The organist librarian

Good programme on Frank Baum who wrote "Wizard of Oz" last night. Up early and watched the Royal wedding coverage from 8am. To Josie's. Pity we did not hear much ofthe music beforehand. Everyone looked fabulous especially the bride. I was glad an inspired choice and 3 great hymns with descants. Parry featured Blest pair of sirens was great. Loved Ubi caritas not so sure about the Rutter. Lesson excellently read by Kate's brother. Great sermon from the Bishop of London including their own prayer. Fanfare and Crown Imperial. Brought back memories of our family weddings especially going in the car with Louise! Lovely procession back to the Palace. Champagne and cake made by Emily and pizzas! What a day and the sun came out!

I swam yesterday 30 and saw John. He works with figures about the Big Society and has much to say on the subject and the Government's plans! Had a lie-in and finished The Tablet. To Brixton Hill for interfaith lunch and meeting and a review of the last 2 years. Good to see Phillipe and Hassan again and Fr David had an interesting chat. I told him how I came to be at the cathedral. Ivor and Sally wanted to know about our trip and Jo gave me a ticket for the Cardinal Bea lecture. Baked chocolate brownies ready for tomorrow.

Sunny days! Liz went to John O'Brian's funeral. Picked up Harry and were early at Russell hotel, Maidstone despite missing a turning! Spoke about need for recruitment. Nice meal beef stew and sat next to Tony Welch from Canterbury and chatted about music and liturgy so next day sent him SSG magazine! Home by 11 p.m. Wednesday did more reading - only one Tablet left to finish. To Brixton for lunch at Hindu Caribbean society temple - vegetarian, Nagase was there from the peace pagoda. A warm welcome. Originally Liz was going to bring Ciarán but logistics not good so I met them in Chiswick and Louise as well - did some shopping and back to the house. Great news about Lou and Tom buying the house form the landlady at a good price. We got home quite quickly and watched the final episode of The Crimson petal and the white.

A glorious day. Sat in garden and Grainne and family came and played on small trampoline on new mat and with stones and oranges! Come to sunny South Norwood forget Cyprus! Then we went swimming and Ciarán goes under water and loves it! I walked him in buggy to Josie so he slept and Louise and Liz went to sort clothes at Glyn Close. Great to chat to Malcolm and Ursula and Bernard quizzing us on geography! Liz to Acton with Lou and Ciarán. Enjoyed programme on Holst and Easter at King's.

Broadcast from St George's chapel, Windsor BCP eucharist but with Missa de angelis! Why no BCP settings? Coulsdon went really well and it was a good idea to move the hymn form the gradual to after the sermon. We sang "This joyful Easteride" and "Christians shout for joy and gladness" at communion and I played Howells Saraband for the morning of Easter. Compliments about Cross of Christ. To Hammersmith pub Dartmouth castle for excellent lamb with Louise, Tom, Ciarán, Helen, Gary and Beany. We took them home and then came back home with Lou and Ciarán who kept awake the whole way home. Lovely Easter from King's on TV and Antiques roadshow. Aled Jones on "The choir" featured youth choirs.

Brilliant photos by Marcin Masur A nice meal at Pizza Express 2 courses for £10. The Vigil was superb - we were tapers and Communion torches. Details were changed at the last minute which is not a good idea. There was a scare when Emmanuel was carrying the lit EAster candle up the ladder to the stand after the baptisms. The candle went to the right and he ws lucky not to fall. Vierne Messe solenelle stunning, Palestrina Sicur cervus, Bassano motet.Langlais at the end. Archbishop Vincent gave a wonderful homily about the risen human body of Christ once again quoting the Pope. He brought a human touch to the baptisms handing the towel to the candidate himself and thanking Fr Tim for his hard work. It was good to be able to thank Martin, Peter and David personally. We started at 8.30 p.m. and finished at 11.10 p.m.

To morning prayer and again superb singing from the choir Tenebrae responses of Victoria and a loud strepitus which the Archbishop enjoyed. His homily was excellent. We finished with "Praise to the holiest". Brought cottas home to wash and the back of mine was brown from the benches yesterday. Washed the front path. Watched Alice's adventures in wonderland from the Royal Ballet - a delight. Also An island parish. The Martin Golgotha sung by the chorus at King's College last night excellent. Liz made cakes.

A beautiful day again. To 10am Morning prayer at the cathedral - another fine homily from Archbishop Vincent and Victoria responsories and Anerio. To Methodist central hall (hot cross and coffee) walk to cathedral and back to the Abbey. More fine addresses especially the RN chaplain on the centurion at the Abbey. Saw Ann's husband briefly and congratulated him on receiving the Maundy. 3pm solemn liturgy - I was acolyte for the Blessed sacrament with Marcus (he says he prommed in gallery last year and it was cooler up there). The tabernacle could not be opened at first! Superb Bruckner, Victoria and Casals and another fine homily. Dash to station (Daniel apparently tried to catch up with me) 6pm rehearsal at Coulsdon and Cross of Christ at 7pm which went really well. We had 2 tenors and extra alto. To WHite Hart, Chipstead for Ruby mild well deserved! Vicky, Boweys, Withams, Molly and Susan came. An excellent idea! Vivky said her director of ordinands said Lent ends at 4pm on Good F

Swam 32 and a glorious day. Watched the Royal Maundy from Westminster Abbey on the Queen's 85th birthday. A lovely occasion and we spotted Francis Clark and Ann's husband receiving the Maundy. Archbishop Vincent and Canon Christopher were there. Lovely Brahms Geistliches Lied and good hymns too. "Praise to the holiest" "It is a thing most wonderful" and "My song is love unknown". Elgar Sonata at the end. Nice that Manx and European churches were represented. Fixed up the wiring for water feature and David came for a cuppa. Heard some of the Bach St Matthew Passion conducted by David Hill. Picked up Marie. Service went well and feet were washed for the first time in many years! We sang Ubi caritas. John very late and not at practice. To mock thy reign went a bit off key but psalms were well done. It seems the gong was not used at yesterday's funeral so it was not my hearing!

A lovely day and we both swam and to the cathedral for Chrism Mass at which we were consecration torches. Our back view on the diocesan website photos. The Mawby Ave verum was thrilling. Haydn Little organ mass and De Angelis. Bishop George going to Cardiff to be Archbishop. An excellent lunch in the hall and lots of people to meet and we chatted to folk in M & S when we went for tea. Liz went to Lancaster Road to see family and I came home to go to Croydon parish church for Couperin tenebrae beautifully sung by Gail Winter and Julie Beaumont and Canon Colin read the gospel beautifully. It was all a little bit camp. Drew in jeans and black open neck shirt. Gave Martin How his 80th birthday card he was pleased. Sex education show and baby born in Auschwitz on TV! Also watched An Island parish about Barra. Wednesday also lovely. Swam and played for funeral at Coulsdon - all went well. Soloist gospel style Amazing grace. I played Pie Jesu at the end. Interesting song played as a tr

Up late - woke 3 times but did not get up. Toe is not so red and not hurting any more but back playing up a bit. To mosaic and finished project and started on new one. We meet again May 9th. Tai chi and interesting chat to Tony afterwards. Why do rock stars abuse themselves and yet look so well? Maybe the music is a release of tensions. Home for M & S meal, stuffed mushrooms, Paella and raspberry pannacotta. Sibelius 3 and Nevsky on radio 3. There was an interesting programme on TV last night by Ann Widdecombe who always irritates me. She said Christianity is growing in some areas like cathedrals and Pentecostal churches. Maybe people are going to cathedrals to get away from happy clappy music?

Service went well at Coulsdon. I played Tears of grief from St Matthew Passion even though most folk went outside for the interment of Ron Anderson's ashes. Short rehearsal with Ellie then Adrian and Graham's for an excellent lunch. Cantemus sang Liszt's Via Crucis in a liturgical Stations of the cross. I sat in front of Stephen Roberts who is singing as well as ever. Fr Andrew Wilson is now retired! The work is moving and uses plainchant and chorales effectively. It brought back memories of the Stations in Jerusalem and Oberammergau. Watched Antiques roadshow and programme about royal weddings. It seems chorus is to sing in 2 proms!

Woke too early. Just missed a train and the one I got went through Battersea Park so I was late. Sam was running it and we discussed "The uncommon reader" by Alan Bennett. We also talked about royalty. The cuts are going ahead in July. Daphne has retired! Town centre library linked to neighbourhood library with only one manager. Opening hours cut. Had lunch at the library and read the paper - met a couple of readers I know well. To Bromley and visited Bromley library and then to Widmore Rd URC for President's recital by Michael Toplis on the Hill Norman and Beard. He played Liszt, Franck and Bach really well. I had a play after tea and the AGM went smoothly. As I was leaving asked if I woudl do an Oxbridge so I said Yes! Bus to Bromley South and arrived in good time for Vespers. Fr Tim was celebrant Palm Sunday and I was crucifer. St Matthew Passion. Home late and nice meal. Toe on right foot badly bruised and sore and back playing up.

We went to the British library. I got there first via London Bridge but had to walk further than Liz who went via Tulse Hill. My toe on right foot is hurting! Small display of Jain manuscripts and books and volunteers from Jainepdia present to explain them. Met a lady who went to Newton school for the interfaith talks. Had a look round the other displays incuding Beatles and Terence Rattigan and wonderful music MSS and wonderful sacred texts. An hour of classical Indian dance with 2 excellent dancers. Story telling through dance with explanations and expressive hands and eyes. Back via Tulse Hill. Cleaned patio using the jet cleaner - quite a messy job. To practice and 3 missing. Went on until nearly 9 - a lot to do.

42 lengths - the best effort yet. I was up early and saw some of my old acquaintances including Dan - they are expecting another baby and he has been to Kenya on business trip.

Did some garden things clearing out hanging baskets. At last did application to Heythrop and posted it. Listened to choral evensongs from Derby and St Albans and watched Weakest link. Saint-Saens 3 on radio 3.

Anu our guide in Bangkok just loved taking our picture! All the photos and videos can be found on Face book John Woodhouse

Anu took us to the flower market in Bangkok and bought flowers. At the temple of the reclining Buddha he showed us 3 ways of opening the petals of the lotus and folding them back so that the beauty of the pink flower is shown. The lotus is a symbol of the Buddha and enlightenment. The whole exercise was a calming meditation and the flowers were presented to the Buddha.

A journey with some unexpected changes Liz and I set off on my retirement holiday for 7 weeks not expecting some changes to our plans! We began in San Francisco where we crossed the Golden Gate bridge, visited the zoo and loved Grace Cathedral which has an interfaith AIDS memorial chapel and labyrinths inside and outside the building. The labyrinth could be taken as a model of our journey - so often close to the destination but so often so far away! In Auckland I enjoyed playing the fine Town Hall organ and we discovered the Maori instruments in the museum on which 2 of the stops had been based. The sailing trip on the harbour was great and we enjoyed lunch up the tower with stunning views. Our 18 day tour of New Zealand had many surprises. The word “awesome” became overused. The tall ships sailing day and seeing dolphins in the Bay of Islands were highlights. In Rotorua we enjoyed the Maori show and meal cooked in the ground for us and the geothermal tour . Queenstown has a fine sk

Family + Clare, Rosemary, Lyn, Josie and Daniel

Interfaith group (6 of us) visited the pagoda and the lovely temple which is hidden away. Lots of nice eats! Good to see Halam again. To gym in Bromyard and Ciarán running about. Watched cleaning Petworth house and The crimson petal and the white which seems to include a lot of sex. Joan and the drum On the temple

Swam 22. My back playing up as a result of hoovering and tidying up the house and garden. Malcolm, Ursula, Emily, Aidan, Bernard and Josie came for tea. Great to see them and hear about the horrors of Christchurch. A lovely afternoon and great eats from Liz. Liz went to servers meeting and then to Louise's.

Swam 30 lengths. My back played up when I put back the bed in the back room. To mosaic and grouted the mirror. Tai chi was good too. Long chat to Derek whose mother died aged 100. Hoovered and tidied up. May music list and article about the holiday. Liz went to confirmation class.

Tony Trent turned up! We sang Wood in Phrygian mode and Stainer's "God so loved the world". I played Bach O mench bewein but had to cut it short as John was late at rehearsal. Parry on "Rockingham" was somewhat marred by noisy children. Hymns included Lift high the cross, When I survey and It is a thing most wonderful. The AGM went off calmly and there was only a brief mention of a review of what we sing.The point is that 2 congregation memebrs asked to join in with the Eucharistic acclamations but this was not in the minutes! We have 2 choir members on PCC. I was thanked. Set up the new water feature which features otters but we will need an outside plug. To evensong where we sang Vexilla regis and Walton's Litany "Drop drop slow tears".

Saturday another glorious day. To Christian Education centre Tooting Bec for course on "Meeting God in friend and stranger". Jon Dal Din, Rosemary and Fr David Crawley and Maureen Liddy were there. Fr Michael was excellent but had to leave at lunch which was provided. Fr Martin's presentation was dull after lunch and hard to keep awake. Told Fr Michael I was looking forward to Heythrop and several people there had done the course. To Balham library to return books = Tracy and Fiona say morale is low as cuts are going ahead. To Battersea Park for picnic and then to Mass with Fr Michael Durand speeding through it.

When rehearsing Howells delighted to find Dad's music in the holder. Peter Jewkes kindly sent me a copy of the music when I could not find the original,

Thursday to Peckham for Dulwich circle attended by Vernon De Cruz the Grand President who gave an excellent speech - the food was great too. 4 there from Norwood. Friday another lovely day so did some more clearing up in the garden. Swam 30 lengths and Andrew was there. Took car to Hondas for check on light switch. To Gemma's Dad's cafe for bread pudding and cappucinos. Nice walk wound South Croydon rec with daffodils out. To St George's Beckenham on the tram for Travis Baker's excellent recital of Bach, Dupre,F.X.Schnizer and Bovet. He is form Melbourne and remarked that June Nixon was not that welcoming. Got Easter eggs at M & S and noted that the bookshop is temporarily closed. Found water feature not working any more so went and bought a new one featuring otters. Practice went well - no John or Ann. I watched "Perfume" on Iplayer about a murderer - very well done.

Tuesday to cathedral for rehearsal for Chrism Mass. A lot of standing about but Ross was there. They also serve who only stand and wait! To Louise's via Putney Bridge as we got on the wrong tube train. To Brentford only to find music pandemonium finished last week and does not start until May. Took Ciarán to the park - it was lovely and sunny and he loved the slide. To spirituality day with Michael Moran on St Francis de Sales. I bought the book and also got Faithful pilgrim the Lent book about the Papal visit. Everyone asked about the trip and Eileen suggested the labyrinth at Ealing. In the cathedral the school children were rehearsing their lovely Passion and Easter play. To Royal Academy to see the lovely Watteau drawings. Liz took Ciarán to Sion Park.

Monday to tai chi and great to be back. There were 6 in the class and we did Chinese breathing exercises and are at step 4. Missed mosaic so start next week for 5 more sessions. Catenians AGM and meeting - Brendan is now President with no Vice President. Sad to hear Tony Charlier passed away early March - he was a fine musician. Eric told hilarious story about shooting ducks in New Zealand and had a good chat to Eddie about Australia.

Brilliant second programme on BBC about Tolstoy - had seen Tablet review of part 1 and it was followed by The Last train with Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. To evensong at St John's where we sang Prayer before a crucifix by Philip Moore with words by Francis of Assisi and written for Francis Jackson's 80th birthday. Adrian played Howells Psalm Prelude. Good to be back. Terence enjoyed South America.

To trailfinders on Saturday afternoon to meet Ian and give him the Japan railpass and some chocs for getting us home safely! Refund will come next week. He is Anita's supervisor. To Kensington Gardens to enjoy the spring flowers. To M and S to buy shortie pyjamas and Mother's day meal and have tea. Fr Swavek at Mass and much interest in our avoidance of natural disasters. Louise, Bruce (looking very smart in suit and hair cut very short) and Dennis joined for a lovely meal at Il Prato. Lovely flowers for Liz and Louise. Bruschetto and tagliatini and tartfuffe. Nice red wine. Home on buses with Dennis. He went to course at Lewisham hospital on Sunday. At Coulsdon we sang Ave Maria by Arcadelt and David Ogden's lovely "As a mother". Ellie was admitted to the choir and started on her Voice for Life book. Chatted to guider who has retired as children's librarian at Purley - it seems Croydon cut library staff ahead of any possible closures! Disgusted that public me

Having discovered that I have put on a stone I was back at the pool Friday morning and saw 2 of the ladies. Did 26 which is a good start. Unpacked cases and put away Ocado shopping. To Glyn Close to see the work done by John and Darren and the electrician was there. Looks good. Took car for complete valet and it came back sparkling and smelling good again. To Emertons to get garage keys copied. Liz to babysit Ciarán. I was suddenly hit by the prospect of being retired and at home and all the adjustments which have to be made. I need my space and so does Liz! To choir practice and warmly welcomed back! Dennis arrived 2 a.m. and looks well.