The organist librarian

Liz went to Anthony Albery's funeral in Sussex. Chris Chapman led a session on spiritual warfare at St Matthew's. He is excellent and was formerly a Catholic priest. Had a good chat to Anne Marie and Larissa led prayers based on Peter's denial. An excellent day the best so far - only 9 there. Watched carols from Kings' and Arundel cathedral midnight Mass -  the celebrant was not joyful. Deacon snag gospel well and the choir and Daniel Mount did well. 

Overslept - it was hot in the night and missing Liz. To Thornton Heath library where many of the art group turned up at 10. Did chat to Molly about joining us. Karen was there and we ended up having coffee downstairs and heard about the new 8 year contract! Labour won't be able to get out of that! There is a lovely children's library with a garden! To Farm Street to see Sr Campion. There for 2 hours and reviewed the year. Must try to get a better balance between going out and being at home! To erudite pre-Prom talk on Rosenkavalier and asked a question about early 20th century in the opera and commented on Glyndebourne's horrid sets! The performance was splendid although I did get lost in the vocal score a few times! The new torch I bought from Tescos is great. To Acton and saw Diana Mills at the bus stop. Slept in play room (no curtain) and thank goodness new sofa bed has been ordered. Big hugs from the boys (throughout the day). All look tanned from Egypt. Did you get t...

We set off in time for Liz to get a train from Kent House to go to Vespers. I heard the first 45 minutes of King's in the car including The Lamb and Britten New Year carol. The new carol by Thea Musgrave worked well. Not so sure about Joy to the world. The crib service and Christingle at St Michael's was awful. It was preceeded by a tape (this always annoy me). We sang quite a few carols but the sight of children tearing round the church looking for crib figures was not a happy one. Paul lost it at times suggesting that Jesus travelled on Santa's sleigh and confusing the Christingle symbols - 4 angels or 4 seasons. It just went on too long - nearly 90 minutes and I will certainly play for it again! I got to the station to find trains were every half hour so abandoned the plan to get to cathedral for 6 p.m. Mass and went to Anerley. Organ played OK and Fr Sunith mentioned me at the end. Fr Stuart remarked that I had sneaked in from the cathedral! I picked up Liz at West Nor...