Flipping it over again – with thanks to Joseph Travasso (guest editor)
We the Goan students of The London School of Picture & Frame Conservation are in the thick of things! Each day, holds new expectations! Although I retired to bed last night with aching muscles all over my body joints (a result of being in variety of positions similar to doing extreme yoga), I sprung out

The wonders of Rachol
We are very lucky to be working in Rachol Seminary for many reasons. One is that the building is an amazing 17th century imposing construction, the walls are at least 2 feet thick and it keeps the temperature cool inside while it’s 33-35 C degrees outside. The details of the stone architraves, columns and other

An Indian roller (and not the bird!)
Having slept well in our cells, and after a good breakfast of lentils and tea, we started work in the wonderful space outside the rector’s office which has been turned into our workshop whilst we are here at the Seminary. Elizabeth arrived bright and early having said goodbye to Sebastian before dawn as he had

Dust, dirt and bats
Having enjoyed Sebastian’s blog from yesterday, I can only say that all is forgiven! Would he consider coming back another time so that we can express our appreciation properly?  There is no doubt that it is only with Christopher’s and Sebastian’s help, coordination and efforts providing all the supplies that Elizabeth and I are able

“There are good ways to interrupt tropical idylls, and ways better not… by Sebastian Roberts (no relation to King Sebastian)
As I was innocently finishing breakfast this morning with a fresh banana lassi, thinking quite hard about bothering to walk to the beach while my beloved had a massage, the same beloved suggested that I might be better employed writing a guest blog for the Restorers without Frontiers. Before I could come back with a

King Sebastian descends
We were in bed around midnight, so that a 4:30 am start meant we did not have much sleep! We loaded the car with all the equipment needed for Rachol and headed off in the dark. Luckily at that hour there is not too much on the road, as the locals don’t seem to like

Now the work starts
We arrived at the Archbishop’s Palace having had breakfast on our sunny terrace spotting the usual beautiful birds and having had delicious fruit with fresh yogurt. Christopher had hired a little red Ferrari (only the colour matches the original) and drops us with plenty of bags filled with all sorts of materials brought from the

Back to school!
As near improbable as it seemed because of all the incognitos that life brings, we have made it back to sunny exciting joyful Goa. Our aim last year was achieved after an incredible commitment from all the students who had to jump through hoops leaving their full time jobs temporarily to be there every day

New Year and new start for Restorers without Frontiers
Happy New Year to one and all – we are in the final stages of packing and preparing for the next stage of the Restorers without Frontiers project in Goa. We  arrive in Panjim on the 9th ready to start teaching on Tuesday 10th. With one exception (she is studying in the UK) all the students are

Time to say thank you
As we start to pack our bags, this first phase of the Restorers without Frontiers project has almost come to an end. The final piece is the dinner to be hosted by His Grace the Archbishop tomorrow night with all the students. On behalf of all those who have taken part in this extraordinary fulfilling