MSO concert last night with Margaret and Dick - dinner first at Southgate. Ended up at Rhumba's because we couldn't find a table anywhere else, not that it was bad - had a nice pumpkin and roast capsicum risotto. The soloist for the Sibelius was ill so we had a local boy (Kristian Winther) who took the gig at a couple of day's notice. He looked about 12 (was 18) and was very nervous - his ears were bright red. He made a good fist of it; the first two movements were fine, but there was some uneasiness in the last movement. At times he and the orchestra were not together and, for me at least, there was an air of discomfort.

After interval we heard the first symphony of Walton; I'm glad I heard it but it didn't set me on a search for more. As Act 3 we had a piece by Australian composer George Lentz (rhymes with Stenz) - strings, brass, percussion and two oboes (in the choir stalls). An almost pointillist piece inspired by the outback night sky and linked with Aboriginal myths it was very beautiful and strange. A great end to the evening.

Got an email from JOD asking me to sing in a couple of EG fund-raising concerts and a mass at St Pat's (most likely also a money-making gig). Said yes - doesn't clash with anything else.