The unblog – where we wish all ringers everywhere a very busy and happy holiday period.

For the first time in quite a long time (nearly 17 years), my family and I are spending Christmas with our other set of relatives near the Washington DC area.  This is really a non-ringing trip, but we do hope to catch up with friends old and new at the National Cathedral and Old Post Office.

Being a bellringer can be quite challenging with so many additional services to ring for and so many ringers away (including me).  The wonderful thing about bellringers as a group is how they will pick up and help out wherever they are visiting.

Having bellringing in your life can also provide a nice structure to the holiday period, where so many other activities are suspended.  There have been many years where I’ve been grateful to have that activity and contact with other people.

Our ‘ringing families’ are special groups, and I hope you have all had a chance to celebrate together as well as helping the rest of the world celebrate Christmas, New Year, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Pancha Ganapati, Hogmanay, Yelda, Omisoka, and possibly even Festivus and Hogswatch.

The featured image is me with a christmas tree coming out of my head, because I am a lousy photographer.  But imagine I am just about to go and get a beaker of mulled wine and a mince pie and share a virtual toast with all of you.

May this season be kind and filled with ringing.  Cheers!