The organist librarian

Swim, mosaic. Organ recital at St Martins in the fields well attended. Polina Sosnina plays musically. To RAM masterclass with Susan Landale. Unfortunately she spoke a lot to the player rather than us. She needed a mike. Marylebone Church not a comfortable space. Michael Butterfield and James Orford played well. I enjoyed the women musicians exhibition at the Royal Academy museum. To Broadcasting House for the recording of 2 heats of Brain of Britain to be broadcast in April. Most enjoyable and I did better in the second round getting 11 right.

To Mass in rain, Liz saw nurse about her hand - she fell outside school. 2 mosaics finished and we now have a break until June while some go to Corfu. Finished 2 small mosaics and chose Van Gogh for next project in June. Bravo Peter King at St Michael Cornhill cheering up a wet day with a varied programme. An enjoyable evening at Duke's Hall Royal Academy of Music. 6 excellent organists competing for the Dorothy Cooper prize won by James Orford. Thomas Trotter adjudicating. Well done Marko Sever and Michael Butterfield and great to see Paddy Russill and meet the South African Hannes Ebersohn. Andrzej Malitowski and Jamie Rogers also impressed. It is so important to play expressively and not just fast and loud.

Excellent morning at RFH as part of St Alban's organ festival. Saw Matthew Martin. Attractive work by him for trumpet and organ. Lovely Angelus by Vierne. Rheinberger violin and organ. Cochereau Bolero organ and side drum played by Marko Sever. Well done all especially Joseph Beech and James Orford. People power at Imperial War museum excellent.   S ent letter to The Tablet as Rick Jones did not know what Levit's encore was so told him to check BBC proms website. Critics!  An excellent appeal for Aid to the Church in need at the cathedral Mass. Presented Joseph with his 18th birthday card and present. Listening to prom on way home. Reckoned I would be late at the hall and not get in for the Strauss Actually the Beethoven 3 chat was first. Skype to Liz in Lourdes. Listened to prom from Hull.

Thursday to Mass and art. Sketched gardening implements. To St Joseph's hospice Hackney which is impressive to hear Archbishop Bernard on Lazarus and the option for the poor - as friendly as ever. To Museum of London Docklands - very impressed Crossrail excavations and slavery.  Excellent meal at Doubletree Hilton with Cava - had steak. Rotherhithe. Friday to Sharon Jennings funeral at cathedral - Faure, Anerio, impressed by number of clergy including Mark Langham. Do not like so much black! Chat to Francis Clark and Patrick Neal. To St Bride Fleet street for excellent recital by James Orford. Ritter, Bach, Howells, Vivaldi. Did not like Francis Bacon crucifixion drawings at Wallbrook. Home to change and then to Balham library for Bill Godfrey retirement after 50 years! Meryl, Chris, Lawrence, Neville, carol, Margaret all there and lots of memories - alas I cannot remember names. Loved Decline and Fall on TV.  Saturday lie-in and to Greek Orthodox Battersea - icon paianting not h

On Thursday having spent the whole morning on the essay to Hinsley room for first Lent group meeting using "Amazing grace" the diocesan booklet which is well-illustrated. Peggy, Rita, Joan and Clare were joined by Winifred. She was late and disrupted the prayers. She had texted me assuming I was Father John! She was decidedly odd and started on about gay Masses. At the end she said she would not return which frankly is a relief. Friday I finished the essay on Dupuis. Saturday to the Royal Festival hall for London organ day which was well attended. Saw Angela Harris from Brentwood, Alan Hurst and is wife from Bexley, a lady from Kintbury Bershire, 2 ladies from Eastbourne, Chris Town, Peter, Michael Toplis, Norman Harper who made some useful suggestions on repertoire. Interesting talks on acoustics and voicing from William MacVicar and Andy Scott. James Orford played Brian Brockless, Williamson symphony did not sound good next to Kenneth Leighton Paean. Kevin Bowyer playing H

Monday to mosaic and border now done. Ta'i chi until 1 p.m. only 2 of us there! I missed the train to Strawberry Hill as they changed the platform and I was on my Blackberry. Result I was late as I went on the other line via Teddington. The seminar was most interesting and we learnt about Elizabeth of the Trinity and Eckhart - no wonder Buddhists like him so much! Gemma Simmonds did a good intro covering the territory although she seems a bit formidable. Chatted to several people. Sadly the St Mary's chapel appeared to be closed. Home by 7.30 and watched University challenge and Masterchef . Liz went with Bruce to Birmingham to paint the flat prior to selling. Tuesday slept OK and swam 28 then straight to Currys and changed Humax - waited 25 minutes as only one person on customer services and a queue! No more lines on the screen. To Bromley PC for James Orford's excellent recital. The Wedge again, Vierne, Bridge Adagio (very nice) Durufle. Could have done without Les Berg