What a relief! After 3 years, we’re finally
out of the fire-fighting zone – or that is the way it appears.
The roof work is completed. We now have
about 500 sq ft of walled and covered area (inside of the house), 720 sq ft of
one side walled covered area (the veranda), little more than 500 sq ft of
covered un-walled area (first floor) and another 200 sq ft of open usable area
(Aangan).
For the first time in 3 years, there is a
feeling of being settled, anchored. We were very close to this stage in
Barkheda. But it wasn’t to be then.
What also pleases me is that we reached
this stage with reasonable austerity and efficiency. We have a living area of a
little less than an acre including the house on about 2500 sq ft, a 700W solar
electricity, and continuous water supply through a handpump. We ended up
spending much lesser than most estimates and were able to stick to our plan of
traditional building material for most parts. We did use cement and asbestos
sheets, but only in places, where it seemed to be an optimum solution.
I’m extremely grateful to God, who has been
present and instrumental during this time – present and instrumental through my
friends and family. Who says God doesn’t exist?
Lovely!
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