I'm busy refurbishing my bell pads ready for the 18-30 Morris weekend coming up.
For the record, I find that of the full complement of 36 bells (12 large, 24 small) there are 12 left (1 large, 11 small). I also have 10 battered-but-serviceable ones hanging around (4 large, 6 small), presumably recovered whilst dancing.
Of the rest, I know that at least some have been carried off as trophies by small children, and one at least was trodden on and only half was recovered.
The original ones were held on with linen thread, with the knots covered in copydex to prevent unravelling. In all cases it is the thread that has given way, not the knots. The replacements are being fastened on with armour-grade spring temper stainless steel. I calculate that my leg should give way before that does.
The new hat is coming along nicely, though it drinks paint. All I need now is to finish that new pair of breeches and I'm set. That's not going to happen by Friday, though. Maybe on the train on the way up.
For the record, I find that of the full complement of 36 bells (12 large, 24 small) there are 12 left (1 large, 11 small). I also have 10 battered-but-serviceable ones hanging around (4 large, 6 small), presumably recovered whilst dancing.
Of the rest, I know that at least some have been carried off as trophies by small children, and one at least was trodden on and only half was recovered.
The original ones were held on with linen thread, with the knots covered in copydex to prevent unravelling. In all cases it is the thread that has given way, not the knots. The replacements are being fastened on with armour-grade spring temper stainless steel. I calculate that my leg should give way before that does.
The new hat is coming along nicely, though it drinks paint. All I need now is to finish that new pair of breeches and I'm set. That's not going to happen by Friday, though. Maybe on the train on the way up.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-20 02:04 pm (UTC)I'm not sure whether this is the result of bells banging against each other while I dance or the result of me walking into things while wearing them. I'd say the former, but even the very front bits of the bells are faceted, and I wouldn't have thought they'd be able to hit each other there.
The new bells have less room to move. I shall have to check sometime to see whether that makes a difference.
no subject
Date: 2005-10-20 02:33 pm (UTC)