The organist librarian

Sunday August 1st which would have been Grandma's birthday. Went into Saint Sebastian church Mass ab oriente. Mozart Mass with large choir and orchestra at the Dom. Host fell on floor but I just picked it up and consumed it - because of a balustrade. Sat at cafe Tomaselli - balalaikas and harp in squares. Icons display. Went on river cruise - very hot. Michael Haydn museum and returned for hammerklavier recital of Haydn, Clementi and Beethoven. Gregorian vespers at St Peter's. Mozzarella salad and iced tea at cafe next to Festspielhaus - concertgoers beautifully dressed. After dinner sat on hotel terrace. Monday August 2nd to Berchtesgarden - fantastic panoramic views and coach ride up and lift. To the village - 3 nice churches, cake and coffee. Lovely cemetery and public gardens. Back to Salzburg via the castle. After dinner rest of party went to Marionette theatre Magic flute but we went to a fine organ recital on both organs in St Francis by a Polish organist who even played...

July 30th set off from Munich to Oberammergau in the Bavarian Alps. Lovely 4 star hotel at Bad Kohlgrub which made up for not staying in the village. We had a large suite with balcony - must be one of the best hotels we have ever stayed in. To Oberammergau for the play starting at 2 p.m. Audience of 4300 rapt by the fine chorus and orchestra and the enormous cast and stunning tableaux vivants. Supper at 5 and visited the Catholic church before the play and Lutheran communion service in the evening. Met Eleanor from the cathedral! Second half 7.30 to 10.30 - special blankets we had bought came in useful and tiny torches we had brought to follow the text. Taking Jesus down from the Cross was so calm and beautifully done - it was intensely moving and then came the Easter scene with echoes of the Vigil and candles in the darkness. So often the music exactly matched the mood. We were fortunate that a damp start cleared up although it got cold later on. Had hot chocolate at the hotel or rath...

Me on a BMW bike for the first time, Jewish museum, Oktoberfest, Musical instuments Thursday July 29 we went round to Carat hotel from the Muller to meet the South Africans who had flown in that morning and we all very friendly. They were doing a tour of the city but we opted to go to the new Jewish museum next to the new synagogue and were most impressed not least by the cartoons and the photographs of Israeli families. Next door is the Stadt museum which featured a special display about the Octoberfest, wonderful musical instruments and puppets. All shown with German thoroughness. Liz was keen to go the BMW museum at the Olympic park so we got the underground and it proved to be a magnificent building and a very fine display. There was an excellent display of world architectural projects with models and photos and I had my photo taken on a BMW bike - another new experience! We ate in town with the group after Fr Colin led us a wild goose chase finding the restaurant.

An awful lot has happened since my last blog so apologies for the long gap! We now have a swish new laptop and gone are the days of the long wait for the computer to finally decide to fire up! On 27 July we slept at Louise's ready for the journey to Heathrow terminal 5 on the Wednesday. The car was duly handed over in the car park to purple parking valet service (a first for us). The BA flight to Munich was an hour late and only got nibbles. Very easy transfer to the hotel on train and underground but on arrival informed that the hotel was full. However no problem at all as we went round the corner to their other establishment which was excellent. Got the underground to the Residenz for a splendid concert in the Cuvillies theatre by opera students showing off their end of year achievements. A lovely rococo building and a charming couple in our box right opposite the stage. Very impressive mezzo and bass, tenor not so good. Afterwards to an old pub on the Odeonsplatz for risotto, ra...

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...