Going to town is such a depressing business. Every one is complaining about the recession, lack of work and how bad things are. Here by me paying work is also slow, only coming in drips and drabs (It is because all my clients also believe in this recession thing, as invented by the big spin doctors in the States and prescribed by the media). I thought a good way to beat the recession that everyone talks about, would be to work on my new house again. I’m not sure exactly how that will beat the recession but at least I won’t be hearing and hence thinking about it! I love being down there by my half built wooden house next to the river. All I hear is the sound of running water, birds chirping; occasionally monkeys chattering and laughing at me (that’s only when I arrive in the mornings. When I start swinging my hammer, they normally go. Guess it gets boring to watch me).
Have wood, have nails, have tools, no problem. I bought all the roofing materials and a pile of plywood for flooring during the boom times, so no need to spend major bucks at this stage. If I run out of wood, I can always fire up the sawmill. I know of some Pine trees that can come down if need be….

I’m very excited about my new water supply. With much sweat, I rerouted the overflow from my dam via pipes and trenches to come out uphill from the house. I now have a steady stream of water flowing right next to the house which then joins the little river in front of the house. Because it is quite a steep drop, I could make a little waterfall. Now, when I stand in the house, I hear water all the time. To have water on tap in the bathroom, I just have to stick a pipe into the stream and through the wall. Open the tap and voila, a steady flow of spring water, 24/7! And to think, these are drought times. I could actually have the stream flowing through the house if I want! Maybe do some crazy water feature.

The roof is almost done now so things will stay dry and I can work in the shade. Got to start on wall cladding and flooring. All the floor joists are in place so I can lay plywood. Also 4 exterior doorframes with doors and I don’t know yet how many windows. And so on and so forth. Enough work to last me until the end of the recession and beyond!

Might have to start the veggie garden and become a vegetarian sooner than I thought!!