The organist librarian

Mike came to fix last of curtains and did Glyn Close ones. Bed delivered up there by Reeves would not go through front door so will be changed! To Battersea Park for reading group lunch at Italian restaurant - £20 because of service charges added - very nice food and company. Changed underpants at M & S. Tate Britain Barry Flanagan early works - like the hares. Tea in members room which will soon be replaced by a new larger room. Vespers O antiphon said much to my disappointment. Fr Michael at mass. 4th candle reluctant to light for Eugene - sticky tape over the wick! Stopper in water came off so panic - I ended up with censer! Harley joined us. Madam Butterfly from the Met on radio on way home - Liz brought car as she brought up iced Christmas cake, January music list done - still have to decorate my cake - marzipan is on and grout my latest project.

Woke too early. Just missed a train and the one I got went through Battersea Park so I was late. Sam was running it and we discussed "The uncommon reader" by Alan Bennett. We also talked about royalty. The cuts are going ahead in July. Daphne has retired! Town centre library linked to neighbourhood library with only one manager. Opening hours cut. Had lunch at the library and read the paper - met a couple of readers I know well. To Bromley and visited Bromley library and then to Widmore Rd URC for President's recital by Michael Toplis on the Hill Norman and Beard. He played Liszt, Franck and Bach really well. I had a play after tea and the AGM went smoothly. As I was leaving asked if I woudl do an Oxbridge so I said Yes! Bus to Bromley South and arrived in good time for Vespers. Fr Tim was celebrant Palm Sunday and I was crucifer. St Matthew Passion. Home late and nice meal. Toe on right foot badly bruised and sore and back playing up.

Thursday to see Dr Attard with Liz. Worked 11 to 8 because I had done until 7 on Monday. Not a happy arrangement. Lift not working again. More weeding. Friday worked until 2. Chris D came to look at notices and arrangement. Attended Golden years reading group session - a lively group. Buses to King's to see Grandma - a nice room with a lovely view. The Catholic chaplain came to give her communion. No practice and watched part of a programme about Schubert and Embarrassing bodies.

I woke early so did more work on the Oxford trip brochure. The reading group welcomed Angela Young. Her book "Speaking of love" had proved difficult to follow because she wanted to convey the schizophrenia of the mother who is a story teller. Angela mentioned several good storytellers who would come to the library so I will follow this up as we have storytelling for children but not for adults. 9 went to Antipasto for an excellent lunch. Graham was unfortunately ill and Micky could not join us either. I had fusilli with spinach and mushroom, tiramisu and white wine all for £12.50 as the food is half price on Saturdays. Took some photos and then back to work where I have been doing clearing up and weeding the fiction again. To Vespers and Mass and much enjoyed Douai Abbey choir in blue robed and led by Dr John Rowntree. They sang a new Mass by David Bednall written for them last year with a French plainchant feel. Lovely end to the Benedictus. Philip did well as thurifer for t...

Friday's choir practice went well and we have a practice on Monday to work on the carols. Worked Saturday and the reading group met and went out for lunch at Antipasto. I went along at 12 and ordered rigatoni and tiramisu. It came quickly so I was back at the library at 1 so Elizabeth could go along. There were 12 at lunch and it only cost £10 as Graham organised half-price! To Brompton oratory where I met Liz. Rose vestments but the priest did everything including the readings and the psalm read without response. He also stands at the high altar with his back to us. Very unimpressed by it all. The homily was good but the same delivery for everything meant that it all went by in a blur! To the Royal Albert Hall and got parked near the hall. Robert Dean was on good form although the jokes were pretty bad. What do you get if you drop an organ down a mine shaft? A flat minor. And if you drop the Albert Hall on an army base? A flat major. It was a fun concert and we were wearing our br...

I seem to have omitted Isabel's 3rd visit in October to the library reading group about her latest book "Men". 20 people came as it was advertised as part of the Arts Festival.

The carpet in the studyroom at work is beginning to smell and there is evidence of water haviong seeped through the brick walls into the corridor and adult library. The tap in the kitchen would not turn off so I called a plumber ansd switched off the stopcock putting the loos out of order for an hour. The reading group was great fun with lively discussion about "A Chinese-English dictionary for lovers". Most people liked the book. At lunchtime to Battersea Park bandstand to hear the South London concert band play songs from the shows in the rain! At Mass tonight Philip, George and Brian got their server's medals at last. The Palestrina choir of St Mary's pro-cathedral Dublin sang superbly. Flor Peeters Missa Josephi and Mawby's Ave verum. On the way home we listened to the Prom - Faure Requiem and Cantique de Jean Racine. I saw Fr Seed after Mass and complimented him on his extraordinary autobiography "Nobody's child". At last I am getting to the hap...