The organist librarian

Served at 5.30 chapter Mass. I was cross then Rebecca rushes in and does boat and starts doing things! So irritating. I ended up doing acolyte duties. To Coliseum and delivered card for Jan Latham-Koenig at stage door. Doorman "How will I know him?" "He's flamboyant - you can't miss him!" The opera was well done if rather heavy vocally and the production was traditional and very Russian. Lots of Russians in the audience too. My seat in upper circle was good and you could see the surtitles after all. Jan conducted well and the Russian chorus were impressive. I did not go backstage as had to get to Acton which I reached at 11.30.

There were only 6 of us at Catenians with lots of visitors not least the Grand President who brought the scroll given to Willie Britto on becoming a life member only the 3rd Catenians to be honoured in that way. Brendan Ducey the Provincial VP was on good form. Best of all 2 visiting gentlemen Danny and Juan were there and enjoyed it. A good joke on celibacy and marriage. At a marriage encounter weekend husband is asked to name his wife's favourite flower. He replies "Self-raising". Celibacy follows. Tuesday swam 20 and Liz came as well which was good. To Clapham Picturehouse to see the Met production of Prince Igor which was wonderful especially the Polovstian scene in a poppy field. Straight to Acton and Tom made pancakes. Fell asleep during the sewing bee programme. Wednesday to music and got a nice photo of Sean. I took him to Mass and ashing at Chiswick and David Knights sang the gospel acclamation and ashed us. Sean behaved well in the cry chapel. Took Ciarán to ...

Swam 20. Dr OJo suctioned my ears - it hurt in the right one. I will be referred to a central unit for a new hearing test - not been done since 2006! To hearing aid clinic and right one retubed and got batteries. Straight to Clapham Picturehouse and lots of time to have cappuccino and carrot cake in the sunshine. Turandot from the Met (2009 broadcast). Fantastic set and costumes. Marcello Giordani was a bit wooden but sang well. Liu sung by Marina Poplavskaya moved me to tears. How much better 'Nessun dorma' is in context! Andris Nelsons conducted.To Tate Modern and had a look at 4 exhibitions. In the African art library lamps made of burnt books becayse 'when an old man dies, it is like a library is burnt'. How wise. I liked the sculptures of Saloua Raouda Choucar. Ellen Gallagher and Ibrahim El-Salahi did not impress. Earl Grey in members room and phoned David Walker. 15 and 9 to the hall. Spoke to RSPB guy near Millenium bridge - there are peregrine falcons on the ...

Swam 20 before I went I rang Nicky and she confirmed I am invited to do the spiritual direction course every 2nd Friday for 2 years at St Matthew's - very pleased. I rang Sr Campion and told her. To mosaic and tai chi - progress very good on badge 1 although it is fiddly. To Balham library - traib developed technical fault ar Clapham Junction so all off and to platform 13. Mysteriously the train move doff and we came back to platform 15 to board another train. Stir fry then off to PreProm on Edward Cowie - his music is attractive. I particularly like the marimba piece inspired by painitng of canyon in Oz. The concert conducted by Noseda was good -  an ideal prom - Borodin, Prokofiev, Cowie and Tchaikovsky 2. I got wet going as had sandals and shorts on! Man gave me 2 books on meditation as a result of our conversations.