The organist librarian

A bird walk in Knights Hill Wood led by Dave with Dennis Woodhouse. Amazed at the variety and birdsong. To interfaith lunch and not so many there. Monet and architecture at National Gallery is a lovely exhibition. BUT is it worth £10 with art fund card to struggle to see the pictures? In some rooms there were at least 30 people. The National Gallery is more interested in money than people's enjoyment. Maybe one must go at 10 a.m.? Or not go at all. Murillo self portraits are free. Excessive to charge £1.50 per item in cloakroom. In future I will leave bag at NPG which is £1 for a locker. The Guernsey literary and potato peel pie society is a wonderful film. Penelope Wilton is outstanding in a great cast and the scenery! Surprised to hear it was filmed in Devon. To Acton and watched rest of Lisbon and Baku art lover's guide. A lot done in the library Disney and baby books thrown out, 3 volunteers came for some training and the Year 6 girls did a lot of labelling and shelving. 3

Woke late and got to the library around midday. It had been tidied! Liz's class took a lot of books out many of them not in stock and messed the place up! To Shakespeare Road and watched programmes on art in Baku and Lisbon. Seems we missed some goodies . Peter Stevens played well at the cathedral. I am no fan of Messiaen or Guillou but the Franck and Widor were splendid. Nice to see Madeline Smith Marko Sever Graham and Jonathan Holmes. Paul Moynihan barely greeted me and he went and sat near George - pathetic. Worked out I have been playing for 55 years!

15.9.17 Good breakfast including fried egg. Tour of Lisbon but guide talked too much. Belem watchtower, Navigators monument, Jeronimos monastery church very crowded. Tomb of Vasco da Gama and poet Luis de Camoes. Delicious Pasteis de Belem. To Cascais along the coast and tour of Palace of Quezal which has been well restored. Not a patch on Versailles or Schonbrunn or St Petersburg. Nce gardens but very few seats. Sardines and beer for lunch (very quick service) Santini icecream. View of farthest point West of European continent same latitude as New York! Lovely day but windy. To supermarket to get food and mateus rose wine. To hotel Don Pedro spa. 

14.9.17 2 hours in coach to reach Fatima one of the highlights of the trip. It is huge but impressive. Mass starting in the new basilica which has a wonderful golden design right above the sanctuary. Some good singing, sadly a digital organ. Not keen on wax candles and effigies being burnt in the flames but at least the wax is recycled. Original basilica has lovely stained glass and a pipe organ and stations about Mary and Jesus but not including the wedding at Cana! I missed the graves of the children who saw the appearances! I wondered why people were gathered there. Stations in the colonnades  are very fine. Chapel of Peace Mass in English. Liz went to communion and to her annoyance was told to receive on the tongue. Bought souvenirs. To Ovidos pretty and touristy had coffee and cake and finally got into the church which has amazing tiles. Arrived at Lisbon hotel hot and found pool closes at 7. To Cascais for a good fish dinner over the bridge - crab, fish lots of wine and good com