Bells

 

 

The church bells ring multiple times at 7:05 in the morning and 19:05 at night at the church, Notre Dame del Prat in Argelès, which was built in the 13th century. It is at the end of our block. They also ring:

• Once on the quarter hour 
• Twice on the half hour
• Three times on the three quarter hour
  
• Four times on the hour followed by the correct hour

There is a different ring for weddings, funerals and masses.

I've been in the tower with its 360° view of the area: mountains, sea, villages. Our guide was careful we wouldn't be there when the bells rang. 

"Assourdissant," Jean-Marc our guide and village historian said. I believed him. Deafening.

In Collonge-Bellerive it is hard to the hear the bells unless the wind is right. We are about 15 minutes by foot away. 

If we happen to be in the village at noon, they ring 105 times, if I've counted right. We can say approximately 105 times.

The sound of cow bells echo through many Swiss villages. When I first lived in a tiny village the cows walked through at dawn and dusk on their way to pasture before they were taken up the mountains for the summer.

I've heard that the queen cow wears the biggest bell. Considering how heavy the bell is, I wonder if the queen would happily forsake her title.

I love their sound, although there are people in the countryside (usually people who've moved from the city) who not appreciate their music.

In Argelès we can use the 7:05 bells as a happy alarm and the daily bells as a clock.

We miss the bell routine when we're in Switzerland, but when we've been driving through the Swiss countryside and see bell-wearing cows, we've been known to stop and listen. 

Bells play a part in literature with titles like When the Bells Toll, Bell Hath No Fury, The Three Bells, Dead and Gone to Bell to name a few.

Bells are in song title, although "Jingle Bells" is the first that comes to my mind.

Any minute the 13:15 bell will ring at Notre Dame del Prat reminding, it is time to empty the dishwasher and start lunch.