The organist librarian

Liz to Heythrop and I went to  Bromley Parish church to park. Returned a Stravinsky score to Bromley libray and French stalls in full swing. Fast train to Victoria and in good time. Ordination of 8 priests and well went well. Choir sang Palestrina, Gabrieli and Mozart Ave verum. Widor Marche pontificale at the end and very stirring improvisation beforehand. Dished out cards and very nice lunch in the hall provided by the Neocats for Oscar. Liz eventually arrived and he gave us a lovely blessing. I set off to try and get to Bloomsbury Baptist to here Robert Munns but abandoned it as traffic jammed and buses on diversion. Tea at M & S. Vespers and Mass for SS Peter and Paul with Fr Paolo giving a great sermon. Train to Bromley and taxi and arrived for the organists dinner in good time. Unfortunately we were at the end of the table and Michael Bailey proved to be a bore going on about golf in South Africa and talking to Martin How. Ronnie Krippner was there and I took some photos...

Tuesday watched programme on English National Ballet and perfume - fascinating! Slept well but woke at 5.15 a.m. A perfect day weather excellent. To music and Ciarán much more involved. Had coffee and he had his lunch. To 12.30 Mass for SS Peter and Paul at Chiswick. Shopping for storage bags for quilts, sewing kit, anti-fox stuff and replacement ducks for Ciarán as one went down the loo! To Ravenscourt Park and ate at the cafe there. Liz and Ciarán had a paddle and he enjoyed the slides and car. Did not want to go in buggy rather try and make out how to fix it together. Got 3rd bus that came along previous 2 full of buggies. All 3 of us exhausted and watched Apprentice on return home. We were out 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.Met Alison Williams Putney branch librarian on train - cuts start this week and privatisation in 2012.

Tuesday lunchtime for the first of 3 talks on "Introducing Hinduism" at All Saints church, Prince of Wales Drive, Battersea Park organised by the South London interfaith network. Very interesting and had a look at some children's books on the subject. Wed a.m. long chat to Ann in Sydney on Skype. Today staff meetings and much concern about lack of enough staff so I will be looking at getting casuals to come in more. To the cathedral and served at Vigil Mass of SS Peter and Paul which is a holy day of obligation (these are now nearly all transferred to Sundays). The statue wearing red cope and mitre and St John Southworth in middle of the nave in his glass case surrounded by candles. The full choir sang Perosi's Missa Pontificalis which is so tuneful! Fr Michael Durand on good form singing the prayers - he is 82 and loves to chat about the famous musicians he has known.