The organist librarian

To the doctor to see the nurse. I arrived saying "I feel a bit of a fraud as the little scab on my head has gone." She said "Good, I wish all our patients were as good as you, but you are here for a blood test for cholestorol!" I said "OK can you check my little finger" to which she replied "Fingers crossed it will be fine". o St Stephen Wallbrook Harrison Cole (there's a name ontrend) played Vierne and Langlais Plainte - very moving. Then to St Michael Cornhill for a recital by part of Bradford Cathedral choir - Dove, Taverne, Hadley and RVW. Charlie Manning was an expressive soloist. Bravo! They are off to Germany. Alexander Berry has done a great job in only 2 years. To Balham library and caught up on all the news. Linda has retired and Jeremy Travers has gone to Bromley. Alex who was a casual is now in charge! Met a delightful new directee. Picked up Ron and we both went to New President's dinner at Maidstone. Mgr Matthew Dickens spo...

Friday swam 20 and went to Alan Burtonshaw's house but we could not get in - key wouldn't work so the group were going to meet the solicitor at 2.45 too late for me. To Acton in the car and Tom came with Seán from the park to let us in. Lou and Ciarán arrived from swimming. We served at 5.30 mass for Brian the new Archbishop of Benin and papal nuncio and he was charming - I was mitre and he asked my name. The nuncio and Archbishop Vincent were present. Choir sang My beloved spake and we had the Dorian Toccata at the end taken at a great speed by Peter. To Lancaster hotel on the bus for 6 circles meeting - 330 there and Liz "entertained" by Don Maclean who is past his sell-by date. Water on the tables - wine prices far too high. We did not stay for John Rayer's speech and got tube and bus to Acton and to bed.

Thursday to Acton and fixed the track which Jack had changed! Friday to the gym where we watched the tennis class which the boys enjoyed. We then set off for Southwell. Decided to go a bit further on the busy M1 to Hardwick Hall which was well worth a visit. Elizabethan house and a nice cream tea. Arrived in Southwell from Mansfield without problem. The Reindeer pub proved not to be great but we did eventually get the ensuite room which was not really big enough to move around in bathroom or beside the bed! We had eaten at Hardwick so did not go out with Simon for a meal. At breakfast there were no cereals! The wife of the owner is a cardiac nurse with a small baby and very new to b and b! Rehearsed in the Great hall and evensong went well. Hadley and Willan My beloved spake and Sumsion in G. Fr Simon came to evensong and to the Wheatsheaf pub. We then went in the party to the Bamboo Garden Chinese restaurant and enjoyed chatting to Michael and Jonathan basses - the latter from Wales....

Swam 24 and Liz came but the water was cold and the "muzak" far too loud. To mosaic and cleaned up the mosaic and had a session of tile cutting. To St Paul's cathedral queueing in pouring rain. The Dalai Lama received the Templeton Prize which he promptly gave away $1.5 million, £900,000  to Save the children fund because of how they had helped Tibetan children, some to Mind and Life and some to Tibetans in India to study science! He said he had empty pockets - he was charming and amusing. A simple message - money does not bring happiness, love, forgiveness and compassion bring happiness. Jessye Norman sang 2 spirituals and the choir sang Hadley and Britten Jubilate. Stunning organ fanfares and Bach at the end. I was in North transept and could see the podium well and also a screen with the text from the live web cast. White scarves were given out including Andrew Carwood. I was amused at Rowan Williams not having to show a ticket. Met Michael Redman for coffee and a ch...

Spent the afternoon at Heythrop library and now at 1800 words. Went to 1.30 Mass and only 7 there Fr Dominic was celebrant and I read. Choir practice worked on new carols - choir do not like Patrick Hadley I sing of a maiden! Watched QI.