We are very lucky to be working in Rachol Seminary for many reasons. One is that the building is an amazing 17th century imposing construction, the walls are at least 2 feet thick and it keeps the temperature cool inside while it’s 33-35 C degrees outside. The details of the stone architraves, columns and other details are exquisite, not to mention the wealth in paintings, murals and so much more. We all know our way around the innumerable labyrinths now and do not seem to get lost. I told the students to follow the murals to know where to turn and when to take the stairs down. We have the painting face up again and today’s main task is to take off every thick crisscross thread that is keeping the massive tear together and has formed a bulge at the base. We do have the new scalpels bought in Margao which it turned out are the ones used in Italy so Piero was thrilled. The removal of the thread was done amid much protest form Elizabeth who made sure no paint was lost during the pulling of the thread and the scalpelling of the modern glue which was impossibly hard. Having completed the job by lunch time we went down to the refectory relieved to have freed the painting. Thankfully Joanna was determined to get as much dust as possible off the painting and the floor. We have this red dust coming from outside, and on her knees she painstakingly wiped the large plastic sheeting and Elizabeth mopped the floor. We hoovered the painting with a small handheld hoover with a paint brush at the end and controlled suction. Lunch was simply delicious and always much laughter. Today we had an ice cream to celebrate a Father who had gone for the day but was definitely not forgotten. As Elizabeth says ‘back to our grind stone’ and  we discussed at length the glue that was to be applied for facing the painting now that is free. We opt for the Roman glue which is different from the Florentine glue as it will give us more elasticity (important because of the size of the painting). I always have to remember that Rome and Florence worked against each other 300 hundred years ago and they guarded from the enemy their recipes respectively. Milena, Joe, Caetano, Eveny, Joanna, Caecilie and Piero all applied the japan paper one sheet at a time and the painting was then put under weights on the edges to stop it from curling up. Another day gone, but we all leave with a smile ready for a stiff drink of some sort.