Frogspawn and Floor Polish : Upstairs and Downstairs in a National Trust House

Felbrigg Hall #3

by Mary MacKie

'I've never forgotten the photographer who came in as white as a sheet and said he hadn't realised the fence was electrified. Until he was astride it. Nasty.' Join Mary Mackie and husband Chris as they revisit Felbrigg Hall, the stately home they lived and worked in for several years. Behind the beauty of the gardens, resplendent with apple blossom and wisteria, and beyond the imposing majesty of the seventeenth-century architecture, a constant battle is waged against mould and fungus, over-zealous conservationists, and floors on the brink of collapse...Mary reveals the quirks and quagmires of living in this wonderful Norfolk National Trust house.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 1991

Reviews

[Janet Bird · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went there once when me and sisters and family were on holiday in Norfolk. We used to visit as many houses, museums and castles and stuff as possible. This house stuck in my mind, found it very interesting. I'd like to go back some day but don't suppose that will happen now. If you like stately homes go here, you won't be disappointed. With regards to the book I didn't read it through in one go, not the sort of book that would keep me 'gripped.' If I get a Stephen King I have to read it through asap, but this kind of book is what I think of as a 'gentle' read and I stick to a chapter a night or if a book is really hardgoing I do a double page spread a night. I find the books I read slower like this I retain the information more. I also should have read the other two books first but I'm always doing that, reading the last book in a series first. I'm used to it by now! I was no doubt the only kid at Stretford Library that read The Last Battle before any of the others in that series! Good grief. A nice book, I enjoyed it.

[Jacqueline Llerena · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a pleasure to follow, at times trepedatiously, behind Mackie as they recounted their stories of Felbrigg and the National Trust Foundation. It was such a fun time to get to know more about the foundation and Felbrigg itself! The added bonus is that it's real and people have video recorded the house's interior as well! Although Mackie does a great job in pushing us from room to room, I feel their textual voice and painting of scenes may have been lacking, especially as such a romantic setting as a historic house. Mackie delivers the story clear cut, no added fluff, but laid back enough to feel like you're chatting with them at the check-in counter.

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a long series of random anecdotes, a few of which are humorous. A quick read. As a talk it would work fine but as a book it was just a bit too rambling for me.