The organist librarian

Thursday Liz was serving at 5 p.m. Mass as Francis was away. I took the car to Acton and went by trains and to Alexandra Palace for the organ recital. Had a pint of ale on arrival and saw Jack and chatted to several people. I became a friend so get a cheaper rate for the concerts. Thomas Keogh and James Luxton 2 young organists from Birmingham and they had fun playing a variety of pieces including The Lost chord, Finlandia (very impressive pedal trills), Solemn melody, Vierne and Bach. They finished with Sousa Colonel Bogey as a duet including playing pedals with hands and fists! That got a well deserved encore! Got back to Acton the same way about 10.30 p.m. Friday a.m. Ciaran enjoyed a story 3 times and went off in the car with Louise. We got to Paddington in good time and train to Gloucester. Edward hotel very comfortable and not too far from the centre. We visited the excellent Gloucester museum and the packed folk museum. Bought a picnic. Saturday spent rehearsing with Richard and...

Liz to Upper Norwood for Bev's last Sunday and I joined her for lunch in the vicarage. At Coulsdon Marie's bus was late so we got there about 9.08. I photocopied more copies of the anthem but this meant practice started late. The result was no organ voluntary as my shoes got tangled in the string bag when I put them on! Any way the choir sat in the transept and I used the piano. Arcadelt Ave Maria and Ogden's As a mother with the children singing verse 3. Worst of all I forgot to put my hearing aids in. I played Bach Fantasia in C minor. Barry Stronge was at coffee - he had an op and was ill for 6 months. Practised organ pieces.

To trailfinders on Saturday afternoon to meet Ian and give him the Japan railpass and some chocs for getting us home safely! Refund will come next week. He is Anita's supervisor. To Kensington Gardens to enjoy the spring flowers. To M and S to buy shortie pyjamas and Mother's day meal and have tea. Fr Swavek at Mass and much interest in our avoidance of natural disasters. Louise, Bruce (looking very smart in suit and hair cut very short) and Dennis joined for a lovely meal at Il Prato. Lovely flowers for Liz and Louise. Bruschetto and tagliatini and tartfuffe. Nice red wine. Home on buses with Dennis. He went to course at Lewisham hospital on Sunday. At Coulsdon we sang Ave Maria by Arcadelt and David Ogden's lovely "As a mother". Ellie was admitted to the choir and started on her Voice for Life book. Chatted to guider who has retired as children's librarian at Purley - it seems Croydon cut library staff ahead of any possible closures! Disgusted that public me...

As I was up too early I was able to watch "No 1 ladies detective agency" on Iplayer. It was a family service today so we sang Taize Kyries, Anne Quigley's lovely "There is a longing" as a response to the prayers and Arcadelt "Ave Maria" during the distribution of the flowers. One unexpected aspect was guides giving the choir flowers while singing the anthem! Molly and Ella were admitted to the choir which is a joy and baby Pieter den Cate was dedicated. I congratulated Tim West on his engagement and bought a fruit cake. We had some cava to toast Pieter. We sang David Ogden's beautiful tender song based on St Anselm and this fitted the liturgy perfectly. As a mother cradles her child, so you enfold us, gently in your arms. As a mother comforts their pain, you calm and quieten our souls with your love. As a mother teaches her child, so, Lord, you guide us, leading us through life. As a mother listens and cares, O Lord, you hear us and answer our pray...