Hello! A lot more ringing this week, it's been fabulous.

Tuesday I was in Stratford, where we did Bob Minor, Stedman Doubles and I called some changes on 10! To queens and back — odd then even bells — that was fun. This was my order if I recall correctly:

  • 8 to 9

  • 6 to 7

  • 4 to 5

  • 2 to 3

  • 6 to 9

  • 4 to 7

  • 4 to 9

  • 2 to 5

  • 2 to 7

  • 2 to 9 -> queens! 1357924680

  • 9 to 2

  • 9 to 4

  • 9 to 6

  • 9 to 8

  • 7 to 2

  • 7 to 4

  • 7 to 6

  • 5 to 2

  • 5 to 4

  • 3 to 2

In hindsight this was "false" as it repeated a change, when I moved the 9 back over the 2. Oops.

On Thursday I was back in London for the Garlickhythe practice (but I was with a group at St Magnus), where I completely fucked up Bob Minor but I did ring Kent for the first time! Or, "Kent Treble Bob Minor." That was awesome:

It's a long line, sorry.

On Friday it was the monthly Camberwell practice where we rang Grandsire Doubles (and for the first time felt like I knew the touches), a lot of Stedman (I rang it from a different bell this time), and I called some Bob Doubles.

Then on Saturday I went down to Bromley for an intro to handbell ringing, which was both excellent and confusing. You ring 2 bells at once which messes with you, and you don't have the natural rhythm of a tower bell to help you keep time. I did some plain hunting with a crashy-course of Bob Minor at the end, and it's a real art to get out of your head and let your body do the ringing; you're screwed if you think too much.

So I downloaded Abel that afternoon, the ringing simulator, and I am going to learn how to ring 2 bells at once. It'll help me better understand method structure and how to conduct as well. I'll be well on my way once I can ring Cambridge Surprise Maximus with 2 bells...

And today, Sunday, I rang at St Magnus and St Peter's in Walworth, the fun teeny bells.

Until next Sunday!

- Nick