The organist librarian

Drive to Crayford for the moving funeral of Catenian Brian McKie. Church packed and he was a stalwart and great example to all. Always cheerful. Bernice his wife is a special minister as he was and I found it so right to receive the chalice from her. We are the Body of Christ United in joy and sorrow. So sad that their daughter died and Brian remained faithful to the end. Much discussion over tea about conference and our motions which I think we will withdraw. Home to change and then to see Clare and a great chat. To Whitechapel gallery for tea and saw some modern art and a film about the French ambassador's wife in Burkina Faso. To Greatorex St to see beautiful icons by Nelson Ferreira and a lovely chat to Christopher Lane. To Acton. Ciaran was great at assembly with his new haircut and playing the drum. To Wimpole Street for introduction to clinical trials re Alzheimer's. I might have the right genes to take part. Patrick Hopper played an unusual programme at St Stephen Wal...

I was reflecting on baby sitting. It is both a pleasure and exhausting. Seán has enormous energy - he can go from 6.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. In the end it is best to just leave him alone to go to sleep. He is now chatting away and making connections. Ciarán is very much easier to deal with. Sean just turns on his charming smile and laughs - he's not afraid of anyone and quite happy to defy you! But a lot is going in e.g. the songs that Tamar teaches us! The weekly contact with the boys is invaluable. Had a wierd dream about Jersey being divided into Christian, Jewish and Muslim areas and painting a picture in each area during the War! 

Finished!

I w as relieved that Chris Walker's Stay Awake replaced The virgin Mary had a baby boy this morning - the calypso accompaniment is tricky. I played Pachelbel Von himmel hoch. A lovely recital by Robert Munns at St Augustine Grove Park at 6.30 of Advent music including Karg-Elert, Peeters, Buxtehude, Bach, Coleman and Leighton. There was a tombola and eats after service. I drove to Snakes and ladders at Sion House. I was late as I ended up going through Richmond.  A very nice party for Ciarán.

Mutual admiration society!

Played for the service on Sunday morning the First Sunday of Lent. 2 in the choir and we did go through the gospel acclamation but not the psalm which was not well sung. Debbie cannot reach the top Ds in the Murray setting. Practised next week's psalm and pointed out the need to stay on the reciting note. It seems they practise unaccompanied on Thursdays - one must ask why? Talked about recitals and the Bishop coming to bless the organ and the plaque. No problem about the October South African trip. To Acton for lunch and brought Ciarán home. Liz was at rite of election at the cathedral. Did 3 jigsaws, played monster bingo and set up the track! Monday he woke at 5 a.m.! Took him swimming and he loved jumping in! To the lake and scooter and Liz picked us up at the playground. Baked some nice chocolate biscuits. Spoke to Bruce on skype and of course Louise and Tom. Went to bed O,K, but woke in the night. Tuesday to Crystal Palace to meet Calix and Boyan who had his bike. Bothered a ...

Packed up and got away at 10 a.m. It really has been a success! Arrived at Bluebell railway in good time for the 12 noon train. Ciarán was alarmed by the steam noise from the engine but eventually got on the train and covered his ears. He was very happy chatting to 2 boys in our compartment. The Punch and Judy was full so we went to look at the carriage works and got the next train back and visited the shop which he finds confusing. He ended up with a Cranky crane book and we got him a tunnel for his track and some Peter railway books. Lemon curd for us and chutney for Lou and Tom. Liz bought a London 2012 bus. Drove to Acton and arrived around 4 ish. 180 miles all round. He was delighted to see Mummy and Daddy and loved his new bed. Lou has got lovely toy storage in the dining room and his room looks great. Liz stayed and I went to the Prom - plenty of seats in gallery. Peter Grimes conducted by Edward Gardner and semi staged. I got sandwiches which were nice but overpriced! Charles g...

Small choir at Coulsdon so we sang L.J.White's Prayer of St Richard of Chichester. When about to rehearse Byrd Kyries discovered 3 sopranos did not have copies! Molly enjoyed the practice. I played Willan on Aberyswyth and Fugal trilogy no. 1 - one fo Dad's favourites. Also Peter Hurford on Caswall and the bass aria from the St Matthew Passion. Vickie Newham forgot about the clocks going forward! All the family except Tom came for lunch. He was exhausted after taking Ciarán to Gullivers world at Milton Keynes! Delicious smoked salmon, turkey and crumble. Ciarán had a great time with this track and garden house. Dave came to take a photo.

On Tuesday more reading so did not get to Lent group at the cathedral. Went to 5.30 Mass and then to the Faith Matters lecture on Catholic history - good audience. To Acton. Wednesday to music but Ciarán not bothered at all so Louise removed him and we ate downstairs. Drove home and he lost little time in finding the DVDs, train track and books! In the afternoon went in the garden and played with the trucks and in the house. Thursday Louise went to see Chardie's new baby and Ciarán happily played and we chatted to Ann. Bridget came for tea  and brought him some socks and gingerbread men. Bruce came. Louise back so we all went swimming. I went to college and an interesting seminar and lecture on hadith. I did manage to read one article during the day and Michael showed me how he gets onto JSTOR. Home to watch Catholics. Friday up early and made track and read 3 Thomas books before 7.45! He loves his new blowup Thomas bed and slept very well.

After a quiet evening at Acton and nearly dropping off we watched the fireworks at midnight and they were very impressive. Liz up to be on duty in the cathedral sacristy 8.30 a.m. to 8.15 p.m. and all went well. I was not playing so enjoyed playing with Ciarán who has lots of spots but seemed fine. He enjoyed having Daddy home too. Watched the New Year concert conducted by Mariss Janssons. Lovely dancing too. To cathedral for vespers and then home to do more reading. Harry Potter and programme on Orkney stone age temple.

Swam 30 and Liz came. To Glyn Close to measure window and check heating. Garden looks very neat. On arrival home for breakfast message from Louise to say Ciarán had been sick at nursery so packed up car with table, cake, keyboard, etc and Liz went over.

Found the hearing aids next to the front garden path so that's a relief. 7 of us at coffee before the lecture and general moaning about the length of Taylor - I am doing well as some have only read 50 pages and I am at 506! The lecture from Damian was encouraging and ended with some thoughts about multifaith which made me realise that it might be worthwhile after all. We were also handed an assessment form which needs to be honestly completed by all of us! For the first time I actually commented in the lecture - lecture 10 and I finally get to speak! To Acton and watched a bit of Treasures of heaven film. Bed at midnight and woke at 6 a.m. Ciarán had a great time opening his presents and loved the IKEA kitchen we gave him (Louise and Tom assembled it on Tuesday night). Dennis gave him 2 wooden engines and he loved those. We all went to Wimbledon and had lunch at the Polka theatre cafe and enjoyed "The ugly duckling" beautifully performed and danced by 2 actors. He liked...

At Coulsdon we sang John Scott's arrangement of Creator of the stars of night. The hearing aids mean that I hear everything loudly and clearly especially some organ stops (organ has been tuned). I played Wachet auf and "Comfort ye" to match the first reading. It is disconcerting hearing my own voice and I could hear the bass really well, The hearing loop works very well. Practised with the kids and then picked up Dennis and to Acton. Goldsmiths Arms for the party on Thomas the tank engine theme - lovely cake. C gots lots of nice presents and very happily playing with the train set and the musical instruments and balloons. Took Dennis to station and the presents back to the house and then to South Hampstead synagogue. Rabbi Shlomo asked some tricky questions and Archbishop Vincent answered frankly and clearly. Archbishop Kevin less so. Met Andrew and his parents and had a good chat, also a lady who asked about spirituality and Philip Rosenberg and his parents. Kim Burke w...

Last night read Kant on enlightenment while listening to Brahms Symphony No.2 from Birmingham. Ciarán slept well and took him to Cypress school for stay and play. Meanwhile I went to Tooting market to pick up the cupcakes I had ordered. Met them at the lake and he enjoyed his scooter going round the lake. Home in car and he had a sleep and so did I although I started out doing some reading. Imagine my shock when he took a tumble down the stairs from the top bedroom. He knocked his head but seems OK. Thomas DVDs helped a lot. Played in garden with water table and house, trampoline and trucks. Had his supper and enjoyed DVDs of Night garden and Thomas. After bath eventually settled down to sleep. He is absolutely fearless on scooter and climbing and jumping so I suppose the odd fall is inevitable! Louise enjoying New York. James MacMillan St John Passion on radio.

Louise flew to New York for work for a week. Liz went over to babysit as Tom went to the match. Ciarán now saying his own name and lots of words although he still leaves out intitial consonants!