To carry on from where I left off ,,,,,

The Principle Stairs  : Is an example of early 18th Century craftsmanship of Oak with veneers of burr yew .The pilaster  architraves around the windows are original but the panelled plasterwork on the walls is of a later date .

please note due to no flash photograthy allowed this photo came out a bit dark

We now make our way to the Library  this was created by Sir Henry Harpur Architecture & music are well represented as well as  legal and military books  that Sir John used for his public duties .

Around the room is a good stock of Paintings all exclusively equestrian  the subjects including racehorses , riding horses, & hunters , ponies & an army charger

The furniture was supplied in 1806-7 by Marsh & Tatham which also provided the rolling maps attached to the bookshelves, showing countries as well as general maps of England & Wales & Europe .

Further rooms are open for viewing

The Day and Night Nurseries O

Originally the rooms formed an apartment used by Sir Henry & Lady Caroline Harpur in 1741-8 they later became nurseries for the 7th & 8th Baronets many children and have been derelict for a long time but are important as original interiors.

Another room in part derelection  from peeling paintwork to hanging wall paper the Trusts idea is to keep the house in this condition

The Bird Lobby

Acquired its present eccentric apperance in the later 19th cenury with Sir Vauncey's enthusiasm for collecting stuffed birds .

Now onto the Kitchen .

It  is shown as it was when it was found by the Trust . It was fitted up as a kitchen by Sir Henry Harpur in 1794 , when the previous kitchen was converted in to Housekeepers  room & Butlers Pantry .

The Kitchen wasn't used since the 1920's after the dramatic reduction in staff that occured  in most Country houses  after the 1st World War .

The Kitchen gradually fell out of use in favour of the smaller & more conveniently sited stillRoom  in the south -west pavilion with Sir Vauncey's panelled study next door  converted into the dining room .

Sir Vauncey normally employed about 27 servants at Calke but after his death in 1924 the figure was reduced to six .

There are numerous  more rooms to  explore and to be very honest I could fill up many more parts to this blog on Clake Abby so  if I have wet your whistle and you would like to tour this fine home & grounds for yourself .

please check out the following link to the National Trust own web  page for this property .

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main/w-calkeabbey

I  will make one futher blog that will be based on the grounds / parkland & gardens .

I hope you have enjoyed both parts to my blogg and if you haven't seen part 1 please feel free to look and comments .