Casita

The house built by Rob. It has been built of terracotta blocks covered in a concrete roof, (with only one leak,) along one level of almond tree terracing. So it ressembles a Dutch barge, having a long corridor with spare bedroom and bathroom to one side and leading down to a kitchen / dining / seating area. The main bedroom continues the run. What used to be the dry-stone wall of the terrace has been plastered and visually incorporated into the structure by painting it white. It is difficult to keep clean even if there was time to do so.

Power comes from solar panels and a few batteries, but insufficient to power the house properly. There is no light in the kitchen for example, and the generator must be started to run the washing machine. The fridge, which tends to freeze things periodically, is gas powered as is the on-demand hot water. Rob made a neat enclosure in the bathroom for the gas bottle, electric water pump and heater though didnt have time to make a vent in case of gas leaks. The hot water does not run to the kitchen. The toilet runs to a cess pit and some form of mechanical aid like a stick is often required to flush it properly.

The home is decorated with some quaint teapots and six statues of Laurel & Hardy.

The quality and condition of this do-it-yourself home is best demonstrated in the photo of the corridor lamp. Makeshift.

After the success of their first building, Rob and Joanna are keen to build another smaller one at the other end of the terrace where all the builders rubble lies. The first is too big for their needs and too difficult to clean. They intend to have one room of about 20 sq m for themselves and the three dogs, with a sleeping alcove off to one side and a small bathroom separate.

I am now helping Rob build an access path to the new building. It will run over the old pond which will be half filled with some of the accumulated stone / brick / glass rubbish accumulated over 18 years. Rob cannily wants to use the other half, beside what will be the entrance, as a cess-pit for the new dwelling. Unfortunately, it will be the last thing I do, as they have discovered that they do not have enough money to buy cement.Baca selengkapnya