The organist librarian

Swam, to David Warner's funeral at Addiscombe. A packed church, unimpressed by organist's choices far too sad. A hint of the f word in the eulogy and two mentions of bodily functions. Everybody so friendly nice to see Fr Dennis and Gill Beach. Liz sang at Frank Lum's funeral. Quiet time. To Dulwich gallery for opening of Journeys. Jennifer Scott excited about the auction. Saw Rembrandt's light again and the community creators were good. Took part in a gallery conversation. Watched pottery throw down.

Lovely Requiem Mass for deceased priests. The choir sang Brahms and Byrd. Nice chat to David. Delicious lamb at Acton and watched Prince Charles. Ciarán's year 5 assembly about remembrance was very moving. Well done all! Pity it was so difficult to hear some of the children. Nelson varnished all the oil paintings and icons and they look stunning. Lovely lunch and we both enjoyed Rembrandt at Dulwich gallery and tea! Liz went to see Gillian in Acton. To choir practice and Liz was unimpressed not to be doing the solo in Darke in F. 3 tenors. 

11 /7 Ea st Croydon to St Pancras. 4 hour Eurostar to Amsterdam. Nice to see Francis Herbert. Tram to Zuid and Marc picked us up. Air bnb very nice. Supermarket and sat outside and drank wine. 12/7 exc breakfast. Tram and metro into town got I love Amsterdam card for 2 days. Rembrandt house fascinating and exhibition of work influenced by him.Portuguese synagogue is huge and very well presented. Jewish history museum exhibition. On Kabbala and modern versions are interesting. Loved the presentations and the children's museum is great. Lovely fish and wine at Alexandros. Supermarket. Watched Federer defeat Nadal. 13/7 to museum Van Loon which is a fine house with garden and coach house. Walked to Rembrandtplein to get tram. Coffee at Cafe Waterloo. Delightful organ and violin at Moses and Aaron church Rheinberger, Kreisler and Boccherini and Durufle well played. Hermitage museum impressive collection Velasquez and Van der Leyden. Group portraits. To Norris botanical garden. Pasta...

Swim, Mass, to British Museum with Nelson Ferreira. Munch disappointing but the Rembrandt prints are wonderful. Archie Harrison? What! Sounds like a music hall act. Baby Sussex's names.. I was enrolled at Dulwich as a joint member and 10 minutes later became the President! Enrolled two new brothers!! So the circle gained 3 people in one evening! They will meet 6 times a year.

Dennis gave us a lift to East Croydon so we were early at the bus station. Straight through in 3 hours and Robert picked us up. His wife had an ankle replacement. Lovely upside down house very comfortable right next to Pittville Park. Good chat. Walked in park 23 degrees and to Turtle Bay Caribbean restaurant. Excellent cocktail jerk chicken whiteboard and grilled pineapple.Jamaican Red Star beer. Edinburgh won University challenge from Teddys but it was close. Tuesday Good breakfast with Robert. I woke at 4. Nice walk through Pittville park and got sandwiches atSpar. Arrived at St Nicholas at 9.30. 16 on course. Eucharist at 10. The rector prayed for all church leaders and bishop Declan. Great way to start. Holst's father played at All Saints Pittville. Drawing lightly. I chose Risen Christ which Ian did for Lichfield cathedral. Liz went to Holst birthplace museum. Wednesday. Slept 8 hours. Drawing and first lines after transferring the tracing. To the ladies college and Sarah ...

Wednesday was a day to remember - my 70th birthday trip replacing the cancelled trip to Ely. Cathedrals express from King's Cross in Pullman first class dining to Chesterfield pulled by a diesel. 4 coachloads 2 and a half hours at Chatsworth. Interesting fashions but in some cases the bling hardly went with the glorious paintings - Rembrandt, Watteau, Reynolds! Lovely garden and glorious day. Returned pulled by steam engine Duchess of Sutherland. Back to King's Cross at 11.45 and cab to Acton after a great day! Nice to see David Gammie.

Swam 20. Bruce here. Dulwich picture gallery has a lovely exhibition of Adrian Van der Welde and an intriguing Is this Rembrandt? To BBC singers conducted by David Hill at St Paul Knightsbridge and free. Bramma, Sanders, Bielby and Colin Mawby good to see him there. Best of all premiere of Requiem by Philip Moore. Stephen Farr played superbly. Lots of emails.

Swam 20. Sent off Catenian posters to churches. Delightful 2 hour coffee chat at Knights garden centre Warlingham with Anne-Marie Garton. After a late lunch to Dulwich Picture gallery to copy two Prudhon drawings of nudes - beautiful and enjoyed the Rembrandts as well. The Eric Ravilious looks nice. Only cost £4. Rain and the family have gone camping in Cornwall. Had a night off from the Proms as it is swing! Watched Life in Squares. The alley gate is off - No. 18 has refused. Very annoying! Catching up on TV proms - Colin Currie, Aurora orchestra and Sinatra. Elgar 2 conducted by Mark Elder. 

Watched two films on the way back Testament of Youth which got very gory and Riot club which was disgusting. Hard to hear the dialogue. Simon Schama on Rembrandt was good.

Woke early and the dropped off so missed my swim. To cathedral for 1.30 to do first welcomer/guide duty with Jennifer. The red robe and badge certainly work but it's cold and tiring standing around. Quite a few spoke to me and asked general questions. Watched the lovely St Vincent de Paul school nativity - alas no traditional carols. Fr Brian is chaplain. Saw Ann Welch, Kate and Salvatore. Finished at 4 and went to Late Rembrandt at National Gallery - very overcrowded and lots of small pictures. Free concert in room 8 inspired by Michelangelo and Barocci in the room. The Consone quartet from RCM played Haydn, Purcell and Schubert on period instruments. Home to watch The Khans and butternut squash for dinner. Watched Sue Perkins on the Mekong - a great series. Michelangelo Entombment (is the lady on the left texting?) Haydn quartet in F minor and Purcell Fantazias played with old bows. Barocci Madonna of the Cat Virgin and child with St Joseph and the infant John the Baptist...

Only swam 12 as High Street being dug up again! Liz off to see Paolo and to college. To Honda's to get Liz;s new car key - half hour wait, cost £160. She better not lose this one! To Dulwich picture gallery to see lovely Whistler and the Thames exhibition and enjoy Rembrandts and Van Dycks. Watched The choir and The Zoo.

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...