The organist librarian

To St George's Beckenham for Nigel's recital. He played Charpentier, the Hovland and Correll he played at St Michael's and 2 pieces by Nicholas Chouveaux who sounds French but was born in Bromley! To Heythrop library and worked all afternoon on Eckhart Reviews and then in the garden in lovely sunshine. Very nice alumni reception with quiz devised by Fr Simon. I left at half time to get to Southwark cathedral for the Britten - we were sitting at the side and some of the diction was poor. James Gilchrist excellent. Home by 11.30. Very atmospheric with candles and incense. 

Thursday to Acton and fixed the track which Jack had changed! Friday to the gym where we watched the tennis class which the boys enjoyed. We then set off for Southwell. Decided to go a bit further on the busy M1 to Hardwick Hall which was well worth a visit. Elizabethan house and a nice cream tea. Arrived in Southwell from Mansfield without problem. The Reindeer pub proved not to be great but we did eventually get the ensuite room which was not really big enough to move around in bathroom or beside the bed! We had eaten at Hardwick so did not go out with Simon for a meal. At breakfast there were no cereals! The wife of the owner is a cardiac nurse with a small baby and very new to b and b! Rehearsed in the Great hall and evensong went well. Hadley and Willan My beloved spake and Sumsion in G. Fr Simon came to evensong and to the Wheatsheaf pub. We then went in the party to the Bamboo Garden Chinese restaurant and enjoyed chatting to Michael and Jonathan basses - the latter from Wales....

Took lIz to Selhurst to get train. I went to Elmers End and got train to Catford Bridge for recital at St Laurence. I was early so read in Catford library. Read 3 articles today for course. John Keys of St Mary's Nottingham played an all Bach programme immaculately, He knows Fr Simon Gillespie. Lady told me Gary Sieling was leaving Bromley PC but it's not true, Vespers and Mass with Fr Paolo and a powerful homily on the Prodigal Son. Watched Wild Arabia. Opera from Met was Don Carlo.

Breakfast in bed and Liz liked her book about London. Watched Come dine with me. Westminster cathedral choir has been in Rome.  To Cote in Kensington Court for a delightful lunch with Louise, Seán and Bruce. I had smoked salmon, sea bass and chocolate. We had sparkling wine and it was very reasonable. Sean smiled at me. Li went to hand in the Indian visa applications and came home to a message with Ciarán singing Happy birthday right on pitch! I heard the last part of the Cardinal Schola presentation with Michael Barnes speaking really well. Michael said the main speech was dull so I missed nothing. I was much amused to see Damian and Michael in full clerical gear! At tea chatted to Pauline, Helen and Fr Simon all there for the alumni meeting. Martin Ganeri was so boring - how could he make Sr Sara Grant so dull? Watched Young Apprentice and Come dine with me.

To St Pancras via East Croydon to get train to Nottingham.  Had to wait at Travelodge which is actually not brilliant but cheap and convenient for St Barnabas cathedral. It was a splendid ordination on St Barnabas Day lasting 2 hours and Simon looked and sounded great. We washed the Bishop's hands using a towel which had been used earlier! Everything went well. Choir were on good form and sang Widor, Lauridsen, Mawby and Weelkes. A very long stand during the ordination itself! Nice party afterwards and the scouts formed a guard of honour. Tuesday a.m. saw Larry at breakfast and to the Albert Hall to meet David Butterworth to play the magnificent 1909 Binns organ. Bought his DVD. I played Andrew Moore and Crown Imperial. We served at Simon's first Mass as acolytes - this was at 1 p.m. in the cathedral. Lovely new Polish vestments. Bus to station and train. Picked up Ciarán from nursery and put him to bed - he took an hour to settle and twice I crept out only to find h...