No matter how far you go, there's no escaping progress and development.
It's construction season and it's going on EVERYWHERE. Our idyllic village days are numbered. What am I saying, they are gone. Probably for a good year at least I'd say.
Apparently there was some regulation banning the local people from building anything the last 2 years, but this ban has been lifted and everyone got the memo. EVERYONE. Including our immediate neighbours who live just in front of us. I honestly thought this old couple didn't have it in them to see a massive construction project through, they both look about 200 years old combined. But I was wrong. And this is probably my punishment. Not only are they rebuilding, they are making use of every square inch and erecting the biggest building that they possibly can. There's a height limit of 10.5m. And you can bet your bottom dollar it's going to be 10.5m high. I'm sighing as I try to imagine this monstrous 3 storey building in place of the blue sky, blocking out the morning sun in my courtyard. But I suppose it's not going to be as shocking as I think, construction is slow and I'll get used to it as it progresses bit by bit. It's like if you lost 10kgs over the summer. You don't notice the difference looking in the mirror everyday. But Aunt Agnes whom you see only once a year at Christmas will be like, "What the hell happened to you!" So be warned all those who have been here B.C. (Before construction).
So while the dust is settling, we are coming to terms with the fact that there is not much we can do. You can't blame the people for wanting a "better" home, (I personally think the old wooden houses are so much more beautiful than these new concrete blocks) for wanting to leave their kids a bigger house than what they had. We'll get used to the view, or lack thereof, we'll adapt quickly I'm sure. We'll get used to the fact that they can look into our courtyard from their bedroom windows. It's going to make nude sunbathing very tricky but I'm sure we'll figure it out.
But fear not. There is hope yet. The photo above is just the one view. We still have the back view which was always my favourite anyway.
“Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. Be water, my friend.”
In the wise words of Mr (Bruce) Lee, just go with the flow.
Now please don't build anything behind us.