There has been a lot of sandstone sprucing-up going on in our fair city over the last 18 months: State Library, Central Station clock tower, QVB, and now the Town Hall. The work is being done by the
Traditional Sandstone Company, even though there does not appear to be much tradition in that dentist's drill he is using.
See up high on the clock tower, those little plywood inserts? Ten of the capitals are being recarved - not just being cleaned up, but reproduced. Each capital will take two weeks to carve, even with the power tools. The complete restoration project will take four years and cost $33 million, but all should be spic'n'span in time for the 150th celebrations in 2018.
Do you always look through windows like this to watch experts at work?
Now go off and read The Stone Book Quartet by Alan Garner. Read them in order: The Stone Book; Granny Reardun; The Aimer Gate; and, Tom Fobble's Day. I have them in mind for my grand-daughter when she is seven or eight.