Socialist Curtains

At the beginning of the day, these are the bare windows and the two young comrades who did the installation.

Lucais, on the left with the the tool belt, was most of the time way up that ladder with both feet several rungs above our heads.

Because Lucais didn't have a safety harness, Michael and I both had to stand at the bottom of the ladder, holding it secure. Many extra body kilos had to be handy once in my life.

Michael had to wear the hard hat in case Lucais dropped his hammer. So because there was only one hard hat - and Michael was happier to wear it than I was - Michael was the one to stand under Lucais.

One of the things I learned about "construction work" was not to make jokes while somebody is up a ladder with no safety harness. Giggling makes you less physically stable.

Michael had asked what would happen if Lucais did in fact drop his solid metal hammer and it hit him on the hard hat.

Lucais suggested the hat would be jammed further down, tight over Michael's eyes, and he would have to go home with it on, and I suggested, "with two holes drilled in the front so he could see out."

Because these curtains are a very simple design, with just a big hem at the top to slot a pole through, I did make tiebacks for the sides, but couldn't install them on the day because the walls at Trades Hall are covered with a crumbly mixture which requires special treatment before drilling into. Hmph! Bloody nuisance. Later.