| We stopped for a slice of
pizza for lunch at the refreshment place halfway round tour 2. Then it was
on to a collection of butterflies. Again it seemed like a museum collection
had been bought and just added. Certainly it means there is something for
everyone. |  |
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Some is straightforward turn of the century displays as above. Then there
are other pieces of a more artistic nature featuring a number of butterfly
wings arranged to give a mother of pearl translucent effect. |
| Then come some bell jars
with brilliantly displayed specimens in a 'natural' environment. But unlike
a museum display, there is nothing to say exactly what they are. |  |
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The lighting on these is very good and I wondered how they would last over
time with the high lighting levels. |
| I use the term
butterflies but I suspect that some, like this example, are actually moths. |  |
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Then on to a Christmas exhibition. They have hundreds more Santas that they
bring out in season. This display starts with a collection of houses which
are all tapestried or beaded or made in some craftwork method. |
| Followed by the Penguins,
of every size and shape, dressed and natural, lying around in fluffy cotton
wool snow. |  |
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Followed by several displays of teddy bears and Santa mugs. |
| Even a couple of cabinets
of beautifully painted Christmas plates, mostly featuring Santa Claus.
Experts will no doubt recognise them as being from a particular manufacturer
or style. |  |
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Then it is back to the musical automata with automated instruments. The real
McCoy this time with complete orchestras with all the instruments automated
and cables and wires everywhere. I've not seen anything like these anywhere
else. |
| I would imagine that this
is one of the real collections here for which the attraction is famous.
Other sections can be found in other museums but this appears to be unique.
Unfortunately none of these was actually playing during our visit, though I
believe that they do indeed work. |  |
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There are a lot of musical machines, most of a grand scale as can be seen in
this shot. Given some of the figures in it, this machine is probably
oriental in origin. |
| The detail work is
extraordinary. This is far beyond the traditional fairground organ both in
scale and in production. Some of these displays must be worth hundreds of
thousands. |  |
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A set of four violins each with multiple bows and surrounded by numerous
other instruments. Just programming these to play a simple tune would have
been incredibly complex, and they were playing serious music! |
| This closeup gives some
idea of just how complex these things are with pneumatic motors all over the
place. |  |
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A change of instrument to the lute but using similar technology. I will have
to find out more about these, their history and their technology. |
| Above are the most ornate
chandeliers. There are dozens throughout the attraction. I would hate to be
the one who changes the failed light bulbs or attempts to keep them clean. |  |
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Along the way are more little shop windows showing one trade or another. In
this case I was more attracted by the wallpaper than the stove. It is not
atypical of the style used in other displays. |
| The last part is a
collection of model aircraft and mementos to do with flight, and the war.
There are dozens in the room. |  |
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This leads out to the Carousel Room which forms the end of tour 2 and the
start of tour 3. We opted to have a break and come back the following day
for tour 3. |
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