Hearing test

Friday took Liz to St John's for 9 a.m. in pouring rain for Walsingham pilgrimage until Sunday. Servers pilgrimage is tomorrow. To Streatham medical centre and saw very nice Indian audiologist. He said right ear is bad and worse so I am to have new Siemens aids on October 1st. Left is also poor. No wonder Liz has to repeat everything! To hall for 2.30 p.m. and got queue number ticket No. 11 for Last night at 4. To Royal Academy to revisit Richard Rodgers exhibition which is most interesting. On way back bought sandwich and tea at Pret - alas the tea leaked and the bottom of the paper bag collapsed - result tea all over bus floor! To Pre Prom Poetry competition results - most interesting. At the Prom we had Bach played by Klaus Sonnleitner who is organist at Linz where Bruckner played. His approach was more Baroque than Romantic. His encore was very quiet! Vienna Phil and Maazel played Bruckner 8 beautifully but somehow it was not as impressive as the 4th the other evening.
Saturday spent the day queuing - it was cold and some showers so moved into sun. Read Francis Jackson's book (some slips in it which is a pity) and The Tablet. Gave out 70 leaflets about the recitals and to Mary King's excellent warm up. Liz's cakes were much appreciated and loads to eat. I was pretty tired by the end of the Last Night - sat on seats and glad I did as there were drunks about! Marin Alsop was brilliant and so was Joyce DiDonato. Why does Nigel Kennedy muck about like a teenager? He is a brilliant player! The Bantock did not quite work in the second half but the George Lloyd was good. Excellent speech. Lots of Bernstein! Home at 12.15.
Sunday played Land of hope and glory which was appreciated. Chant rehearsal went well. Did registrations and practised for an hour. After lunch listened to some Dowland from Prom and to 3 p.m. Mass at St Mary's - lots there! Good evensong from Armagh.