The Italian Job

that's the film.

Top stuff.

My Dad had a number of minis; a minivan when he met my Mum and then a mini traveller complete with wood cladding. When I was two we went on holday to Switzerland via relatives in Paris. Equpped with my plastic animls that came free in cereal packets, I was able to strike out into the Alps and plant my lions and camels in the snow.

Speaking of the alps they are now pushing said minis out of the back of the coach.

Not long til the cliff hanger...

Minis; you always knew they would beat the Fiat police cars.

Pope Benedict XVI

on music.

leaving aside thoughts of monks in Solesmes kissing the bench in front or indeed the floor when they presumably made a mistake and other salutary thoughts on the Rule of St Benedict and the chanting of psalms, we surely can't expect the Pope to single handedly do everything for us?

I say when stuff needs to change there are 3 things to do.

Do it yourself.
Support the people who are doing it.
Pray for the people who have to effect the change.

Chant Tour Day 3

Back at the ranch for Mass I, Credo I and so on.

Chant Tour Day 2

The pics are here from the day's mastermind, Clare

PS If you ever sing there and your Mass starts on the hour, do leave lots of time before singing the Introit. The bell feels close to the organ loft and la-la-la BONG la-la-la BONG whilst being aurally interesting for the congregation, is distracting for the choir.

As you can imagine there are lots of BONGS at midday. More than 12.

PPS Great recusant history to explore with a chapel in the roof space and a priest hole. Proper stuff.

Blessed Francis Bell pray for us.

Chant Tour Day 1

Took the high speed train from London to Ramsgate. Blink and you are at Ebbsfleet. Blink again and Ashford etc.

Arrived early and sat atop the cliff reading the music. The never before sung together schola arrived and had a practice in the beautiful, beautiful church.

Parish choir did their thing in a most accomplished way with their very adept organist.

Thanks to zepherthingy for the lift home - quite a way.

And congratulations to Fr Holden on having the Mass in the amazingly beautiful, beautiful Pugin church.

The refreshments afterwards were really nice too and we were outside, which we do not take for granted in England.

And there we are. Gregorian chant, I've decided, is like being in an orchestra. You can just practise it and a very large amount of stuff is given, because that's the tradition folks. You just slot in. No conversation necessary with the priests because it's just the same as anywhere.

In an orch, you listen, watch, play, do the gig and then go to the pub.

Day 2 starts with getting to Brighton by 10. Time to make that happen.

Tide is turning?

1 Friday abstinence is coming back as a rule.

2 Methodists are finding somewhere other than Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral for their 'ordinations.' (Well done Countercultural father.)

3 We may get our holydays of obligation back.

The Tablet - running scared.

Don't know anyone my age who reads it...the demograpic solution.

Still, nice they let us read them ripping into UE and priests in general and implying all sorts of nasty thing, all for free.

Just worked out that during my half-term I shall sing at 6 Latin Masses, in Ramsgate- St Augustine's, West Grinstead - LMS pilgrimage, Blackfen (Sunday), Blackfen (Ascension Day), Isle of Wight (OF) and Blackfen (Sunday again).

What are train journeys for other than sleeping, reading and learning chant?