On 14 October 2012 09:32, Bob W <p...@web-options.com> wrote: >> From: PDML [mailto:pdml-boun...@pdml.net] On Behalf Of Chris Mitchell >> >> A friend of mine is the Keeper of the Clock in the church at Cropredy >> in Oxfordshire (a place well known to Cotty). He invited me to join him >> the other day when he went up the tower to do some maintenance work. >> >> Here's the clock mechanism: >> http://www.mitch.myzen.co.uk/CropredyClock1/slides/_IMG3406-2.html >> >> And here's a close-up >> http://www.mitch.myzen.co.uk/CropredyClock1/slides/_IMG3398-2.html >> >> I thought the B&W treatment was right for the subject; there are colour >> versions in the gallery if you're interested. >> > > That's fantastically Gormenghastian. All that mechanism for one tiny clock > face that doesn't even have a minute hand. > > I picture your friend as Mr. Flay, dry, lanky, with sunken eyes, slowing > climbing with his long fingers clutching the rope bannister of the bell > tower to the sound of cracking knee joints, barely able to turn the great > mechanism, but driven by 16 generations of family service to get the ancient > clock dusted, greased and wound until at last he throws himself suddenly > away from the straining cogs as they release their tension and the colossal > bell sounds a single mighty clang that reverbates over the nearby valleys > and meadows. > > The peasants look up from their labours; the huntsmen briefly pause in their > yarooing flight; the photographers mutter a silent curse as the sound wave > disturbs their tripod, and Cropredy sinks once more into its autumn slumber, > forgetful of the world, by whom it is forgotten*. > > B > > *phrase shamelessly stolen from Gibbon. > I knew I could rely on you Bob. Thanks for your dissertation. Here's a picture of Stephen. Make up your own mind about his lankiness and dryness:
http://mitch.myzen.co.uk/EttingtonPark2/slides/_IGP9648.html Sadly, the clock is wound by infernal electricity now... Chris -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List PDML@pdml.net http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
