The organist librarian

Tuesday minicab to station where lift not working and train to West Brompton then underground to Earls Court then Hammersmith. Stood all the way to Hounslow west where we changed onto tube to Heathrow terminal 4. Arrived in good time and through security. On to Etihad flight for 9 p.m. but it took off late. I was soon asleep. Watched a bit of Great Gatsby had a nice meal and dropped off again. Landed at 3.15 a.m. London time in Abu Dhabi and trek to terminal to await another 7 hour flight to Joburg. Strangely computer connected to wireless network but no internet access! Flight to Joburg went smoothly. Liz’s sewing scissors were confiscated by Abu Dhabi security. I told her not to put them in her hand luggage. I listened to Mendelssohn string quintets, Franck violin sonata played by Joshua Bell, Wagner on the piano, and Szymanowski symphonies conducted by Gergiev. Picked up Avis car which is bigger than we usually have Toyota Corolla and also got a Satnav. It took a while to work ...

Centre of Abu Dhabi airport I am writing this standing in Abu Dhabi airport during a 5 hour wait to get the Etihad flight back to London. We have had a wonderful time. On Monday the 8th Mark the technician kindly brought my new glasses to home at 8 p.m. and they are excellent. Tuesday Liz met me at Feltham and we parked the car and got the bus to Heathrow. I got the train to Feltham from work and we had plenty of time. The Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi was comfortable and an enormous choice of entertainment. I watched "Prince Caspian" and "Tropic of Capricorn". On arrival at Abu Dhabi after a 7 hour flight it was hot and we stayed in the airport. A pretty dull place! The flight to Joburg left on time at 1.30 p.m. and was a guarter full. we could have lain across the seats if we wished! In fact managed to nod off for a bit. We picked up the car without trouble and drove to St John's College.