The organist librarian

Li went off to Heythrop. I prepared the Christmas cards and got Christmas stuff (just 2 boxes) out of the shed. To Heythrop for 1.30 for end of term party and sad farewell to Rosa who has been made redundant from the Pastoral mission programme which is definitely a blow. Chatted to Fr Dominic about SyroMalabar church. Did some work in the library on Clooney. Tea at Marks and vespers and Mass with Fr John. Abe managed to put candle 1 on the wreath out so had to go and relight taper at the credence table. Canon Christopher spoke again about the diocesan fundraising scheme. To RCIA meal at Chinese restaurant in Gerrard Street. Unfortunately the noise level made it very difficult to hear. I was next to a charming Chinese lady who works in fashion. Had a discussion with Julie about opening out the sessions and it confirmed yet again that nothing at the cathedral will change until we get away from priest-led sessions. The priests say the focus must be on the candidates - true but why not use...

Tuesday picked up Harry Mellor at 4.30 p.m. so we got to Swanley early for provincial council. Home by 10.30 p.m. Did not sleep well as Liz at Louise's. Up at 8a.m. and trains to Gunnersbury to get to music and movement. Then tube to Victoria for all 3 of us to go to Chinese New Year lunch at Initiatives for change followed by film about Asia Plateau in India. Ciarán behaved beautifully. to Tate Britain friends room to read "The Monotheists" and have tea. To Heythrop for open evening. John McDade introduced the course and what's involved. I chatted about the Abrahamic religions but preferred the interreligious relations with Damian. Met Michael Denman and Mary also a couple husband is Assyrian. Nice food and wine. Better to do it part-timem over 2 years and that course costs less £953 a year.

Swam as usual Thursday and Friday. To Catenian council meeting at Brendan's and then Xin restaurant in West Wickham for delicious Chinese meal with lots of variety although never very filling. At the very end Jim swung the circular table centre round and a glass of tonic water went all over my trousers! In the car and home to change! Liz was at confirmation class and late back. Friday more weeding and tidying up - I even found a Christmas decoration behind the fax machine! Off at 5 and to Thornton Heath and Josie's road where Liz got fish and chips. Louise and Ciarán at home and he enjoyed his bath. They had visited Grandma. To choir practice - organ is out of tune and I will use piano on Sunday. The choir were arguing again about tempi, leaving out notes, you name it. At one point I said "Who's conducting this choir any way?" Also a question about Good Friday just as we were about to rehearse an item. They are infuriating. Watched "Embarrassing bodies"....

Woke very early so read last bit of "The dog who came in from the cold" by Alexander McCall Smith and listened to choral evensong from Durham. Malcolm and Emily on Face book and Dennis on skype. To post office to get photo done by Tony Noble's son and application for freedom pass renewal sent in. Filled up bird feeders and sleeting. Ann on Skype. Paul has high blood pressure. To 24 Greencoat place Initiatives of Change for Chinese New Year meal which was delicious. Martin Sugarman picked up the 2 books from the library. "The Imam and the pastor" again, Jon Dal Din and Sr Hilda and interfaith group came. Chatted to Ann a secretary at the centre. Liz home. To Tate Britain to see Chris Ofili exhibition which was rather disappointing apart from "No woman no cry" about Stephen Lawrence's mother and the Upper Room which was effectively displayed. The film afterwards was enlightening about his Catholic childhood and Trinidad home. To Tate Modern to see Ar...

After 42 lengths last Friday not quite so many this week - 38 Monday, 38 Tuesday. Today I had to get out after 22 as I remembered I was due to open up at 8.30 a.m. for the computer cleaning folk. The policeman came back today and took statements and another copy of the cctv. One of the thieves got a lenient sentence for the other burglary. Monday I went to Peter Wright's for RSCM committee. He sent good wishes to Edward which I passed on and said the Southwark concert was likely to have another venue. Andrew Cantrill and Nigel Groome bot made useful suggestions. Adrian gave me a lift home. Tuesday Harry Mellor gave me a lift to Sittingbourne for provincial council in a room next to a noisy bar in a club. I said one could only take on Provincial VP if retired and more are coming to the 1000th meeting. Harry had a few near misses and chats away all the time - he is 80. Wednesday to British School of Osteopathy - I dropped in to Southwark cathedral and the vice-principal gave me coffe...

Still blowy but at least it was fine today. 36 lengths of the pool. Said goodbye to Marina who is going to work at Northcote. To Battersea power station community forum and then Catenian council meeting at Brendan's. Kevin is organised for the incoming year. We all went to Xin Chinese Thai restaurant for a good meal but I as usual didn't feel full eating so many little bits and pieces! Company was good - Bill is off to China in April. Gerry reckoned he had never been to a Chinese meal before! I have sent out emails re the Oxford organists visit on May 10th and had some responses.