typing course. Liz went to printing workshop and we had lunch at Gail's. Quiz night when I got back from Craigmyle lecture at National gallery by the esteemed director Sir Gabriele Finaldi. I asked a question about why the text of the Angelus was not put next to the Millet painting. We can’t assume people know the Christian story. The director said it should have been on display! Several people thanked me for asking the question. Tuesday woke too late to swim but to Unacc and Marie was good. Liz ca...

 Sat a wasted journey train and bus to St Paul Southfields. This was a day for the diocese on lay ministry but only 6 people turned up. Jacky very kindly gave me a lidt back to Selhurst. Her husband was 40 years in the ENO chorus and on retirement joined the Bach choir so enjoyed some nostalgia about David Hill, etc. Changed in to suit and to Westminster cathedral hall. Liz came from serving at UCM Mass at St George's. Cardinal George Koovakad came from Rome and 11 faith representatives spoke abot peace and signed a pledge for peace. Interesting that this pledge had a paragraph on the climate crisis cf to 2013 pledge. Worked out I have been working in interfaith field for 15 years! Lots of folk came to greet us incl Mgr Kevin and bishops. Cardinal Vincent gave an excellent address. Me before you a powerfu drama about a young paraplegic who turns down his girlfriend to go to Switzerand to die.  Sun at SJ ladies sang Faure Ave verum. Ireland in C. Had a sleep in the afternoon. E...

 The laptop has been extremely slow so I am now catching up days after the events! On 30th Ann and Paul came and we went to the Horniman. Some great improvements there especially in the Music gallery and British youth wildlife photographers. Picked up Henry from school and headed to Il Posto. A very nice meal - quite a long gap between starter and main so abandoned the idea of of going to hear Simon Johnson at WC.  Oct 1 set off for Lewes. Paul and I both drove to Charleston but in fact we were due at Charleston in Lewes. Sickert exhibition very good. Had an ice cream in the park. To Catholic church and then St Anne's across the road. Their hymn choices for harvest quite inappropriate. Drum next to organ. Met the priest and he had been with Gerard and Gerry Ewing that day! Premier Inn very good and had a nice meal. Oct 2 back to Charleston for tour of the house by an excellent guide who told us about Berwick church. We went to cafe at Anne of Cleves House and met Ed. He lives ...

 Thursday set off to Euston bus was slow and got to assistance in time. Magda was there. Train was 35 minutes late. No assistance at Manchester so walked ot taxi and to Luther King House. Buses and got to Chetham's library in time for 3 p.m. tour which was fascinating. Uber to Cloud 23. Great view, champagne and 3 kinds of tea. To bed early. Friday uber to Salford cathedral and he went past it! Found console appeared to be locked but in the end got the top open and I played for 5 minutes before the excellent tour. Stephen and Mary from Bath gave us a lift to Laudato Si' centre. Rained but enjoyed Emily's tour and Via Creationis led by Sr Joan. Lift to town and nice meal at Pizza Express 2 hours.  Saturday Sr Joan picked 4 of us up Bella went on buses. Sr Joan's talk on Franciscan prayer was excellent. Mgr Paul led Mass in the woods - inpsiring. I sang the psalm with 5 minutes notice of the text! Liz served. We got an uber for 5 to the station. Train delayed 35 minutes n...

 Tuesday 8th. Swim and had the middle lane to myself! It was bucketing outside!  To Milton Court for an outstanding final recital by Max Robbins. A varied programme Beethoven, Brahms, French, Finzi, Beach and Gershwin including dancing! To Two Brewers and returned for Ona Cerniauskaite’s recital Dvorak and Shostakovich with piano trio. Brightened a miserable wet day! Clare was there. Fell asleep listening to Schumann Prom! We went to the National Emergency briefing at Everyman cinema. I was at the original briefing at Westminster Central Hall. There were lots of good comments. It is really important that EVERYBODY sees this briefing as we are already in a serious situation. Write to your MP and push for this to be shown on national TV. Sewing Bee down to the last 3. Beth should win this! Wed 9th Swam 14. To Beck Meth for a funeral. I had to play 20 minutes of quiet music then there was a recording of Mozart Piano concerto no 9. A recording of a Welsh hymn (not sung by all!) D...

 Sept 2 swam 20 pool was quiet. A delightful visit to Tina and she liked the flowers and card. Her flat is lovely. Ended up giving us pasta and salami and coffee. To Halfords to get caps for tyres. Fell asleep watching Call my bluff and catching up on Sewing Bee! Painting the Psalms picture listening to Rachmaninov Piano concerto 3 form last night's Prom and Berlin Phil playing Enigma variations brought tears to my eyes then Tchaik 4. I spent some time sending emails about the interfaith event only to find that they were not sent. I thought tonight would be mu first Westminster Justice and peace commission meeting at Farm St but Anita knew nothing about it. I can't go to the study day so no idea when my first meeting will be!  Henry arrived at 8. He was tired from going to Oxford so British museum idea was abandoned nor would he go to my art group so I spent 3 hours clearing up the back garden and Henry cut back the rose. He watched Netflix and recorders and Vikings. Took 6 ba...