The organist librarian

To St Mary's to see Fr Joseph Collins for half an hour. He was very friendly and chatty. Then to library to pick up 2 books. Liz to Acton although much delayed at Richmond and Louise was locked out so Cairán was exhausted and ratty - he is now in pants rather than nappies! To Glyn Close and started essay. Last practice at Coulsdon and we are invited to dinner in the summer at Coombe Lodge. Marie and Caroline gave me a lovely music mug, book token and CD of organ music from Chichester played by Roger Fisher for giving them lifts! Watched Maestro at the opera and percussion Young musician final.

Lovely fish and chips from Addiscombe. Progress on torch relay and at last heard from Penny about the interfaith walk so I need not spend any more time on that! To practice and Tony came to sing bass so we can do the Bruckner when the bishop comes. I will accompany it. Brought more organ music home. Watched Maestro at the opera and QI.

30 lengths and drove to work so car was available near the library after the concert. Just in time. Finished at 1 and after lunch to Victoria and Albert to see the wonderful new ceramics gallery. I'm not into ceramics but I was impressed. The glass gallery is also very fine and the sculptures. Had a brief look at the special exhibition about Fear and death in contemporary design - unimpressed. To Royal Albert hall for rehearsal and concert with Northern Sinfonia. Jonathan Schiffman a 29 year old conductor did well. Alex James from Maestro did Khachaturian Adagio - his tummy was hilarious! Carl Jenkins conducted his Benedictus (very slow and lovely cello solo) - spoke to him as Liz says his wife recognised me at the theatre in Bath - she used to use Putney library. It was packed and a good programme. We sang Carmina 1, Zadok, and 1812 (fireworks!) The Priests sang Panis and Pie Jesu of Lloyd Webber. They signed our CD and Liz said they were charming. They seemed reluctant to take a ...

St Stephen's Dominican church, Jerusalem. Icon of Stephen seen in Armenian shop window, Jerusalem. The church is thought to be on the place where Stephen was martyred. Christmas Day and listened to Bath Abbey broadcast. Not many at Coulsdon - clapping Gloria, I played lots of Noels. Vickie said how well everything had gone. To John the Baptist Purley for 12 noon Mass. Warmly greeted by Fr Jim Pannett who is looking old and limping again. Someone called Bill turned up at noon to play accompanied by his young daughters. Endured Peruvian Gloria and the girls sang carols round the organ - it looked as though they only had one copy between them. Their descant to O come all ye faithful was pretty feeble. Considering the church was full the people did not sing. Bill is a competent pianist I think but there is no variety of stops at all so it all becomes pretty dull. Canon Jim does his best to enthuse! I rather suspect that a lot of people like me would prefer a short quiet Mass after so m...

On return home on Tuesday I had to see who had got through Maestro and Sue, Jane and Goldie remain in the competition after the opera round. Rebecca Evans and Alfie Boe sang beautifully and Clive Anderson is an amusing presenter. It is interesting to see the BBC using the Maestro contestants around the Proms although one must say some of the talk around the music has been lamentable. Gareth Malone of all people unable to say anything about Stravinsky's Ebony concerto. But then we get Christopher Warren Green on his love of Vaughan Williams to the extent of moving to Leith Hill! I enjoyed listenign again to the Vaughan Williams prom this time with the scores from Putney library store. Also a fascinating discussion of Stanley Spencer's Resurrection at Cookham shown originally at 11.30 p.m. on ITV - what a waste!

On Monday Lauren arrived on standby flight from Sydney and her case came the following day! It is 4 years since she stayed here! Watched University challenge and fell asleep. In fact slept so well missed my swim. Interviews for SAturday adn weekend essistants - impressed by 16 year olds but sad about Darcy who has lost confidence as a result of being knifed while trying to break up a fight. Hope to employ 4 of them. Barbara Costanzo interviewed with me. I went to tai chi and felt fine. However on Tuesday the pain in my left side returned. Watched Maestro and again impressed by Goldie. David Soul was eliminated. Chat to Daniel on Facebook. Wednesday swam 22 lengths. By car to Buckingham Palace with Grandma and Lauren. All well-organised with wheelchair access. Most impressed by the audio guide and the Vermeer and Rembrandts. The state banquet wonderful! Tea in the garden and chatted to a staff member who sings in the Bach Choir and visited Sydney. Dropped off at British school of osteop...

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 ...