The organist librarian

Sunday was a quiet day as we were both tired and Monday 22 lengths (late up)and after work we watched Andy Murray come back from nowhere to win at Wimbledon! Tuesday to Battersea Power station for Wandsworth business forum breakfast and meeting and a chance to see the display about the new plans. Horrified to see an enormous chimney which will dominate the whole area and the skyline! Why an extension of the Northern line from Kennington - the Battersea society proposal of a tram is much better. No plans to upgrade to 2 local rail stations either! Still the concepts are stunning. I arranged for staff to go and see the display. I returned to the Power station for the start of the community forum meeting which was poorly attended - perhaps like me they did not get the invite! I filled in my comments form and was pleased to note that apart from running 2 cars we tick all the boxes on green issues. To Westminster cathedral hall for the farewell to the remarkable, lovable, infuriating Fr Mi...

Liz was luxuriating all day at the Sanctuary with the girls - it was her Christmas present! To Coulsdon where Vicky was refreshed form her time in Milan. She had noted that Westminster Cathedral choir had sing a concert there (Rheinberger Mass) and it was very wet! The Bob Chilcott Psalm 23 composed last year went well and so did Statham in D so that is one setting we can manage with me singing tenor where needed. I spoke to Dudley Coates about joining us occasionally and bought my usual Fairtrade muesli and yogurt coated raisins. To garden centre to pick up more compost. I had been planning to go to the Buddhist prayers for Tibet at the Imperial War museum gardens but as it hailed I decided to have a rest and watch the last episode of "Lark rise"! and the delightful "No 1 ladies detective agency" by the lamented Anthony Minghella. Also Songs of Praise episodes which I had recorded. Simon Lloyd playing Mendelssohn No.4 which was a treat and an improvisation on ...

Photos of two mosques in Istanbul one on the Asian side in Uskudar the other the Fatih Camii. My third mosque in a week! The Imam greeted the party of 40 and gave us a talk and a tour of the mosque. He was happy to answer questions and refreshments were provided. Some of the men sat on the floor in the mosque during the midday prayers whilst everyone else observed from the ladies gallery. It was most interesting to observe how the men came in and began prayer. Around 50 in all at various times - all ages and professions. One elderly gentleman greeted us warmly. I got a salad at Marks and had a look in WHSmith as Derek had sent me a £25 voucher for playing at the funeral. There is a magnificent book on cathedrals which caught me eye! To Croydon Parish church for talk by Andrew Scott about organ building and different types of pipes. He said the Festival Hall organ is on hold awaiting more money and time. Good to at last play the organ and meet Andrew Cantrill the new director of music. ...

Staff meetings today - there was discussion about unruly children. It's been quiet but there are signs of old troubles re-emerging. To St Paul's at the cathedral were singing vespers. Transport for London advised bus 344 to the Elephant and then a train from there to Blackfriars. I could also have stayed on the 344. I could not find the rail station entrance in time so used my initiative and got a bus 100 to the cathedral arriving at 5 p.m. Too late to serve of course but Liz did and there was full team including Deacon Peter and Decaon Ed, Fr Archer, Fr Michael Seed. Magnificent Palestrina and a fine sermon on Paul from Mgr Mark. I got the car keys from Liz and she set off for Stansted and Dublin for nearly a week which does not fill me with joy! I hate sleeeping alone! To Dvorak rehearsal and all 11 tenors for the trip were there! "Music and liturgy" has arrived.