The organist librarian

Swam 20 wrote minutes of council. I was up early and wrote a measured response to David Wright and Stephen. He pulled out of the recital over the typesetting of the programme! Talk about nitpicking. I should never have agreed to Stephen's suggestion. He appeared not to know the audience would be so small. He is 85 and lives in Boston. It looks as though I may have to play. To Odeon Kensington on Overground to Olympia and bus to see the beautiful Far from the madding crowd - loved the music and scenery and excellent acting. Liz went to Holland Park. I went to RA summer - liked the bright coloured walls and the arrangement. William Kentridge South African and brown etchings of Galapagos. Some fine landscapes. Schools exhibit closed. Tea then to Cassart to get varnish. 

A quiet day - 3rd of 4 Saturdays in a row. Reading group went well - 7 came and had enjoyed Hardy's Woodlanders. 8 for silk painting. Liz needed the car as Louise was going on a Mothercare shop with her and Grandma. She picked me up. Smoke vespers with Fr Michael Archer wearing a magnificent blue cope for the Assumption. Met John the new intern from South Wales. Tribal choir of Galway came over specially to sing at Mass - Bruckner Ave Maria, Mozart Spatzenmesse and best of all Rachmaninov Bogoridtse. They did well and David Grealy was playing - he used to sing with them. Listened to Stravinsky Orpheus on way home from the prom and enjoyed BBC2 recording of Handel prom with the 16 including alto Ian. Watched Jam and Jerusalem part 1.

Wednesday Liz returned from Dublin and we met at Victoria. I had been to Vickie in the morning to choose hymns for July. I then got the train to St Michael's for the recital by Francesca Massey of Peterborough Cathedral. Had fish pie with her. It was a puzzling programme - Whitlock Fanfare, Purcell and Mendelssohn in D minor, a prelude by Messiaen and then the overlong Toccata by Patrick Gowers. Perhaps too much minor! She does play very well. I finished reading "The Woodlanders" by Thomas Hardy - a delight. To Hinsley Room for interfaith group. Rachel Heilbron of Three Faiths forum could not make it because of the tube strike. There were 7 there and we had a lively discussion ranging to Sri Lanka and the walk I had been on Saturday. There were no buses going up Whitehall so we walked the last bit to Horse Guards. For £12 we had an excellent seat at the back of the stand near the clock. 260 musicians of the Royal Marines bands made a stirring sound and the programme was ...