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. 

Quite a busy week since we got back. Monday to mosaic but spent time looking through photos. Hendrika did not come for tai chi - 5 there so went to Imperial war museum for excellent Reel to reel about war films with original costumes. To BSO and Xray confirmed wear and tear on right knee. Tutor syas it needs 6 sessions. Clare was there! Dennis became a Catenian - at last. Not many there and I had to show them the procedure even so Colin was like Ed Balls! Nice photos. I joined 3 Oct 1994, he joined 3 Oct 2016! Tuesday changed hearing aid appointment so ears can be clear first. To St Mellitus Gloucester Rd for St George's college Jerusalem update and lecture on Nazareth which was good - the new Dean from Brisbane. Told Bishop Richard and him about Barbara and New York. Only one of our group came but 4 from 2016 and 2 from 2014 sharing perspectives so nice to compare notes and met quite a few clergy. Nice lunch. To Acton and then to Chiswick Park for first session with Nelson oil p...

Tuesday swam. To RAC club to meet Michael Redman for lunch. I had forgotten to wear a jacket but there was no problem. Siriol did not come. Had roast beef and Yorkshire pudding in the Long Bar. Took a photo of the lovely swimming pool. Then to Aldgate East for visit to the East London mosque which is very impressive. I popped into Whitechapel gallery and saw Emily Jacir exhibition.  Liz and Jan came and Juber was a most informative host explaining Islamic history very clearly. We also saw the old synagogue which the mosque has purchased - it is right next door and there were still old prayer books and shawls under the seats. Then we went to Moorgate and got a train to Alexandra Palace. The dinner was good (steak pie and trifle) and was in the Lanesborough room which has remarkable frescoes. The silent film was brilliantly accompained by Duncan Mackenzie. Buster Keaton in the Cameraman and we also saw London scenes. There were some technical hitches and at one point the organ stopp...

Back to church and on good form. I  played Willan and Archer on Nicaea, Quentin Thomas on Laus Deo, Mawby on Angel Voices and March on St Patrick's breastplate by Alec Wyton at the end. Fr Leon liked "How shall we sing that majesty" to Coe Fen - what a tune! Only 15 there.  Fr Leon very supportive and keen to sort out the organ tuning. I emailed lots of people about the recitals. At evensong we sang Weelkes and Gibbons but Kathy's tuning was awry again. Keys to Adrian. Made videos of holiday photos. Monday back to mosaic - not many there. Ursula gave me a wooden elephant! To St Michael's Cornhill to Hear Jane Parker-Smith. She is brilliant but it was all so loud and no information about unknown composers! To Catenians and took minutes. Dennis came!

Wednesday another early waking and actually slept more on the lounge couch! Lance came to do bathroom floor. Ciaran at swimming at 11 and no problems. Sean was having an Agga day and can be quite a handful! We went after lunch to Brent Lodge park, Hanwell to see the small zoo, maze and playground - not much for little ones. Hot again. To prom talk on Mahler 5. Was the Adagietto a love letter to Alma - seems unlikely. Julian Johnson was as always very informative. Vienna of 1901 was obsessed with death. Liz managed to get in - they closed door 2 before 10 past. I kept her a seat. The Birtwistle was awful but fine Ravel concerto  for the left hand. Hall packed! My mobile went off at start of Mahler 5 - cannot understand why it was not still on silent. Managed to still it and hide it. It was Dennis with bad news, He failed his yearly assessment and now plans to move to London to work at Putney if he gets the job. Mena conducted BBC Phil well and enjoyed it despite the noises of...

Enjoyed a walk round the lake and Ciarán was a star on his new bike. He sang beautifully yesterday both Grace, Little donkey and Away in a manger. Dennis arrived and Tom went to watch football at the pub. David brought the baby down - so sweet. Watched Open all hours, Death comes to Pemberley part 1 and Ben Fogle and James Cracknell in the desert. Louise made a lovely pie using leftovers. Lovely broadcast from the Abbey for Midnight. 

Swam 20. To mosaic and tile adhesive to attach 2 on netting to boards. Tai chi. To CLC Ave Maria Lane near St Paul's to get Real Advent calendars - very helpful staff and nice shop. To Tate Britain - impressive new areas and staircase and lovely members room upstairs . To Europa House Smith Square for 10th birthday of London Boroughs interfaith forum - lots of people I know. Bishop of Woolwich and Lord Bates spoke well. Left in good time with Katharina to get to Crystal Palace for 7.15. Very nice birthday dinner for Dennis - whitebait, steak, pancake, birthday cake and cappuccino.                                                                                                                      ...

Liz set off for Salford at 8 a.m. Dennis left hospital in the evening and Liz stayed with the Hewitts. Swam 20. To mosaic and completed 2 small ones. Asked the flower ladies very politely @I am sorry ladies I can't hear what Linda is saying' she was explaining cutting glass. They complained! They are so inconsiderate every week laughing loudly and never sweeping up so I end up not putting my hearing aids in and miss instructions! Left tai chi early (lots in class) to get to Denmark Hill. The tests were most interesting and I think I fell asleep int he brain scan despite the noises! Home to eat and ring liz and to Odeon Beckenham. Got a refund on Liz's ticker and really enjoyed Gloriana from ROH live. Sarah Bullock and Toby Spence and excellent chorus  -loved the 50s touches in the production - the choir master in gown and hood and the cubs! Adrian, Terence and Graham were there. 

I make no less than 4 appearances in Catena July 2013 the same as in the Provincial newsletter! Liz going to Manchester Monday to Friday to see Dennis and AnnMarie going today. She is back in Manchester the following week as well. 

Phone rang at 4 a.m. Dennis in Salford hospital with abdominal pain and later in the day had appendix removed. To Heythrop for 10 a.m. rehearsal which not all servers attended. Any way worked it all out and it went well - Bishop John on good form and a nice lunch. Chatted to PPs from Wanstead and New Barnet and Fr Tony and John Dal Din. To Battersea Park peace pagoda for the 28th anniversary celebrations. Bruce Kent not there but Pat Gaffney spoke. Nice Indian dance, violin solo of Vivaldi and interesting Harmonise sign language choir.Rain held off for most of it. On bus with John and Tina. Vespers and Mass with Fr John. Spoke to Ann. Cardiff singer of the world song prize won by the fabulous Jamie Barton.

Dennis was visiting AnnMarie in Dublin and had to go to casualty at St Vincent's where she works. He is diagnosed has having viral peritonitis and a hiatus hernia which is hereditary - Liz's side this time! He hopes to come back to England tomorrow - his car is at the flat as he had been on a course at Liverpool. Swam 24 today and to St Michael's where Paul and Caroline provided tea and chocoalte biscuits. Neither of them liked Vickie Sims - too bossy and rude when at Oxford and ambitious! Had an enjoyable chat about theology and then a practice. He had put the heat on in the church. I see he is leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land in May. I am to play for Alan's funeral. I see there is a window showing the Pope in memory of his mother and father. His brother died in 2004 and he had an Allen organ in the house. He was a very private person.

Saturday had a lie-in as I was awake in the night again. Dennis came late last night and we went up to Glyn Close. The big surprise was that Susan Parsons dropped in up from Somerset so we had news of all the family. She used to direct the Addiscombe choirs. Then to see Louise. Turned out she had gone to Jo's not knowing Bruce was coming! We had a nice pub lunch at the Cricketers Richmond Green (cricket being played). I had Abbot ale pie and ale. Dennis bought a garden fork. We met Bruce, Louise and Ciarán briefly at Westfield and then went to Mass. Fr Alexander was on. Watched Salisbury cathedral Easter Day broadcast - excellent sermon by the Dean Revd June Osborne and Mozart Coronation Mass. Sunday I played Alan Gray on Parry's "O may we soon renew that song" Douglas Guest on "St Fulbert" and Crown Imperial which was much appreciated. Folk liked the reading and sermon at the wedding and the cartwheeling verger! Watched some of beatification of John Paul I...

Having discovered that I have put on a stone I was back at the pool Friday morning and saw 2 of the ladies. Did 26 which is a good start. Unpacked cases and put away Ocado shopping. To Glyn Close to see the work done by John and Darren and the electrician was there. Looks good. Took car for complete valet and it came back sparkling and smelling good again. To Emertons to get garage keys copied. Liz to babysit Ciarán. I was suddenly hit by the prospect of being retired and at home and all the adjustments which have to be made. I need my space and so does Liz! To choir practice and warmly welcomed back! Dennis arrived 2 a.m. and looks well.

To South London interfaith lunch and Jon was there. Lots going on for National Interfaith week. Meryl and Daphne said they would take me out to lunch in January - they were doing the training course in the hall. To Westfield - most impressive and met Louise and Ciarán - he is walking very well. To Islington for recording of soundtrack for Merlin 3 - no TV to watch this time and a new piece from Rowan at 9.30 p.m. Home at 10.30 cake and schloer for Dennis's birthday. Today to Putney for my last senior development forum - Liz made delicious cakes for it and Andrew mentioned it 3 times and I got a big clap! I got my hair cut in West Hill. Police came about a case left outside library but nothing came of it. Dennis and Anne Marie still here. Liz went off to serve for Mass for Christians in Iraq.

Swam 38 so good to be back! Busy at work. To chorus to rehearse for Merlin recording. Heard end of Roussel Symphony in G minor from Prom and Daphnis and Chloe suite no. 2. Friday Liz went to Louise's so she could go to baby opera on Saturday morning. Prom on TV featured Bruch voilin concerto. Saturday 14th to Cadogan Hall for Bach day Brandenburgs but found it sold out so returned home to listen. To Vespers and Mass for Assumption - no organ or cantor! Missed Bach organ prom but enjoyed the Bach orchestral arrangements on BBC2 conducted by Andrew Litton. Sunday Dennis had arrived late Saturday. To Coulsdon and hymns to Mary - I missed off last verse of one! David was there. Quick coffee and then train from Norwood Junction to London Bridge. Had time to read the play and Southwark cathedral sale where I got a leather credit card holder for £2.50. Dennis was late for the play at the Globe having been to see Ciarán. Excellent production of King Henry IV part 1 even funnier than Part...

Tai chi for a time. Bought plug covers for children's and hall in Balham shop. It was Cup Final day and a lovely day so we were not so busy in the afternoon. A new Saturday assistant started and I dealt with Health and Safety and various matters including an old man in the loo for an hour reading a book - he did apologise! More weeding! Underground closed at Oval because of a fire so to Kennington and got bus back to catch a 36 to Camberwell. I got to King's at 7 and Grandma looked a better colour and still trying to speak. Dennis had got the photos with Ciarán blown up for her and she liked them. Dennis goes home tomorrow night - he has been great! Walked through Ruskin Park - lots of blossom out and drove home. Liz got in just after us and we had mince and squash, gooseberry tart and custard. Fell asleep watching HDD of BBC young musician semi-final. Dennis asleep on settee.

Hoovered after a lie-in. The snow went by lunchtime as it was sunny. To St Edmund's Beckenham to practise for the recital on Feb 7 (changed from Jan 31). Eventually got the organ key so spent time on registration. The console has been turned round so the organist can be seen. Mostly sounded great - it is a Wyvern. Liz had gone to King's to see Grandma and Dennis went straight there. I picked up Liz and we went to Vespers (very few clergy there -only 2) and Mass with Fr Tim who was unwell. To Louise's and delivered 2 big bags. Ciarán now has a lovely cot and had enjoyed his first swim - sweet little swimsuits! He was smiling. Bruce was there as well so we got a family photo! I slept on way home as Liz drove. Bruce missed his train so came for the night and left early Sunday.

At church we sang Shaw in C minor in 3 parts and a lovely setting by Anthony Greening of Bourgeois' "Virgin-born we bow before thee" also one verse of "O thou who at thy Eucharist didst pray" as I rather felt the week of prayer for Christian unity had been downplayed. The booklet this year is excellent and I used one of the prayers at the interfaith group. I played Walther's partita on "Jesu meine freude" and Isobelle was baptised. To my surprise Vickie again included the Gloria (Peter Jones) and the service was an hour. Molly doing well and I practised Bach and Flor Peeters - I am playing several of his pieces next month. The organ recital at Beckenham is sensibly changed to the 7th at 3 p.m. Picked up Dennis and Grandma and to the Thatched house which is excellent and very child friendly. Ciarán was on good form. Had roast beef and sticky toffee pudding with white wine. What a treat! Took Christmas presents back to Acton and brought back stuff to...

At Coulsdon we sang Bairstow in E flat, Peter Jones Gloria, Celtic alleluia and Tallis's "If ye love me". I played some Bach Easter preludes and Healey Willan on Vulpius. Fair trade stall at coffee and Karen went through Ave Maria of Schubert for next Sunday. I picked up swim stuff from the pool (left since Friday as Liz could not there as she went to meet Jeanette Fishwick from Hobart) and back to church for 3 p.m. memorial service for Friends of the elderly. Played Vierne Berceuse and Mendelssohn Andante and 3 hymns - rest was CDs. To garden centre to get compost. Liz was at WC and meeting Jeanette again so out all day. To St John's for evensong. Roisin snag the solo in "Blessed be the God and Father" really well (although she needs to work on breathing - she is doing Bronze award exam). Walmisley in D minor and that splendid Wesley hymn "O love divine how sweet thou art". Finished June music list. Saw in Churches together in Upper Norwood leafle...

I got annoyed at practice this morning - too much talking and back chat about Hilary Lystan Jones' excellent vocal tips. We sang Attwood's "Turn thy face from my sins" and my attempts to improve the diction were met with .... I played some Buxtehude and practised the Dorian. Just a minute on the radio coming home and picked up Liz at East Croydon. Dennis went over to Bow to sort out agreement so I went to the South London interfaith group AGM at St Mary's West Croydon. Excellent talks on Jainism and Zoroastrianism and I think the speakers may come to my group also a Sikh! Watched Baroque, Lark rise and No 1 ladies detective agency until Ann and Louise were on skype!