Saturday 11 July 2020

Lions at Iford Manor - at last...





This is my first attempt at the new blogger. It seems simple when you know the little differences and it just looks fresher than the old version. Anyway, the lions are up now and look ok.

41 comments:

  1. Very grand!
    I tried the new Blogger and couldn't get on with it. Maybe I should try again when I have plenty of time and nice glass of rosé to sip.

    ReplyDelete
  2. The lions look great! Very British and stylish.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think the British inherited this sort of heraldry from the French.

      Delete
  3. They look as if they have never left their posts..... perfect. You must be pleased to see them up there? XXXX

    ReplyDelete
  4. Well they look mighty fine! Should they have flags or something on the end of those poles?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not flags. They are just staves of office. If the poles had points it would signify military, the owner of the house told me.

      Delete
  5. Love the lions but don't think they are suitable for a two bedroom bungalow in what counts as suburbia here in our little town.
    I think I am on new blogger but not all that different so perhaps not.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You need some huge gates at the end of the garden, Weave. Then they would look ok. I think this new blogger is pretty much the same as the old, but brighter looking.

      Delete
  6. I have just looked back at my visit to Iford Manor last June before you removed the lions. You have done a great job as on my photo they appear to be missing most or parts of their legs.
    I have just read that the gardens are due to appear on the big screen in August when the film, Secret Garden, is released.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I replaced three arms (or legs), one and a half tails, half a paw (or hand) and both staves. So it was used for The Secret Garden? I didn't know that, but it must be a high-profile location given how many photos there are of it on the net.

      Delete
  7. Good to see the job completely finished and lifted back in place. They look nicely weathered and I can't see any joins.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It all comes together with the colouring. They looked terrible before the colour and I was very worried, but I always worry about high-profile jobs.

      Delete
  8. Well done..on both lions and new blogger!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I like this new blogger. It's as if it has been given a polish.

      Delete
  9. What a wonderful job you did. It must be great to see your skills on show and looking so good!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are the first thing anyone sees who visits the gardens, so it was a bit scary until the finish.

      Delete
  10. Like the veg artist, wondering about the purpose of the poles.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They are just symbols of authority as far as I can tell. Talk quietly and carry a big stick, etc.

      Delete
  11. Replies
    1. These ones do remind me of the Chinese equivalent, yes.

      Delete
  12. They are the cutest stumpiest ( ?) lions I have ever seen x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rachel pointed out that they look like frogs to her. It's the eyes and mouths I think.

      Delete
  13. WOW! They're more than "OK!" That's very impressive - a really great job.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I always panic with jobs like this that they will look terrible, but it always seems to work out in the end. It has to.

      Delete
  14. Oh, it all looks beautiful! And, as you have mentioned before, it’s a success because we would never be able to point exactly to the work you did. Now that is skill!! And that manor house - be still my heart!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Lovely. The lions look decidedly fierce and defensive.

    ReplyDelete
  16. They look great! You did an excellent job and millions over the years will see them and appreciate them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Well they have been in existence for about 300 years already, so a few more might see them now.

      Delete
  17. Well done Tom.

    My daughter told me recently that having a pair of lions outside the home was an Italian gesture to signify that they owned their home outright. (She was renting a house with two lions on the gateposts at the time).
    Have you ever heard of that?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've never heard of that. In this country, whoever built the house would have their family arms carved in prominent places before they paid off the mortgage!

      Delete
    2. Oh, and I didn't know you had a daughter.

      Delete
    3. Tom, I had a grand daughter six years ago, progeny of my daughter.

      Anyway, apparently it's a thing. Maybe just an Australian immigrants thing.

      Delete