The organist librarian

Interesting to take part in auditions for new director at St John's. Both good but the second was more challenging and flamboyant. William McVicker very good, Kathie not there, To West Norwood to park and cappuccino at Cafe Cappadocia. Excellent lunch to celebrate Dennis's 40th. Claire and Rosemary came. Over an hour before food came. I had steak and sticky toffee pudding. We went to cathedral. Christ the King and 2 servers got badges Paul in good mood. Fr John. Cardinal Vaughan school sang Mozart and Viadana. To Glyn close for cake and Claire still there. Henry to bed. Programme on bridges. 

To Senate House library to examine Britten score for tonight and also Prodigal Son and Curlew River. To St Mary Moorfields and 3 Carmelites made their first profession. Kate was there. After lunch the Vicar-General Pascal Ryan spoke on priestly formation since Vatican II. He highlighted ecumenism and Interfaith as 2 areas which needed more time and also post-ordination training. He was unconvincing on married clergy. If Anglicans can afford them why can't we? What about the former Anglican married clergy - who is supporting them? To St John Clerkenwell for Stephen Raw's moving texts from the War requiem - he signed my catalogue for me. A lady from Seattle was talking about Britten. Vespers and Mass and the Cardinal Vaughan schola sang Mawby and Bruckner and Kodaly Missa brevis.To Southwark cathedral by car as trains up creek from London Bridge. Fish and chips and ice cream at restaurant. Excellent opera and this time we were moved to back of nave although diction was not good ...

Day started badly - left scarf behind, phone had no power. Parked at Kent House and arrived in good time at St Margaret's Westminster - I had left my cushion behind and the pews are hard. Liz had retreat day for the course. Bishop Christopher Herbert is retired Bishop of St Albans and he spoke so well on "Painting, poetry and prayer". Elizabeth Jennings' poetry on the paintings of Mantegna, Van Gogh, Palmer, Chagall and most movingly of all Rembrandt. It was brilliant! The logistics are not good getting through the crowds to get to the loos and queuing for coffee - why can't they set up an urn in the church? Had my lunch and read Tablet - I have 3 to catch up on. Interesting review of "Mary and Martha" which we watched last night. To evensong and for some reason we were all put in the transepts rather than the choir - it was cold! Walton Chichester service not to my taste but the Wesley anthem was nice, Saw Canon Tremlett and the Dean as I left to the s...

Woke at 4, 6, 7 and finally 8. With Liz to Heythrop and worked in library. Gemma Simmonds gave a good session on writing a dissertation. Went for tea at Kensington M & S and then to Vespers and Mass with Fr Archer. Advent is here! Cardinal Vaughan memorial school schola sang Byrd, Palestrina and Tallis and Peter played Bach Fantasia in C minor at the end. Home for dinner and Ocado delivery. Eggs and stuff covered in buttermilk so got a refund.  Dennis drove to North Otterington and got back to 1786 on the family tree!