The organist librarian

Took Liz to station and parked outside the pool only to find the showers not working so abandoned it. After Mass delicious chocolate cupcakes and coffee. To St Bartholomew the Less for a sheer delight A4 brass quartet mince pie and wine. The Harold Darke sent shivers down my spine and the Poulenc! Amazing virtuosity in the Smetana and such talent. Amazing Assyrian exhibition at the British museum. Their Iraq project is unique. I am greatly enjoying reading An English Christmas edited by John Julius Norwich which Louise Maher and Tom Maher gave me last year.

The 33rd Westminster Interfaith peace walk in Tower Hamlets. Started in the Altab Ali park, then to East London mosque (excellent speaker) East London central synagogue (a small congregation who gave us wine) lunch at St Boniface German RC church provided by Sachkhan Nanak Dham. I visited the Open London exhibition at Whitechapel gallery and got the bus to St Benet's chaplaincy at Queen Mary University (this is round and decorated with scenes from Revelation). Guardian Angels RC church is impressive. I did not go on to the Hindu Pragati and the Sikh Gurdwara. Met Liz for tea (she had been at the Marriage event at Vaughn House). We had incense at vespers for the Nativity of John the Baptist and the Worth Abbey consort sang Byrd, Parsons and Tallis really well. An appeal for Mary's Meals. Watched Danielle de Niese programme on women composers and programmes on American impressionists and Iraq.

Tuwsday swam 20. To Christ Church priory Eltham for the funeral of Frank Bond. 90 year old veteran of the Arctic campaign and Catenian for 50 years. The organist is Mark who is young and he played nothing beforehand. The coffin was brought in covered in the white ensign with the flag.Music was deifnitely needed. Only 3 hymns and no penitential rite! The priest sang into the mike so why ahve a choir at all. They sang Mozart Ave verum during communion and attmepted the descant to Crimond - not a good idea! I spoke to the organist afterwards and he said he did not know if the family had chosen a CD! Pity I did not push harder to play myself. We discussed with Pauline form the choir supporting youngsters who wanted to learn the organ. Nice reception at the club across the road but no hot food! Sat with Eddie and John and Anne. Home to change and to London school for girls at the Barbican for BBC singers workshop on James MacMillan. 3 tenors but a very enthusiastic conductor. Sang 4 motets...

Woke at 5 a.m. and caught up on blog.Just realised have posted 1002 times! Spoke to Ann. Dennis accompanying Liz and Grandma to hospital. To Hinsley Room for interfaith group - 15 came. Suha Rassam spoke well on Christianity in Iraq and there were some good questions. I was annoyed with Hannah for criticising Chris Hewer quite unjustifiably and others supported me. There was a tendency to generalise which I thought a pity. I went to St Paul's bookshop and used the voucher from the internet quiz to get a Lent book and an Easter book. Also bought Suha's book which she signed. Heard first part of Mass from Liverpool on radio 3 but fell asleep. Gave AnnMarie Nurse's prayer card I have had for ages for her. Tickets for Globe came. Fish and chips and apple pie. Meeting with Vickie - no Haydn Gloria at Easter. She said it was ragged at Christmas! Not keen on clapping Gloria on Easter Day prefer Peter Jones. Inwood setting. 4 in choir and rehearsed for Sunday as well - shortage of ...

Up early and did May music list. No sign of Ann on Skype. I swam 38 yesterday and 36 on Monday. To Town hall for Unison branch committee meeting and we heard about the proposed learning agreement. Buses and train to the Temple church for Ann-Elise Smoot's recital of Bach and Brahms Passiontide pieces. I thought "O wie selig" a tad fast and the registration of "Aus tiefer not" was too thick at the end. Martin Ball was there and surprised to see me as I vowed not to go there again after being locked out twice! Bus and millennium bridge to Tate Modern. My renewed card worked OK on the Horn exhibition which I did not much care for especially the room of photos of a woman looking at us! My card then did not work for the Russian exhibition so I will have to return. Giant spider in the hall. To the cathedral and arrived early so bought Tablet (at last - renewed subscription not come through yet). Served at Tenebrae which was broadcast on Radio 3 and the singing of Vict...