Chelsea and Westminster

 Woke early. Denns brought Henry down and Liz took him to camp and Sean to Dunraven. We just caught the train and C3 bus and were at Chelsea early. Saw Doctor Irina and she was very thorough. Then ultrasound, blood and urine tests. Had beef bourguignon for lunch. Saw David the physio who is very pleased with the swimming and exercises and gave me some simple exercises before getting off the bed and on entering the pool to avoid backache. Andrew asked me lots of questions and memory tests (needed a hearing loop!) and frustrating to forget one object. Tiring. Shine rep and a good chat about what we might need to do to the house eventually. Finally Ann and explained incontinence and what I can do. Finally home by 6.30 hot and tired but happy. Prom Sibelius 2. 

Friday swam, B and SM and S. Louise here and they went to visit Athena. Got lightbulbs for Bruce's room. UNACC session. Chat to Joseph and sorted out Rita's LSI quotes. Sean and Louise went home. Liszt and Oslo Phil at Prom but I was sleepy in the heat.

Sat woke 3 a.m. B, SM (Melanesian brother) and S. Delightful opera Viaggio a Reims live. Prayer card altered. Watched end of opening of Lambeth conference - the organ was stunning and the Abp of Canterbury's first address which was excellent. Very hot. The Prom was good. Dvorak 7 and Ben Grosvenor playing Prokofiev. Went to Mass at St Dominic's Waddon .Prayers of the faithful this evening.. "May our deceased relatives rest in peace with Mary and her Son". Point 1. Jesus Rose from the dead.

Point 2. On the Feast of the Assumption we say that Mary is sleeping and then in heaven. She is most definitely not at rest. Canon Jim Pannett celebrated so we have not seen the pp. They do sing on Sundays. Mass for mission sheets. 

Sunday Assumption. Had thought of going to Titsey place gardens but too hot. I played Griffiths on Maria zu leben, Boellmann Angelus, Liszt Ave Maria. We sang Simon Lindley Ave Maria. Fugue and trio on Ave maris stella Dandrieu and Gounod Ave Maria, Enjoyed chatting to Imogen and Margaret (they did not know we are RC!) Champagne and juice. Had a rest listening to prom RVW oboe concerto, Haydn. Bruce rang so booked Jersey flights using our vouchers. Prom Philharmonia Tchaik and Prokofiev. 

Monday woke at 5.30. We both went swimming. SM and S. B. Still hot and no rain. To UNACC abut nobody there and Triniti had cried off. Liz went to Pilates. To Streatham Hill for bring and share for the Assumption and chatted to several people including a St John Southworth guild member. Worked on SofC resources. What a wonderful Prom concert! I don't think I have heard the BBC SO play better. We started by buying our steward bear and visiting friends in the gallery. The Turnage was a tad too long. RVW tuba concerto should be played more. Elgar 1st symphony conducted from memory by Sakari was so moving. Goosebumps! I suddenly remembered the much lamented Martin How who loved Elgar playing "The heavens are telling" from an organ score I leant him on the RAH organ at RSCM Festival! No wonder I was so moved! Bravo.

Tuesday both swam. SM, S and B. Got the letters ready for the cathedral clergy and printed off the pages. I do hope they actually use at least some of this material. Quiet time ended with a fascinating discussion about men's health. The Prom was enjoyable. Copland. Prokofiev 5 conducted by Petrenko RPO. Peter Moore playing Walker trombone concerto.

Wed Swim. To Farm Street to practise on the fine organ. Abi's Mum and Paul Tobin! Queue at National gallery sketching so spent some time in St Martin's and had the pleasure of meeting Revd Harry Ching. Delivered letters to clergy House, met Louise and Sylvia in the cathedral cafe. Interfaith group and a new person came. Mary Maxwell as I reached Victoria. That's 6 people I met! Enjoyed the Prom Beethoven piano concerto 1, Nielsen Expansiva. I was too tired to attend the Just stop oil zoom but I know others went.

Thurs swim. A polite conversation with young guy about where to swim. Some in the slow are too slow if I am on my back. Spoke to deputy manager about disabled change room needing to be cleaned. He suggested 8 a.m. or 10 a.m. or even 1 p.m. The arrogant swimmers have gone by then!

SM, S and B. Harry spoke of becoming NSM or Army or a barista. It's all about money. Art and good progress on the 2 brown pictures. Picked up Liz. Cheltenham prayer but I was sleepy. Churches trust on Wesleyan chapels. Sent emails to Southwark and Westminster parishes. Alan sent Dad's music again. Fell asleep watching men's gymnastics. First part of As you like it NT at home. Prom Sibelius 7. Slept through the Nielsen! Emails sorted.

Friday swim. Saw the man who spoke to me yesterday. I said I would be trying 8 a.m. instead of 7.20 a.m. He said that would avoid the busy time and it was his day off (It was 8.10). I sent an email about the hair on the radar changeroom floor - it has been there all week and clearly not properly cleaned. SM, S and B. Wrote to Jerry about RVW in October. Liz to gym and I went to UNACC. 7 at the class. Veg, fruit and bread handout. Ian Golds died. A sad loss.