The organist librarian

Monday to doctor to get ears cleared which was a waste of time. But did get flu jab. Late at mosaic, Hendrika came. To Guys and got replacement hearing aid and no cost but no fitting either. To Tate Modern turbine hall loud sounds. To BHO and some good treatment. To dinner at Tredwells St Martin's Lane my starter cod cheeks not great but meal was good if overpriced. Tuesday a good session with Sr Catherine and walked to Royal  Academy only to find it closed as the Queen was coming. self portraits at Npg. To Bridget Jones baby at Watermans on free tickets and we had Indian dinner. to oil,painting and Liz to council. Wed took S to Tamar and London wetland centre. met Prommer Judith at lunch. to East Dulwich picturehouse for RSC Lear with Sher leading a great cast in good production. Beale was more moving and echoes of Falstaff. Had time to do tyres and petrol - earlier Liz had to get a new battery Fred. Packed and watched Bakeoff.

Swam 20 and went to Dennis's with parcels and checked post. To Greenwich Picturehouse for NT production of Lear. I was early so went to the excellent new Nelson gallery in the National Maritime Museum. The production was fantastic and very powerful on dementia. The blinding of Gloucester has to be the most horrific scene made worse by waterboarding. How horrific it is and it was good to get a break after it. The final scenes are devastating. All the cast were wonderful with Simon Russell Beale and Adrian Scarborough. My last RSCM Southwark committee meeting after about 15 years. Peter Wright was ill but we met at Adrian's and I was duly thanked. Then to Acton and Liz safely back from Hexham having enjoyed the diamond wedding of Flo and Tom. Dennis went as well.

One more thought on Lear. The removal of Gloucester's eyes is too horrible and the scene was carefully set by Cornwall which made it even worse. The excellent programme says the play is cruel to everyone including those watching it and that is right. Friday swam 30 lengths and Chinese guy I met suggested 2 more lengths of the 25 metre pool would be half a mile! To Hinsley Room to meet Sr Campion my dear spiritual director who have not seen for months. We had a useful chat about what courses I could do. Bereavement counselling is one option but becoming a spiritual director is more me we think! Lovely to see her again. To 5.30 mass and ended up serving. Bishop Longley is so nice - he had been at World youth day in Sydney. Alto lay clerk was cantor and very good too. Good to see Deacon Peter before he moves to Scotland. Watched Glagolitic Mass from proms (could not find our score) and cleared up and hoovered lounge. Mohamad leaving at work so Doris has done a nice card for him - will...

Tuesday overslept so only 10 lengths - back seems fine! I did tai chi on Monday so that helped I think. Left shoulder still twinging. Listened to Vaughan Williams piano concerto from proms on way home - an interesting piece with a lovely quiet ending.There was a football match and the road up so traffic and bus chaos. Loved Maestro - 6 trying to conduct - Peter Snow was hopeless! Jane Asher looks like a winner! Wednesday up early and did tax letter. Express bus 90p on oyster to Waterloo and reached British school of osteopathy early. Full interview again with 2 nice students as I had not been since March 2007. Brand new HQ but rooms still rather cool! Tutor says pain in side cleared up well in 2 weeks so not to worry and back pain clearing by Monday is also good - shows how healthy I am. I go back in a week. Rang Vickie and bless her she said leave our meeting to next Wednesday. So that meant I was able to attend diocesan meditation day (or part of it) Midday prayer, Eucharist and 2nd ...