Omg, l NEED those pots AnnaLois 🤩👌🏼 Beautifully taken my friend ☺️👌🏼
Hey Good Looking, What You Got Cooking?
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #copper #kitchen #getcooking #SpekeHall #Liverpool
Love these AnnaLois 🤩
Now Hands That Do Dishes Can Feel Soft As Your Face
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #banquet #scullery #finedining #washingup #DurbarRoom #OsborneHouse #IsleOfWight #SpekeHall #Liverpool #QueenVictoria #servants #contrast
Photograph taken looking along the kitchen wall at Speke Hall, Liverpool. Large but high up (to me at least!) leaded-glass windows pour light through the row of Kilner jars lining the wooden shelf immediately below. Underneath are four shiny copper pans of varying sizes hanging from hooks. Below them on a long wooden bench against the whitewashed wall are a jars of jam with fabric tops.
Photograph taken crouching down to look across the range top at the super shiny copper pans at Speke Hall, Liverpool. The backsplash are Tudor antique white coloured tiles with a grey grout - similar shape to metro tiles today.
Hey Good Looking, What You Got Cooking?
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #copper #kitchen #getcooking #SpekeHall #Liverpool
(iPhone camera)
Two photographs collaged vertically giving glimpses of each in tall portrait format. Like the previous post, I wanted to capture the contrast between flawless opulence vs the hours of hard work to produce it. On the left is a view of the huge dining table in the ornate Durbar Room at Osborne House, ready for a fancy banquet. Several place settings are laid and dramatic, tropical plant displays create a centrepiece. Osborne House on the Isle of Wight was the summer palace of Queen Victoria. On the right is a scullery with a white Belfast sink below a leaded-glass window too high up to see out of. The sink has simple brass taps and various bowls next to it. This was taken at Speke Hall in Liverpool. Imagine the volume of washing up a banquet (and the preparation for it) would create for the servants!
Now Hands That Do Dishes Can Feel Soft As Your Face...
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #banquet #scullery #finedining #washingup #DurbarRoom #OsborneHouse #IsleOfWight #SpekeHall #Liverpool #QueenVictoria #servants #contrast
(iPhone camera)
Super creative AnnaLois and what a fabulous series of shots for today’s theme my friend 🤩👍🏼
You Rang M'Lord?
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #library #servantsbell #books #LymePark #Cheshire #SpekeHall #Liverpool #collage
I absolutely loved the lighting in this shot AnnaLois and in my minds eye, I could see this being an old painting 🤔☺️👍🏼
Well Earned Dinner
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #servants #diningroom #SpekeHall #Liverpool #Tudor
(iPhone camera)
Gorgeous shot AnnaLois, so rich and opulent 🤩👌🏼
Night Night, Sleep Tight...
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #FourPosterBed #carving #Tudor #SpekeHall #Liverpool
Photograph taken looking into the servants' dining room at Speke Hall, Liverpool. This Tudor wonder has an amazing set of servant rooms in the basement open to visit which really contrasts to the decadent spaces above. Image shows a well-lit room from the large leaded-glass window set into plain walls decorated with the top half a buttermilk and the bottom burgundy. A large, beautiful table with a long bench either side dominates the space, simply laid for dinner with a couple of bottles of wine and two earthenware jugs of water at the near end. A maid's starched white apron rests over a chair in the far corner. To the right is a solid wood chest of drawers with lovely button handles, with various servant-related items on top: a stone hot water bottle, a feather duster and a wicker rug beater. On a low wooden stool under the window are a couple of 'Colman's Mustard' crates. The floor is a hard worn tiled floor laid in rows of diamonds in terracotta and beige. Out of sight on the left was a large wooden work table against the wall, with an old singer sewing machine and some garments being hand-mended. Speke Hall was lived in until 1926 when it was handed into the care of The National Trust. I adore the large wooden table. Had one like that in a former life and it was used for so many activities - sewing, beer pong, Christmas Day lunch, homework, table tennis...pain to remove red wine stains from though!
Well Earned Dinner
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #servants #diningroom #SpekeHall #Liverpool #Tudor
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken in a bedroom at the Tudor wonder of Speke Hall, Liverpool. Image shows a dark wood, four poster bed with intricate carvings. The photograph peers past one of the bed uprights which is a huge, almost urn-like shape of dark, carved wood. The bed has a beautiful coverlet featuring a botanical design. Next to the bed is a rich, huge tapestry covering a wall. Light filters into the scene from a window out of view.
Night Night, Sleep Tight...
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #FourPosterBed #carving #Tudor #SpekeHall #Liverpool
(iPhone camera)
Collage of two photographs on the theme of #UpstairsDownstairs. Love a library and always spend more time reading the spines of the books than looking at anything else in the room. Wanted to use a collage to create the feeling of a servant seeing the library bell ringing and imagining the room upstairs. Two images are separated diagonally. Top area shows a view down the huge wall of built-in oak bookcases, full of literary treasures at Lyme Park in Cheshire. The bottom section looks up at a brass servant's bell against a dark wooden horizontal panel with pale cream lettering 'library'. This was taken at Speke Hall in Liverpool.
You Rang M'Lord?
for #PalacesandGardens theme of #UpstairsDownstairs
#EastCoastKin #photography #ECK #library #servantsbell #books #LymePark #Cheshire #SpekeHall #Liverpool #collage
(iPhone camera)
The Great-tailed Grackle showing well this evening at Speke Hall NT...belting out its oddball song! #LancsBirding #UKBirding #NationalTrust #SpekeHall #Grackle
Popped to #SpekeHall to catch the Great-tailed Grackle go to roost; nice to see the finder @birderjack.bsky.social enjoying its extended stay on her patch @birdguides.bsky.social
Toads heading to the ponds on the business park; rescued a few from getting splatted on the roads! @mbblerc.bsky.social
Photograph taken looking up at a sturdy yet decorative wooden chandelier at the Tudor wonder of Speke Hall, Liverpool. One of my former offerings (from the same room) was suspended by an arm...so why not also show some faces! No further body parts, I promise! Dark wood, multi-layer chandelier, with carved faces protruding from the octagonal (I think) sides of the lowest tier. Carved patterns on the sides of each arm, each topped by a warm candle bulb (obviously not original). Chandelier hangs from a hefty chain.
Illuminated Heads
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #AllAglow
#EastCoastKin #photography #chandelier #SpekeHall #faces #Liverpool #illuminate #lookup #carving #GreatHall
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken inside the Great Hall at Tudor wonder, Speke Hall in Liverpool. Second outing for this photograph but it fits well with today's theme, and who doesn't like gleaming weaponry? Image captured looking up at the large chandelier with candle bulbs and the leaded glass windows beyond in the beautiful wood panelled, double-height room. The chandelier's light reflects as an amber glow on the replica pole axe (halberd) blades of the weaponry displayed over the mantlepiece. Love Speke Hall. Such a great day out and they have brilliant community events, like apple harvesting in autumn and a professionally organised second hand bookshop.
Halberd Glow
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #AllAglow
#EastCoastKin #photography #chandelier #halberd #tudor #SpekeHall #weaponry #Liverpool #illuminate #GreatHall #lookup #windows
(iPhone camera)
Looking up into a 'priest hole' at Speke Hall in Liverpool. This is seen through the tiny aperture at the end of the spooky corridor photograph I posted this morning. Used a monochrome filter for this version as I've posted it only a few months ago for another theme. Built for the resident Catholic priest to hide from religious persecution if the house was raided. The entrance is a secret door in the wall leading to a narrow space near the chimney. From there this 'staircase' (ladder) provided further escape into a hidden roof space. Religious persecution happened particularly during Elizabeth I's reign and Catholic families took great risk to continue to covertly practise their faith. Photograph shows a softly illuminated wall made from huge handmade pieces of stone, against which at ninety degrees is a narrow wooden ladder up into a roof void. The space is claustrophobically small.
Staircase to Survival
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #SecretSpaces
The alt text provides further detail.
#EastCoastKin #photography #priesthole #survival #stairs #SpekeHall #Liverpool #dangeroustimes #hidden
(iPhone camera)
Photograph of an upstairs corridor at Speke Hall, Liverpool. First visited as a child (9 or 10) and this was the point where I started to feel uneasy. A room on the left is where I lasted about 30 seconds before dashing out, father in concerned tow. It was this visit that I remember my first awareness of other worldly elements but couldn't articulate it nor really understand it. I revisited last year. Turns out the Grade I listed, Tudor masterpiece of Speke Hall is regarded as one of the most haunted buildings in England. I was not aware of this as a child! Lots available online if you want to know more. Photograph shows a long corridor with dark wood panelling and leaded glass windows on the right. A long patterned runner covers the dark floor boards. An intricately carved dark wood sideboard, two chairs and a tall grandfather clock blend into the panelling on the left either side of doorways into bedrooms. Straight ahead is a wall light and a small illuminated square which shows a glimpse into the priest hole.
Corridor of Apprehension
for #PalacesAndGardens themes of #GhostsAndPhantoms #SecretSpaces
#EastCoastKin #photography #SpekeHall #Merseyside #dark #corridor #Tudor #history #haunted #priesthole #uneasy
Further info in Alt text.
(iPhone camera)
Photograph of the top section of the grandfather clock face posted earlier today. Image taken on my tiptoes with the phone held above my head! At the bottom of the image is 'ten-to' through to 'ten-past' in both Roman numerals and numbers on a silvery arc. Above that is another arc of smaller numbers (not a clue what they are for as the sequence reads 0, 5, 29). Below that is a beautiful scene of the moon hiding behind a golden globe. Clock is on a corridor downstairs at the fantastic Tudor stately home, Speke Hall, in Liverpool.
Peekaboo Moon
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #TimePassages
#EastCoastKin #photography #clock #shadows #SpekeHall #Liverpool #clockface #antique
(iPhone camera)
Photograph looking up at the ornate clock face on an antique grandfather clock at Speke Hall, Liverpool. It stood in a semi-dark corridor which helpfully provided more drama, and the leaded glass window opposite helped cast great shadows. Large clock face. Central circle is fancy gold patterns from which stem two decorative, black hands. Around that is a thick silver band with large black Roman numerals and numbers too (catering for all tastes). Shadows from the hands cast on this too. Above is a semi-circular area of gold and pictures of a moon and clouds.
Shadows of Time
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #TimePassages
#EastCoastKin #photography #clock #shadows #SpekeHall #Liverpool #clockface #antique
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken of a section of clock face at the Tudor masterpiece that is Speke Hall, Liverpool. Double face - the top includes a moon and night sky, the bottom Roman numerals and the hands.
First #MakeAWish suggestion for #PalacesAndGardens today...
Time
Thinking sundials, fancy clocks, garden clocks, passing of time etc.
#EastCoastKin #photography #clock #history #SpekeHall
(iPhone camera)
A 3 x 3 collage of various wood carvings of characterful faces, taken at three properties: Speke Hall, Liverpool (Tudor) Lyme Park, Cheshire (Elizabethan) Samlesbury Hall, Lancashire (Tudor) All in dark wood and most taken from a partial side angle so the light illuminates the features. Makes me think of the various expressions seen on Christmas Day including someone worse for wear from festive booze (middle bottom), the poker face of irritation of the chef (middle top) and the furiousness of overtired kids (or adults!) as the day progresses (bottom right).
The Many Faces of Christmas Day!
For #PalacesAndGardens theme of #PalacePicks
#EastCoastKin #photography #carving #wood #tudor #history #collage #SpekeHall #Liverpool #LymePark #Cheshire #SamlesburyHall #Lancashire
(Android phone camera)
Photograph taken of a wood carving of a child/angel/cherub's face. The carving sits within a panelled wall at the Tudor masterpiece that is Speke Hall in Liverpool. Image taken from a partial side angle so the light captures the features.
Little Face of Wonder
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #PalacePicks
Hope you all have faces of wonder at some point today! Happy Christmas!
#EastCoastKin #photography #carving #wood #tudor #history #SpekeHall #Liverpool
(Android phone camera)
#nationaltrust #spekehall Walked The Bund, a "hill" created to block noise from the airport. Presuming the original Speke Airport. Definitely doesn't block sound now but is a lovely little walk with a view.
Photograph taken inside the Great Hall at Tudor wonder, Speke Hall in Liverpool. This is really pushing the boundaries of the 'festive lights' theme but it gives a lovely warm glow and in you imagine holly somewhere... Image captured looking up at the large chandelier with candle bulbs and the leaded glass windows beyond in the beautiful wood panelled, double-height room. The chandelier's light reflects as an amber glow on the replica pole axe (halberd) blades of the weaponry displayed over the mantlepiece. Love Speke Hall. Went to a Christmas event there as a child. Distinctly remember the Tudor-costumed people wandering about with trays of mince pies, imparting their historical knowledge, the live Tudor music in the Great Hall and devouring rum and raisin fudge from a stall in the grounds.
Warmth and Weaponry
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #FestiveLights
Pushing the boundaries of the theme but imagine holly on the lights!
#EastCoastKin #photography #chandelier #halberd #tudor #SpekeHall #weaponry #Liverpool #illuminate #GreatHall #lookup #windows
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken at the marvellous Tudor masterpiece that is Speke Hall in Liverpool. OK, so not 'live' people but perhaps someone is hiding in the armour? In an alcove of the Great Hall, leaded windows bring light to the wooden panelled space. On the wall hangs a huge portrait (copy of) John Middleton of legendary ridiculous giant height fame. He is dressed in massive white fancy bloomers, green stockings, gold shoes and a red doublet. Not appealing to 2025 tastes but likely quite the in-thing in the late 1500s. In the alcove stands a shiny suit of armour, a 19th century replica of a 1580s design. Military wear sure has evolved! Speke Hall is a great day out and run by the National Trust.
Fancy Fellas
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #People
#EastCoastKin #photography #Tudor #history #armour #fineart #windows #SpekeHall #Liverpool #lightandshadow
(Android phone camera)
Photograph of the bell to the library in the servants quarters at Speke Hall, Liverpool. Mounted on a piece of dark wood, the gold-coloured bell is attached by a curve of metal. Underneath is an indication of the room the bell links to, in this case the library. Wonder how many times this bell rang as opposed to other rooms...were the occupants bookworms or not?
Upstairs Downstairs
for #AlphabetChallenge theme #WeekTforTelevision
#EastCoastKin #photography #bells #service #SpekeHall #Merseyside #history #Liverpool
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken of the side of Speke Hall, Liverpool, overlooking the rose garden. Tudor building in traditional black and white with a huge red-leaved Acer providing a bright colour contrast from the left hand side of the frame.
Tudor in Autumn
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #EnchantedAutumn
#EastCoastKin #photography #SpekeHall #Liverpool #Tudor #autumn #history #architecture
(Android phone camera)
Looking up into a 'priest hole' at Speke Hall in Liverpool. Built for the resident Catholic priest to hide from religious persecution if the house was raided. The entrance is a secret door in the wall leading to a narrow space near the chimney. From there this 'staircase' (ladder) provided further escape into a hidden roof space. Religious persecution happened particularly during Elizabeth I's reign and Catholic families took great risk to continue to covertly practise their faith. So can a ladder technically be a staircase? Couldn't exactly make a fancy one for this purpose. Photograph shows a softly illuminated wall made from huge handmade pieces of stone, against which at ninety degrees is a narrow wooden ladder up into a roof void. The space is claustrophobically small.
Staircase to Survival
for #PalacesAndGardens theme of #Stairs
Pushing the limits of 'staircase' here but check out the Alt text.
#EastCoastKin #photography #priesthole #survival #stairs #SpekeHall #Liverpool #dangeroustimes #hidden
(iPhone camera)
Photograph with a monochrome filter looking up at the 12-paned, leaded glass, rectangular window above the main archway into Speke Hall, Liverpool. Higher up is a smaller 3-paned window towards the apex of the roof. Built in 1598. as per the inscription, the image shows the fancy black and white exterior woodwork synonymous with Tudor architecture. The barge boards are also fancy and beautifully carved. At the very top is a little face, above the well hidden modern security light.
Tudor Realness
for #WindowsInWednesday and #ClassicMono
#EastCoastKin #photography #tudor #SpekeHall #Liverpool #monochrome #blackandwhite
(iPhone camera)
Photograph taken looking up at a display of swords above the Grand Hall fireplace at Speke Hall in Liverpool. Monochrome filter used to enhance the shapes.
Weapon of Choice
for #Spooktober theme of #weapon
#photography #swords #weaponry #SpekeHall #Merseyside #Tudor #history
(iPhone camera)
