The organist librarian

Just caught the train back as we had a Baptism. Had no warning of it! I accompanied the anthem Let all mortal flesh arr Sir Stephen Cleobury on the organ as we had 3 strong singers. Flor Peeters fest Prelude on Innsbruck, lovely tune, Canzona and Ciacona dedicated to my friend Ralph Downes. They went well as I had played them in Jersey. No mention of St John Henry Newman canonised today in Rome but I played the tunes Gerontius and Shipston! Also practised Prelude and angel's farewell from Dream of Gerontius for next Sunday. Love that so much. Drove to Acton - still wet. Lovely birthday lunch roast belly of pork. Prosecco and Liz had ordered a delicious cake. Drove back with Bruce at a slow pace. Claire came to talk about Doterra and I fell asleep. Took her home. Watched Sanditon. Bruce up early tomorrow. 

Saturday lie-in and stayed in bed loading photos and accounts about Jersey and some prelimianry work on the day on the gifts and fruits of the Spirit. Big shock that Philip Chandler died probably a heart attack in bed. Fr Daniel celebrated and the Victoria choir sang Faure but they were depleted. To The Windmill Acton for Lou's 40th - great party and lovely to see everyone! Home at 11. It rained all day so my socks were wet through. I need new black trainers. 

To Vaughan House for confirmation class and enjoyed talking about marriage with Liz. Fr Paolo showed our wedding photos on the screen and also part of his ordination last July. Had not realised the priest who baptised him and his spiritual director who died 3 weeks later were present. Session went reasonably well. Watched University challenge, Michael Portillo on Scottish railways. Louise has posted on Face Book about baby No. 2 so we can announce it at last! Hurrah! From what Bridget said I have had a lucky escape from Upper Norwood!

Took Liz to station - her first day at Heythrop on Pastoral Mission course. Bruce took us to Heathrow. In the excitement forgot to pack Ciaran's quilt, nightlight and portable cot! He was watching Thomas DVD. He slept in car after we had popped into Battersea Park library. He ran to Louise when she came through and she was in tears. Had a fabulous time and bought loads of things. Dropped off at Gunnersbury Park despite traffic and got tube to Victoria. Acolyte at Blessed sacrament procession from Westminster cathedral to St George's cathedral Southwark. A glorious day. The rosary gang were there in force and occasionally sang Ave maria and eventually O sacrament divine. Benediction at the cathedral with Bishop Alan Hopes. Greeted by Fr John O'Toole and the MC about serving next Sunday at Catenian mass. Cathedral was full so reckon about a 1000 there! It reminded me of the Via crucis in Jerusalem - some indifference and some respect. Rebecca borrowed Liz's cassock and to...

Louise flew to New York for work for a week. Liz went over to babysit as Tom went to the match. Ciarán now saying his own name and lots of words although he still leaves out intitial consonants!

Spoke to Ann briefly and prepared organ recital programme for October 23rd. Picked up car from near Norwood Junction - did not get messages about it and came home on buses last night. Interfaith group - 7 there and a good discussion. To babysit Ciarán who has made great progress standing well and making more sounds. Louise and Tom went out for a boozy lunch. We had lovely chocolate cake! To chorus where we did carols with Stefan and Liz had brought chocolates to celebrate 40 years in the chorus! She is one of the longest serving members.

Ciarán and Louise looking remarkably like my Mum at that age!

Had an argument as I had been able to access my records on the new Philharmonia Chorus website (I vary from 6 to 8 but usually good and semi-chorus) but Liz could not access hers so she changed email back to the a.woodhouse one. Can still get emails to new address but it's confusing. I said open a new email account and give that to the chorus or use my google mail account. To St Michael's on a lovely day for the 12 noon recital by Arnfinn. I was late because Conservatives came to the door. What were my concerns locally so I said parking and not wanting residents permits as they will charge us to park in the end. I should have mentioned the housing developments locally which are taking away green spaces and not in keeping with the area. David said he votes green and has no time for parties or unions! I would certainly never vote Tory after the way I have been treated with job cuts in the past. I enjoyed Arnfinn's playing - even Franck's Pastorale! Bach, Marchand, Litaize...

Sunday's call from Celia led to a disturbed night and no swim on Monday. To BDT and the mood seemed subdued. Watched university challenge. Tuesday 40 lengths and staff meetings - very wet. Right shoulder hurting - it started at Doaui with being a narrower bed I think. I spoke to Dennis on Saturday. Grandma enjoyed Sunday. Gas off again - the workmen have had our road dug up for weeks! Louise and Tom in London Lite on butchers course! Pig's brains - yuk! Helen came to get scores for Londinium and she said London Philharmonic choir were fed up they only got one prom with Goldie but that was televised. We got nothing and now Freischutz is cancelled we are left with Albert Hall gigs with other choirs and the MacMillan on Good Friday. I can't do Mahler 2 as that is my chance to play St Paul's cathedral organ! Philharmonia orchestra have only 2 choral concerts in the Festival Hall season both using Philharmonia Voices. Thouroughly enjoying Gareth Malone's new TV series ab...

Friday was Dennis and Ann Marie's first wedding anniversary so sent them a card. I finished at 2 and spent time checking out on Iplayer last night's prom. To Paddington and met Louise for 6 hour train ride to Paddington. Lovely scenery especially around Exeter where the train goes along the coast line. Listened to the Prom on my headphones and mobile phone - an East meets West programme featuring the Japanese Sho. Debussy, Ravel, Sarasate and Takemitsu. Finished reading "Baking cakes in Kigali" by Gaile Martin which is a delight - very like Precious Ramotswe. Met up with Liz at Truro school - she had enjoyed being with Martine in Barnstaple for the week.

Monday July 13th to swim, tai chi and to Battersea Park school for Outward Bound film, demo and speeches by students very well delivered. To Only Bar One near Selfridges to meet Liz, Claire, Louise, Tom and Bruce and then to Pizza Express which was great. Had some strong Prague beer and Italian one 6%. Four seasons pizza and tiramisu. Buses home. It was a great evening. Claire and Bruce had been to the shops. Tuesday 36 lengths. Claire flew out. To Wandsworth Pensioners forum for 4th time to do Songs from the shows. Remaine the work experience student and I had spent time on restapling the booklets from last time and crossing out songs we were not doing. Did 40 minutes playing and singing and it went really well. My musical tie was appreciated and Tony Tuck held the mike for me. Back at the library by 3.30 p.m. so only had to take 90 minutes leave! Home to upload photos from Scotland.

Wednesday 3rd June. To 9 a.m. mass at Good Shepherd, New Addington. This was a Catenian Mass for vocations and 4 brothers were there - Philip, Bill, David and me. Fr Stephen Boyle was friendly. Why some brothers who are retired did not attend is beyond me. i was late because of 2 sets of works and a school patrol lady! Back home for coffee and saw David and Katy up the road and set off for spirituality day. I got locked in the loo in the Hinsley Room and Fr Paul Fox rescued me! There were 20 there and Fr Paul spoke so well about the Holy Spirit and radical change. He contrasted the man who has everything and is unhappy with the poor of Africa who have nothing but are full of joy. "Joyless is the day's return unaccompanied by thee". During the meditation time I thought about aspects of life which are without joy and how they need to be changed. Liz was serving at the Good Shepherd mass with 1000 children and Bishop John so the cathedral was closed. I sat in the little chap...

Photos MMazur/CCN I was honoured to carry the cross! Liz is in the middle of the row of servers. Wednesday 40 lengths. Cleared up garden and took the wheelbarrow back to Kathy's. Liz went up early to clean crosier, thurible and boat. I watched a touching programme about orphaned South African children singing in the U.K. Arrived at the cathedral at 2 p.m. for the full dress rehearsal. We now have a big monitor to watch and the colours are terrific. Fantastic Widor at the end with brass and organ. We rehearsed the consecration torches again! Good thing interfaith group was cancelled. We had a call from Louise to say that the scan was fine and the baby is due December 6th St Nicholas day. We are delighted and at last we can tell everyone! We had a delicious meal at a Turkish cafe in Wilton Road and returned for Vespers attended by the Cardinal from Los Angeles. I was crucifer and it was a long slow procession. Choir superb and a long litany to come in. Thomas sang really well especia...

We had 7 servers at Mass last night so we had 4 consecration torches! The Challoner choir ruined Tallis and Purcell. Enjoyed Acts 2 and 3 of Madama Butterfly from the Met on the way home on Radio 3 - definitely a "Desert island disc"! Watched Grand designs and a programme on Victoria's men. Today we sang Mudd's "Let thy merciful ears" and Charles Wood. It went well but I had a frog in my throat which was a nuisance - might be getting a cold! Only one swim this week as overslept. Did get to tai chi. Our dishwasher and sinks are blocked so I opened the Ubend after lunch only to get my trousers soaked. Liz's tights were ruined as there was chemical in the water. Louise and Tom are enjoying the Maher wedding in Melbourne. Bruce's drains are blocked again. The rowan tree is removed and no sign of honey fungus we hope or the birch might be infected too. To lose the birch tree as well would be too much!

Karen's throat and sinus still bad. Said farewell to the trumpet with Stanley and Purcell Trumpet tune. Sunday to recital at the Cathedral by Ben Giddens of St George's Chapel, Windsor. Jeanne Demessieux Tu es Petrus, Buxtehude Praeludium in C, Franck Choral No 1 and Leighton's Paean. He plays very well. Liz stayed up for rite of election. Good TV - Antiques roadshow, Lark rise, Jeremy Paxman on Victorian art and life. Monday to chair organists committee at Moira's - many of the dates fall on my day on on Saturdays despite my best efforts. Home by 11 p.m. Carlo Curley is unwell. Tuesday home for chocolate pancakes with orange, lemon and Drambuie. Could not decide what to give up - chocs, biscuits, alcohol, cappuccino so decided to do something extra and started reading Timothy Radcliffe and Gordon Giles Lent books. Wednesday up too late to go to Fairtrade breakfast at Croydon College. Met Louise at her office foyer and had lunch at the Phoenix- salmon and brie fishcakes...

A lie-in and carried on with the Holy Land blog - I have reached Galilee! Louise came over to get a hat for the wedding only to find the hat hire shop closed! She accompanied us to smoke vespers and mass for Epiphany (sadly transferred to Sunday). We had 7 servers and I went through the movements beforehand with cross and acolytes. Challoner choir murdered some items. I came home on the train - it was very cold. Liz took Louise and her presents home and unfortunately Louise caught Liz's head when shutting the boot so they went to A & E at Hammersmith and it was glued. Liz came home in a taxi as I could not get through to the insurance company to add Louise on to the insurance so the car is in Hammersmith at the pub. I watched Michael Palin revising India.

Busy day Thursday - Gillian started from Balham and is excellent. Did health and safety with her, Francis and Moses. Dead squirrel to be removed Wednesday. Fibre optic cable installed. To chorus for Berlioz Te Deum with Aidan Oliver - he is very good. Friday only 3 on but managed to get to interfaith lunch for a bit. Molly and Ella started at choir and very enthusiatic - we began with Harvest samba which they know. 4 at practice including Dudley - I sang bass. Louise and Bruce at St John's practice. I had a lie-in Saturday and Liz barbecued lamb chops.

The final Etihad flight to Heathrow went smoothly. Watched "Cactus" "It happened in Vegas" which was funny and "The Visitor" which is about immigrants and might change a few minds. Landed early 6.30 and home at 9.l5 p.m. Sunday to church and we sang John Harper's attractive Hymn for Matthew as we were celebrating his day. Liz went to celebration at White City and we all met up for lunch at Lou and Tom's. bruce came too. It being London Open day I had hoped to get to the Ismaili centre in Kensington but ended up parking outside the Institut Francaise and saw the library - 1930s. We watched part 1 and 2 of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles". Monday 83 emails to deal with and various things. Ryan had stuck a poster on the front window because the sun got in his eyes - - why nobody removed it is beyond me. New staff starting this week which is good but Rachel has to go to occupational health in October so another delay. Did not go to RSCM commit...

As the lift at Louise and Tom's was not working everyone gathered here and Louise cooked delicious terrine (salmon, turbot and herring) Irish pie and specially for me lemon meringue cake! We had a good lunch and then took Bruce up to Grandma's where he put up a new curtian rail in the lounge. The man has been working for 7 weeks on the new bathroom! I had to make 2 trips home looking for a hacksaw. Watched Lark rise. Louise starts a new job Monday.