You're never going to believe this!

But I still haven't moved in

I know what you're thinking. That it's all my fault. That I haven't been firm enough with builders, plumbers, electricians, earth and drainage men, geometra, architect.

Not true!

The only positive thing I can draw from these two and a half years is experience. And wisdom. And a promise never ever in my life again to rebuild a house. (In Italy)

The bottom line is that builders in this locality have years of work in store, probably three.

They conspire to keep any outsiders from getting or starting any work here.

And so they perpetuate and guarantee their own security and prosperity.

They have their own schedule and pay no heed to Architects or geometras.

They pay even less heed to owners; those poor souls who pay them.

Sounds tough eh?

Grim in fact.

There is one saving grace however.

The work itself is of excellent quality.

That's where the wisdom comes in!

Anyway, where are we building wise?

Actually at the final part. Most of the plumbing and electrical cabling is in position (see pics) and we are a few days away from tiling the floors with terracotta. And what happens? Snow! Two weeks of it! Tiles can't be laid because it's too cold. Or so they say!

Met one of the builders in town yesterday and he said they couldn't start on tiling because the snow would have covered the sand which they wouldn't be able to find.

What he really meant was that it's Christmas and he was already celebrating.

So I've set my sites to February 20^th.

Move in ready or not.

It's the time when the light shifts again, when the sun has some warmth, and I can go looking for the tulips and daffodils somewhere out in the garden struggling through cement and broken bricks.

Mice. December 21^st, 2001

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