Henry is 6!

 Woke early. Played Bach Erbarm dich and O mensch bewein. David did a good job. Katharine came to discuss Maundy Thursday. It was claimed that people did not know "We sing the praise". I pointed out that we sing it every year! To Lent group led by Fr Andrew which was better as I could hear. Henry's party at Spa recreation ground - bouncy castle. 10 kids there. Chat to Clare. Home for a rest. Gresham lectures on Viking pagan gods and Carbon cycle reaching net zero. Scanned music for Katharine. Best in show at Crufts. Pottery throw down won by Lois. David Attenborough Wild Isles. 

Monday 100,000 have signed BBC singers petition and the internal letter shows unbelievable incompetence of senior staff. Chat to Ann. No swim. To New Addington to see Libby. All clear 61mm retained, try taking Laxido in the evening. No need to go back unless there is a problem. Tram and 130 and 196 buses. Colette's meeting was good but there was an incomprehensible video from Africa! She did not mention my meetings so put it in the chat. A joyful Lent - children, art, music give us joy. Give up grumbling and the news! To Phoenix centre - excellent talk about Ally Pally by the Chief executive Emma Lagnes. Organ is being restored for the party on May 29th. Gresham on mental health and sleep. Sisters of Sion LS' chapter 3. Only connect final won by strigformes. University challenge. 

Tuesday not a good night - worrying about IT. In fact the talk on the chorus went really well. The only problem was the softer sounds in the recordings. Not sure Chris was correctly connected to speakers? It was good that I had a mike and a bottle of wine! Jackie Leach came - she has been in chorus since 1984 and is now concerts manager! I think the home movies section is too long so need to look at some way of cutting it. Repeat on zoom April 21. To quiet time - not been for weeks. Did not like music - silence is way better. Car booked in at Jubilee coachworks for May 28th week. Christopher Nupen TV films about music - he was a genius. Wild Isles - beautiful. 

Wed Swim and then train to West Brompton and 74 bus very crowded because of tube strike. Eventually got a seat next to a lady from Midlands and had a good chat. The Donatello at V and A had some lovely works but it's a bit disappointing. Lots of other stuff. C1 bus to Victoria took 45 minutes to get up Knightsbridge then stopped in Sloane Street so I slowly walked to the cathedral from there. I was tired! 4 of us for Fratelli Tutti discussion. Unfortuantely Giulia had not read the document and talked a lot! Richard Harding is sending Fidelio DVD and chorus archives on memory stick! So glad I did the talk! To Balham circle meeting by car St Boniface Tooting cafe. Food very good and company great but the acoustics are terrible. Microphone is essential. 26 there including 9 visitors. I also found my clothes smelt of grease! I must remember to avoid the wall heaters. Noel grateful for my offer but Elaine deSouza is playing for the funeral. 

Thurs more work on jigsaw and Houses of Parliament and bridge completed. To art and good work done. Spent a lot of time cleaning up the white paint tube! To Mayday chaplaincy and good meeting with Andy about Trees4Croydon project. Lovely crocus garden. Nice to see Deborah. Early on train to the cathedral.  Bach St John Passion Second boy solo excellent but there were balance problems. Roderick Williams and James Gilchrist excellent. What is the point of turning lights out so one is peering at the programme and score? And two hours without an interval is torture even with my cushion. Got a 2 and picked up car at West Norwood -an hour. Train drivers strike.

Sorry dear Emma Tring, Graham Neal and BBC singers we've decided not to come today because of transport and the long wait outside. I need to sit down and I need a loo nearby. Hope it goes well and you get more petition signatures. I'm feeling quite tired after the walk on Wed and the Passion last night. To picture house used free tickets. Allilujah. I want every MP and all those people who voted Tory to see this. We all get old! Save the NHS reward the staff. This is not about politics. It's plain common sense. Emotionally wrung out! The Holy Land and us and the final of The Piano - amazing! This is what music is all about. Everyone has their place and gifts to be shared. Fernanda from Mexico City made this cake for us and brought this lovely plant. Liz rescued her in the rain when she was looking for air bnb above the shop. I took her to the Royal Academy. She is moving to be near her college. Liz was meant to go to the shop that afternoon!! Molly was put down.

Sat SM in Essex. George Herbert "Prayer". Margaret Beaufort institute on 10 years of Pope Francis and his theology and ethics. Very stimulating. SLN talk on politics excellent. Played Bach at Streatham Hill and Mary's room was opened for children's liturgy and could be used to show the film.