The organist librarian

A rare opportunity to hear the Ralph Downes organ in St Clement Danes. Jack Gonzalez-Harding RCM played Wood sea songs, Howells and premiere by Geer who I also met. To Serpentine gallery for Grayson Perry then  tea in the park next to bowling green.  Took the boys to enjoyable Adventure in Moominland at South Bank centre and a good lunch at Giraffe. Last night's prom enjoyed Brahms and exuberant Schumann 3. Berg well played and the Larchner was intriguing. The talk about sleep had some good tips eg sleep 3 times a day is normal, do not worry about not sleeping, light is crucial. Work out what type you are. I am early morning awake and second wind p.m. sleepy after lunch. An enjoyable Prom with French music influenced by the Orient including Saint-Saens, Lalo, Franck and Delibes. I fell asleep during the talk on djinns. The problem was Ian MacMillan standing between the two guests so they were not speaking directly into the mikes. Elif Shafak is usually more interesting! Met C...

Woke at 5 a.m. knowing I had to be up by 6.15. Got 6.50 from Selhurst and 7.35 Oxford Tube. In Oxford by 9 a.m. which was too early but had time to walk part of the organ tour route! Excellent discussion between the Archbishop of Canterbury and Eliza Griswold about "The Tenth parallel" and read half the book. Michael Barnes was in the Sheldonian. To Blackwells shop and coffee and croissant at Costa. To Walton centre at Christ Church cathedral school to hear Elif Shafak talk about her life an "Honour" - she was so interesting about why she writes and why we read novels. To Christ Church meadows to Sunday Times literary festival marquee. Oxford tube back in London by 3 p.m. Tea and then recital at Bloomsbury Baptist where you can see the console on the screens. Mo Wah Chan played Karg-Elert and Durufle. David Graham played the Wedge and then we had duets. I left before the Langlais to get bus in time for vespers. Paul there and all went well. St Mark Passion for Palm ...

Swam 30 on Tuesday and 30 today and had a nice chat to Ann on Tuesday. Went to mass at Chiswick yesterday and good to see Graham. Booked to go to Oxford on March 31st for the literary festival - Rowan Williams interviewing Eliza Griswold and Turkish novelist Elif Shafak! Should be good - whole thing costing about £37.