The organist librarian

Dennis gave us a lift to East Croydon so we were early at the bus station. Straight through in 3 hours and Robert picked us up. His wife had an ankle replacement. Lovely upside down house very comfortable right next to Pittville Park. Good chat. Walked in park 23 degrees and to Turtle Bay Caribbean restaurant. Excellent cocktail jerk chicken whiteboard and grilled pineapple.Jamaican Red Star beer. Edinburgh won University challenge from Teddys but it was close. Tuesday Good breakfast with Robert. I woke at 4. Nice walk through Pittville park and got sandwiches atSpar. Arrived at St Nicholas at 9.30. 16 on course. Eucharist at 10. The rector prayed for all church leaders and bishop Declan. Great way to start. Holst's father played at All Saints Pittville. Drawing lightly. I chose Risen Christ which Ian did for Lichfield cathedral. Liz went to Holst birthplace museum. Wednesday. Slept 8 hours. Drawing and first lines after transferring the tracing. To the ladies college and Sarah ...

Finished reading the Pieris book. Liz went to course retreat at Tyburn. To St George's cathedral for Peter Wright's excellent recital of Bach, Vierne, Cochereau, Bairstow, Jackson and the Leighton Et resurrexit again. Not impressed that Mark Johnson ignored me - it was the St Cecilia day as well. Norman Harper was most welcoming and there was a reasonable audience. On 344 with Dorio to St Mary le Bow. An excellent demo by the church secretary of the Kenneth Tickell 2010 organ which is a real treat. I played two Andrew Moore pieces. There was a good turnout too. To M & S for tea and cake. At Mass RCIA candidates were enrolled. St George's Sudbury all male choir did not distinguish themselves! Nice meal of pork chop. Michael Portillo has continental railway journeys series!

Up at 6.15 and on train at 7.30. Got Oxford tube with Ian and had time for a coffee in Oxford. St John's Aubertin - the scholar Francis Goodburn is from Leeds RC cathedral and is studying maths and computer science. He says in future all organ scholars must do BMus - a stupid idea! Organ seemed to have mellowed and bought a CD. To Hertford where the chaplain was very friendly and chatted about RSCM and liturgy. He took us onto the Bridge of Sighs and there was lots of white fur about as it was MA graduation day.. Managed to get lunch at St Mary's then to Keble where there is a magnificent new Tickell. I played Henry G Ley piece - he was organ scholar. The chapel is very decorated and there is the original of Holman Hunt "Light of the world" in a side chapel. The organ is above this chapel. Simon Whalley is director of music and very friendly and Richard Dawson ARCO played Durufle and Buxtehude very well. He has a skin condition on face and hands. The long echo means c...

Swam 16 as got up late - have gained a couple of pounds! To mosaic and no tutor appeared - only 4 of us. 7 at tai chi. Home to read some more William James. Organists association visit to Kenneth Tickell organ (2009) at Lincoln's Inn Fields chapel. Most impressive cases and good sound. Adrian and Norman there, chatted to Dorio whose priest is behaving badly again. The organist Norman Shaw was scholat at Magdalen Oxford and studied with Helene la Rue. Home to watch Young apprentice.

Fr Philip's homily about being a musician, Sr Anna's oboe playing, Martin Baker's psalms and improvising, John Rowntree's Psalm 150 (unaccompanied!), the Kenneth Tickell organ and the Tamburini organ in the abbey church, Sister from Minster reading Colossians 3 today, Sr Gillian from Quidenham on the need to wait before giving a reply - very wise!

Jesus College Kuhn and Sutton organs. Friday back to the pool and after the Lord Mayor's show! Set up small book sale. To doctor about pains in right leg and back - he checked me over and gave me powerful painkillers as ibuprofen can affect stomach lining. To choir practice which was more relaxed - Ella was pretty hyper again. Saturday May 23rd Liz took me to Shirley for 7.15 a.m. lift with David and Sheila. We reached Robinson college staff car park early - around 9.30 a.m. Daniel Trocme Latter gave an excellent demonstration of the Frobenius organ and we enjoyed playing it. A lovely walk across the Backs to Trinity college where the organ scholar Michael Waldron played Bach. Bromley and Croydon organists played first so East Surrey group had to wait! Very awkward stop jambs on the Metzler. A stunning chapel. To Little St Mary's where Christian Rutherford greeted us and the scholar Sebastian Smallshaw played Howells and Parry very well. This is a fine Tickell beautifully const...