24th July 2010
Ashton Court, Bristol, UK
How do I beat this as a tree climbing artist? What goes up must come down – the come down after a high. The gathering went amazingly well – I pulled together a number of people and then ran around to the groups of picnickers in the area recruiting to make up the numbers. We didn’t quite manage to cram 50 into the branches – although we could have fitted many more – we got a bit congested in the lower branches with the more timid climbers. 44 isn’t bad and it inspires me to do it again – next time with 75!
I’ve been reminded of physics … by a friend. 15 people weigh approximately a ton. So we added an extra 3 tons to the tree … 75 people would be 5 tons. But I anticipate finding a bigger tree. I may have been lucky – not one got hurt. It would have been a horrific end to a magical event.
One of the nice things was bringing together several groups … going up to people and asking them for participation, and their willingness and eagerness to join in. One high-light was definitely the tree of 44 people singing happy birthday to a guy who’s 40th it was that day. Great! A sweet sense of community. A guy with white hair appeared – drawn to the commotion and drew our attention to how our tree was two. A large section of it was another variety that had been grafted on. I hadn’t even noticed. But how amazing is that! Amazing that some trees will support the growth of another.
They have essentially become one without losing their own identity. I suppose that’s what Khalil Gibran was on about on romance / marriage. (need to find the quote).
I just realised there was spontaneous singing in this tree two days in a row…
More photos available on facebook… You don’t need to be a member to see them. http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=436365&id=717425012&l=abde21c765
(audio recording and film to follow).
