The organist librarian

Swam 30 and Liz came too. Grouted my mosaic Maltese cross and then to St George's hospital and Edward fitted and set up new aids which are brilliant. I can hear higher frequencies again and I kept them both in all day. Public transport is noisy and I had to adjust car keys as I could hear them jingling. It has a loop facility and a mute as well. May be too loud! To Vickie's to do January music. A bit deflated to find PCC have discussed advertising for a director of music for every Sunday but this will depend on choir showing more commitment. I pointed out that the children were making excellent progress with me and that I would love to play in the Catholic church again. But why now when so much is coming up? To pick up Caroline who wasn't at the agreed place so to Orford House and Woodcote Grove house for Lights of life carols -  4 choir came. Last year is was under snow! Mince pies and tea provided.

We started with I look from afar by Palestrina and sang the Wood in the Phrygian mode setting and Martin How's Advent message. I played Peeters on Conditor alme and Lloyd Webber on Helmsley. Baptism well attended - even people in the gallery! Bought some cakes. Kids singing well. To lunch at Exhibition Room Crystal Palace - lovely beef and chocolate brownie. Bit annoyed by service charge being added on but lovely food and good to see them. Advent carols from St John's included Giles Swayne and Jonathan Harvey. To Southwark cathedral for carols - candle burnt right down! Wesley The Wilderness, This is the record of John and Boyce Where shall wisdom be found. The new Maxwell Davies Advent calendar written for the Queen's Jubilee choir book is effective. The 2 choirs were joined by the choir from Richmond, Virginia. Great hymns and super Bach Toccata in F at the end. Liz went to Advent carols at South Norwood baptist church. Antiques roadshow.

Friday to St George's Beckenham for Norman Harper's recital. Super Liszt BACH and Wachet auf then hilarious hornpipe by Noel Rawsthorne and Departure of the Queen of Sheba by Paul Ayres - great jokes. Gave Mass music to Dorio who is still having problems with bullying priest and bishops have been! Liz went over to Chiswick and to Enfield for Swavek's induction. To St John's for recording of superb evensong by King's London - Vittoria and Bach. At choir Tony Trent came but no Karen or John. Janet went home sick. Oh dear. Saturday to Heythrop for Advent retreat Prof Richard Price Heythrop prof of theology on Augustine - I commented on the words from the Cross. Met Liz and she came for tea int he convent. Sr Hilda gravely ill. Talk on Marie Eugenie Assumptionist founder - a remarkable woman. To Vespers (late) and Downside Abbey school choir sang well at Mass - Bruckner, Christopher Tambling conducted by Edward, Byrd. Farewell party for Sr Bridget with some Irish singin...

To Streatham for the South London lunch and Jon Dal Din was there. Turns out Fr David has retired to South Norwood! Good meal and information sharing. The Bexley book is all wrong! Home to do some reading. Served at mass for 25th anniversary of Cardinal Hume centre and Archbishop Vincent gave an excellent homily. 3 monks of Worth were there so greeted them. Liz had first confirmation meeting with Fr Paolo. To Red Gallery in Shoreditch for interfaith exhibition and party sponsored by 3 Faiths forum. Art disappointing although there were some nice silkscreen prints of calligraphy. Good Jewish choir singing but downstairs noisy and hot so came away. Watched Rev. Symphony and The Slap - all excellent. Friday am to Addington for scan for aortic aneurysm - all clear. Liz panicking about Powerpoint presentation so showed her how to do it.

In my discussion with Rabbi Julia she praised Cardinal Cormac but admitted Archbishop Vincent was an excellent speaker but she is not impressed with him about the Big Society. In another restless night I dreamed about meeting the Cardinal after cleaning the floor of his room. He offered me a tip which I refused. My point was that he took a while to get to know whereas Vincent knows names! Swam 26 yesterday and 22 today and Liz came. We were given a day off by Louise!

The family returned safely from Ireland where Ciarán enjoyed the farm and slept in a bed! To Heythrop on Tuesday and 4 for chat before lecture - Ben seems very odd indeed. Damian was amusing. On return home found I got 60 out of 100 for my first essay so happy with that. Wednesday to serve at the St Cecilia service for Musicians Benevolent Fund. The 3 choirs were stunning - Victoria Ave Maria, Ronald Corp's Laudate dominum with a perfect boy soloist, Croce and Elgar Great is the Lord. We had a perfect seat on the sanctuary to watch Martin Baker at work. Dame Felicity Palmer read a section from Pope Benedict perfectly and the Archbishop gave a wonderful address on music - love and adoration, communion, maybe music is the answer to the losses on our society? To M & S for tea and toasties. Excellent evensong from Windsor. To Streatham liberal synagogue to hear Rabbi Baroness Julia Neuberger launch her book "Is that all there is?". She spoke about caring, dying, volunteer...

Gareth is a National Treasure - the final programme of the choir was most moving with the military wives singing at the Royal Albert Hall. Also watched Frozen Planet (amazing) and Young Apprentice HarryM escaped again - he must go as he is a pain! My first Christmas cake smells gorgeous. Spoke to Lyn and Rosemary. We are now on BT Infinity.