The organist librarian

Sunday watched Antiques roadshow and the last Upstairs, downstairs where Persie got her just reward having ruined a marriage and career. Monday the Annunciation. Liz went to babysit and all went well. To cathedral for 5.30 mass and glorious Victoria from the full choir, genuflection in the creed. Rushed to station and got train to Selhurst where Brendan Fitzgerald picked me up for Beckenham meeting. Always a pleasure to go there despite sticking to lemonade! Tuesday reading about alGhazali and watched Heavenly voices about Salisbury cathedral choristers - lovely programme including Stanford in G.

Had a good sleep and woke around 6. Liz went to evensong. Watched Crufts - lovely dogs and Upstairs, Downstairs and Room 101.

Problem with keyboard at start of Byrd 3 part Kyries so I had to sing the chord and we recovered. It worked for the Wood Sanctus and Agnus. Modern technology - I now have my pitch pipe on the organ console. We saw a Power point presentation about the stewardship campaign -  the Diocese more than half of the income and currently £267 short each week! We sang Lord for thy tender mercy's sake and the last hymn was "Through the night of doubt and sorrow". I played Bach and Franck and practised some Bach chorale preludes and Fantasias and fugues including some I not attempted before! Vicky was chatty and friendly so what is really going on is unknown! Sean did practise after service - he arrived late eating an apple! I have insisted he come at 9.20 and stay until the bell goes for Sunday school. Liz at rite of election at cathedral - 600 candidates over 2 days for the diocese! Listened to choral evensong from Hereford - superb Allegri Miserere with soaring top Cs and Byrd. The...

To evensong Noble in B minor, Howells Like as the hart. Told Adrian Tommy is leaving All Saints so I have sent an email. I was furious this morning and had to stop my reading. Email from Vickie saying she had got a deputy for March 4th so I can have an unpaid Sunday off. This would not have happened if Tommy had kept March 4th for me but someone else on Organists online got in first! So now I am out of pocket. It really does look as though I am being eased out at Couldson so maybe Upper Norwood is a good alternative as it so close to home (bus or walkable). Watched Antiques roadshow, Last Call the midwife and Upstairs Downstairs. Am enjoying the 2 books on icons Liz gave me.  Missed Dvorak and Macmillan at the cathedral this morning but got first essay done! Monday to mosaic and started new project involving flowers and a Paisley pattern. Only 4 at tai chi with Hendrika. Liz to see new mentor and tutor at last.

Lots of Cathedral folk at Sharon's - chatted to Catenian couple from Malta, Fr Tim, Julie from Nigeria, young lady from Zimbabwe, man from Ealing originally from Warsaw.Lots of nice eats including salmon, ham and Christmas cake and champagne. I was driving and gave Patrick and couple from Thornton Heath lifts. Today had a lie-in and took stuff up to Glyn Close - nearly all snow washed away. Watched Polar Express and loved it! Watched Upstairs Downstairs 2 and 3, Miss Potter (what a delight!) and a bit of Liverpool Christmas Eve service.