Monday started a strange week in which most of my work colleagues continued their disappearing acts whilst I soldiered on with liturgical demands.

Now that the weekend was completed I was able to spend Monday and Tuesday relaxing at the beach and then going in for a funeral on the Monday evening and the wedding anniversary Mass of one of my singers. During the latter Vivian sang Edith Piaf’s Hymne a l’Amour to her husband! Two of her pupils also sang Pie Jesu by Lloyd Webber, an odd choice you might think, and you’d be right!

On Wednesday I was able to spend a few hours at the beach before venturing to work to prepare for choir practice. I had agreed with publishers OCP to pilot a new psalm resource. In the office I looked at the psalm for Epiphany and decided to re-write the accompaniment and some of the vocal rhythms. we then struggled to learn it so I provided a recording the next day.

Thursday was a housework day and then I went in to prepare the Vigil Mass for the Mother of God celebrations. The Pastor preached at this Mass and those the following day. He did a great job with the Aaronic blessing and was impressed by the ‘New Years Eve’ organ piece by Bach with 365 notes placed over 12 bars! Less impressed was one family by Messiaen’s Le Verbe from La Nativite. Their youngest child declared it was ripped off from some cartoon character’s theme music!

A recent parishioner approached me with a request to get involved with a recording project of the music of Stefan Grappelli and Django Rheinhart. I would definitely consider this when the request is put in writing!

I visited the ‘front Porch’ during the afternoon which I had previously found to be closed. Today it offered a great welcome of fine beer and food. Then I dropped closer to home and sampled further delights at Charann’s Bar and at the Longbar.

My sleep on New Years Eve had been hugely disturbed by the explosive fireworks all across the Bay. I was delighted that my next night’s sleep was better, if alcohol induced!