The organist librarian

Busy day weeding music scores and dealing with game plan and Chris D came. Met community policemen. Fell asleep and woke to find Liz home from G & S show which she had enjoyed. Roisin was in chorus. Laughed a lot at "Rev". Lovely midday prom featuring Haydn quartet and Schumann Piano quintet.

Liz stayed home. To Coulsdon and found pedals not working at all as bottom C and D were stuck. Also lights on console were off - Bob found the fuse. I abandoned RVW Rhosymedre and Karg-Elert our wedding anniversary pieces and played good old John Stanley on manuals only. Nobody seemed to know "Mount Ephraim" to "For all thy saints O Lord" which is odd as we have sung it before. Teresa apologised about the email muddle up for Friday's funeral. Ann had kept aside Fairtrade muesli, biscuits and yoghurt covered raisins for me. Practised despite lack of pedals. To Croydon M & S, Debenhams, Allders and eventually Barratts where I found some Hush Puppies sandals which can be adjusted and are comfortable - £35. Unheard of for me to go shopping and loads of people about. Tidied up garden and swept patio so we could BBQ and have lunch outside for the first time this year despite the weather we have been having. New laptop on charge. Listened to prom - Schumann and Joh...

Another warm day so at lunchtime walked to St Mary's to find out where their oasis garden is. A code is needed and I met John Rattray in the street who told me how it works! I need another pair of sandals but there is no shoe shop in Balham. I did enquire in the picture framers about estimates. I am planning to alternate pictures in the lounge - change one each month as we have so many! Spoke to all staff on duty. To St Anselm Tooting - Nigerian priest going back to Rome so he got a clap. It's the first sign of celebration I have seen at this Mass which is deadly dull. I could not hear the prayers at all. Philhomena was there and reported she had seen Doris who has had bone marrow transplant. Listened to Dr Who prom which included for some unknown reason Walton's Portsmouth Point overture. Much of the Dr Who music sounds like Merlin - the kids were enjoying it. The Proms message board had some rude remarks about dumbing down but I see no harm in it. In the course of the eve...

I woke early so watched Boccanegra from Covent Garden on Iplayer. Placido Domingo was terrific - a great production introduced by Antonio Pappano.

An outstanding evensong on radio 3 from the Eton choral course - Blair, Bairstow, Wesley's The wilderness and Mendelssohn sonata No 3 first movement. Finally caught up on Peter Simpson's blog!

Thursday started weeding music scores - just like the old days! To Two brewers for farewell to Liz Sines who ran the childcare training centre at Battersea Park. So nice that her family came and nice food and white wine. Chatted to Meryl and Daphne. Always got on so well with "upstairs" and they were pleased that I went. Liz was baby sitting and helping with shopping on Friday. Home to watch prom Britten Sinfonia da requiem (on train with score but new radio Liz got me not so good) Prokofiev piano concerto No. 1 and Shostakovich 7 - stunning playing by BBC Welsh SO. Friday M was gone. Left at 2 and to Lambeth Palace exhibition. Told at 3 to come back at 4 and there might be tickets. Visited museum of garden history which was quite interesting. At 3.45 men in suits said no more tickets, closed so I protested. My only chance to go and I sent a furious email on my return home. You cannot treat public like this. To M & S for Earl Grey tea and a croissant. To Royal Albert Hall...

Painting by Samuel Bak which in "Cross purposes" but resonated with the holocaust exhibition at the Jewish museum. Met Ros and Richard from Cantemus on train to London Bridge. To the new Jewish museum in Camden Town with interfaith group - 9 of us. We were joined by Robin who used to work at Ealing libraries and is very like me! Beautiful exhibition including items from the Vatican. The museum itself is fascinating with an excellent synagogue and customs section and friendly volunteers. Had lunch of humus and roasted peppers. Edwina Currie was also lunching with Mrs Sher from Nightingale House reading group in Balham so introduced myself. Took group into Our Lady of Hal in Camden Town and bus 31 to Ben Uri gallery to see excellent exhibition "Cross purposes" - modern interpretations of the crucifixion. Plenty of food for thought. Golden crucifixion had hope. Some were very pertinent to today's world. Tea at local restaurant and everyone enjoyed the day. Bus and...