Wednesday 12 November 2008

Going to bed - # 08/265

It's a bit difficult to do a daily photo at the moment, and here's one reason why. Putting Ham House to bed is quite a busy activity and the whole staff plus many skilled volunteers are involved.

Over the last several days we have been preparing to take down a tapestry that is magnificent and hundreds of years old. It will go for restoration which will take at least a year.

Over the last 3 days we actually took it down........imagine taking three days to take down your curtains to send to the cleaners.

Removal included making a special box to precise measurements and specifications to allow safe transport to the restoration factory. The Handy-Man Team including me made up the box according to instructions.

Here's the 17th Century "Long Gallery".........all quiet, early in the morning, waiting for the arrival of the team. Lying around is the equipment needed. Today is "Taking Down Day" - it took about 3 to 4 hours after many other hours of preparation and planning.

If you go way back to posts 9 - 12 in 2007 (plus a couple either side, or maybe not???) you will find a small set of posts about a previous project.

9 comments:

  1. I admire what you are doing here for Ham House! ... and what a beautiful room and beautiful light!!

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  2. Gosh, what a precise and careful procedure.

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  3. Went way back - a project in itself! Skills like you and others in the Ham House group are such an asset to society. People who work with their hands and relatively rudimentary tools to keep the past alive. I value that sort of involvement.

    This is a lovely image,'Roon. So warm and welcoming ... nice sheen to the entire thing.

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  4. You are to be commended for the service you provide.

    Is the transport to the restoration shop a long one?

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  5. Like so much your interior shots in Ham House. What work you are doing? Did you manage to photograph the tapestry? Perhaps it wasn't allowed as light would damage it further?

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  6. Most interesting. What a castle this must be.

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  7. I find this whole process so interesting. I would like to see the tapestry in the box. I am wondering how it is stored. ROlled, not folded I would think, spread flat?? I have no idea. oh and the light and as Julie said the sheen, is remarkable.
    V

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  8. Amazing shot. I try to learn from your explanations, but feel like a toddler. The Ham House project must be very rewarding.

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  9. The morning light makes this room amazingly inviting. I would love to sit by those big windows and just breathe and think. And perhaps sip some tea.

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