The organist librarian

Catching up on TV Proms. The Martin Brabbins was a delight. The space and Johnnie Greenwood all seemed very samey! Liz in Liverpool for national servers Mass on Saturday. The art group thanked Julie. I saw my pictures in the library. A delightful recital by James Lancelot at St John's. I must play the Harris and Whitlock again. Also included Bach, Rheinberger, Karg-Elert, Elgar, Alain and Widor. Good audience including Andrew Scott, Carl Jackson and Christopher Herrick. Returned scores to Central music library and went to Tate Britain to see Blake but there were far too many people there so I may return in January! A lovely party at Roger Brice's lovely new home for RSCM commitee members to honour Peter Wright for 30 years of briliiant leadership Astonishing that RSCM HQ did not consider it right to mark 30 years of voluntary service! Open day but could not park to visit Heavers farm school - should have walked from home! To the drome for mass for John Braburne's cause 40 ...

The lady who conducted the gospel choir at the royal wedding was on my bus at Clapham common so we had a short chat! 

London open day in the rain. 5 churches in the East End. Zena Woodley was the guide at St Dunstan Stepney. Tour at Bow Church and bought some poems, sermons and leaflet on George Lansbury. St Paul Old Ford brilliant wooden pod inside the building used by Into University and a gym. St Paul Bow Common tour with Bernadette the vicar. Organ at German Catholic Church impressive. I had been there on the interfaith walk. The young organist had us all in the gallery but I did not really get his organ demo. He played Buxtehude and Bach well. Good to be back at the cathedral. Liz and Bruce went to Sean's party.

22.9.17 Sean is 5! Spoke to him on phone. Left 8 am stopped at Peniscola for coffee and did 2 sketches the second one quite good of the ramparts from the beach. Lunch of salad at services. Cava winery cellars Castellroig tasted 3 different ones – very nice. Arrived Barcelona – Melia Barcelona hotel Sarria 2 miles from centre convenient for main road Diagonal to airport and Montserrat but not good for sightseeing. Booked Picasso museum. Ate at Central café (salmon rice – too much) at L’illa big shopping centre.

I was reflecting on baby sitting. It is both a pleasure and exhausting. Seán has enormous energy - he can go from 6.30 a.m. to 9 p.m. In the end it is best to just leave him alone to go to sleep. He is now chatting away and making connections. Ciarán is very much easier to deal with. Sean just turns on his charming smile and laughs - he's not afraid of anyone and quite happy to defy you! But a lot is going in e.g. the songs that Tamar teaches us! The weekly contact with the boys is invaluable. Had a wierd dream about Jersey being divided into Christian, Jewish and Muslim areas and painting a picture in each area during the War! 

Both to pool but Liz did not have costume so she walked home. I did 20. S pecial occasion of unity following the Paris attacks. London Central Mosque (Regent’s Park), 146 Park Road, NW8 7RG ( St John’s Wood tube) Friday 16 January 11am – 12 pm with refreshments Dr Shuja Shafi , Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, will be speaking, along with religious leaders from different traditions.  Lots of press and photographers.  This is an opportunity to come together with Muslim friends and especially Jewish colleagues, to rise above the dynamics of division and to affirm our determination to work together for a peaceful Europe .  Similar events are taking place tomorrow in Birmingham and Manchester . There was a reasonable turnout considering the short notice and there were messages from the Anglican bishops but nothing from ours (perhaps they were not asked). I got the bus with Bessie and enjoyed walking round Waterstones which use...

To Acton and babysat Seán while they went to St Vincent's day mass and we met at Acton park cafe. Ciarán then went to a party and we looked after Seán. I slept for a bit! To ENO for Fidelio. Musically brilliant with Stuart Skelton and Edward Gardner. Chorus were good. But the production! Why blinding lights, why moving sets during quartet, why dragging Florestan around when supposed to be lifting a stone to dig a grave, no digging at all! Cyanide but no champagne. Changing into evening dress while singing a difficult duet! A string quartet in cages???? No scenes of jubilation. Prisoners in business suits? Don Ferrando in 18th century rig out?? South Norwood police station has closed - a disgrace!

Liz went on bus to the cathedral as the trains were awry. Bill rehearsed for next Sunday and so did Fr Paul. We finished we 'O praise ye the Lord' and I played Karg-Elert. To South Norwood Children's centre in Cypress Road - amazed to find a London open day venue so close to home and a lovely playground and building. There was a match but I was able to get home and pick up the laptop and later Lousie sorted out the Microsoft word problem. To Sean's first birthday party and he loved the presents. Cara and Jack came and Pat and Mark dropped in. Wrote article on 'How green is the cathedral?' at last and watched Antiques roadshow, Educating Yorkshire and Downton Abbey is back! 

Tuesday swam 20. To King's college hospital and X-ray and dentist advised a denture to fill gaps at top on both sides. Anythign else would be a waste of money! I was seen quickly. To talk on Bruckner - my question to the current organist of St Florian never got asked - do they have Bruckner's scores anf annotations to Bach and any comments on the the Albert Hall organ? Beethoven and Bruckner 4th well played by Petrenko and Oslo philharmonic. Lat night prom David Hill conducting Boy was born and George Lloyd requiem. To Acton and there by midnight. Wed had a lie-in. Ciaran's friend came to play and I took Sean to the park for a coffee. I also looked after him in the afternoon and he was good as gold! To swimming but the class was too big and Ciaran not happy although he is very confident in the water. To pre Prom meeting with Roger Wright, Petroc and Chris Cotton. I got to ask my question about better lighting in the gallery (agreed!) seating fixed down and asking people to...

These are the portraits taken on the Holland America cruise - found the disc in the lounge in the course of trying to trace the odd smell! Swam 20 - I am finding my back is hurting when I get up and occasionally in the pool if I turn in a quick way. Bruce is here and still awaiting the wood for the raised flower beds in the back garden. The saw has been hired. Did some work on the Thompson/Knitter Buddhist Christian essay. Themes from yesterday's Handel still in my head - what a score it is! Louise came with Seán and had a long chat to Ann.  

Mutual admiration society!

Liz went off to the cathedral for morning prayer and Sung Mass. Completed the Tablet crossword - still have 1 and a half issues to catch up on! At St Michael's decided Howells Saraband would not work at all -  the trumpet stop is quite strident so played Orgelbuchlein. We used Common worship and the "carousel" setting - composer unknown for Gloria, Sanctus and Agnus - it lacks appeal. Thine be the glory, Alleluia sing to Jesus, Alleluia! give thanks to the risen Lord and The day of resurrection. Psalm and Celtic alleluia confidently sung. Biggest attendance of the week - 32. Average for the Triduum around 18 in church. Hallelujah chorus was appreciated. Car to Selhurst and got to Acton via Willesden Junction. Jo, Terry, Cara and Jack came for a delicious lunch of lamb and lemon meringue pie. Took Sean's mosaic and he was on great form. Ciaran was tired and had too much chocolate. Liz liked her luxury egg - it got cracked at Heythrop. Home to Antiques roadshow. Watche...

Took Lou and Tom to Queen Charlotte's Friday evening. Watched Parade's End final episode. Text at 7 a.m. waters had broken. He was born in the water at 10 a.m. and weighed the same as Ciarán! In fact he looks just like him. Took Cairán to the park and had to shout to stop him on the scooter. Had lunch there and he had a sleep having watched "Blue mountain mystery" about 10 times. Sean was finally checked by the midwife at 8 p.m. and I collected them. Ciaran was so sweet with him kissing him and speaking softly. A great start! Sunday he got his special present of an engine shed. Bruce came Saturday with organ music, bubbly to go with the pizzas and my recharged razor. We recorded a book for him! Lightning McQueen. To St Joseph Bunhill Fields to play for Mass - rehearsed with Martin Pendergast and recognised Fr Peter. One manual with pedals which belonged to the Knights of Malta. A very pleasant experience. Walked in the rain through the graveyard where Defoe, Blake a...