The wind, she blew. There has been a dramatic change in the weather. The wind is from the northwest, is damp, and 10 degrees colder. The leaves are starting to swirl and will soon be a nuisance on the water. However, the sun was our for a few minutes today, and the evening couldn’t have been more interesting: I had the opportunity to join the local bell ringers in All Saints Church, Braunston, who invited me to begin to learn how to ring changes in a traditional English bell tower. The experience was exceptional, and Peter (85 years old) showed me carefully and explicitly what and how to ring the 400kg bell I was to use. No, DON’T hang onto the rope (you’ll go splat on the ceiling), instead, find the rhythm of the bell and the system, and it is all easy. HAH! Like most cordination, physical tasks, I don’t find that easy, and the learning curve will be steep. However, they did invite me back, and I didn’t break anything.
For an idea of change ringing, search you tube for English change ringing, and you’ll get lots of examples: some good and others obviously recording made when people like me are learning.
I’m still in Braunston: installing winter insulation, anti-freeze and other routine tasks that are part of learning how to live on a boat in changing weather. What is easy and idiot proof (I’m still here!) in spectacular weather, is more challenging in damp, colder, and windy conditions. However, I have heat, am installing draught prevention in lots of places, and all is well.
