The organist librarian

Up at 7 having woken several times as the bathroom light was on. Henry slept right through. He wanted Daddy and Paw patrol again! Got him dressed and we took him to nursery. Breakfast when we got back via Gloucester Rd. To Mass at Anerley. To Vaughan House but first Marks for lemon drizzle cake, Smiths for 90th birthday card for Ivor and they did not have candles so to Paperchase to get birthday cake candles. Meeting at 11 - Catharine from ACN did not come and Louise had to go to work. Alison Smith was a real asset and it was a good session. To Il Posto for Liz's birthday lunch with Roger - it was most enjoyable. Had raviolini. Liz went to Acton for school bingo and I came home. Did some work on the auction emails, cleared up the back bedroom. Listened to MacMillan while reading. Heard some of Stephen Cleobury's final concert from King's RVW Serenade to music, Howells Coll reg Magnificat and Elgar Give unto the Lord with orchestra. Howells cello concerto. 

Back to the pool and swam 20. Helped clear up back garden emptying baskets many of the plants died in the heat. At the quiet day and praying for Eileen McDade on her last journey. Fr Andrew Gallagher quoted Gerontius in his homily for feast of the guardian angels. My work is done, Alleluia. Returned scores to Balham library. Plainsong Salve Regina Tavener Hymn to the Mother of God Sheppard ‘Gloria’ from Cantate Mass Eric Whitacre Sainte-Chapelle Wylkynson Salve Regina a9 Fayrfax Aeternae laudis lilium Gabriel Jackson Ave Maria Tavener Hymn for the Dormition of the Mother of God James MacMillan O virgo prudentissima (new commission) Sheppard ‘Agnus Dei’ from Cantate Mass Dennis took me to the 16 Enduring voice pilgrimage at Croydon Minster which I enjoyed. Saw Denise Mead, Judy, Joy, Geoff and Gill Hope.At the quiet day Sr Agatha spoke of God as lavish, overwhelming and everflowing. So often with music I have felt this and it certainly applied to the 16 concert!

Peter Stevens played so musically at St Michael Cornhill. Bach, Byrd, intriguing MacMillan, Franck Priere, Durufle Sicilienne and a blistering Toccata. Superb!Really enjoyed Food at V and A with Nelson Ferreira. Thanks Nelson! Big discussion over latte about sponsorship for the exhibition. Very exciting. Liz to maths and I went to Beckenham circle. 

Good chat to Ann. Trains affected by signals failure and came back on buses. St John's Caterham fete. Several people had a go on the organ. Good to meet people. Gave Jonathan Heaton a lot of Paul's organ muisc - Marilyn Harper is his teacher. Nice hot dog and bought an elephant which needed a wash, watercolour pencils and cakes. To Mass at St Edmund's Beckenham (recorded music from Handel's Messiah cut off short - it's like slashing a masterpiece). A good homily from Fr Beck. Appeal from finance committee. To St George's Beckenham for the Sixteen Palestrina, Allegri and best of all James MacMillan. Saw Janey Maxwell and her Mum, Ian, Nick Wibberley and his fiancé. A good audience too but such a pity the programme had no texts and translations.

Mary Beard on civilisations and religion is strangely rather dull. An inspiring morning with Stephen Power SJ at Hurtado centre then Whitechapel gallery to see Mark Dion loved the zebra finches and art for the Elizabeth line. Tremendous James Macmillan Romero a special appeal at evensong at Westminster Abbey. Reuben Thomas and Graham Neal singing and saw Martin Pendergast and Canon Stanton. Worth the long stand in the queue. What a pleasure to see Fr Brian O'Mahony - it really has been a day for meeting people. Canon Christopher at Mass Rebecca there

Lie-in after last night's late night. Liz to servers Mass in Newcastle and fireworks. To coffee concert at St John's humorous delightful wind sextets by Mozart and Beethoven by Sonnet. Sat with Ray who comes to meditation - his daughter Elaine went to St Chad's a year ahead of Dennis. Watched cellists and listened to Romero and Salisbury evensongs. Also 3 Living with the Gods. Did C of E safeguarding online training. Paul Tobin as sacristan thurible stand in wrong place and no gospel book on altar. Engaged couples blessed by Fr Martin who gave us a thumbs up. Claudia back. Cleaned wax of cassocka and left one for Paul. Programme on Harry Potter and magic uninspiring. Golden gate bridge programme. 

Not a good start. Came out of Purley station to see rail replacement bus driving off. I pointed out to the staff that my train was delayed and he replied that he did not know and station staff should have told him. As a 30 minute gap now on 407 which I could have done in the first place or better still drive. Have complained to southern. Lost practice time.  Played Bach and Walther on Liebster Jesu. Sang David Ogden's Christ has no body. Dennis took Liz to Mass and took us for roast pork lunch at the Conquering Hero. Talk on Europe. MacMillan European Requiem impressive, Beethoven 9 less so. Soprano not good, flute not in tune. 

More work on the life story blog including photographing old photos for inclusion and finding diaries from 1962 and 1963. I had my first organ lesson in 1963 aged 16 so if you take away a gap of about 3 years when I came to London I have been playing for 50 years! Father Brown X 3 still quite a lot to catch up on. Cannot find the Bible Grandma and Granddad gave me but I am sure it will turn up. I am feeling much better for the rest and have finished the antibiotics. Cough is better too.sets Liz went to choir and did some shopping - she missed the airbnb lady - the refund is going through. Saturday made one of the new sets of drawers and wrote some more of the book. Amici Coro at Mass and they were good. Watched Dawn French.

Swam 20. To mosaic and the green tiles are perfect for Mary's robe, did the orange sections and started on the gold. Cadogan for an excellent Prom Apollon Musagette quartet playiing lovey early Webern written as a love piece (very suitable for our 41st anniversary), Coln Matthews and Beethoven. Excellent lunch at Ask Italian Gloucester Arcade with Pimms - 25% off too! I went to see the Luxury and Indian and Burmese 19th century photos at V and A. Liz went to OLV and shopping.  Most interesting discussion of the trial of Oscar Wilde but my question was not broadcast! Wilde's grandson was there.  Bravo BBC Scottish and Donald Runnicles Triumphant Mahler 5! Much as we liked parts of James MacMillan's 4th symphony there was just too much going on! Had he been in the monastery enjoying the bells? Home to water garden and watch CBeebes Prom which Ciaran went to. Whitlow on middle finger of right hand still hurting a but. 

Swam 20. Saw Dr Ojo - he laughed when we asked about going up Machu Picchu "You're 68 not 88!". To art and finished the rugby picture. Disappointing that a glass case cannot be found to show my mosaics - the one we used last year at the pool is broken. To interfaith lunch and made announcements. Ivor's sisters were there from Australia. Chat to David Standley about a Christian who became Muslim. To dentist and she did bottom left fillings. She has changed her mind about the right hand side and says one is to be extracted! We both went to St John's for Thomas Trotter's recital which was excellent. Stanford, JSB, Hollins, Holloway and Mendelssohn. The Macmillan was quite challenging. Helen Murphy was there! Dennis and AnnMarie dropped in. Several more returns about alley gate. Proms passes came.

Friday Liz took Sean to London Zoo. John was at Wychcroft for SPIDIR course day with Graeme Watson on the Song of Songs. excellent. Saw photo of Jean  Jean Yearwood  and Marie King. Ann-Marie gave me a lift from Caterham. Liz made a fuss about her flowers but n fact theyw ere OK. Alarm call in middle of night but nothing wrong.  Sat Louise and Tom back from the wedding in Ireland. While Ciarán was at swimming after his sleepover Sean and I made tents in the bedroom and read fairy tales. Back to the cathedral - I have not been there for 4 weeks due to holidays and illness! Did programmes for concerts.  Watched the Trooping. Ciarán "Why is the Queen so old?" "Why do the men ride on horses?" Sir James Macmillan, Karen Armstrong MBE.