Our builder, Berna, has given us photographs taken at different stages during the construction of the windmill. I believe this was during the winter of 2003. These were copies of pictures, and I have taken pictures of these pictures so you will excuse the quality. My good friend Peter has asked me to post pictures a little larger, so here goes. This first one is looking from the original 'cuarto de aperos', or tool store, and is up to the first (bedroom) floor level.
The picture below shows the pouring of concrete over the steel reinforcing to complete the first level. About 40 cubic metres of poured concrete went into building the windmill. The total cost to build the windmill ten years ago was around €140,000. The builder, reportedly, made little profit which makes the price of €130,000 which we paid for the windmill, plus other buildings and contents, plus the land, very cheap indeed.
Here below they are raising the walls with concrete blocks. the picture on the right shows the 'cuarto de aperos' with an open terrace to the front. It has since been enclosed. You can also see here, if you look closely, that 'builder's bum' is indeed a global phenomenon.
The roof rafters are in place along with the axle for the windmill sails.
The roof is on. You can see that the original PV solar panels were mounted on the terrace. It is as well that there is no longer this clutter on the terrace since it is a great feature to be able to step from the bedroom onto a terrace from where one can look out over the surrounding countryside.
And here it is plastered and painted with the windmill sails being craned into position.
Back to the present, and it is still raining.
But five minutes later and the sun comes out.....
The bad weather has really slowed progress. Painting the outside of the windmill will need a 'cherry picker' to reach the roof, but the ground is at present so soft it would be in danger of tipping over. However all the plumbing work was finished today. We now have a water meter on our land, rather than on the other side of the road which was a crazy idea. (Although, in the process of re-laying the pipes it looked as though we had been somehow taking our neighbour's water. It seems the previous had free water as well as free electricity). Also, we have a functioning back up water tank with pump holding about six or seven cubic metres. The back up gas boiler has been connected and we have a new rain shower in the bathroom. The mains water pressure is plentiful, about 4.5 bars so I am looking forward to my first shower.
I have decided to employ a 'peon' for a couple of weeks to get ahead with some of the outside jobs; including painting the outside finca walls. This week I need to break down a section of wall to create the new access into the back fields and move the small greenhouse. If only the rain would stop.....
I have decided to employ a 'peon' for a couple of weeks to get ahead with some of the outside jobs; including painting the outside finca walls. This week I need to break down a section of wall to create the new access into the back fields and move the small greenhouse. If only the rain would stop.....
