The organist librarian

Swam,  Mass Fr Sunith did it all and read writhe as rith! Penge library for 3 scores from Bromley and bought new washing up bowl at Poundland. To art and progress on holocaust painting. Lunch and then to Balham to return scores, recycle batteries and pick up ordered buttons at Waitrose. A good hour with Clare. Still hot and no rain. Everyone very excited about Clare and Mick getting married and Louise and family going to Sydney for Christmas. A delightful programme by Richard Hills at St John Upper Norwood with light and serious well-mixed.

A week behind on this blog! Saturday at home with Bruce and went to Richard Hills recital at Bloomsbury a popular programme and enjoyable. Sunday clocks went forward and got to church on buses. Excellent Mothers day lunch of lamb with all the family and Clare. Henry made his first visit to our home and Sean was enchanted by him and presented him with a Henry engine. Had prosecco to celebrate. Monday to SPIDIR day at Sisters of St Andrew with Bob Reiss and bought his book Sceptical Christianity. To Beckenham circle which was pleasant. Tuesday to Gate for Met Idomeneo from 12 to 4.45 dropped off but Act 3 was great and the chorus were terrific. Levine conducted. Like the feature on Jessye Norman rehearsing Ariadne. Got to PEG in time - Brendan there and a rather unsatisfactory meeting - too disparate. I get fed up with people who dismiss good ideas - it won't work! Went to Acton early Wednesday hence tired. Sean amused himself and I watched rest of Valkyrie and Siegfried from Opera...

Bank Holiday Monday and nice weather after all the rain yesterday morning. Up early and worked on Michael's suggestions regarding the dissertation. To Bromley parish church for joint recital by Norman and Marilyn Harper. They played a duet by Wesley and divided the programme between them including Dupre, Leighton and Mango Thrist (Lovely girl commented Norman). I left before the Bach Passacaglia to get home for lunch and then to Royal College of Music for 2.30 workshop with Mary King on singing musicals. Muriel was there. Enjoyed singing Somewhere over the rainbow, opening number from Show Boat and the scarecrow song with actions. Also a Waxman song. The light music organ prom was well played by Richard Hills and included Ireland, Sullivan, Waller and German and a fun encore. Excellent talk on film music with David Benedict and the John Wilson prom was excellent with a wide variety of film music and songs. I am playing for Dermot Molony's funeral on Friday at St Mary's.

Saturday to Habitat Regent Street for 4 p.m. to hear the Wurlitzer. The amazing Richard Hills played for an hour without music - Jerome Kern, Rodgers and 60s numbers worked really well. 38 to Victoria for vespers and Mass Baptism of the Lord - Swavek on good form. Train home. Hilarious Come fly with me. Watched New Years day concert.