The organist librarian

Swam 20. Had a lovely day sitting in the sunny and hot garden painting picture for Ciaran and Seán. Am very pleased with it. We both went to Oliver's recital at St John's Ladbroke Grove. He played Buxtehude, Bach, Messiaen (quiet and bearable) Howells Ps Prelude Set 1 no 1 and Widor. It was good to see and hear him again and meet his parents and the charming organ scholar from Sydney who has no time for Robert Ampt.

Friday to Acton to collect Lou and Ciarán to go swimming at the Virgin health club. I did 22 lengths while he was at his lesson -he loves the small waterslide and we met Sam and Jonah in the cafe. He dropped off on the drive home and was good as gold. I put on the nursery rhyme CD when he woke up. I went to practice and we went through Oxford book of flexible anthems and 6 new ideas of ones we have not done before. Saturday he woke at 8 a.m. having slept very well. Liz went to confirmation walk to Tyburn and I looked after him. After lunch we went out in the buggy but he only slept on return home. Oliver is to be assistant at St Mary's cathedral Sydney.

The car hire company picked us up and took us to Hexham to pick up a brand new Hyundai. We drove to Meadowfield Durham over the moors and a rather round about way via Bishop Auckland. John Oliver deputy works manager took us round Harrison and Harrisons organ builders and it was fascinating. To Ushaw college which will close in July - very fine rhododenrons. Said evening prayer at Durham cathedral which is unusual for us! Oliver Brett met us at 6 and demonstrated the fine Harrisons organ and then I played - not very well I'm afraid especially the Hallelujah chorus - what a sound! We drove back to Prudhoe for dinner at 8. Tuesday took car to Byker via Quayside and a lift to the station where we left the animal bag and had coffee at St Mary's cathedral cafe and bought cards at St Paul's shop. Had a look at Youcat which the Cardinal had commended. 3 hour train journey to King's Cross and back at Acton by 5 p.m. I bought 2 books "King's speech" and How...

To Westminster Abbey - I was late so was greeted by the Dean in full rigout! A splendid service with msuic by Palestrina and Child. Wesley's Ascribe unto the Lord and a stunning commission Vast ocean of light from Jonathan Dove. The hymns were the Old 100th, I heard the voice of Jesus say and O praise ye the Lord. Horrid Messiaen at the end! Saw Adrian, Terence, bass from the Nicholson singers, Dorio and Anne Walsh from interfaith group. It doesn't work as well in the Abbey. Good sermon from Lord Griffiths. I did not get to speak to John Hawes. Nearly walked into Whitehall and missed student protests - police closed it off so tube to Temple for Matthew Martin's recital of Peeters, Schumann and Francis Pott Toccata. Oliver Brett was there.

Downton Abbey was excellent again. Loaded lots of photos onto laptop. Woke late and got in at 9am. Liz went to Bow for gas man and they were delayed. Meetings with Chris and Sabina and lots more clearing out of rubbish and old videos! Sonalle took her photos down. To Catenian meeting 10 of us and 10 visitors. Chatted to Roy Parker and Frank Brennan. Colin gave me a lift home - I had Guinness. Chatted to Oliver Brett on face book - he goes to Sydney Dec 26 to Jan 7.

At Friday's practice I was quite firm and insisted on everyone doing the exercises and warm-up. Saturday had a lie-in. I have finished "The 39 steps" for the reading group and enjoyed it if a little dated and imperialistic! I am currently enjoying "John" by Niall Williams (Tablet recommendation) and "Only strange people go to church" by Laura Marney. My Lenten reading is all set with new book by Gordon Giles, Timothy Ratcliffe and the Holy Spirit booklet. To Hinsley Room for talk by Fr Augustine Hoey on a Way of life. He told us about monks and nuns and the questions were more interesting than the talk. John East and Louise Sage were there. These "Justice and Peace group" talks have little to do with J and P. Tablet has much about the Pope's decision to excommunicate Bishop Williamson who denies the Holocaust! How stupid can you get! Now we learn some Austrian priest who says hurricane Katrina was a retribution for homosexuality in New ...

Liz off to Salisbury cathedral to sing services until Friday. Monday 40 lengths. Busy day. To Beckenham Catenian meeting - bitter and good jokes. Tuesday woke late so missed swim. All banking stuff finished. Book sale going well. Left at 4 and reached Rochester by car at 6.30 but Holiday Inn hotel not reachable form one side of dual carriageway so arrived late and had to change in to evening dress before meeting. Furious. 88 miles to say a few sentences about Norwood's 1000th meeting! Good dinner - roast beef. Sat with Duncan Aitkins. Nice photos from Saturday. Left at 10. Wed snow overnight so meeting at British school of osteopathy postponed although it was clear. Left at 12.30 to go to Shirley for lift from David and Sylvia to Tunbridge Wells. Visit to Salomons theatre organ - heard 3 rolls including Lemaire playing Bach very fast. Quite fascinating. Michael Cooke a know-all a pain! Enjoyed it and lovely sunny day. To cathedral for last of organ recital series. Stephen Cleobu...

To Coulsdon - no choir and kiddy stuff. I played Vaughan Williams "New commonwealth" Musette and Prelude on Bryn Calfaria. Practised and then to see Bill Beach - borrowed some more photos - he has not written anything more!It was hot! He showed me the original marlpit where the fertiliser came from. To cathedral for Oliver Brett's last recital - he played Liszt Ad nos. Then to the Abbey to hear Simon Bell play Reger, Bach and Guy Weitz Symphony No.1 which is stunning. He is going from Southwell to Winchester cathedral. Messiaen Transfiguration from the Proms on BBC4 but it all seemed rather the same!

Liz was luxuriating all day at the Sanctuary with the girls - it was her Christmas present! To Coulsdon where Vicky was refreshed form her time in Milan. She had noted that Westminster Cathedral choir had sing a concert there (Rheinberger Mass) and it was very wet! The Bob Chilcott Psalm 23 composed last year went well and so did Statham in D so that is one setting we can manage with me singing tenor where needed. I spoke to Dudley Coates about joining us occasionally and bought my usual Fairtrade muesli and yogurt coated raisins. To garden centre to pick up more compost. I had been planning to go to the Buddhist prayers for Tibet at the Imperial War museum gardens but as it hailed I decided to have a rest and watch the last episode of "Lark rise"! and the delightful "No 1 ladies detective agency" by the lamented Anthony Minghella. Also Songs of Praise episodes which I had recorded. Simon Lloyd playing Mendelssohn No.4 which was a treat and an improvisation on ...

Wurzburg cathedral high altar Worked Saturday and a great deal to do - freedom passes being renewed and shelf checks. 5 servers at Mass with Bishop John who spoke really well about Emmaus and Eastertide. Liz was cantor at Vespers. Challoner choir ruined Terry Mass, Faure Cantique de Jean Racine and Franck Panis - men sing very flat.Oliver played Howells Saraband for the morning of Easter at the end which was a treat. He says Matthew does not like Howells! Watched "The Shipping News" starring Kevin Spacey and Judy Dench. Sunday thick snow everywhere. Small choir did well with Panis angelicus in 2 parts, Bread of the world in mercy broken - pity Vickie missed that as it is one of her favourites. I played Gordon Slater's Easter alleluya. We sang "Now let us from this table rise" at the end. Interesting that Common Praise changed "Father-God" in last verse so it became; Then grant us grace, Companion-God, to choose again the pilgrim way, and help us to ac...

I practised the organ and went through Compline with Vickie. Liz stayed at the cathedral - she was cantor at morning prayer and 5.30 Mass and she fitted in a visit to John Lewis. I watched Protestant Revolution part 1 and Songs of Praise school choirs (all 6 excellent) and Lark Rise. Listened to fine evensong from Kings' College Cambridge on radio including Rachmaninov canticles. To the cathedral for Oliver's recital - Vierne Symphony No. 3 well played and then to Westminster Abbey for Michael Martin's fine recital. Bach Prelude and Fugue in F minor, Brahms O welt ich must dass lassen and Alain Trois Danses. Met Isobel. Brought Liz home and then to Compline. I played Bach Erbarm dich and O sacred head preludes. All went well.