Chiswick House

Swam 20. Used Oystercard to be at cathedral by 10. I was boat - Jess insists in walking ahead as thurifer. Liz was consecration torch. The funeral was beautiful and well attended especially by priests and parishioners. Canon Christopher gave the best homily I've ever heard him give! At the end the Cardinal looked near to tears as were many of us. Good to see Fr Dennis and Fr Swavek. As Fr Tim Dean said Fr Michael was gold standard! He will be much missed. Had sandwich and tea downstairs - we ate there yesterday as well! To St Paul's cathedral for interesting talk on women commemorated in the crypt including Maria Hackett the Choristers' friend who has no blue plaque! To Tate Modern to see the excellent Malevich exhibition - sad at the end of his life he had to go back to realism in order to paint thanks to Stalin. The Friends room was too full so to Pret and watched skateboarders in Old Chancery court which looked dangerous! Health and safety would not approve. Buses to the Hall. An excellent talk on Sibelius with Daniel Grimley and sat with John East. Lovely concert BBC National orchestra of Wales conducted by Thomas Sondergárd, Walton violin concerto, Swan of Tuonela and Sibelius 5. Because the lift was not working again sat further along our row and chatted to family of disabled lad. Cellist and boyfriend double bass starting at Trinity Laban next September from Dorset. The Maxwell Davies was quite interesting too. To Acton and to Chiswick House where we had stew. I insisted on getting new reins for Sean which was good as he refused to go in the buggy and knocked my glasses off at one point! Some lovely paintings in the house and boys enjoyed the sandpit. Ciaran went with Liz to see Pudsey the dog film at Watermans and I took Seán to the park which he loved.