Max

 Tuesday 8th. Swim and had the middle lane to myself! It was bucketing outside! To Milton Court for an outstanding final recital by Max Robbins. A varied programme Beethoven, Brahms, French, Finzi, Beach and Gershwin including dancing! To Two Brewers and returned for Ona Cerniauskaite’s recital Dvorak and Shostakovich with piano trio. Brightened a miserable wet day! Clare was there. Fell asleep listening to Schumann Prom! We went to the National Emergency briefing at Everyman cinema. I was at the original briefing at Westminster Central Hall. There were lots of good comments. It is really important that EVERYBODY sees this briefing as we are already in a serious situation. Write to your MP and push for this to be shown on national TV. Sewing Bee down to the last 3. Beth should win this!

Wed 9th Swam 14. To Beck Meth for a funeral. I had to play 20 minutes of quiet music then there was a recording of Mozart Piano concerto no 9. A recording of a Welsh hymn (not sung by all!) Dylan Thomas, Queen, Bishop James Jones formerly Liverpool as the deceased's husband was much involved with Hillsborough disaster case. Solace then I played part of Bach Piece d'Orgue. All rather odd. Liz and I had coffee at Kent House then to M and S to buy a bigger belt and met Louise at Il Signore. The King's gallery show of the Queen's dresses was just fabulous including hats, jewellery and shoes. Wonderful evening wear and her wedding and coronation dresses. Not to be missed! Stumbled and nearly fell over turning to tell Louise about peacock feathers. Decided not to go to James Orford recital at Westminster cathedral. CCA zoom was interesting. Heard some Schumann from the Prom with Rattle. Songs of Praise included Christ Church Beckenham and a remarkable young lady with cerebral palsy who uses eye movement to use the computer and speak.

Thursday to art and finished the hound and cat. Took food from Ocado to SJ and tried to listen to Jubilee garden meeting with little success. Ironing and fell over on landing but no damage. Caught my right foot. Call my bluff, Only connect, University challenge. written to my MP about seeing the National Emergency briefing and pushing for everyone to see it on national TV. The LSiUK zoom was great - lots happening for Season of creation. Not impressed by the B minor Mass Prom. Awful thumps from the timpani and professional singing which did not blend into a choir. MPs voted against the assisted suicide Bill. Praise the Lord!

Friday to Unacc and a new lady came. Nice lunch and chat. Great Prom Mahler 9 conducted by Philipp von Steinacker. Saw several people and remarked on those we no longer see.

Saturday Liz to Arundel with Fr Keith for servers Mass. Tomorrow Stephen Wang becomes their Bishop. Open House to St Joseph’s chapel and quiet garden, past Wesley’s statue and Painters’ Hall which was worth the visit. Decided not to go to Soutwark recycling facility as people with a stick cannot do the tour, also did not go to Croydon mosque on interfaith walk. Gresham lecture on the cello by Kennedy. Two places was enough. Picked up Liz at Crystal Palace and as a result too late to get to Mass. I watched the triple concerto by Gwilym Simcock on TV. The balance was much better. Why such a big orchestra? Why a long piano solo? I still don’t think the piece works!It’s the Last Night of the Proms. Nicky Spence on great form. Why is the speech in the first half? Fantastic amount for musical charities! Why is the stage extended so far into the arena? And Sakari should have mentioned the Gallery Prommers!!! Could have done without the Dolly Parton tribute with dancers. Now we know what that stage was for. Katie Derham’s comments about the Barber linking it to John Williams, Star Wars and Tom and Jerry insulting to composer and pianist! Star Wars was written years after the Barber concerto. And the stage made a barrier between Prommers and orchestra. Still it was an enjoyable evening.

Sunday 13th Liz to SJ and Messy church. PLayed Chanson de matin, Albinoni Adagio, Kemp on Leoni, Vierne Berceuse and Pomp and Circumstance No 4. Got a clap. Callum came to try the organ - he is a pupil of John Webber and is connected to St George's. I was amazed that the minister David Morrison was so dictatorial about what suited worship. He mentioned nationalistic and Last Night of the Proms (some people sang I think) and final voluntaries should only be 2 mnutes! I was so upset and I left immediately and came home. I should have gone to SJ to chat to Liz as this spoilt my day. To Drapers Hall which is meant to impress and to 75 Dean St to see small exhibition West End at war. Tea then Mass at WC. Cantor seemed uncertain, Fr Hugh preached well and met David Petrie ordinand on one year placement. Celebrity pottery throwdown. Quite exhausted.

Monday 14th Holy Cross Day. Liz had phone call consultation then I took her to the bus. Ann in Agora and unavailable. Abandoned trip to Suleimanye mosque Haggerston. Relaxed and watched Stravinsky conducting NPO with Hugh Bean as leader at RFH. Richard Baker introducing. Two films about Hockney. Phoenix centre talk on the Northern line 100th. In fact parts of of it are older. Both had eyestested and new lenses - £900! To SM cafe shut so went to Pret. Rowan Williams no notes on Solidarity his new book. ONly connect and fell asleep during University challenge.

Tuesday 15th Swim and straight to GPs for nurse to do fasting blood test. My BP and wesight are fine. Liz went to Guys. Spidir committee until 12. To Beck and saw David Jackson. Revd Morris was in the Army before becoming a minister - thsi explains a lot but does not excuse his behaviour! A discussion will be held about what really is required at the end. A meditative piece and/or exit piece? Practised short items for Sunday and went to Beckenham library -large lace panel Battle of Britain. Very nice staff from Bromley archives explained the materials they ahve and gave me a pamphlet Bromley at War. To SJ for meditation and tea. Kitchen floor done. Caught up on some TV. Anna won sewing bee. Chat to Ann.

Wednesday swim busy middle lane. Packing. Claire is 38! To Al Khoei Foundation Aliya had assembled excellent speakers incl the local rabbi, the imam and his family, the Archdeacon and local Anglican priest. Very interesting the theme was building peace and we saw the lovely mosque. Hme by 8.30. 6 from the cathedral group there incl Rita and Amir.