The organist librarian

Mass and coffee. I have not been to St Michael's West Croydon for some time. The organ recitals are no longer every Wednesday in the season. Ralph Gustafsson from Stockholm played Petersson, Rinck and Guilmant really well and we were given (!) CDs by Malcolm Kemp and Louis Brito-Babapulle - they are having a clearout! Watched Japan programmes and checked guidebooks. Bruce rang about organs in Jersey to play. Antiques roadshow. Liz went to maths. 

Swam and had slow line to myself, Mass for All Souls day - fine homily from Fr Stuart. To art and cheetahs finished! Liz set off for Newcastle. Shopping at Sainsburys. First draft of Find the birds in the cathedral. Tried changing the photos to black and white. Watched Sue Perkins on the Ganges and Jacqueline du Pre playing Dvorak cello concerto at RAH for Czech musicians.  Her string broke.Joan Bakewell on Life at 100 very interesting. Cellist compilation including Andre Navarra with the Halle.  We sang Durufle Requiem at St John's for All souls. A good sermon from Fr John. Bake off an extra slice and Bad habits good orders - a real change in the 5 girls. 

Swam very quiet when I arrived but the lady who swims fast in the slow lane arrived. I see the nutty lady is still about. Mass, Henry came and is crawling! He is so cure. Paul's birthday and he had been on freefall machine. To quiet time. Liz to Acton. Skype meeting on Catenian youth matters - 4 of us and it was excellent. Bake off final. Sue Perkins pilgrimage down the Ganges.

Woke early and the dropped off so missed my swim. To cathedral for 1.30 to do first welcomer/guide duty with Jennifer. The red robe and badge certainly work but it's cold and tiring standing around. Quite a few spoke to me and asked general questions. Watched the lovely St Vincent de Paul school nativity - alas no traditional carols. Fr Brian is chaplain. Saw Ann Welch, Kate and Salvatore. Finished at 4 and went to Late Rembrandt at National Gallery - very overcrowded and lots of small pictures. Free concert in room 8 inspired by Michelangelo and Barocci in the room. The Consone quartet from RCM played Haydn, Purcell and Schubert on period instruments. Home to watch The Khans and butternut squash for dinner. Watched Sue Perkins on the Mekong - a great series. Michelangelo Entombment (is the lady on the left texting?) Haydn quartet in F minor and Purcell Fantazias played with old bows. Barocci Madonna of the Cat Virgin and child with St Joseph and the infant John the Baptist...

Liz to Acton - watched Royal year and Judy Dench. Mrs Dickens's family Christmas with Sue Perkins funny and moving. Saturday more reading and watched 2 programmes on bell ringing.

Monday my shoulder and left thigh were hurting so had a lie-in and no swim. 2 8 o' clock nights in a row. DS came and looked at self-issue preparation. Weeding. Tuesday 38 lengths although it was busy. Absolutely appalled at call from Martin Cross about painter in organ chamber painting arch and being so rude to him so did full report. Watched Sue Perkins reviving a brass band but skipped out of "One born every minute" about childbirth. Have nearly finished Bobbie Darbyshire's "Love revenge and buttered scones".