The organist librarian

11 /7 Ea st Croydon to St Pancras. 4 hour Eurostar to Amsterdam. Nice to see Francis Herbert. Tram to Zuid and Marc picked us up. Air bnb very nice. Supermarket and sat outside and drank wine. 12/7 exc breakfast. Tram and metro into town got I love Amsterdam card for 2 days. Rembrandt house fascinating and exhibition of work influenced by him.Portuguese synagogue is huge and very well presented. Jewish history museum exhibition. On Kabbala and modern versions are interesting. Loved the presentations and the children's museum is great. Lovely fish and wine at Alexandros. Supermarket. Watched Federer defeat Nadal. 13/7 to museum Van Loon which is a fine house with garden and coach house. Walked to Rembrandtplein to get tram. Coffee at Cafe Waterloo. Delightful organ and violin at Moses and Aaron church Rheinberger, Kreisler and Boccherini and Durufle well played. Hermitage museum impressive collection Velasquez and Van der Leyden. Group portraits. To Norris botanical garden. Pasta...

Me on a BMW bike for the first time, Jewish museum, Oktoberfest, Musical instuments Thursday July 29 we went round to Carat hotel from the Muller to meet the South Africans who had flown in that morning and we all very friendly. They were doing a tour of the city but we opted to go to the new Jewish museum next to the new synagogue and were most impressed not least by the cartoons and the photographs of Israeli families. Next door is the Stadt museum which featured a special display about the Octoberfest, wonderful musical instruments and puppets. All shown with German thoroughness. Liz was keen to go the BMW museum at the Olympic park so we got the underground and it proved to be a magnificent building and a very fine display. There was an excellent display of world architectural projects with models and photos and I had my photo taken on a BMW bike - another new experience! We ate in town with the group after Fr Colin led us a wild goose chase finding the restaurant.

Painting by Samuel Bak which in "Cross purposes" but resonated with the holocaust exhibition at the Jewish museum. Met Ros and Richard from Cantemus on train to London Bridge. To the new Jewish museum in Camden Town with interfaith group - 9 of us. We were joined by Robin who used to work at Ealing libraries and is very like me! Beautiful exhibition including items from the Vatican. The museum itself is fascinating with an excellent synagogue and customs section and friendly volunteers. Had lunch of humus and roasted peppers. Edwina Currie was also lunching with Mrs Sher from Nightingale House reading group in Balham so introduced myself. Took group into Our Lady of Hal in Camden Town and bus 31 to Ben Uri gallery to see excellent exhibition "Cross purposes" - modern interpretations of the crucifixion. Plenty of food for thought. Golden crucifixion had hope. Some were very pertinent to today's world. Tea at local restaurant and everyone enjoyed the day. Bus and...