The organist librarian

The final Etihad flight to Heathrow went smoothly. Watched "Cactus" "It happened in Vegas" which was funny and "The Visitor" which is about immigrants and might change a few minds. Landed early 6.30 and home at 9.l5 p.m. Sunday to church and we sang John Harper's attractive Hymn for Matthew as we were celebrating his day. Liz went to celebration at White City and we all met up for lunch at Lou and Tom's. bruce came too. It being London Open day I had hoped to get to the Ismaili centre in Kensington but ended up parking outside the Institut Francaise and saw the library - 1930s. We watched part 1 and 2 of "Tess of the d'Urbervilles". Monday 83 emails to deal with and various things. Ryan had stuck a poster on the front window because the sun got in his eyes - - why nobody removed it is beyond me. New staff starting this week which is good but Rachel has to go to occupational health in October so another delay. Did not go to RSCM commit...

Tuesday we set off picking up Josie and Grandma and parking at APH parking and getting the coach to Gatwick. Liz had requested full assistance for both ladies. Bruce met us there and we started out with 2 wheelchairs one of which Bruce pushed. However once through security we were in a holding area where we ate our lunch and the ladies had to climb onto the buggy. At the plane we could walk on but no wheelchairs! One lady went down the stairs as the doors to the corridor to the plane were shut! Ryanair are pretty hopeless - it's basically a cattle truck. The steward was apologetic and assured us of full assistance at Dublin. There we waited on the plane and in fact the bus took us to near passport control. Picked up the Toyota car without a problem - comfortable and a big boot. To the Ardmore hotel in Finglas where people started gathering. Dennis very anxious about suits so Bruce and I went straight with him to Black Tie. Mine fine. Had a nice meal in the bar. Dennis was summoned ...

As the lift at Louise and Tom's was not working everyone gathered here and Louise cooked delicious terrine (salmon, turbot and herring) Irish pie and specially for me lemon meringue cake! We had a good lunch and then took Bruce up to Grandma's where he put up a new curtian rail in the lounge. The man has been working for 7 weeks on the new bathroom! I had to make 2 trips home looking for a hacksaw. Watched Lark rise. Louise starts a new job Monday.

No rose vestments at Coulsdon. Teresa got 3 kids to light candles on the wreath but did not light the pink one! We sang Bach's "Zion hears" and I missed the repeat so managed to get back on right track again! We also sang "The Lord will come and not be slow". Walker's "Stay awake" and Palmer's "When is he coming" both going well. I played Bairstow and Statham on "Veni emmanuel" and Gordon Giles has an excellent meditation on this hymn in his book "O come Emmanuel". A lovely Christmas lunch with Louise, Tom, Bruce and Josie. Big turkey, spinach soup, ginger and pear souffle, Christmas pudding. To the hospital with Bruce and Josie to see Grandma who has moved wards for the 3rd time - this time to the urinary one. Watched Antiques Roadshow, the last Cranford and last Parkinson. David Beckham on his best behaviour!

Have now starting prioritising work and I produced a listing of our current workload and prepared an email about a workshop with Nigel Groome in November. Louise and Tom came for Sunday lunch with CD of the wedding photos which are superb. Had a quiet afternoon enjoying sunshine and watched some old programmes. Songs of praise for harvest, Antiques Road show, Michael Palin in Bulgaria and Turkey. Interesting book on Olivier. Handel prom. Also cleaned kitchen floor and hoovered. Fed the birds.

  Sunday lunch! Ann and Louise in celebratory mood!

Liz had collected Louise and Tom from Acton and we had a lovely lunch with champagne ending with a chocolate and cherry birthday cake for Tom's 32nd birthday. We got confetti into their flight bag but Daisy the big case proved inpenetrable. Still we tied balloons on the car and just married ribbon everywhere and used some of the peacock decorations from the wedding on the table. We sang the wedding song to the Londonderry air which I had found for the reception but never got to sing(!), "O no John!" and "I'll walk beside you" which was sung at Mum and Dad's wedding. We took them to East Croydon station and they flew off to the Maldives. We then drove to Travelodge Kew and Dennis took AnnMarie back to Harlow and then came to Kew.

Swam 30 lengths. Took Ann to the library and went on to Louise and Tom's for an excellent lunch. We did the wedding service booklets. Then Liz came home and Tom went swimming. Louise, Ann and I went by tube and DLR to Canary Wharf to visit Bruce at the Evans cycle shop. He had safely ridden home from Bath. We really enjoyed "The Merchant of Venice" at the Globe. We had excellent seats and all acted so well. The programme is enlightening on the problem aspects of the play which I know very well as I studied it for matric and acted in it too! Here are Louise and Tom opening Ann's lovely present from Tasmania made of sassefras wood and Ann's photo of the Globe stage.

The organist librarian: Happy Easter! http://revprs.blogspot.com Just discovered a superb singing of the Exultet on http://godzdogz.op.org Both these sites are favourites! Easter Sunday and the organist pulls out all the stops to catch that feeling of triumph! At Coulsdon we sang Haydn's little organ Mass St Johannis de Deo, This joyful Eastertide and the Celtic Alleluia! At the end I played Herbert Howells' Saraband for the morning of Easter. I see there is a Howells on My Space! Picked up Grandma and drove to Acton for lunch at Louise and Tom's - delicious belly of pork and chocolate pudding. Bruce joined us and Liz came straight from the cathedral where the choir sang the Vierne setting. Unusual for us to miss evensong or vespers but we were both tired out. Watched Aled Jones on TV learning to play the drums!

Here are Louise and Tom (Maher).We are so happy for them both. The wedding will be very special and it will be at Our Lady and St Edmund, Chiswick.