The organist librarian

Had a great day taking Sean to Grangewood Park for family forest fun which he loved. Had a rest and listened to some preProm talks. The discussion on Romanies was fascinating and the answer to my question about religion revealed a strong evangelical outreach and Romanies tend to join the local religions so in Turkey they are Muslim, in UK RC or C of E, in France RC. A super concert from Budapest Festival orchestra Liszt, Brahms, Sarasate on the gypsy theme. Saw Michael, John East and Chris Tew. Also listened to some Handel and Copland. 

Up at 6.30 a.m. 4 in choir so I accompanied John Harper's Benedictus on the organ instead of the keyboard. Played Peeters Canzona and Finlandia. Can't believe Liz's Dad died 1997 a kinder gentleman it would be hard to find and always immaculately dressed. We also sang Bernadette Farrell's Lord you search me and you know me. Am on buses only one train an hour and even that uncertain plus 2 changes. On today's service sheet. A personal prayer to use after Mass and during the week.. Dear Lord, I might think that I can't do much to make the world a better and fairer place. Help me to see myself as a little drop of rain making ripples in a big puddle. In your strength, and for your glory. Amen. Helped on teas at Friends of Grangewood Park. Sold a lot of prizewinning cakes. The chocolate and Guinness one excellent. Saw Dennis Woodhouse and Molly. Also Karen Jewitt and community choir. 3 p.m.Mass at St Mary's but I do think children should be encouraged to stay in...

Yesterday I went to Mass and we took the boys to Forest fun in Grangewood Park. 2 and half hours it was great. Liz went to the Prom. I was intrigued by the Norwegian soprano. I think the vowel sounds in Finnish must be different. The talk on Hindemith interesting.  Went swimming with  Louise Maher  and the boys. Impressed by Sean. Played Oklahoma on the piano. Sat in garden and read The Tablet. Travel to and from the hall disrupted by trespass at Norbury. Thoroughly enjoyed the Oklahoma prom.Home at 12.

To Selhurst train delayed so drove to Norwood Junction. Train on time then delayed at East Croydon. Why can't trains run on time?  Played Sheep may safely graze and Finlandia favourites of Liz's Mum and Dad. I also played Come unto him from Messiah. Train cancelled so on buses home.  Enjoyed the sunshine at Friends of Grangwood park picnic and excellent Norwood society tour of the park. Bought some good local history books. Saw Claire Kedves  Dennis Woodhouse   Ann- Marie Woodhouse  and Henry.  How I enjoy a recital where we smile and Bridget West certainly achieved that. Very elegant playing at Dulwich. The Tambling based on Sagina prompted me to sing "And can it be that Daniel is wearing shorts?" Nice eats. Interesting programme on 90 years of Wimbledon. 

Played Sidney Campbell on Grafton, Willan on St Peter, Postlude on a ground Murrill and we managed to sing Aston I give you a new commandment. Took boys to Friends of Grangewood park summer fair and Ciaran coloured a dragonfly and we designed a mural. My photos on display. Then to Kevin Ingram's lovely garden for President's Sunday lovely food. Drove to Acton in Lou's car and boys slept well. Watched Eurocup final. Monday walked Sean to nursery. He was a little reluctant but gave me a kiss and I went to mosaic and grouted Sean - looks great and then tai chi. A quiet afternoon tidying up and doing various things. Drove to Maidstone for official visit .Impressed by Peter the visiting gentleman and good chat to Michae Reidy. Fr Petre from Rome was present. The turnout for dinner was low - it was Chinese and quite nice. No speech, no joke! Home by 11 and got petrol. 

To Grangewood park and had a chat about art in the park and the committee members liked my Christmas card drawing. To St John East Dulwich for John Webber's recital - traffic bad. Updated my satnav. The Cardinal celebrated Mass for new Catholics. Just watching Young Musician semi-final - amazing playing.

Voted and walked down to the hall on a lovely sunny morning for Ascension Day, rawing in Grangewood Park  -stunning foliage,  Sicily at British Museum worth a visit - bit crowded. Rm 90 watercolours and fascinating Assam textile. I am in shirtsleeves. Seen first guy in shorts this year! Liz ordered the Proms passes and the blackbirdbabies flew.  To Selfridges for free drawing session Meetup. Drew face on perspex and then traced and coloured it with felt tips which I hate! Result, s not bad. To St John Upper Norwood for Ascension Day - Grayston Ives setting and Italian carol God is ascended. Quite a few there Jonathan Croucher vicar of Gipsy Hill preached well. Watched Gareth and the invictus choir but slept! 

To the AGM of Friends of Grangewood Park. Impressed by the committee's enthusiasm and ideas - 47 joined this year. To Widmore Road URC Bromley for organists composite recital. I played Walton 3 pieces from Richard III. We had Rowley, Vierne, JSB, Pachelbel, Vierne, Bedard. Vespers and Mass at the cathedral then to Clapham Picturehouse for the outstanding RSC Shakespeare celebration. You name they were in it! Twice this week I have gone out without my right hand hearing aid. This is because of the bad habit f only putting one in to go swimming! I am still waiting for a hearing test.

Took Ciarán swimming and he is like a fish! We went to Grangewood park for a nature walk measuring tree trunks, Squirrel scramble and finding a woodpecker nest hole. The largest tree is a little bit older than the park itself (1900). It was really interesting and we enjoyed it. Watched Dickensian, secret life of the Zoo (again) the sixties lifestyle, Father Brown, story of China. Liz took Ciarán to get a Beaver uniform. Friday got to the car to find could not open the door. Liz had lost her keys at the pool so I went to get them. Britannia rescue Cedars came and it was the inside lights left on last night when Liz was looking for the keys so no trip to Go Ape! Ciarán seemed happy to stay home and not go to the park! We did get him singing a little. Watched Royal Navy school.

I played Finlandia at the end of the service today as we remember Liz's Dad who loved it. He was a steward at the Royal Albert Hall and always enjoyed the concerts. BBQ after church and then we walked up to Grangewood Park for the Friends of Grangewood park picnic and kids party.  The BBQ is complete just need to do a gas leak test. At St John's we sang Howells Collegium Regale and Gardiner Evening hymn - always a treat! To Hyderi mosque Streatham for debate about faith values and British values and iftar. None of the speakers addressed the greed and false expectations of many people. They all seemed to think faith values = "British" values. 

Woke early and took Liz to Brixton to go to St Pancras and train to Lourdes. She was greeted by VN on arrival in rain this evening. Played Finlandia Dad's favourite, Sheep may safely graze Mum's favourite and we sang Happy are they my Mum's favourite hymn. Also sang Christ be with me so played Stanford on Gartan. To West Norwood and bus to Brockwell Park. Very hot - gave out lots on interfaith bags once I found the gazebo of Faiths together in Lambeth and got lots to do interfaith quiz. Alan and Ivor were there and some other helpers. People looked so stressed and hot! To Grangewood park and had cake and drink and joined the Friends of the park for £3! Saw John and Louise (he goes to the pool) and introduced to Karen organiser of Thornton Heath arts week and people are delighted by the mosaics. Home for tea then to the hall. Pat Barker and Owen Street on war and authors reactions to it. Poetry read by Stephen West. Fabulous Prom from World orchestra for peace conducted by ...