The organist librarian

Phoned about hearing appointment (Aug 23) and cruise in Russia. Liz at Glyn Close and Ocado came. To Streatham for South London interfaith group lunch - met minister from Madras Emmanuel. Discussion about terminology interfaith rather than multi-faith was quite wideranging. Nice lunch. Served at Mass for eve of Sacred Heart - the Nuncio Abp Mennini has little idea of singing the right chants! Diamond jubilee of Pope's ordination. Men only. Karg-Elert Nun Danket at the end. ENO for new production of "Midsummer Night's dream" was most imaginative and caught the sinister nature of the music very well.

Tuesday watched programme on English National Ballet and perfume - fascinating! Slept well but woke at 5.15 a.m. A perfect day weather excellent. To music and Ciarán much more involved. Had coffee and he had his lunch. To 12.30 Mass for SS Peter and Paul at Chiswick. Shopping for storage bags for quilts, sewing kit, anti-fox stuff and replacement ducks for Ciarán as one went down the loo! To Ravenscourt Park and ate at the cafe there. Liz and Ciarán had a paddle and he enjoyed the slides and car. Did not want to go in buggy rather try and make out how to fix it together. Got 3rd bus that came along previous 2 full of buggies. All 3 of us exhausted and watched Apprentice on return home. We were out 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.Met Alison Williams Putney branch librarian on train - cuts start this week and privatisation in 2012.

Swam 22 lengths - twinges in back again but carried on. More about family history from Peter Stanhope. My grandfather was adopted by his aunt and his brother Robert went to British Columbia. Looks as though should be able to go back further to my great grandfather. Richard came about the windows and amazed that the discount means not such a high price to replace front and bedroom and bathroom windows and guttering as well. Scaffolding can stay up so house can be painted!

Did some tidying up and changing of quilts - very hot today! To tai chi and then to library to pick up reserved items - Fiona and Susan there as the cuts come in next Monday involving changed closing times and staff moving around between branches! To park and reading Tablet and King's speech. Osteopath Stephanie says pain in right foot is arch dropping slightly. Checked my reflexes and response in right leg not as good as in left. Came home as so hot. Wimbledon exciting. Nadal on great form. To Beckenham Catenians and long chat to President of Tunbridge Wells. Watched Fake or Fortune about a Winslow Homer painting.

Music Sunday began with a broadcast celebrating the New Methodist hymn book. At Coulsdon we sang John Harper's choristers prayer and When in our music God is glorified. I play John's Triptych of the Holy Trinity. We also sang O praise ye the Lord and Angel voices. Sean turned up and is an good treble for 8 - great potential and the girls responded well too. Practised pieces and picked up Liz. Did not go to lunch at church for couple over from Oz as we had chicken at home. Dennis was at Glyn Close. Put away the 2 collapsible greenhouses as Liz has done most of the planting. Fox got at boxes in front garden. To St John's for joint service with All Saints The Word revealed 400th anniversary of King James Bible. Some good hymns and Handel and Mendelssohn "How lovely are the messengers". Tom played Suite Gothique. Had tea before service and nice to see Martin from Glyn Close. Surprisingly we did not do Tom's SAB anthem. He and Bridget enjoyed the dinner last night....

Saturday to cathedral for 12.30 p.m. with the Archbishop to celebrate 20th anniversary of Slovenian independence. I was acolyte, boat and book! Only 3 servers with Paul. Started with Oh Lord my God and ended with O worship the King. Good choir and soprano soloist who surprisingly sang the National anthem which was rather tuneful. The Acrhbishop of Ljubljana spoke rather too long as did a priest and then a presentation to the Archbishop.I recalled my visit to that city in 1959, I returned home for lunch and then took car to Bromley Parish church and train back to Victoria. Smoke vespers and Mass with Fr Tim who is to retire to Rickmansworth. Swavek is off to Enfield and Kingsley is going too. The diocesan children's choir were dire in Panis angelicus again! Train to Bromley South and bus and arrived at the Parish church at 8 p.m. Dennis was already there. Very nice meal and 42 there. Carl Jackson spoke well and so did Venerable Peter Lock who loves Beyond the Fringe. Home at 11 p.m...

Friday a.m.lie-in and good breakfast. To Nottingham castle and art gallery - loads to look at including costume and history. The Long gallery has loads of pictures some very fine especially Dame Laura Knight. Armed services day and watched abortive attempts to get a large mortar through the gates! Bus to station and train to St Pancras and tube and overground back to Acton. Ciarán delighted to see "Andad"! To Mill Hill for a shabbat meal at Claire and Michael's attended by Catholics, Jews, Quakers and Hindus! Good to chat to Michael who has done the Heythrop course. Most interesting and lovely food and singing too. Lots of road closures on the route back through town.