Because of the long hours they had worked and driven over the previous few days the truck drivers needed to take a day off so it wasn't until Monday morning that they completed their epic journey and pulled into our yard - for the first time we could see, touch and even smell (more about that later) the magnificent structure Ben and his family had entrusted to us.
We pulled back the curtain on the side of the lorry and there it was, two and a half trucks full of Spiegel Palace
Seeing piles of metal, poles, clips, all the details we had only seen in the background confirmed that what we had here was a most remarkable structure that has seen a long life full of many changes, but more importantly was the joy we felt after finding pallet after pallet of wood panels; piles of aged Ash, gloriously richly grained Oak, hand cut pine all showing the dents, dings and wear that only come from decades of use. As each pallet was unloaded you could see the ghosts of thousands of assemblies and millions of patrons brushing up against and dancing on these gorgeous panels; This was the history and authenticity that can't be faked and no money could buy. This is when we knew the months of hassle and paperwork had all been worth it.