The organist librarian

Both to pool but Liz did not have costume so she walked home. I did 20. S pecial occasion of unity following the Paris attacks. London Central Mosque (Regent’s Park), 146 Park Road, NW8 7RG ( St John’s Wood tube) Friday 16 January 11am – 12 pm with refreshments Dr Shuja Shafi , Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, will be speaking, along with religious leaders from different traditions.  Lots of press and photographers.  This is an opportunity to come together with Muslim friends and especially Jewish colleagues, to rise above the dynamics of division and to affirm our determination to work together for a peaceful Europe .  Similar events are taking place tomorrow in Birmingham and Manchester . There was a reasonable turnout considering the short notice and there were messages from the Anglican bishops but nothing from ours (perhaps they were not asked). I got the bus with Bessie and enjoyed walking round Waterstones which use...

Played Bairstow and Statham on Veni emmanuel and Walther Wachet auf. Practised carols and suggested singing at the station to give out the church Christmas cards with details of the services. Listened to St John's carols which featured Tippett, James Long and Michael Finnissy. To St John;s for a well-attended carols which included Goldschmidt, Archer, Lloyd and Howells  -lots of sightreading but it went well. Bridget played Bach very well  -her father died this week. Dennis and Ann Marie were there so we went for tea and cakes (which Liz had made). 

Dennis and AnnMarie are here having been to see Ciarán. Dennis has exams so off to Manchester. 34 lengths. To Victoria medicentre for my health check - my last one under the scheme. Nurse recognised me and a nice doctor. All is well. Cleared out music basement. To Cathedral hall for Silence in the City with Fr Daniel O'Leary who writes in The Tablet. He spoke about being authentic and letting in the light, going with the flow and the joy.

Today not allowed to walk down Whitehorse Lane - have to go round says policeman but does not say go via Ross Road or Whitworth Road so I walk down Egerton Road to the scene of the crime! Police let me through and take my name and address! 30 lengths - Marvin passed his French exam. My first 9 to 8 for 10 years! Saw HT and SP. Put out flowers in library and changed labels to my name. Threw out some stuff but there is loads to do. To Sainsburys at lunch time - it is huge and eventually found the cappuccino and biscuits which I ought to try and give up for Lent! Very pleasant young man on checkout. In the evening weeded fiction 4 bays - the whole library needs doing! Informed a casual that I needed a full hour of shelving from her. Home by about 8.45 and delicious pancakes with hot fruit sauce. Produced notices for interfaith group. Printer would not work - turned out there was a pen in the paper feed! Dennis and AnnMarie arrived from Burnley very late. Sent email to chorus withdrawing f...

Back to work Thursday after an excellent break. Back to choir practice on Friday and children worked well after service on Sunday. Vespers and mass on Saturday - 6 servers! Back into routine. Thursday Liz went to the funeral at Chiswick of Fr Ed Houghton sadly killed in traffic accident at only 40 - a great loss. Sunday Liz to Heathrow to meet Dennis and AnnMarie back from 2 weeks in Oz which they enjoyed. Spoke to them and Ann on Monday morning before setting off for Doaui Abbey. Saw Thomas Wilson on Saturday. Challoner choir pretty dire.

The finished silk paintings! 24 lengths on Thursday and 34 on Friday - Dan was there and I was in fast lane again. Liz to Bath with Grandma. The second recording session for "Merlin" went well although more music was produced on the night again! I laughed at the bass who reacted to Rohan Atkinson, the Australian composer's request for a low E flat "Easy Skippy!" Tuesday and Wed rehearsals and recording on Thursday at Islington. Had a chat to Hana about her family. Friday after work to Trafalgar Square and enjoyed BP Portrait award exhibition at National Portrait gallery and "From Corot to Monet" at National Gallery. Back to NPG for excellent harp recital by Keziah Thomas including Faure and Paul Patterson "Spiders". Lots of people about and young man on 4th plinth singing and playing away! Trains to Feltham and checked in at Travelodge. Breakfast not until 8 a.m. so to Asda to buy supplies. Bus to Heathrow Terminal 1 in good time - their ...

Friday was Dennis and Ann Marie's first wedding anniversary so sent them a card. I finished at 2 and spent time checking out on Iplayer last night's prom. To Paddington and met Louise for 6 hour train ride to Paddington. Lovely scenery especially around Exeter where the train goes along the coast line. Listened to the Prom on my headphones and mobile phone - an East meets West programme featuring the Japanese Sho. Debussy, Ravel, Sarasate and Takemitsu. Finished reading "Baking cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Martin which is a delight - very like Precious Ramotswe. Met up with Liz at Truro school - she had enjoyed being with Martine in Barnstaple for the week.

40 lengths today despite a busy pool! Did lots more emails inviting people to come in and use the library more. Liz sorted out the drains by clearing what appears to have been an airlock. Watched 2 more programmes in the Around the world in other faiths series which has been excellent. More wedding photos from Dennis and AnnMarie at last! Tax man has decided organ shoes do not qualify unless they are unusable as ordinary shoes which is in fact the case - they are dance shoes!

Thursday to barbers with Declan. They gave us schloer bucks fizz, Ferraro rocher and coffee. Nice to have a proper wet shave and haircut. Andy the photographer turned up with Liz who had been at the house. Drove to the church and went back to pick up Flo - the bus was late. Wedding due to start at 2 p.m. actually kicked off at 2.20 p.m. Everyone especially our 3 looking very smart. Fr Costello was brilliant. Sophia walked down aisle and then wailed. David did very well on organ and Gerry sang well. Jo coped well with the long walk (Mendelssohn worked well for this) and read first lesson. We lit our candles and Dennis and Ann Marie lit theirs from them. Liz read Corinthians and I said prayers. Lovely prayer for the couple after vows to which they just say "I do"! Nice to have incense at the Mass - did not know the settings of Kyrie and Agnus but joined in with "Praise my soul" and "Dear Lord and Father of mankind" with gusto. Fr Bernard said he did not know...