The organist librarian

Finished at court at 4.30 so home and had dinner and watched Julia Bradbury doing canal walk in Wales. Listened to a bit of Michael Berkeley on hearing loss. To the cathedral for Gillian Weir's final recital. Splendid playing and a good audience - Demessieux, Bach, Franck, Martin, Willan and Mulet. Standing ovation and she walked the length of the cathedral and into the pulpit with flowers from Madeleine. Even Marie-Claire Alain didn't go in the pulpit! A memorable evening. Nice to see David Hill there. Met Liz at the end - she had been at RCIA with Michael Dunne. Watched The Hour on return home.

To morning prayer and again superb singing from the choir Tenebrae responses of Victoria and a loud strepitus which the Archbishop enjoyed. His homily was excellent. We finished with "Praise to the holiest". Brought cottas home to wash and the back of mine was brown from the benches yesterday. Washed the front path. Watched Alice's adventures in wonderland from the Royal Ballet - a delight. Also An island parish. The Martin Golgotha sung by the chorus at King's College last night excellent. Liz made cakes.

Spoke to Dennis and Ann Marie and Ann on Skype. They had been to Taronga Zoo and on the ferry, also St John's Glebe and Christ Church St Laurence. Still no plaques for Mum and Dad after 3 years! Planning the weekend. Haircut. Took Josie and Grandma to Buckingham Palace. Once again the disabled facilities were excellent with a new lift and garden cafe. Liked the special exhibition about the Queen's tours and gifts - some wonderful dresses and her own orders. To Victoria to get battery for Liz's swatch and then to National gallery but it is now open late on Fridays instead of Wednesdays! To the cathedral for David Sanger's interesting recital and a bigger audience. Saint-Saens, Karg-Elert, Vierne, Martin Passacaille, Seth Bingham. On way home listened to Strauss Symphonia domestica with score but train very noisy and reception poor. Watched Tudors part 1 and Barenboim conducting East West divan orchestra at proms in Liszt Les Preludes and Wagner Tristan prelude and liebes...

Saturday was quiet so caught up on displays and admin. At Mass we had extra servers because the servers dinner followed. Victoria forgot to ring the bell the first time! Amici Choro sang really well. Lauridsen Ave Maria and Byrd 4 part Mass. Caroline was singing. Saw Vicky and Gareth afterwards with lovely baby Lydia. The dinner was a great success - 50 came and the Hinsley Room was transformed. We were sitting with Victoria's parents Shaun and Annette from the US and they are returning home. Imagine our surprise when the Cardinal joined us and was on great form talking about retirement and cooking and shopping in Chiswick! Canon Christopher, Paul and David Grealy completed the party. Excellent buffet and lots of red wine. All the chaplains joined us. It was a delightful evening! John was not at Coulsdon so I played the bass part in Tye anthem and we sang Nicholson in G. I practised and then joined Liz at King's College hospital to see Grandma who has osteoporosis hence the b...

Pretty exhausting day Tuesday. Swam 36 lengths and No I did not use the car! Only 3 staff on in the evening so unable to go to Catenian provincial council meeting. It's in Sittingbourne which is a 70 mile drive. Harry Mellor of South London circle rang and offered a lift so will take him up on that. Plus I have to take leave to go and be bored all evening so what's the point? Most of it could be done by email. Watched University professional challenge won by an impressive team from the Ministry of Justice who beat Salisbury cathedral last night and National physical laboratory this evening in the final. Watched Songs of Praise from Edinburgh with interesting material about Greyfriars Kirk, Greyfriars Bobby and David Steel's ancestor. Fell asleep! Oxgord trip booklet now revised by Chris and looking very impressive. Have at last finished James Naughtie's "The Making of music, a journey with notes" which is a useful historical treatment with some interesting com...

While we are considering the Transfiguration, the Anglicans thought about Nicodemus visiting Jesus and being born again. We sang the 3 part Geoffrey Shaw Mass and Hurford's "Litany to the Holy Spirit". "The God of Abram praise" and "Immortal love for ever full". Harry Witham's ashes were interred. Psalm 121 to the Walford Davies chant. I photocopied the Byrd 4 part mass and practised. Just a minute on radio on way home. After lunch Adrian had asked Liz to sing at St John's so plans were changed and I went to the cathedral organ recital and cantored at 6pm Mass with Oliver. All went well. James McVinnie of St Paul's cathedral and shortly Westminster Abbey played Martin Passacaille (such an angry piece), De Grigny and Reger. Liz to Harlow to accompany AnnMarie to Shrewsbury and then Dublin. I did March music list. Watched Lark rise to Candleford.