The organist librarian

Played Albinoni Adagio, Faure and Thalben-Ball Elegy at church. Hayley copied carols for me and Paul changed some hymns on Dec 22 to Advent ones! We said the psalm and it looks as though sung psalms are finished which is a shame. Bill was not there and Debbie was pretty bad. John Williams was there again - he's the one who did not want a paid organist! Hayley is keen to use the organ and we had a look at the gallery above the altar - it is a dumping ground but Louise could sing from there if unaccompanied. Played the piano - found some operatic arias and popular songs and some Eric Coates. Can't find my carol sheets and music! Evensong was Harris in A minor and Lead kindly light to Alberta. Kathy wrecked Loosemore - her vowels and intonation are dreadful especially Amen! Rehearsed the Cox Litany for the baptism next Sunday of Amos Dmitris Cox - not easy. Watched Billy Budd from Glyndebourne (2010 production). Doris Lessing has died. 

Reality beginning to creep in checking the diary up until Easter and the implications of 9 to 8 twice a week and 9.30 to 6 on alternate Saturdays which will mean going to Mass somewhere else once a fortnight. Still it is an exciting prospect. There have been many congratulations and a feeling of sadness after so many happy years in one building. Choir practice went smoothly and we worked on Byrd's "Senex puerum" and Gibbons Nunc dimittis for Candlemas. Luckily I had changed Saturdays because of Paul Clubb's wedding as in fact the reading group turned up today (RA agreed to cover it next Saturday!) Nearly all did not like "The cleft" by Doris Lessing but I think Gillian and I convinced them there was more to the book than met the eye! A very wet day. Abi is coping very well indeed. To vespers and Mass Fr Kingsley and a new server Eugene. Home to watch Lawrence (of Arabia) Island parish and Chester Zoo. Had a M & S meal of roulades and profiteroles with Mo...

Thursday to the Cathedral hall. Surprised Liz at Victoria station - she had come home a day early to surprise me - good thing I had visited the new Battersea Park Tescos and got the flowers! A delightful celebration meal for the volunteers and Fr Michael read some of the thank you letters "Dear Fr Bone..." The whole event paid for itself. Lots to eat and drink but I drove. Sat with servers and had an interesting chat to Nick who is from Barons Green and has painted a station acrylic on wood. Brian and Andrew the seminarians engaged in a good discussion about the Baptism of Christ. Friday to practice and did most of the November music - I was throaty and suspect I caught the cough/cold from my neighbours at the Jerusalem chamber on Wednesday! Finished "The cleft" by Doris Lessing - most unusual and rather disturbing book.