The organist librarian

To meditatio for the last of the series attended by lots of extras. Laurence asked me about Boris Johnson. He spoke about John Main. Made my way to Acton. Wednesday took Ciaran and Liz to school and Liz stayed for the morning hearing reading. It was raining and I took Seán to playgroup at Acton parish church hall which he loved especially the car. Photos taken. Met Liz and Ciaran at Morrisons for scampi lunch - service not that great. I took them home in the car and set off to be at Hinsley room in good time for 3.30. I bought tea things but Ann and Joan were both there. 21 came! Council of Christians and Jews support. Phiroza was late but answered the questions on Zoroastrianism well. I accompanied her on bus to Westminster. 

Liz went to opticians. I enjoyed Simon Williams' recital at Grosvenor chapel. Appropriately he played the Royal Fireworks music, Buxtehude and Mendelssohn 3. Hindemith 3 not to my taste really. Popped into Farm Street church and Royal Academy for large paintings by Li Songsong, disappointing designs by John Carter. The Daumier exhibition was far too crowded - some fine works. To SOAS Brunei gallery to see the Zoroastrian exhibition - some very fine things but poorly displayed. Hard to read the captions on the glass cases, excellent videos but nowhere to sit and watch them. The washing ritual was fascinating. Interesting display about David Livingstone.  Tea at Pret and then Louise joined us at the lovely Gate cinema to see Philhomena. A moving and funny film which made you think. Dame Judy Dench and Steve Coogan were outstanding. To Acton. Wednesday Ciaran to school in Louise's car - funny driving it again after all these years! I took Sean to music and a good turnout. Told T...

Met Sister Sheila on Thornton Heath station and told her about John Ennor being in Mayday. To Oxford Circus and arrived a little late for the meditation session at London Fo Guang Chinese Buddhist Temple in Margaret Street. No idea it was there! Very helpful guidance sheet. Coffee, cakes and chocs - my friend the monk from Battersea Peace pagoda was there. Shocked to find Mowbrays bookshop is closed. To Baker Street and walk in the rain to Regents Park mosque - Bishop John joined us and about 100. We were given a nice brochure and a very short introduction and invited to pray silently in the mosque. I thought of the psalms "O pray for the peace of Jerusalem" "Out of the deep" If only Israel would trust in the Lord! Pat Gaffney from Pax Christi and several people I know - lots of Catholics! Bus to Baker Street and underground to Rayners Lane. The Zoroastrian centre is a converted 30s cinema in Harrow - 3 million spent on it. Lunch brought from Birmingham by Sachkhan ...

I got annoyed at practice this morning - too much talking and back chat about Hilary Lystan Jones' excellent vocal tips. We sang Attwood's "Turn thy face from my sins" and my attempts to improve the diction were met with .... I played some Buxtehude and practised the Dorian. Just a minute on the radio coming home and picked up Liz at East Croydon. Dennis went over to Bow to sort out agreement so I went to the South London interfaith group AGM at St Mary's West Croydon. Excellent talks on Jainism and Zoroastrianism and I think the speakers may come to my group also a Sikh! Watched Baroque, Lark rise and No 1 ladies detective agency until Ann and Louise were on skype!