The organist librarian

Dennis took me to pick up car. Mass. Art and sketched two canvases. Mind, body, spirit was good and I managed well despite sore right toe.  Christopher Somerville spoke at the cathedral hall on "Ships of heaven:the private life of Britain's cathedrals". Very engaging. I liked his child's eye view. Interesting chat afterwards with a retired black maths teacher on knife crime. Travelling cross in cathedral for 2 days only. Watched Celebrity painting challenge landscape. Very chuffed my letter has been published in The Tablet today No shallow response John Milbank’s comment about Jacinda Ardern cannot go unchallenged (“Christians must show there is another way”, 30 March). Her sympathetic response to the Christchurch shootings has been widely seen as heartfelt and certainly not superficial. Of course she was right to say that those who died are “one of us” and New Zealanders. This had nothing to do with race or religion; it was compassion and solidarity

Mass, Lent group led by Steve Baptist minister. Part of Jonathan Melling's recital at Christ the King Gordon Square. Welcoming at the cathedral. Met Christopher who used to come to Battersea Park library. Watched Big painting challenge on the human form. Choir and again no attempt to get dynamics right. A crecendo starts from piano not forte! Gave David a lift home. Pilgrimage on TV.

Glorious day and really enjoyed Matthew Beetschen's recital at Bromley Parish church especially the Granville Bantock, Preston and Jongen. The Vierne made a great ending and it was lovely to have the screen. So glad Oliver won the Big Painting challenge! Secret life of the zoo and Antiques roadshow - what's not to like. Swept patio and had g and t and dinner outside for first time this year. Got water features going. The Woman in white was excellent. Loads of emails about the Catenian conference not allowing proxy votes. How can 200 decide on motions? What about everyone else! 

Yet again my 8 a,m, train was cancelled and I was on the bus to Caterham. Website says disruption until 10a.m. Please take an alternative train. There is NO alternative train! We sang This joyful Easter tide and I played Alan Ridout's cheeky piece on the tune and the more sedate Thalben-Ball. Willan on Vulpius at the end with tuba. 2 in choir. Why did we have to sing Before the throne again? Watching close of Commonwealth Games. Well done Birmingham great show #Brum At evensong played Philip Moore and Douglas Guest on St Fulbert and Bach Christ lag variations. 4 at evensong incl Jerry and myself. What is the point!  Watched The Durrells, Big painting challenge on portraits. Work is to start at St Michael Beckenham 3 years after I left! 

Drove to Caterham as trains cancelled. Miserable day. We sang O sons and daughters and I played Christopher Tambling on the tune and Worthy is the Lamb which was much appreciated. Annual meeting was interesting. Annual report not as comprehensive as Upper Norwood. I did a small display about the choir and there was discussion of the school and my efforts were appreciated. Ingrid Bergman programme interesting - she had 3 husbands and just left her children! Painting challenge excellent. Enjoying Keble college Radio 3 broadcast - a splendid organ! Programme on Jesus' women disciples.

Saturday was an enjoyable day in Reading. William McVicar demonstrated the fine organ in the Town hall an untouched Willis with amusing anecdotes and Norman Harper demonstrating. There was time to see the copy of the Bayeux tapestry and the museum and lunch there. Quite a walk to and from St Giles but a fine Bishop organ in a very High Church building. Got to Mass in good time and Brian was doing the first scrutiny presenting the Creed. I haled mike and Michael the book. Went well. Fr Martin got me to take communion to the choir Byron consort from Harrow school and they sang Poulenc really well. Liz was at the hospital. Watched end of Big painting challenge Suman won, Pottery challenge was good too. Tired out. Sunday morning and evening at Caterham in between lunch and to hospital to see Henry who looks well and should come home today Monday.  Lent prose went well today and I played Bach O lamm Hottest unschuldig and Lasceux Fugue in G minor.  Played Herzleibster Jesu by Brahms and a

Set off to church. Henry Francis was born by caesarean at 9 a.m but I did not know until 11.30 as I was playing. We sang Hurford's Litany to the Holy Spirit - we being Linda and I. Nobody else came to practise Holy Week music. After lunch we went to King's College Hospital first for Mass with Clare in the chapel. Colourful vestment and colourful Afrcan priest.  Baby was 8 pounds and lots of black hair. Louise had got there already. Abandoned the idea of norma's recital at Dulwich as Liz took items back to the ward. I enjoyed the final Call the midwife and the painting challenge was really  hard. Monday We both went to Mass. I was late at mosaic and again jokes about being arrested for writing to the PM. I went to Marks to get biscuits to celebrate Henry's arrival but for some reason they got put int he cupboard so I gave the strawberry creams to the tai chi group most f whom did not eat them! 8 there. On buses to the hospital and Mum and baby doing well. Lo

More work on Last Night painting and article for Catena at last. Louise set off for Suffolk with the boys. To South London Catenian foundation dinner which was excellent but drank way too much wine. I was sick as a result of the mince at lunchtime. Earlier we served at the reception of our friend Hannah Perrera"s body into the cathedral where she was a faithful parishioner and I went to the David Hockney at Tate Britain.  We served at Hannah's funeral and choir sang Mozart Requiem. Nice reception. 14 on tour of cathedral mosaics. Tea in cafe. A great success. Loved Art of France part 3 and the Big painting challenge.