The organist librarian

Monday swam 20. Spoke to Ann and Paul in Cape Town – all well. General clear up and set off at 12.30 via Earls Court and M4 arriving early at Douai abbey – 57 miles from home. We have a nice double room with disabled ensuite. At first the window would not close but I sorted it. It felt cold. After tea and greeting folk we rehearsed. The Latin vespers should have been accompanied. The community here have a very sketchy idea of some of the chants! Fish soup/stew for dinner and Compline which was marginally better than Vespers. Good to see Martin Foster and he says he heard my questions on the Light music talk and the John Le Carre extended interview! Some leading lights like Philip Gaisford are missing this time so we are a smaller group.

Set off on Monday - 2 and half hours by train via Clapham Junction to Reading then Thatcham and back to Midgham. Met Sr Julian from Stanbrook now at Wass and Br Reginald from Canterbury. We were met at the station and driven to Douai Abbey which is a lovely place with a high light airy church with clear windows. The accomodation was comfortable with a shower in the large room and nice outlook over woods. The school is now rebuilt as housing. I soon slipped into the pattern of Latin Vespers and compline and Mattins and Lauds at 6.25 a.m. and midday office. The food was excellent and the company delightful. I particularly enjoyed talking to Fr Martin from Downside, the sisters from Lewes with their international connections, Michelle from Roscrea and the sisters from Quidenham, Minster and Ware. Michelle Moran gave us insights into the Synod in Rome on the Word of God which were very valuable especially Tom Wright's. It turns out she used to live in South Norwood! David Bednall co...