The organist librarian

We both went swimming. Only did 10 as when I went into the fast llane Max bumped into me. This led to a heated argument and I pointed out to the manager that swimmers must swim in circles. In effect by going in lanes others are excluded. It was all annoying and upsetting. To mosaic and tai chi and then returned books to Balham and met Mike Cornford. He did not know about Ian and David Parker. To Croydon Town Hall and hold a banner for presentation of petition to save the Fairfield. It was rejected. Watched Island parish and university challenge final won by Peterhouse. Peter Kay. 

Woke at 3.30 and 6.30 so no swim. Mosaic and good progress. 7 at tai chi which was mostly exercises and some line dancing!  To Balham library.  Home to watch Island parish, University challenge, Come dine with me. Some Prommers have got the prospectus and price has gone up and family Proms are not included in the season. Still good value. Practised on piano for Sunday. Watched Grantchester. Tuesday swam 20. A lovely day but spent the time doing Catenian secretary's report, Cambridge visit plan and guide and starting reading Alexander McCall Smith. To meditation at St John's and met a Buddhist. Having trouble watching young musician paino final on Iplayer.

Swam 20, mosaic and tai chi. Liz went to Mass. Told Mother Roxanne and Fiona about Caterham. The hymns for Good Friday first two hours are nearly all worship songs. I am puzzled as to how High the church is - there is no Lady statue for a start but the liturgy is Catholic! I suppose A and M does offer a wider variety of hymns.  To Croydon Vue to see Boris Godunov live from Royal Opera House. Bryn Terfel, the chorus and Pappano stunning. Quite demanding having no interval but the intensity worked. Joy and Geoff were there. Island parish from Unst.

Thursday lie-in again. Liz in Acton. To art and started on Cusco picture. Spent the afternoon writing the Christmas letter. To Catenian South London meeting and final 50th meeting of Southwark Group - did not stay for dinner  2 priests there. Liz moaning more had not been done on decorations. Friday to Golders Green crematorium for funeral of John Chumrow. A fitting tribute. Unfortunately Stefan got in on the act and conducted Brahms and Mahler - it was very loud and sopranos not good. Quite a few old friends there and saw Chris and David, Keith Chaundy gave us a lift to the hotel and we saw Stefan there. Keith gave us a lift to Victoria so we were home in time for Neil Molony coming for dinner which we enjoyed. Watched Island parish and Timothy West interview,

Back to the pool and did 22. Weight is 11 stone so need to lose some. Max was there - have not seen him for months. Did more work on the picture at art and took it to the interfaith lunch and it seemed to go down well. Nice to see Fr Adrian there and lots of interest in Jerusalem. Diana showed photos from Palestine. Watched Antiques roadshow and Island parish somehow ended up watching Nigel Farage who really is a worry! 

Saturday to St John's Wood to take minutes for SSG trustees which is much appreciated and we get nice eats too incl panettone and chocs from Allen. He and Caroline look to be finishing in November! I cam back on the bus with Caroline. Tea at M and S. Fr John at Mass and he was in a good mood! Home to watch more of the opening of the Winter Olympics and a programme about Torvill and Dean. Also Birds of a Feather and  Island Parish. Sunday played Whitlock originally harpsichord suite incl Ralph Downes' Dream and Tabblatura pieces, also Peeters on Abends and Bonighton on St Denio. Phillippa nearly read wrong 2nd reading and dashed down to read after the psalm! If she had not asked me about pronunciation, she would have read the wrong one! Did more indexing. 

To Sanderstead and Rene Barrett had sorted out David's booklets for me so I chose a lot about London and Surrey for possible circle walks. We had tea and a good chat. Liz had gone up early to the theatre and I parked at Norwood Junction and just got there for 6 p.m. Spamalot was hilarious and very well done. Laughed a lot. I can just imagine Paul and Dennis and Ann at the show especially as one of the characters was called Dennis. Loved the jokes about the guards. Watched Birds of a feather and An Island Parish and Naples cuisine and art. 

Li to college early so she could buy trim for Seán's baptismal white tabard/garment. Did some reading about Hinduism and Christianity. To Balham library and then coffee and crossant with Catriona. Lent her our Russian samovar and had a lovely chat. Home for lunch and watched a bit of Island Parish from Sark. To Croydon Minster for Martin How's Advent cantata. My name was not on the list and ended up among basses but carried on regardless. Lovely to see Jean and Alan Barber, Roy Nicholson and various faces from the past! A moving and effective work especially the well-known hymns and anthems. Very good tenor soloist and narrator but the real hero was the organist. The handbells and children's choirs were lovely. Left at 6 in rain and got to Victoria by 6.30. Harrow school Byron consort sang Rheinberger at Mass. Splendid Bach at the end. Met Peter at Il Posto and had a delightful chat and meal.

2 days spent writing 2500 words on Taylor. Submitted it but now thinking I did not make a good argument. Actually I agree with a lot of what he says. Used Pope's writings as a back up and useful Rowan Williams quotes too. The 4000 word essay looks daunting but the most relevant is probably the one on secularism and Islam. Good TV on Monday - University challenge, Mrs Brown's boys which is recorded on set in front of an audience, An Island parish is back, Royal bodyguard with David Jason who is hilarious. To Acton - got to Selhurst and Liz did not have computer so I went on station to find Willesden Junction train was cancelled. At Clapham Junction missed Willesden train and caught a Richmond one. Liz got the next one and caught up at Richmond. My new phone playing up again. Watched British musicals part 1 and 100 years of the Palladium.

To morning prayer and again superb singing from the choir Tenebrae responses of Victoria and a loud strepitus which the Archbishop enjoyed. His homily was excellent. We finished with "Praise to the holiest". Brought cottas home to wash and the back of mine was brown from the benches yesterday. Washed the front path. Watched Alice's adventures in wonderland from the Royal Ballet - a delight. Also An island parish. The Martin Golgotha sung by the chorus at King's College last night excellent. Liz made cakes.