The organist librarian

We had coffee and cake at Havishams in Faversham and I visited St Mary of Charity where I was made very welcome. A fine 3 manual organ. Enjoyed the excellent tour of Pugin's house with a most informative guide and we visited St Augustine's shrine. Lovely air bnb overlooking the park with a balcony. Meriyam pulled out all the stops with g and t on arrival and delicious breakfast. John Hogan the National President presented Mike McCarthy with his 50 year scroll at Ramsgate circle. There was a good turnout for the dinner and a lovely evening looking out over Pegwell Bay. Visited Deal castle which was interesting and had light lunch at Kearsney Abbey Dover, Alkham which is a hidden treasure. 10 schools have replied and John Turner will be the third judge! Finished Bill Bryson Notes from a big country - hilarious.

Visited the Hornby museum which includes an interesting section on the Battle of Britain. St Augustine's Abbey in Ramsgate built by Pugin, ice cream at Sorbetto and saw Ramsgate harbour, St Augustine's cross and the Viking ship at Pegwell bay. Dover Castle underground tour about the start of WWII and underground hospital tour both excellent. Stayed at air b and b with Gilly who knows Claire! It was a surprise to find the room to be on the top floor with 2 flights of stairs to a shared bathroom. We dined at Dino's with the Dover brothers and John Rayer and their wives =10 of us.

5 visitors and 20 dining.  The meeting was rather different with :David getting in a muddle several times. I presented the icon and recycled my speech. I also presented a scroll to the new brother Anthony. There was some controversy about ladies attending meetings which was of course the issue at Dover plus personality clashes. It is sad when friends break up like this.Anne said that one of those who resigned is her dentist and sits in front of her at church! The meal was very good lamb cutlets and cheesecake. We sat with Mike and Terri McCarthy and 2 recently widowed one of them looked very like aunt Gladys and we had a good chat. Woke at 2 am.

Wednesday at last a swim in Granny's rock pool, Southbroom. Cold and bracing! Walked on Ramsgate beach. Lunch at Hibiscus Mall (lovely bookshop) and found Catholic church (foundation stone blessed by Archbishop Hurley and consecrated by Cardinal Napier who hails from Kokstad!) Back to Southbroom but high tide. Thursday to 9 a.m. Eucharist for which Mona played. Jenny there and had coffee afterwards. Another great sermon from John on forgiveness. Finished reading Michael Yancey's book "Disappointed with God" which John had lent me and I found excellent. Swam in the Margate beach olympic pool which was initially cold and Liz went in the sea which was warm. I seem to have omitted to mention our interesting visit to the crocodile farm and Waffle house at Ramsgate once the tea house of the blue lagoon!