The organist librarian

David and Marnie Watts picked us up at 5 and we had a lovely meal at their home. Marnie took us to Light's outlook for the view and we passed the cathedral and Town Hall. The gin and tonics in the garden had Liz dropping off. Such lovely people and how much they appreciated Mum and Dad's welcome to them in Tasmania when the locals were unwelcoming! David brought us back via a lookout over the city. Third day in Adelaide we toured. Adelaide oval which was great especially the old scoreboard, the press boxes, change room and soundscape as you went up to the pitch. Sheffield shield and Sir Donald Bradman memoribilia. St Peter's cathedral, Pilgrim church huge organ, RC cathedral very dark. Shopping then on free bus to Art gallery great mixed collection, W WI shrapnel moving. South Australian museum has great aborigine Pacific and natural history collections. Pasta and wine in our apartment. packed and left 8.30 a.m. Liz pushed me in wheelchair and good flight with Virgin Austr...

Tuesday we went to Taronga Park zoo on the ferry. It turned out to be a lovely day. We saw reptiles including a snake being handled, giraffes, baby elephants from Thailand and an elephant play show, Liz saw a gorilla baby. Binturong, deer, got the little train to see Tasmanian devils, platypus, wombat and nocturnal animals like echidna. To St Mary's cathedral for sung Mass by the boys and saw Thomas Wilson. He had been in Bunbury for opening of the new cathedral. Clare cooked. Wednesday to Manly after I had a swim and Liz went shopping. Had Copenhagen icecream and came back on the ferry. Ann met us at St James King Street for evensong sung by the St Mary's boys. They did well. To Circular Quay for meal with Thomas and met Mark Fisher at the opera house stage door. Took us up into the organ which is the largest mechanical action organ in the world. I played 3 pieces including Dad's march. Mark knew Mum and Dad. Thomas played Bach, Gershwin and Widor Toccata. Went right up i...

We are about to go to the airport and I am just reflecting on a delightful time with Ann and Paul. We go to Bangkok and then home on Wednesday!

Friday went for a swim although it was overcast after we had been to the Royal national park with Ann and Paul. Lunch at Bundeena south of Sydney and on to Austinmere and put toes in sea and there was a school swimming event where Ann got banana cake. Hadd coffee there. Very nice meal in the evening at Thai power and we met Mick, Claire's boyfriend. Delicious gelato in Newtown and we had champagne and chardonnay. Saturday I went to the Art gallery and an interesting photographic display, artexpress by high school students and Asian art including bronze Chinese instruments. Liz and Ann went shopping and we all enjoyed Lindt chocolate waffles. Very heavy rain. Sunday to St John's Glebe where we saw the plaques for Mum and Dad and met Bob Sutton at the organ. To St Mary's cathedral for Sung Mass - men only as Thomas Wilson away at new cathedral. Met David Morley and Michael Fletcher. To Westfield for fruit brunch and then to Christ Church St Lawrence for organ recital. Mark Q...

Arrived early at Jackson's and got tram to St Paul's cathedral. Evensong was men's voices only including Kontakion. I had an enjoyable play on the fine Lewis organ - June Nixon seemed vague and signed my copy of her voluntary on Adoro te which I played. Very fine tuba! To Spanish tapas restaurant in Middle Park where we waited an hour for paella and ate cheese and sangria. Coyuld not finish it! Had creme brulee and worked back to b and b. Thursday to airport without a problem and got 1 p.m. flight to Sydney. Ann met us and soon at Petersham. Went for a swim in the park and had a nice dinner. Trailfinders arranging return via Bangkok.

  Liz and I taken in Sydney 2 years ago at a sad time.