The organist librarian

Tuesday minicab to station where lift not working and train to West Brompton then underground to Earls Court then Hammersmith. Stood all the way to Hounslow west where we changed onto tube to Heathrow terminal 4. Arrived in good time and through security. On to Etihad flight for 9 p.m. but it took off late. I was soon asleep. Watched a bit of Great Gatsby had a nice meal and dropped off again. Landed at 3.15 a.m. London time in Abu Dhabi and trek to terminal to await another 7 hour flight to Joburg. Strangely computer connected to wireless network but no internet access! Flight to Joburg went smoothly. Liz’s sewing scissors were confiscated by Abu Dhabi security. I told her not to put them in her hand luggage. I listened to Mendelssohn string quintets, Franck violin sonata played by Joshua Bell, Wagner on the piano, and Szymanowski symphonies conducted by Gergiev. Picked up Avis car which is bigger than we usually have Toyota Corolla and also got a Satnav. It took a while to work ...

Saturday Dennis set off early for Ireland and Louise brought the boys down for breakfast. We went for a walk round the lake and met the couple for across the road and a guy setting off for Townsville in the autumn! Had cappuccino - it was more overcast and cooler. Ann cooked chicken for lunch - delicious!  Louise took Bruce back with her. Went to look at buying a box for his screen but it was far too big. Practised on piano for tomorrow. To Vespers and Mass and Fr John with the choir of OLEM Cambridge who were very good - not so keen on the descants. They sang My Beloved spake by Andrew Wright and Laloux. Mozart Coronation Mass Gloria. Bruce got box from Glyn Close and brought bedding home. Had a nice evening playing and singing songs from the shows. Sunday took Ann and Paul to St Michael's and they liked Fr Paul who gave a fine sermon. I played 2 of Dad's pieces and Dubois Toccata - lost one page near the end! Took them to East Croydon so they would be early at Gatwick to go...

To Coulsdon on buses and arrived early so time to copy hymns for September and "On eagles wings" for Richard Pilliner. I played Dad's march and they were prayed for. We sang "He who would true valour see" and "King of glory". Last night we had "Father hear the prayer we offer" and "Holy, holy, holy". Excellent BBC4 broadcast from Bath Abbey - the RSCM choir did really well and interesting choices from Geoff Weaver. Good that Liz and Grandma are there with Bruce. Got buses home straight away. On Skype to Dennis, Ann Marie, Clare and Ann in Sydney - Dennis had to help medically on the plane. Both very tired. Watched HDD Rivers and Mendelssohn Lobgesang well sung and played by Halle under Sir Mark Elder. Had score for first 3 movements. David Cairns was interviewed. Szymanowski Stabat Mater from Proms. Edited blog and it is now a closed blog. Jam and Jerusalem was funny. Enjoyed "Bad Catholics" thriller by James Green.