The organist librarian

6 in the choir today and we sang This joyful Eastertide. I played voluntaries on this tune by Thalben-Ball and Alan Ridout. Also meditation on Slane by Eric Thiman. Godparents Sunday was interesting. I  am afraid I know nothing about my godson Jonathan Cherry mainly because his family are dreadful about keeping in touch. Lovely evensong from Winchester cathedral .Watched Versailles. 

Saturday to the excellent Resurrection art exhibition at Farm Street and then the Guild of Musicians and singers at All Hallows by the Tower. Maurice Merrall installed as third Master. Met Stephen Bryant and Patricia Routledge. Giles used to write music obituaries for the Independent and introduced me to an organist from Cambridgeshire. Giles thought I could do a talk on the Chorus. Silk Street sinfonia played really well - Handel and Elgar and did some sketching. The violas had a lovely sound. Stephen Haylett was there and met Fr John O'Toole at the site where Thomas More died.You were only executed within the Tower if you were really important!  Excellent talk on recording. Brian at Mass and lots of servers.

A great Gandhi conference at the Wellcome lots of practical ideas. I was amused at the Delhi professor of English dressed in English public school style complete with cravat and his comments on Gandhi's views of education would put him out of a job! He advocated national service in the villages for students in India. Met a Jain studying heritage conservation at UCL and a couple from Northern Ireland. William and Gandhi foundation fold were there. The electricity and nature exhibitions are excellent and good to see a section on zoos. Life drawing at NPG very good and some progress made!

Caught up on broadcasts - Lucy Winkett on Good Friday and Norwich cathedral Easter Day both excellent!

Back at the Gate. Yesterday Met Eugene Onegin with Netrebko and Ticciati conducting superb. Today RSC Julius Caesar I am particularly impressed by Cassius played by Martin Hutson. The killing of the boy Lucius is not in the play - the innocent suffer in a revolution. Had a quiet day at Acton and time to read the play. Swam on Tuesday and Mass Tuesday and Thursday. Saw Fr Sunith. Painted a baby elephant at art and Liz was at interfaith lunch. 4 spoke on forgiveness. Fr Adrian was there. Watched Tuscany, Masterchef and Mind over marathon.Victoria Wood tribute. 

Monday slept in . Nearly finished mosaic of Bruce and 6 at qigong. Home so Liz could go to Sutton chiropodist. Couples come dine with me , heard Norwich cathedral Easter Day broadcast and Lucy Winkett's Good Friday meditiation. To Beckenham Catenians - my last PP visit. Tuesday 19 coming to sing from school on May 21! To Gate Eugene Onegin from the Met with superb Netrebko and Ticciati conducting. Steven Rose asked about Jean and Ron. I got there during overture thanks to trains and stuck behind tall man for Act 1 so moved. To Provincial council and handover to Danny. My initiatives are to continue but he talks too much and time wasted moaning about national council. Home at 11. Micj had engraved badges and I got miniature. Clive liked the scroll. 

Saturday Liz went shopping and to Botanical Gardens. I had a lovely time at the Dublin writers museum where you get an audio guide. The Hugh Lane gallery is gorgeous and loved the Renoir and Manet. Francis Bacon's studio is a mess and new wing had Irish paintings. The special exhibition of the Belgian von Meulewin did not impress. Bus to the Zoo and met up with family. Baby elephants and mangabey, lemurs, rhinos, hippo, Asian lions, sea lions, zebra and giraffe, Amur tiger really close to glass. No birds because of bird flu. Back to b and b and salad downstairs. Dropped off during BBC young dancer. Sunday got cash and met 2 Edinburgh teachers. Bus to Finglas St Candice's church - folk group at Mass did not sing liturgicallt - wrong Sanctus, Lord's prayer and Peace song but no Gloria or Lamb of God, wrong psalm then they got applauded! 6 babies for baptism - hospital chaplain did OK. Walked to pub and got cab with Bruce to airport. Home by 8. Watched Antiques roadshow. Pro...