The organist librarian

Excellent time in Ubud  Liz not too good during the night with tummy. Staff very concerned and Pudu sent special rice pudding to the room. Packed and pleased bill was not as  much as expected. Driver took us to royal temple which we missed on tour 2 and it is lovely. Arrived at Samaya Seminyak. It is even more luxurious than Ubud Samaya. Afternoon tea and swam twice. Dinner overlooking the beach and sunset. Had duck. Watched Bohemian rhapsody. Breakfast overlooking beach. Lazed around pool best in early evening. It has jacuzzi nozzles. Mini bar included! Drink very heavily taxed here. Restaurant costs more here but sunsets are stunning. Watched Catherine the great on Kindle. Over the 4 days established a pattern of early morning dip 9 a.m. Full breakfast smoothie bowl, morning star drink, tropical fruit platter, poached eggs on avocado. Waffles in takeaway box for later. Rest and read on bed  swim afternoon tea in room, dinner and sunset. Movie choice limited despite ...

Back to the swimming pool!  Excellent talk and performance of Israel in Egypt complete original version. Part 1 not as exciting as later parts originally funeral music for Queen Caroline.  Boys looking tanned and relaxed from French trip. The quiet day on the Pharisee and the tax collector went well and played 2 Kyrie's sung by the cathedral choir Vaughan Williams and Palestrina. 20 came. First prom Philharmonia Stravinsky, gorgeous Ravel and Adams.  A superb late night Prom with the Monteverdi choir Schutz and Bach cantatas. The skill of the composer and the instrumentalists amazing. Home at 12.30 a.m.  the annivrsary day turned out different. Liz went up to Glyn Close as Ann-Marie's back window in her car had to be replaced. So I went to Mass alone and missed art as picked her up.  After the splendid champagne tea at Library lounge Marriott County Hall a great conversation with the members of Bremen chamber orchestra who are doing amazing work in a school. Th...

Practised and timed recital pieces. First rehearsal of the Couperin chants. I played Willan on Aberyswyth and Ley on Down Ampney, Last hymn was "God be with you" to Randolph by Vaughan Williams - not played that before! After lunch to the hall with our blue folding back supports. Lots of teddies about for the Michael Rosen Bear Hunt prom - lovely to see so many Liverpool kids involved. Ciaran and Jonah really enjoyed it! The conga in the Prom was great and the illustrator Tony Ross was excellent - he signed Rosario's programme and she gave it to me! To talk on Britten. Second prom  Orchestre de Paris with Paavo Jarvi- Part, Britten violin concerto beautifully played by Janine Jansen, Berlioz Corsaire and Saint-Saens 3. Thierry Escaich was just too loud drowning the brass!.