The organist librarian

Took Seán to Gambado Beckenham while Liz sang at funeral at St John's. He had a great time and we had lunch there. Went on carousel and dodgems together. I finished reading Monks and Muslims and started on Laudato Si' again. He slept so went to mosaic workshop West Norwood to get framed wood for portrait mosaic and prepared photo of Seán for it. More research on war graves and where they are. Louise rang when he was coming out of the bath and he was very reluctant to sleep! Watched Dickensian. Saturday Dennis came down and watched Snowchick about penguins. Took Seán home - Louise had a good time in New York and brought Lego sets. Mass at Holy Redeemer Chelsea with the Canon Provost speaking beautifully and heard well  - lovely church, small organ, cross on altar obscures view of priest! Watched programme on Goya and Father Brown and Great Barrier Reef/

Swam. To art and worked on Jersey picture. Liz off to Newcastle until Monday so gave her birthday present and card.  An interesting lecture on chant curing people in medieval period at St Sepulchre. . Cards and calendar posted to Oz. At last to Leighton house (took a bit of finding). Interesting Arabic material and photos of the last surviving guardians of Mohammad's tomb. On the 9 to National Gallery for Goya portraits (expensive but worth it) but I do wish they would limit the number of visitors. The film is good. To Festival Hall for free Philharmonia concert of two Julian Anderson works which he introduced. Then bus to St George's cathedral for Nick Gale memorial concert. Stephen Disley played. Durufle requiem was too loud - organ and choir. Diction very poor and not a blended sound - very little difference in volume. Some voices stick out especially altos. Chatted to two of them at reception in Amigo Hall and saw the Harpers and Richard the organ tuner. Home via Vauxhall....

To Brentford on trains and bus and met the family at softplay. Amelia was there with Rufus and Scarlett and her Australian mother-in-law. Had a very nice lunch at Syon House - I had beef pie. Built track and the boys put on their Buzz outfits. To opticians in Ladbroke Grove and Mr Shannon advised new specs - £591! Not had new ones for 4 years and eyes are healthy! To British Museum to see the Spanish prints especially Goyas and fine Asian galleries and Asian drinking rituals. To Westminster Abbey for Professor Keith Ward's lecture on faith and secularism. Saw Graham Hedges. Watched Michael Palin in Brazil and University challenge.