The organist librarian

Left at 8 and home at 9.30 too long a day. Arnos Grove and prayer at Our Lady of Lourdes (the plan was to go to Mass there at 6.30 - no chance).  Coaches to Bahai cemetery Southgate then on to beautiful Jain temple Potters Bar (been there). Cockfosters Christ the King midday prayer unaccompanied dung by Chemin Neuf (it was not good) and lunch there provided for us. To mosque where I dropped off. Local imam dull. Everything takes so long getting on and off coaches. Harakrishne centre was more interesting and nice meal at Sikh gurdwara. Came back on tube with Rita and William. Liz at school. 

Woke early 4, 5, 6, 6,30. Got 7.45 train to London Bridge and 43 bus to Muswell Hill. A 30s RC church. The Orthodox synagogue and Rabbi David Mason very relaxed  -singing for a newly engaged couple. Back to the RC church for talk by a Quaker and then lunch. Did a drawing of Our Lady of Muswell statue 1928. Walked to Moravian church where Pastor Joachim was very welcoming and then we heard from a Bahai. I was asked to present the gift to the Bahais. Bus 144 to new Islamic cultural centre - lovely place and had eats and a drink. Sarah Thorley got the MBE so passed message to Jon's wife and got train from Hornsey. Fr Q at smoke vespers and Mass. Seems Fr Alexander was unwell last week and said no incense at vespers and morning prayer despite it being Pentecost! Relieved babysitter and Ciaran finally went to bed around 9! Watched Trooping and programme on Elizabeth Taylor's jewellery.

Sunday 16 th Dec packed and picked up Dennis and his presents. Arrived at Acton – both boys had been asleep. Had an excellent lunch at The Rocket. Bruce produced cards from which we were supposed to read words in turn to make up the message and clever boxes inside each other with sweets – Ciaran loved that. Back to the house in the rain for presents. C and S had big piles of course and the real highlight was the train turntable which went up and down! Watched Sports personality of the year and it was obvious Bradley Wiggins would win despite a strong field including 3 paralympians. Slept reasonably and taxi arrived early so we were at Heathrow early. Monday 17 th a good flight to Abu Dhabi on Etihad. I watched 2 films Cheerful weather for the wedding and Ruby Sparks. Also listened to Elgar while dozing. Had a wait for plane to Delhi but it left on time. I watched an interesting Indian film called “Beautiful” which was set in Kerala. Having left London at 9.30 a.m. we reached De...

To Coulsdon and picked up Caroline and Gwen on the way. We sang Barry Stronge's introit again and Come down O love divine by Hilary Tadman-Robins (Molly's favourite). Hymns included Christ triumphant, Christ's is the world, How great thou art and O Jesus I have promised (to Beaumont tune). I played theme from Elgar's first symphony and Pomp and Circumstance No. 1. Sean doing really well - he sang Anderson Gloria perfectly. I practised and looked at some more transcriptions of orchestral items including Wagner and Saint-Saens. Dropped in grandparent card at Serpillos' cafe and quick lunch. To Battersea Park peace pagoda on a fine late summer's day for Prayers for peace arranged by Jon dal Din for World Peace week. Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim leaders and prayers, 4 of the Bahai choir sang and I had to leave so missed the rabbi. To the cathedral for Paul Carr from Birmingham blistering playing of Bossi, Dupre and Hendrie - he was pleased to see me again. Then to Westmi...

Sorted out reading for degree. Played for wedding at 3 p.m. - new hymn to "I vow to thee my country". Met with Vickie to choose music July/August and then did music list on laptop and took practice. By the end my back was hurting a lot but I got a good night's sleep after watching Paul Merton on Hollywood. To Southall for interfaith march for peace. Visited Visnu hindu centre and then to Southall Park for most impressive stage and marquees put on by Sai centre. Miriam, Clare, Alfred and Barry Mellish and his wife there. Nice lunch provided by Birmingham Sikhs. Bahai choir sang and Buddhists sang. Amazing Grace was used as an interfaith song! Bus and tube delayed so arrived at 3 p.m. for Mass for married couples. Liz serving so we did vows in the well. Good hymns - Come down O love divine, Praise to the Lord, Jesus my God,Now thank we all our God. Widor Toccata. Madeleine was cantor. Tea at M and S. Smoke vespers and Mass with Father Tim. Drinks for confirmation in corrido...

Tuesday was a fascinating day. To the National Baha'i centre in Rutland Gate which is a lovely house given by Lady Blomfield in the 19th century. Malik Gul gave a presentation to the London Interfaith forum about Wandsworth Community empowerment network which was inspiring. When I think back to those early meetings when hardly anyone came! And now the Chief executive is involved! To the cathedral (just missed 52) to serve at Good Shepherd Mass with the Archbishop. Chaotic with kids everywhere and some poor liturgical practice like sitting during the Eucharistic prayer! Liz set off to pick up Ciaran from nursery. I went to the Gossaert exhibition at the National Gallery which was lovely. Met Barbara Wood and David from Battersea Park and his wife. Only £5 on Tuesdays for pensioners! Tried to cook risotto but used wrong rice and misread recipe so abandoned it! Dennis and Ann Marie arrived. To Beckenham Catenians as the Provincial president was visiting - good turnout.

Monday after finishing at 6.15 to Newton Prep for the 3rd interfaith meeting and we heard from Salim a Bahai journalist from Lambeth. After a break for more eats there was a good discussion about what to do next. Suzanne made a useful point about spiritual and material, body and soul. There were some looking for a practical outcome from our meetings. I thought Salim summed it up with his quote "By their fruits you shall know them". Tuesday was mostly spent on the information desk but I did manage to throw out a lot more thrillers and put up some new style notices.