The organist librarian

Up at 6.20 and to vigils and lauds. Gave Liz the special card with our photo and told her about the spa package and champagne tea at the Montcalm. She gave me a lovely card and a lovely ring. Breakfast together and Louise and Tom went picking your own. Mass at 11 a.m. was farewell to Tony Hemson the organist. Only knew one of the Laudate hymns but a good setting by Peter Jones. Blessing for us by Fr Nicholas in St Benedict's chapel and then to the Parish centre but the people even those who had been on pilgrimage with us were not at all friendly! Photos outside and then an excellent carvery lunch at Hedley Lodge.Lovely framed tribute from family and hanging from Carol. Family and Carol left after lunch and had a nice rest and listened to the War Horse prom on radio and after Vespers and Benediction with Dennis the Prom of Strauss and Elgar 2 on TV so missed Compline. Dennis to the station and had wine and sandwiches in the room. Monday a little late for vigils - could not hear bel

Swam 20 and saw Claire. the photography is not well displayed, took returns parcel for Amazon to garage. Chatted to Ann and then lunch and to Cadogan Hall for first Monday prom of Rameau. Chatted to Judith and John who had seen on the bus. I was not looking forward to an hour of harpsichord based music but in fact it had a lot of variety and humour. Pity the titles were not translated from the French by Petroc or in the programme. Latte and carrot cake at Peter Jones on a voucher Liz had. Had a look at the beds but could not see the one Liz ordered for us! To Wellington Arch (at last!) for a wonderful exhibition about World War 1 memorials and the Arch itself. Great to see historic footage and the views from the top are splendid. Had a look at the Royal Artillery memorial close up - it has been restored. I have long admired the Machine gun corps memorial in passing. The Anzac memorial is also strangely understated but impressive. To Royal Academy for Radical Geometry South American ar

Woke at 6.15 and Ciaran was awake after a good night's sleep. We went to eXtremes at Horniman Museum and joined as a family member. There were interesting displays about extremes of temperature and climate and how animals and people cope. I missed mosaic and took the key for tai chi which Hendrika took so I was able to come home. Ciaran watched Alice in wonderland, Yogi bear and Thomas and enjoyed playing games and the piano. I played some Eric Coates's scores Alan had. Just after we skyped Lou and Tom he sobbed away but then played games again and ate his supper before happily going to bed asking me to sit with him as he dropped off. University challenge, Food and drink and Britain's Great War with Jeremy Paxman all excellent. Liz dropped off exhausted!

Tuesday went to Acton to get her hair cut and she was fine. I went to Holloway Road to the Dialogue society for the first time for a Faith Matters meeting with military chaplains. The Anglican chaplain did not show but we heard from the first imam now MBE and very impressive he was too. Hugo Clarke of the Curzon Institute challenged us on how we should commemorate WW1 centenary this year focusing on commonwealth soldiers. The discussion was rather dominated by some Jews and somebody wanting humanist chaplains. The Dutch idea of interfaith chaplains does not appeal - RCS would not like it nor would Muslims. Only 1% of the force declare a faith but my point is that chaplains do serve all. I got a bus to Finsbury Park, tube and train to Acton where they were watching the awful Nigella Lawson. Wed babysat Sean and took him to Acton church playgroup. I did go in the church but the person on duty scowled at me so I left. We had lunch at Osterley garden centre and they played on the soft pla