The organist librarian

Swam 20 which made up for missing out yesterday -got there no costume! Today was the Visitation and thought about lovely Ein Kerim and the Magnificat tiled panels. Booked 3 ENO operas for next season - had to ring box office in the end - they had old email address despite us changing that address before! The new secret seat for £20 should be good as you find out close to the time where you will sit in stalls or dress circle! I wonder what they do if everybody books that way??? On the other hand it must ensure more seats are sold. To Norwood and train to London Bridge only to find trains to Plumstead cancelled and very little advice. Luckily met Siriol and Michael Bishop of Woolwcih so to New Cross and then a long bus ride. They got off the bus too early - we got to the Greenwich Islamic centre after 2 and were ushered into the youth club in a sort of outhouse and given water and biscuits. No tea and no sign of loos. After some good speeches from Archbishop Kevin, the Bishop and local ...

Tuesday evening to Religions for Peace meeting in the cathedral hall. Rabbi Professor Dan spoke on the 2 state solution for Israel based on the Jewish ethical tradition using Exodus and the Kingdom of God. The questions were tricky and he answered them well. Pity some people made speeches and Bishop John cut them short. Jon Dal Din, Siriol and Alfred Agius were there and Hannah and Margaret. Good turnout. To Acton. Played track with Ciarán and took him to nursery - straight into the garden and the sandpit! To music and Seán is taking more interest and very strong. Louise took a back seat. "Les Miserables" a good film but obviously a stage show. Russell Crowe can't sing but the others certainly can. An od subject for a musical and somewhat sentimental. Spotted Greenwich, Bath and Oxford as the settings. To Hendon for my first Westminster Interfaith meeting with Jon, Margaret and Sr Elizabeth. Offered to do emails and updating website entries. To Heythrop for dinner and le...

I had a swim on Monday (26) and left Liz working in the garden. Drove to West Wickham and the centre is in a beautiful spot. A large and small chapel, comfortable but not en suite accomodation and excellent food. I found the company most stimulating e.g. a fascinating discussion with a young Muslim woman about marriage and the veil. I also tried out my essay questions on several people. It was particularly good to see and hear from Sayed Ali and Fr Rizwan. Dr Datta from the Women's interfaith network was a bit overbearing I thought. I did not sleep well but finished Deborah Moggach's delightful book "These foolish things" which was much better than the film. Much had been altered for the film "The best exotic marigold hotel". There was time for a walk in the rose garden and woodland and This was valuable as we were challenged about motivation and ego by Ajmal Masroor and Revd Dr Toby Howarth, advisor to the Archbishop of Canterbury.The final part on Near nei...

To Heythrop for mass and sang in the schola. Mozart Ave verum, Fr Andrew played so Gerry could conduct. I heard the voice of Jesus say and To Christ the Prince of peace. To coffee and chatted to Michael Smith who retires in 2 weeks. To Royal Academy and Liz went to see the Hockney again. I enjoyed the Zoffany although it was a but cramped and the small Hawksmoor display. Back to Heythrop for dinner and chat. Damian was 15 minutes late and Siriol did a good presentation on Peters. Raymond less so. Then went on to talk about the Trinity. Home to see Catholics on BBC4 3rd and last episode and there was Rose in the cathedral sacristy and right at the end both of use serving on a Saturday night Assumption vespers! Several people saw it. Watched the Make Bradford British part 2 and outraged by some of the racist remarks.