Statistical overview of the year:
2 trips, 1 major plumbing catastrophe, 476 stones laid (approx.) 3 degrees of sunburn and 2 adopted cats.
Analysis:
I really ought to invest in robust infrastructure, particularly plumbing. The leak that revealed itself within 24 hours of arrival would have probably qualified as one of the top 5 waterfalls in the world. I was half expecting the place to be declared a natural wonder.
Bricklaying (or stone laying in my case) has long been considered a low skilled, low prestige occupation. I am now able to completely refute this assertion. It is difficult to get right, especially when working on two different planes, and is a wonderful way to spend a day or three while listening to podcasts. The resulting concrete burnt fingers provided lessons for the future, and evidence that I don't spend the entire time dossing on a sun lounger.
Dirt is heavy. Moving lots of dirt from A to B is difficult and should be left to machines built for the purpose, or paid labourers built for the purpose.
The sun is hot. Prolonged exposure on exposed skin has the effect of turning white skin, red.
Learnings:
Spending a week without running water provides a particularly healthy environment for the development of greasy hair, stubbly chin and a much expanded personal space perimeter.
Cats aren't as bad as all that and were the only things that really qualified as 'friendly' after 3 days or so. Given my condition and their ongoing willingness to hang around, it left me wondering when their actual owner last had a shower.
Sun lounger time either needs to be further curtailed, or some sort of protective cream needs to be invented to prevent redness and subsequent extreme discomfort. ...It HAS been invented? Oh...
New wall
Downtime with concrete burns proudly displayed
2 trips, 1 major plumbing catastrophe, 476 stones laid (approx.) 3 degrees of sunburn and 2 adopted cats.
Analysis:
I really ought to invest in robust infrastructure, particularly plumbing. The leak that revealed itself within 24 hours of arrival would have probably qualified as one of the top 5 waterfalls in the world. I was half expecting the place to be declared a natural wonder.
Bricklaying (or stone laying in my case) has long been considered a low skilled, low prestige occupation. I am now able to completely refute this assertion. It is difficult to get right, especially when working on two different planes, and is a wonderful way to spend a day or three while listening to podcasts. The resulting concrete burnt fingers provided lessons for the future, and evidence that I don't spend the entire time dossing on a sun lounger.
Dirt is heavy. Moving lots of dirt from A to B is difficult and should be left to machines built for the purpose, or paid labourers built for the purpose.
The sun is hot. Prolonged exposure on exposed skin has the effect of turning white skin, red.
Learnings:
Spending a week without running water provides a particularly healthy environment for the development of greasy hair, stubbly chin and a much expanded personal space perimeter.
Cats aren't as bad as all that and were the only things that really qualified as 'friendly' after 3 days or so. Given my condition and their ongoing willingness to hang around, it left me wondering when their actual owner last had a shower.
Sun lounger time either needs to be further curtailed, or some sort of protective cream needs to be invented to prevent redness and subsequent extreme discomfort. ...It HAS been invented? Oh...
New wall
An overly needy cat
Downtime with concrete burns proudly displayed
You've got plenty to keep yourself occupied with then! Feeding, de-fleaing and house training the cats will of course have to a priority along with finding homes for their offspring.
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