NTS Life Returning To Normal?

The answer is slowly and with caution.

Today’s Blipfoto shows Pat approaching the East End of the terrace at Hill of Tarvit Mansionhouse. We were returning from the terrace at Kingarrock Golf Course where we had encountered some of our NTS friends, colleagues together with some new faces who will become friends.

The meeting was full of joy as we greeted each other. No hugs and no handshakes. Namaste is the preferred form of greeting now.

The day was sunny and matched our mood. We had a socially distanced circular meeting on the Mansionhouse fuelled with Cakes, Coffees and Water. All made by each individual after various sanitiser treatments.

Much has changed in the method that we will employ to show the house to visitors. Opening days are restricted and bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

At the conclusion of the formal circle meeting some of the volunteers were presented with NTS gratitude certificates together with badges.

I was given a 5 year certificate which covered up to the end of the 2019 season. Pat received a 3 year certificate.

We then masked up and were given a conducted tour around the house interiors to show the changes. The shutters are still closed and many of the interiors were quite gloomy. A sort of secret exploration.

It was good to see that the original curtains in the library have been rehung after careful restoration. What a difference.

Guided tours will not take place this year and the masked volunteers will be in specific locations to "tell the story" and to give directions.

Several items have been removed for now, as they cannot be sanitised without damage to their finishes.

This is one of the great days!