Beautiful Buildings and Lost Sheep

Today was my first proper day of work for over three months. My new job is assessor/trainer at Newcastle College in the Business and Enterprise department. That means all the courses that involves employers and training and distance learning. I have yet to discover exactly what it is I am assessing or training but I think it may be customer service and maybe the new government employment programme that will motivate all the long term unemployed so much that they will all fall over themselves to go out there and get work. Allegedly.

However, whatever the work, it will be softened by the fact that I am working in a beautiful building. Here is a picture of the main entrance. Built in 1936 as a school, it has belonged to the college since 1994. It still has the original features like old paneled doors and walls and lots of small paned windows. Although some areas have been modernised such as the toilets and a few classrooms, the majority is the same as it was all those years ago. It's lovely!


One of the most interesting parts is what was originally a small swimming pool that has been converted into the refectory. Despite all the chrome and metal features, it's actually very comfortable. This photo shows the counter to the left and behind the tables in the foreground is the sunken area that was the actual pool.



I spent much of the day admiring architecture to the extent that I got lost on a few occasions. Being symmetrical in design meant that I found myself on what I thought was the office corridor only to end up in the middle of the construction centre. Fortunately I wasn't the only one as there were four other new starters today so at times we were all wandering around like lost sheep.

Being in such a fabulous setting reminded me of the days I spent working at the Royal Naval College in Greenwich. The birthplace of King Henry VIII.
It was a real experience walking over flagstones in courtyards where so many famous people in history may have tread over the years. People like Mel Gibson and Antony Hopkins no less, as they filmed part of Mutiny on the Bounty there!





Here is where Naval Officers would eat their meals...The Painted Hall!



I only went in there once when the junior ratings and civilian staff were treated to Christmas lunch served by the Officers. I had such a crick in my neck from gawping at the ceiling.

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