The organist librarian

Swam 20.  Emma Hamilton at National Maritime museum very interesting and well presented. Jonathan Eyre excellent playing of Bach at Royal naval college and a good audience. D elicious lunch at Greenwich picturehouse before Fantastic beasts on a free ticket! Fabulous effects in New York.Watched Vienna and Chester Zoo. Darcey Bussilll on Margot Fonteyn excellent.

Swam 20. Great chat to Ann for her 60th and saw Owen and Mick - ginger! Annoyed with Tony - 9 there and he insisted on this stupid marching exercise which was too fast and 3 of us sat down. I suggested "The grand old duke of York" which worked better.  We then had a long meditation and I dropped off. I did not go to lunch as the official lunch is Jan 30th.   The Fire exhibition at the Museum of London is very child friendly and interesting. Loved see the Lord Mayor's coach and the 2012 Olympics cauldron. Watched Prince Harry in Lesotho and Vienna.

A very goo d morning at Hurtado centre with Ft Stephen and Anne looking at pilgrimage and looking back at the last year. I was surprised but what I had left out of the Christmas letter especially the bad start to the year and the consolation of joyous events later on. Watched Citizen Khan, Vienna and Chester Zoo. To Darenth Valley golf club along winding lanes in the dark to Swanley's Christmas dinner and dance. Food good but the singer/comedian in poor taste and we left at 10. The slovac joke did not amuse. 

Lie-in as woke at 4 a.m. still worried about Mr M. who has not replied to the email. Completed the Christmas letter and sent it off and cards all done. 65 not email! Decorations all up. Watched Sebag Montefiore on Spain. Meryl told me David Parker had died. Ann said Edith McEvilly had died. Watched Andrea Chenier from ROH (saw this at the cinema in January) and took presents to Dennis and Ann Marie who go to Ireland tomorrow.

Woke at 5 and 8/15 too late to swim. Ameena came to clean and the builders are at work next door! We went to Lullingstone Roman villa which has been brilliantly presented by Englsih Heritage. I drew the Rape of Europa mosaic and there was an excellent film. We went on to Knowle and met Vernon Warner volunteering for the third time. The paintings are very fine. We had tea at Sevenoaks Marks and had a bite at home before going to the Prom. I had intended to come late and miss the Boulez but it was good to get our seats and enjoyed the Ravel concerto fot the left hand (astonishing!) and the Firebird. Home to watch Simon Sebag Montefiore's series on Rome.

Friday watched the Placido Domingo Royal Opera house tribute with Joyce DiDonato and Stefan Popp. Liz brought Ciarán over and we went to bed happily in Bruce's room and slept well. We set off for Sheffield Park in good time and were on the first train to Horsted Keynes. Father Christmas gave him a Coronation Scot board game which we enjoyed. There were mirrors, model railway, games and Ciarán got a sweet! It was great. He enjoyed the carousel roundabout and a lolly. We ate at nearby Stables restaurant. Drove to Acton but I got out at Earls Court. Anthony served and was impressed by the servers. Eugene was smoke. Advent wreath candles lit before Mass again! Liz still not well. Worked on Christmas letters and cards. Byzantium and Michael Portillo on the Continent.

Spent the day resting in bed. Listened to radio 3, watched English heritage on Battersea Power station, Strawberry Hill and Sandcombe House, master chef, Simon on Byzantium. The news broke of the passing of Nelson Mandela with great tributes.Liz went to Acton. Recalling the day of his release, the first multiracial vote and visiting Robben Island.

Monday morning another scrumptious breakfast and  a lovely day. Drove to Bettys Bay and the Harold Porter garden which has an excellent eccotrail covering 4 types of vegetation including wetland, dunes, forest and fynbos. A good break and then a superb drive along the winding coast road. Arrived at airport in good time, One mark on back of car (it happened when reversing at Stan's - if he had not been there I think I would have parked at the top of the drive for the whole time!) We were covered with comprehensive so no problem. Tom tom returned - it had its odddities too like falling off its screen holder and not recognising some roads! 2 hour SAA flight to Joburg then watched victorious soccer team arriving with much dancing and singing. Liz had forgotten sunspray was in bag so that got taken away. Shopping at Out of Africa. Slept a bit on Etihad flight to Abu Dhabi and an hour there before flight to London - same hassle getting through security again. Arrived on time and an hour...

We took Liz's cakes for servers and clergy and they were much appreciated. Fr Michael at Mass so he leant on me to get up and down the steps. Took clothes to the passage. Have got most of the things out that we need for the trip. Took present to Josie and Ken was there so had a good chat. Saw the end of "The Hour" and watched 2 programmes on Rome by Simon Sebag-Montefiore.