The organist librarian

Played Bairstow and Statham on Veni emmanuel and Walther Wachet auf. Practised carols and suggested singing at the station to give out the church Christmas cards with details of the services. Listened to St John's carols which featured Tippett, James Long and Michael Finnissy. To St John;s for a well-attended carols which included Goldschmidt, Archer, Lloyd and Howells  -lots of sightreading but it went well. Bridget played Bach very well  -her father died this week. Dennis and Ann Marie were there so we went for tea and cakes (which Liz had made). 

Acolyte at Mass with the Cardinal for the start of the Year of the consecrated life followed by Mass for CAFOD with Bishop John Arnold, his last Mass before going to Salford. I told him about Ashley Beck giving Evangelii gaudium out at Monday's circle meeting - he was pleased. Saw Muriel in the hall. Fr Michael very nice at 6 p.m. Mass and Advent has begun. Ben played a subtle improvisation on "this is my body" Nun danket and Wachet auf.

Friday swam 20 and was going to hear Paul Carr play at St Bride's but Liz was cooking a nice lunch of salmon so went straight to Stratford to visit the highest sculpture in Britian by Amish Kapoor on a £7 offer. Really remarkable and lovely sunset views to the City. The Aquatic centre looks great too and the Olympic stadium is being transformed. I walked all the way down and then to Acton. Louise went to girls night out. Liz was at Cadogan Hall for Marines concert which I missed. It was also the night of the 3rd talk on Evangelii gaudium. The boys went to bed OK - Sean stirred twice but was fine. Tom came back from Sydney early Sat morning - he had seen Ann, Paul and Claire.Louise's big project is finished. She made an omelette and took be to Acton Town so I got to Russell Square around 10 for the 850th anniversary of Ibn'Arabi in music and sound event at Brunei gallery SOAS. A warm welcome from Amin Hussain and Talia. There was a varied programme including guitar, singers...

Interesting webinar about Africa and the internet, Joined kabissa.org. Watched Masterchef and programme on cakes. Notes for Christmas letter. Bruce and EJ arrived from funeral in Manchester. 

Swam 18. Worked on the Cezanne. To interfaith lunch. Sarah showed us her MBE. I spoke about the humanist/Muslim meeting. Picked up robes from church.

To the Horniman to hear Yat play the Kirkman harpsichord. Although I normally do not like the sound I enjoyed it especially the Balbatre, JCBach and Le vertigo -  a fascinating piece. He was pleased we came,. Another miserable day.  To Royal Academy - delay on Jubilee line but was able to see the Anselm Kiefer which did not really impress and the fascinating Moroni which I loved. To Conway Hall for a fascinating encounter between humanists and 4 Muslims who were liberal and not really representative of conservative opinion. However the speakers were really impressive especially Sara Khan.    Jeremy was there. To music and Sean joined in more. Yat was there with Merle and Mia. A quiet afternoon and reading Shirley du Boulay. Came home to watch The Apprentice. Bruce and EJ arriving to go to funeral in Manchester.        

Swam 20. To mosaic and tai chi. Met Liz and chose a new ring which is very nice. Bruce and EJ coming next week for a funeral. Wrote an article on the visit to Montreal and sent it to 3 mags. To Beckenham Catenians and dropped Dennis's birthday card in. Ann Marie is back and they visited Louise yesterday. Mollie was scared of Sean! It was a cold night but a good meeting, Brendan Ducey was there and Ashley Beck who presented copies of Rvangelium gaudii to the circle - an excellent idea.