The organist librarian

11.9.17 Good breakfast woke in night. Coach tour of old Madrid stopping to see Cervantes monument. Guide Sergio got us in front of Las Meninas before other groups. I stayed in the Prado and Liz went to Segovia. Great colelction sketched El Grecos but not enough places to sit.Lovely Goyas, Velasquez, one Rembrandt, Van Dyck, Titians, Tintorettos. To Museo Thyssen-Bomemisza which covers all periods. Impressionists, Cubists, Caravaggio Had coffee and salad at Starbucks. Walked round the Royal Botanical garden - it was hot -  two sketches. To Museo Sophie Reine which is huge and not very well signed. Miros, Picassos including Guernica. Lee Lozana special exhibition just plain rude and crude. 4th floor even more modern stuff but had had enough! Tired and back to the hotel which is very well placed. Liz bought delicious Segovia confectionery. Excellent dinner at Plaza Major with singing and guitars. Tapas, lamb (too much) millefeuille. Sat with Melbourne couple. We are only Brits - Auss...

I cleaned bedroom and ironed. Liz to hospital for carpal tunnel op and all went well - she went to Josie's for the evening. I tried Wellington Arch but closed so toured Apsley House using English Heritage card. Some lovely paintings including Velasquez. To Serpentine gallery - interesting arta povera using cardboard paper rolls to make a labyrinth with mirrors and religious symbols like a Buddha statue. I did make a return visit to this exhibition and visited the Bedouin gallery as well. The pavilion is nice with lots of wild flowers. To RAH early and chatted to Beth and a pseud who has been promming since 1973 and was going home. To Royal College of Music talk about Mahler - Dr Christian was interesting on his lack of libido and guilt. He must have been hell to live with and Alma did not help at all. Met an interesting woman form Dunedin. The Mahler 2 was splendid and the conductor followed the score to the letter. Thought the National Youth choir needed more tenors and better ton...