Tuesday, July 26
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We were on our own for the morning. Six of us explored the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew, returning by water taxi at noon. I'll write more about Kew and the Dale Chihuly exhibit later.
Now, I'm turning the remainder of this article over to Linc Spaulding, who organized an opportunity for us to watch change-ringers at work:
"Tuesday evening, nine of us ventured up the bell tower to the ringing room where 12 members of St. Paul's Cathedral ringers were gathering for change-ringing practice. We had been invited to observe. With earplugs firmly in place, we climbed the additional 180 steps to the top of the tower. We could look down on 12 bells (13 tons of metal) pointing heavenward, rocking back-and-forth, then tipping to begin ringing: first in descending scales, then in ever-changing patterns. After descending to the ringing room again, we watched the 12 ringers as they concentrated on their sequence.
"We're thankful to our hosts: J. Alan Ainsworth and the ringers, who allowed us to watch. They gave us a truly amazing experience which will last long after we return home!"
(Note: Mr. Ainsworth provided a two-page description of change-ringing and the particular sequence they use. I'll transcribe it for the web and provide a link here as soon as it's available.)
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