Christchurch

P.1238 we went by train to Newcastle and Philip Mathias made us very welcome. Played the cathedral organ and the university organ. Philip's son Lachlan mentioned the new ophicleide a lot. It was eagerly awaited. We all went to the Zoo. Dad watched the video of Pirates of Penzance from Coloma. We went to Bondi but it was too cold to swim.I attended a Guild committee meeting. The restaurant at the new casino was good.p.1240. Photos were taken in various costume poses. I played for the service at St John's. P.1241 played Sydney Town hall organ! We went to see the film "Sliding doors". Dad does not mention that he slept through it! Manly trip and the Catenian meeting was at the then most expensive golf club in the world! P.1242 swam at Bronte beach. Louise's results came through.in fact she did not go to university much to Liz's disappointment. Dennis went to the Cook Islands. P. 1243 we f lew over Mr Cook to Christchurch and enjoyed going to Hanmer Springs with Malcolm.  I was quite calm on parting as I felt we were closely linked through music, letters and the Eucharist. The mountains also helped a lot to be at peace. We had a wonderful train trip to Greymouth and when we came out of the long tunnel the whole train went "Aah!"at snow covered mountains. We enjoyed Akaroa.I met Daphne Griffiths 83. She gave me a lot of Vernon's music. P.1349.I played Anglican, RC cathedral organs and Town Hall. The ladies in the shop at the Anglican cathedral were very appreciative. At the town hall I won Martin Setchell by asking him to sign his piece. The RC Organists could not believe that I had been allowed to play as locals are kept off it. How silly! We renewed our acquaintance when the RC cathedral choir sang at Westminster cathedral.p.1248 Los Angeles where universal studios was again visited and the wonderful Getty gallery. A great concert at the Hollywood bowl conducted by Ivan Fischer. I bought a lovely tie.

Fr Daniel French

P.1168 Dennis planning to go to the Cook islands in 1998. P.1170 recording of Brahms Requiem at the Albert Hall. P.1173 all 3 of us had spoken to Prince Charles at the reception after the Brahms. Dad thinks this was at the Albert Hall but I think it was the Festival hall. We never got the chance to tell him we met in the chorus and we now had Louise singing with us! P.1176 Midnight mass recording. P.1182 the new organ at Addiscombe at last .Paul Moynihan and Fr Peter very supportive. Paul would relay Fr Peter's enthusiasm for my playing e.g. Crown Imperial on Christ the King. He once commented that I had played the homily before Mass when I played "Come unto him" from Messiah to match the gospel. P.1183 Dad visited 2 houses for us and clinched Enmore Rd T upper St which was near Ann. Brendan O'Connell had tried Catenians - The possible house in Gordon sounds huge! Brendan arranged for me to visit most of the Sydney circles. P.1185 Richard Hurford and the Guild. Louise was going for university interviews and Nellie was reluctant to offer overnight accomodation. She insisted her new hip had made her an invalid  p.1185. P.1188 they never planned to stay! P.1192 Louise at Huddersfield and visiting Nellie.
P.1193 I had been in touch with Philip Mathias at Newcastle cathedral. We replaced our Escort with a Ford Fiesta. Dennis going to South India to help in hospitals.Catenians gave him a bursary. P.1193 organ improved which did not go ahead.p.1199 saw Dennis off. P.1202 why Addiscombe went digital.- the real reason was space. It was true that the church would be full Good Friday, first communions and confirmations.  p.1206 Daniel French's ordination Bernstein involving percussion and Adrian conducted and Palestrina. The real sensation was Salve Regina from Sister Act during first blessings which we sang twice. Daniel came to dinner and could not open his car so I drove him back to the presbytery where the Polish priest appeared in pyjamas to let him in. Next day after Mass brought him back to our street. He had tried to open the wrong car! bishop John Jukes did the ordination. Everything was ready but he insisted on seeing me beforehand about the Veni creator. Fr Peter said you don't have to come. I pointed out  t hat I was due on  t he organ in 2 minutes. Oh they can't start without me. Later Paul said they could start without the bishop. The bishop explained everything that was already in the booklet. - infuriating! Daniel organised neon vespers and had loads of confidence preaching. In Canterbury he married and is now an Anglican priest in Salcombe.