Cruise part 2

 Tuesday tai chi. Tender to Dun Loughaire then train to Connolly station signs very poor. Eventually got train then bus - driver said don't take card and elderly don't pay. Got to florist whuch turned out to be a private house. The neighbour very kindly took us to a new Tescos where we bought flowers, coffee and sandwich. Uber to cemetery where council man rand up and we found the grave of Joe and Breda. Taxi back to Tescos and he gave us some euros to pay for the bus. Then two trains took 2 and half hours. Spa, Dutch dinner, orange night was great fun. Spoke to the captain. I danced! 

Wed Cobh. Taxi to Fota. Uber drove off and the driver could not take card so did not charge! Huge grounds and no map so ended up having to retrace steps in walled garden and no seats. Victorian garden is lovely and there are seats there. Tea then tour of house. Kitchen most interesting. Bath and toilet not convenient at all! REceptionist was os helpful getting the taxi to come to the front door! Spa. Vivace Mozart and Latin. Pinnacle grill exc steak and huge baked alaska. Show very good but we both dropped off!musicals 

Thursday at sea Last tai chi.Liona said I was doing very well. Exc presentation about a city on the sea and what goes on behind the scenes. Spa. Rest after lunch. Trying to finish Helen Macdonald book Vesper flights from ship library. Vivace Schumann. Jorge played Bach cello suite and my request Salut d'amour which I filmed. Stephen Garcia very funny. We have booked April cruise on 8th deck so near to spa. Packed so much more to get in! 

Friday breakfast upstairs taxi driver was at taxi stand and eventually got him to drive to us! Caught train and had assistance. On the journey posted photos on facebook but later removed Dublin one as AM objected. Reese still working on bathroom which looks great! In fact the finished the next day Saturday. 

What thoughts after the cruise? The kindness of strangers, the warm welcome of all the crew, the comfort and rest, fascinating encounters (so many so unhappy about Trump) wonderful views and moving experiences especially Titanic and Britannia. We’re booked for April to Lisbon, Funchal and Morocco! And we return home to a beautiful new bathroom (bath removed and new units)

Mass at Anerley. Excellent fundraising dinner at UNACC with Martin Freeman Croydon’s Frank Sinatra.

At Beckenham Methodist farewell to Duncan and Laura Macbain who are moving to Broadstairs. I played Sheep may safely graze, Dad’s voluntary on Ar hyd y nos, Thiman Dorian pastorale and Finlandia. The Bach and Sibelius were favourites of Vi and Brien Liz’s Mum and Dad. Very nice summer party at SJ and Henry and family came.

On Monday I watched the moving livestream of Gus Mills funeral - he was remarkable.To our first Prom Edward Gardner conducting LPO with Louise Alder. The first piece was wierd. Songs of the Auvergne beautifully sung. An Alpine symphony was most impressive. We had a great view of conductor and organist. We were moved to a box.

Tuesday to Hassocks for the celebration of Julie Smith’s life in a lovely house Danny’s where she lived. The 4 children all gave moving tributes and the music was great! Julie taught me to swim. Lovely to see Nina again. Fr John was very good. On way home to B and Q Crawley.

Wed met Louise and Sean at Clapham Junction. Sean was great washing the walls of the hall and putting all the pictures up. Have seen First night.

Thursday To Guys and a lot of help to improve the hearing aids. To Zurbaran at the National Gallery which is superb. How nice to be greeted by Louise from the Nazareth community! It’s good that most of the pictures are big so all can see them. Jeff changed his chat so went to DIY shop in South Norwood. To Dulwich gallery friends view of Portrait of a great city. Photographs never appeal as much as paintings but there are some fine images. Good to chat to Jennifer Scott and meet old and new friends. Prom Elgar 1.

Friday to Unacc. Louise came and took the cupboard back to IKEA. Sean has been great! Fixed two picture frames and stuck plate back together again. To Dunelm. Prom Schumann 4. Louise on the Piano but did not spot her! Caught up on diary.

Sat SM from Bose. To Beck M to practise and shopping at Marks. Hot again. I was disappointed this week when I replied to an email to play tomorrow and was told it had been filled but the advert was still saying open! No apology having asked me to play! Mass and a strange priest but I could hear everything! Prom Mahler 1 from memory,

Sunday Aug 2 To St John’s unusually in the congregation! Archie preached well and Andy Scott played. Intrada by Ives at the end. Then to Chartwell with Dennis, AnnMarie and Henry.

Monday Aug 3 Ann swim 52nd wedding anniversary. Thomas Sondergard conducted a superb prom with Royal Scottish SO on great form especially the brass and times. Shostakovich 11, Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, Kirill Gershwin the brilliant pianist and Knussen Flourish with fireworks. We celebrated our 52nd wedding anniversary with dinner at the Verdi and the Whistler at Tate. Also saw our favourite steward Juliet! Guildhall school of music nearly won in their first University challenge heat!

Tuesday swim Ann sent video of interview for church which was very good. She is like Mum! Read 2 chapters of Richard Carter's 100 reasons for living and it was very well received. Misunderstanding with Liz an dpicked her up at Lidl. To Stanley Halls to support Unacc bid for £10.000 which we won. Being Croydon the voting was pretty chaotic and The Hub at St John’s lost out. Sewing bee.

Wed swim Beck rehearse. Car cleaned ! £25. Seated exercise not as much fun as Barbara. Bruce rang about dinner at Sole luna. It is now on the Friday. Proms Rach 2 and Ladysmith Black Mambazo making their Prom debut. Cleaner came but a complete muddleup too short to reach shelves.

Thursday to Westminster cathedral Pax Christi vigil for Hiroshima. Met Andrew and several others notbaly Anita and Dominic. It was worth going and not hot. Liz had hair done with AM. The Prom of Weber’s Oberon conducted by Sir Mark Elder was a delight. Great singing, Tamsin Greig doing the links which were funny, Monteverdi choir enjoying dancing and acting!

Friday Liz went early to Queen Sq but they could not get a blood sample. She went to hear Chinese children's choir at SM. I went to UNACCstill very happy about Tuesday's result. An expensive visit to the Aga Khan centre to see films Voices from the top of the world. You need 2 hours to see all 4! Bolt did not turn up and charged me so I’m trying to get a refund. Got taxis. Show finishes Aug 16.

Saturday I got up early to get to Tate Modern to see Frida Kahlo. Why did I bother? I liked the Met opera about her. This show is all about the shop!! Is she an icon? The real pits is seeing her prosthetics. Some things should remain private. Gathering ground about ecology is more interesting. Bathroom things. Enjoyed NT at home Our Town with Michael Sheen. Prom stunning playing NYO it’s on Tv tomorrow

Sunday Bishop Rosemarie on radio 4 about the Mothers union. Beautiful Wesley Lead me Lord the simple is often the best! At Beckenham Methodist I played Karg-Elert Nun danket which was played at our wedding 52 years ago and it was much appreciated. Also played for first time in public Mendelssohn War March of the priests and Thiman A Phrygian Berceuse. Also Willan on Miles Lane and Willan and Parry on Melcombe. The Methodist book has some extra verses for New every morning. On a very hot day to Church of the Holy redeemer and St Thomas More, Chelsea for the service remembering Franz Jagerstatter and many conscientious objectors. It’s a lovely church and good to see Canon Paschal. William was there. Flute played too fast in part of the Taize. Revd Nagase was there. I did not take part in the walk to the peace pagoda. It’s about time TfL made sure closed bus stops are not shown on the planner. I had to walk to Chelsea physic garden stop from Albert Bridge. There’s a stop closed at Victoria no 2 because the shelter is damaged. What? The bus can still stop there!!! The birthday party Pinter fascinating. NYO Prom brilliant playing. Brain of Britain on radio 4.