The organist librarian

Swam, Mass, art, to the tip with garden stuff, broken breadmaker and frame. I no sooner got back and Liz said you forgot the old mobiles. There must be some charity which collects them? She had been to dentist to get tooth fixed disturbed during her medical procedure. To the Abbey for joint evensong. Parry Hear my words stunning. Marenzio Magnificat. The Messiaen was not a good accompaniment to visiting the shrine of St Edward. I love the new Hockney window and the memorial to Stephen Hawking. Ben Bloor played superbly at Servite priory Fulham 50th anniversary of the organ. Pity so few came.

Mass then John Fisher school to talk to year 7 about Thomas More and the Catenians a lively group. The Captain Cook exhibition at the British library has a wealth of treasures notably his journals, Banks and Hodges pictures. Fascinating and new insights. Vespers with the choirs of the cathedral and Westminster Abbey featured Anthem by Patrick Gowers and Beaven magnificat. Thrilling sound. Marchand at the end. How marvellous to see a woman Canon censing the statue of Our Lady with Canon Christopher. TV programmes on Chile hotel and David Hockney.

Today was yet another day when I rejoice at being a Granddad! Ciarán had asked to see the David Hockney exhibition so we met at 9 as Friends can go in before opening at 10. I did 5 drawings and he did 4 and did really well as he is only 7. We then went with Louise and Liz to Fire! at the Museum of London which he really enjoyed. I did 4 drawings. Great to explore the modern section and see the Olympic cauldron. Good lunch at London Wall Bar and kitchen. They went off to MnMs and Liz and I went to Marks where I bought 2 suits. My waistline is now 38 after too many Catenian dinners! Fr  Brian O'Mahony   gave a wonderful homily for the start of Lent at Mass. Watched the Great Pottery throw down and University challenge. Ciaran is so sweet - he gave me his first drawing as a present - he loved the sketchbook I gave him.

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. 

To St George's Hanover Square for Edward Tambling's fine recital including Dom Gregory Murray's homage to Delius then to the Royal Academy Hockney portraits. Considering he is our greatest living draughtsman they are remarkably similar and after a while I realised how dead the faces were. Reason - no lights in the eyes just black splotches with some exceptions. Compared to Singer Sargent's portraits these are just decorative.  Early at the hall and enjoyed the film of Dame Myra Hess playing Bach and Beethoven in 1954. The Missa Solemnis was spoilt by orchestral and especially organ overload. Stuart Skelton was great but too often the tenors and inner parts got lost in a general sound. The later movements were better. How one missed the hushed amazement of "Et incarnatus est" and "Crucifixus" as Giulini interpreted it. Nice to see Mary Rouse and Martin Barry's mother but surely latecomers could be admitted to the Prom?

Friday to St Matthew's with my dinner suit in leather case. Jeremy Marks on sexuality and I found it easier than expected to discuss how my position has changed e.g. on same-sex marriage. Prayer time was Godly play which I rather liked. Met Liz at East Croydon and we got trains to Elstree. Taxi to Quality Inn and the room comfortable. Changed and walked to Holiday Inn. 75 at London North West's 1000th meeting including the Grand President and Peter and Marcela Stevens. I had a lovely chat to Mary Shiell who works with the Bishop of Northampton who sounds really good. The dinner was very good - soup, salmon and cheesecake. I stuck to orange juice! 11 p.m. back to the hotel. Liz did not sleep well and was unwell with runny tummy. I had breakfast and we got a taxi back to the station. Liz decided to go to the Zoo and I'm glad she felt better as she was meeting Louise for her surprise trip up the Shard for lunch with Dennis! I went to St Katharine's at Limehouse for an exc...

Mouse No. 4 seen in the lounge last night - yuk! Saturday to St George's cathedral to hear Marilyn Harper play very well. I made myself known to Mylene. She played Bach, Rootham and Bedard. About 25 there. A lovely day and visited the Tibetan peace garden. I had parked at West Norwood so took bus back and then to Dulwich picture gallery for Hockney prints. Overpriced at £10 for pensioners - the rooms are too narrow and too many people. Parked at Kent House. Fr Quaqoe at Mass and there were 5 of us serving and all went well. To Hayes Catholic church hall for a delightful May supper with Beckenham circle - lots of nice food. Gabrielle who is German was rather dogmatic about the Church! Enjoyed the chat as the house is so quiet. Liz was at the diamond wedding celebration.

Did some reading. To St Stephen Wallbrook for Peter's superb recital of Bach, Howells, Leighton, Titeloue and Dupre. Nice walk along north Thames path to Millenium brudge and Tate Modern. Bigger Splash a little disappointing. William Klein's films interesting and Daido Moriyama's photos seemed dull. I rather liked the film of the Jesus type figure in a crowded street and ignored to "The people that walked in darkness" reminded me of the ballet we saw the other evening. Walking against the flow is never fun! Popped into Southwark cathedral and organ being tuned.

To lectures about Catholics in Georgia and Russia, then sang at Mass (for unity Fr Peter Wilson chaplain at University of London celebrated and told his story from Cape Town) to Royal Academy and met Sally and Liz. David Hockney a bigger picture - Brian Sewell panned it in the Standard as gaudy and repetitive - liked the films and some of the work. Fauvism and Monet influences. His pastiche of Claude is crude. Lots of people there but I would not pay £14 to see it. Back to Heythrop and rearranged Hughes room and to first half hour of the Melkite liturgy - some fine singing and colourful vestments. Interesting lecture on Islam and other faiths.