The organist librarian

Philip Luke played an engaging programme at the Welsh Baptist Church. I found the Cartoon museum closed until July 1 so went to the National gallery to see the amazing Spanish Renaissance paintings by Bartlomeo Boneja. Take one picture is work by children inspired by the Joseph Wright picture of an experiment with a bird. Pity the original is not on display. Buses on diversion because of a demo and no indication of where to catch a 24 so got underground. Jeremy Rodell on secularism excellent talk and discussion at Westminster cathedral interfaith group. Benjy Bloor really is an outstanding player. Larger chorales from Clavierubung 111 at the Oratory. Thursday St Alban. To art and started a new painting having chosen a subject! To Dulwich picture gallery - the pavilion is up, Pissarro in Dulwich consists of one painting! Cutting edge: British modernist printmaking is excellent and fun! I sketched a remarkable print by Cyril Power Monseigneur St Thomas - the martyrdom of Becket. A rema

To Heythrop for the last ever centre for Eastern Christianity 2 day conference - excellent speakers and good to see old friends and meet new people. There is sadly much ignorance about the plight of Christians in the Middle East and animosity towards Russian Orthodox. It was lovely to be at Corpus Christi mass for Ciaran's class at school. I have cleared all new items needing cataloguing in library but in one section of non-fiction now in order I found a lot needing attention! Jeremy Rodell gave a brilliant analysis of Evangelium gaudii from a humanist viewpoint. 11 came including Brian Pearce and Jon dal Din and 2 newcomers. Decided to skip Daniel Roth's recital at the cathedral - the programme of his own works, Dupre, Franck and Reubkhe did not appeal! 

Caught up with stunning Australian tenor Kang Wang at Cardiff Singer final. What top notes! Very hot, quiet time at St John moved into the hall as Adrian Gunning was practising for Thursday's recital. To the cathedral for mass with combined boys and Palestrina choir from Dublin. Beautiful singing Franck and love the end of the Langlais Mass almost Britten will it end in major but no it is modal. District line train did go on to Richmond in the end. Boys loved tshirts, cards, drinks bottles and books from Africa. Sean said he had missed me and Ciaran was telling us geography details about the Falls.  Retired librarian postpones taking grandson to library. It must be hot besides I can only find 3 books.  Marius Twomey  postponed coffee meeting re getting Poles to join Catenians in South London and reading out to university students in London. Happy to relax at home and pulled some ivy off! Sean saw ants in front of fireplace.  State opening of Parliament. Must be hot! Queen wea

A quiet day as it is half term and lovely weather. Louise was working from home and took Ciaran to football QPR camp. Liz took Seán to see Peppa Pig at the cinema but he was unwell and sick. The interfaith group welcomed Jeremy Rodell who spoke very clearly on the problem of evil. 15 came but one man walked out after the Stephen Fry quote from TV! It was a stimulating discussion on the problem of evil and a lot was said about IS. I was acolyte at 5.30 mass. The men sang and lots of servers and loads of MCs falling over each other! I got to St Michael's OK and there were 12 there. Played Buxtehude and Bach. Watched Up the women and horizon on sex.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Swam 20 and Liz came. Chose a photo for next painting and sorted stuff for mosaic display. To Post Office to send off plugs to Paula. To St Michael's for Eleni's recital. While she played well it was nearly all loud and fast and needed some quieter contrast. I did a sketch of a candle bracket. I had not been in St Michael's for ages and it is good to see photos of people involved and some changes for the better. To Pret at Victoria to meet Teresa Whitney a PhD student from LSE from America who asked questions about the interfaith group and came to the meeting. There were 9 there and Jeremy Rodell did an excellent presentation on whether  you can be spiritual without being religious. He saw some overlap between the 2 and discussed Paul on body and spirit. We need to address evil and the soul/. I would argue for the heart affecting perceptions and not just a subjective reaction. To Westminster Abbey St Catherine's garden for wine and snacks but really needed some food! C

Thursday Liz at college so swam and at 10.30 to Croydon AgeUK in Thornton Heath for art class. Did self-portrait in charcoal! Nice ladies. Watched Come dine with me and Liz home early from college so had meal and then to Vaughan House for Faith Matters lecture on The Church in a secular culture. He stressed dialogue so I commented on our meeting with Jeremy Rodell and Muslim contacts. Friday swam 21.

No nursery so took both boys to see Tamar and they enjoyed it. Seán did most of it walking! We had lunch at Watermans very nice korma and I went off to the interfaith group meeting with Jeremy Rodell a humanist. 10 came including 2 newcomers. He was very clear and answered questions well. Met Liz at the Duck, Battersea and we had our free pizzas (compensation for the Cow at Cambridge). Home to watch Question of Sport. Thursday back to swimming and did 20 and my right knee felt much better. To Addiscombe for John Fitzgerald's funeral and sat with 2 Brendans. Fr Joe said Hello and was OK. Nice eats and Brendan was telling us about life in Archbishop's house.