As I write I hope that our Electrician, Andreas, was true to his word, and packed up his equipment today, which means that together with the Plumber's efforts the basic installation of services (ie the first fix) is complete. Which in turn means that the first of the top coats of plaster can now be applied, and we are 'one small step' closer to our goal.
Talking of Plumber, the en-suite bathroom and walls are finished and it doesn't look bad at all (see pic), I asked Alberto if he thought it was big enough, and he said if we didn't put any more weight on, then it would be fine, difficult to tell, but I'm sure I could hear his tongue firmly in cheek down the line. That's about all the progress Alberto had to reveal during this weeks catch-up call, but it still took us nearly an hour and a half to cover all the bases.
By the time our meeting was due I was a little out of sorts, and decided to go on the offensive, no, not on the schedule as I planned, but on the costs, it was Alberto's fault, he goaded me into it, by asking early on if I had received the latest quote for new work from our Builder. I was going to briefly touch upon this, but after our scheduled schedule chat, but I thought what the heck. So we then spent the best part of an hour going through the quote and then the Contabilita, checking, disputing, understanding all of those points I was intending to keep until I was in the same room as my two able contractors, but as I said, he goaded me into it. I did squeeze one comment on programme before my fuse ran out, to fix the dates when windows will be installed, as on this flexi-time, the windows have always been just 2 weeks away from completion, ever since I first met Alessandro back in August, so I fixed it that windows WILL be completed by 15th March, and installed by 18th; well I was convinced it was fixed, what Alberto thought on the other end of the line is another matter entirely.
Two good news events in the last week, I bought a new Stufa (wood stove), a special one that fits into the corner of the sitting room. I never even thought that they made such things, and its just what we need as the chimney has to go in the corner (its a long story), but the best thing about the new stufa is, that it was on sale, over 30% discount. If you know how much those things cost, then 30% off is worth having, trouble was then to get it home, as it weighs over a 100kg and is a very awkward shape to carry, but all's well that ends well.
Lastly, I got a call from Marta (Immobiliare), who had on the other line a lady from the telephone company who wanted to sign me up there and then, and not in a years time. Marta then proceeded to bombard me with second hand facts and figures on what was available, what speeds, discounts for local and long distance calls, and when I said my head was spinning, offered to put it in an email, Nooooooooo I said, I may not get this chance again, and plumped for the lowest price, fastest speed internet connection, just to get the wheels in motion.
And whilst I'm on the subject of utilities, ENEL sent their first bill already, 7 months waiting for connection, 3 weeks for the first bill, and if I don't pay in 2 weeks, they'll come and cut us off. Fantastico
I find myself on the edge of my seat, excited and waiting to hear if the electrician and plumber left today??
I cannot wait to see the wonderful pictures of the finished article...with your beautiful tiles and wood burning stove, I know that 'The Chicken House' will be out of this world!
Posted by: MM | March 05, 2009 at 05:30 PM