Buoyant

October 2009

“Come thou and all thy house into the ark” Genesis 7:1

Sleepless in September - a reasonable summation. With barely three weeks to go before the arrival of "The Bank Manager", "The Tsar" and half of the village, the place still looked the building site it was. There wasn't a door in any of the sixteen door-sized spaces upstairs; barely was a floor tile visible through the inches of nefarious dust. There was sleeping space for four, pre-sapiens bodies and a sole functional bathroom.

Yet our faith/mindless optimism was rewarded. In its usual way, the cosmos delivered unto us a saviour, and his name was neither Brian nor Jesu; from humble Dunstable UK did he hail, and calleth himself did he "Mike".

And lo - did Mike teach our poor inexpert hands to chisel mortice locks and recess hinges. Lo, did Mike split doors to make them double, and find us previously unheeded bonfire fuel to seal apertures, for results befitting the worthiest hermitage. Lo, did Mike create mitre blocks, and reveal sosshinges, and show his brethren the art of hanging doors, and framing beds, and went he up and down four flights of stairs, and further up and down, from dawn 'til midst of night, and suffer plagues of mosquitoes, and savage driving, until he was fair and truly shattered.

Thus passed in a little under half a moon the epoch of Mike - may his name be forever revered.

After that it was simple: finish woodwork, fold up the workshop, move furniture, remove builders' materials, and dust, wash, and dust. Three vacuum cleaners succumbed in under a week. Luca and his local crew worked tirelessly and themselves deserve a memorial plaque. We worked 7am to 1 in the morning for pretty much a fortnight, and it was worth it. For now, in the afermath of the first hosted event in probably 30 years within San Rocco's walls, there is a new feeling. This house wants to live.

So live, she shall; and all who sail in her. Thank you to everyone who has helped us reach this juncture. There's a way to go yet, but we now know we have an able vessel for our journey. This morning, with frost on the car and changing leaves, we enter a new season. Might be about time to order those radiators...