“Change is slow and gradual. It requires hard work, a bit of luck, a fair amount of self-sacrifice, a lot of patience.” – Robert Greene
We’ve been in a state of change since the land was transferred into our names in November 2017. Work on the little ruin started in January 2018. Since then work progressed in spurts. Various contractors and two-week trips during which we did what was humanly possible in a short period of time, sprinkle the time between then and now. The house is almost done. Almost.
Covid-19 put a pause on the project just when we could see the finish line. The Electrician still needs to install the water heater and solar panel. The Architect has to finalise the paperwork to be handed in to the council for a habitation licence to be issued.
To stay sane while we wait, we remind ourselves that a huge project like rebuilding a ruin no matter how big or small, requires many little steps, which can feel like huge ones by themselves: connecting electricity, drilling a borehole, installing a septic tank, fitting a ceiling, building a kitchen and a bathroom . . . Hard work. Patience. Self-sacrifice. Luck.
I don’t want to wait anymore. I want the borders to open so that I can get on a plane for that last push. I want to get my longterm visa organised so that I can move to start my residence visa process. Deep breath in. Pause. Patience.
We are still some of the lucky ones in this crisis. So many projects have been paused, so many jobs lost, so many lives ended during this enormous global upheaval. I am grateful for what we have every single day, and I have to trust that it will all work out in the end. Deep breath in.
I have kept myself busy with various projects, but now that I’m in-between projects, I find myself shifting my gaze, once again, to Portugal. I itch to start packing, and dust off my Portuguese language files. Pause.
We are watching with keen anticipation as Spain and Portugal are slowly disentangling themselves from their respective lockdowns. Truth be told, I am perhaps watching it even closer than Michael. I have jokingly (or not so jokingly) declared that I will be on the first flight allowed back in from outside the Schengen countries. Patience.
To keep my impatience in check I have decided to revisit the projects we were busy with in March and haven’t yet documented. Perhaps the most pleasing project resulted in us sleeping in a proper bed for the first time in our house. It felt like a huge step. Especially as I always doubted that a double bed would be able to fit into the tiny space that was intended as our ‘bedroom’.
My most important requirement for a bed was that it should have packing space underneath it. And as we don’t have space for drawers to pull out, it had to be able to lift the whole mattress. Even though we were exhausted from our trip (with what has become a compulsory stop at IKEA in Madrid) when we arrived, Michael decided to immediately start building it, while I took care of unpacking essentials, making the space comfortable, and sorting out supper.
He didn’t even bother to change out of his travel clothes, but at least managed to sort out a vital element needed when building a bed – a glass of wine.
As it always happens, when we have limited time with too many tasks to accomplish, I took photos and video footage in an unplanned and haphazard way. Trying to get work done, and documenting what one does are two different mindsets and really difficult for me to switch between when pressed for time and fully engaged in a task.
And so it was only when we were back home again in Abu Dhabi that I realised I stopped documenting the process halfway through, and as a result have just one picture showing the final product.
Written by: Jolandi
March 2020 Visit
Wonderful to see the progress. Hope you can get there again soon.
Thank you, Peggy. I can’t wait to go live there permanently.
Wow, it looks great. I can only imagine how much you are itching to get on a plane and go. It is so hard to pause with patience. Keeping my fingers crossed for you that it is soon.
Terri
Thanks, Terri. I’ve been struggling with impatience even before the lockdown, so that has just made it so much worse, especially as our original plan was that I would move in May. Deep breath! I am keeping myself busy with other projects, though, which helps a lot with staying sane. 🙂 – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
I am so glad to hear you and Michael are staying safe. I can imagine the frustration and wanting to go back towards real progress – and you will both make it back permanently! In the meantime, it’s such a joy to learn more about your other projects, and the room is absolutely beautiful. Our best wishes always!
Thank you, Takami. I guess in the end what matters most is how we look at things. Often when our perspective changes we look at things differently, as I think we have all learnt one way or the other through these long months of lockdown. The perceived loss of freedom of movement is often much more challenging than the real loss. Sending a virtual hug to you. – Jolandi
That bed only just fits! Well done! I hope it won’t be too long before you are back in Portugal and for good, this time!
Stay safe and take care xx
Thanks, Clare. Yip, there is not a lot of space, but at least we can move around it. I guess a bedroom really is just a space to sleep, so we don’t need more space. The next step will be to install IKEA “cubes” to form a wall between the bedroom and living area, while providing us with storage/closet space. I love how this tiny ruin is forcing us to be creative. – Jolandi
Jolandi its so fun watching your new abode unfold through all the trials and tribulations literally !
You are very lucky to have such a “hands on, capable man, hubby Michael .
May the borders re-open and life start moving in a steady mindful flow . Still sending you lots of love for your new home in Portugal. Well done to you for your patience and your beautiful recording of life in the UAE.
You are a talented woman with the world at your feet. xxx
Nanette
Thank you so much for your encouragement and support, Nanette. It means a lot to me. So often, when things get tough or there is self-doubt (which is often), it is wonderful to know I have people rooting for me. Yes, I am indeed grateful that I have such a handy husband. We re-watched a couple of our videos last night and just marvelled again at how far we’ve come and how much we’ve done. – Jolandi
I can imagine your impatience! I would surely be feeling it myself. (Actually, I am, just on different topics/projects – haha.) The place looks great, and the bed is a perfect fit. The sight of that IKEA hardware made me shudder for a second; it’s always an adventure laying out all those parts and getting started on an assembly! Keeping fingers crossed for things to open up soon so you can be on your way.
I guess you and I must both remind ourselves to take deep breaths regularly, Lexie! It really takes hard work for me at the moment, so to cope with that I’ve plunged into learning how to work publishing software . . . Yip, rather fill my days by focusing on a specific project while I wait. During breaks I’ve started throwing things in a box marked ‘Portugal’. 😉
I am so grateful for Michael, because I find the IKEA hardware very intimidating. Thats why, I guess one should never attempt these assemblies without a glass of wine. 🙂
Hope you can get to visit your grandbaby again soon. – Jolandi
A finished bed with pillows and bed linens! I can see why you’re so impatient to be there. It looks as if that bed is just waiting for you to sleep in it.
This is a difficult time, especially for those of us who love to travel, or who must travel to be in the places we love. I’m just praying I get to see my grandkids in New York and my children in their scattered homes. (I realize I raised them to be citizens of the world, but I didn’t anticipate how much I would miss being near all of them.) I hope you finally get to claim your pied a terre in Portugal and wake up every morning in that cozy bed.
Thank you, Hangaku. I hope that will happen soon.
Yes, raising citizens of the world definitely has a downside to it. I hope you will be able to see them again soon, and that life (or should I say neighbours) don’t drive you insane before that. Hope your health is doing better too, and that Sunny is good company in this time of no travel. – Jolandi
Good to see the progress you’ve made. In reality, what is the likelihood of getting back there this year?
Locally, the government has stated Australia’s borders are closed to international travel until next year, at the earliest.
Actually, if all goes well, I think somewhere in July. Perhaps Australia’s economy can survive without tourism. I’m not sure either Spain or Portugal can afford that. Coming back into the UAE I will most probably have to do a 2 week self-quarantine, but as I understand it (although it can change) they are planning to open borders in Europe without a quarantine period for tourists. Let’s see.
It’s all getting very real now, even if you are forced to wait longer. I love how you can lift and carry with one hand, while filming with the other. Very versatile builder’s labourer! And that heater in the background should keep you warm and cosy in the winter months. Hopefully you’ll be back in Portugal before that time.
Hahaha – learning new tricks while filming (unless it is on a tripod) is the only way for me to prove that I’m also helping! I really can’t wait to go live there permanently, Gwen. I am amazed that we stuck with it despite these small chunks of time we had to move the project forward. It has been (and still is) a real challenge. We’ve actually installed underfloor heating, hence the requirement for a large (and shockingly expensive) water heater that still needs to be installed, as the underfloor heating works with hot water. And once we are there permanently, we hope that the energy source can come from solar power for heating the water. The heater in the background was a life saver on a couple of trips. Best 30 Euros we’ve ever spent. I hope to be back in Portugal by the end of July. Fingers crossed. – Jolandi
Memories are a great way to prop up your spirits while in a holding pattern due to COVID. I am doing the same thing here while The Captain is recovering. I hope you are able to return soon. Are you able to progress the habitation license and installation of heater and solar panel from afar if Portugal opens up before you are able to return there?
Ah, I like the image of being in a ‘holding pattern’, Lisa. If all goes well the Electrician will be able to complete the installation of the heater and solar panel early August, and hopefully by then the Architect will have all the paperwork ready, and the council architect will be able to review our application and issue the habitation licence. Fingers crossed!! It doesn’t look like I’ll be able to visit the land anytime soon, as they have issued a decree recently in the UAE preventing citizens and residents from travelling this summer. Portugal has also only opened its doors for third country residents from 6 countries so far. I am using the time to find out more about how to obtain the long term visa I need to be able to move to Portugal to start my residence visa process, as we are getting ready to move sometime between the end of the year and April. It hinges on so many different things, but we are trusting that evertything will fall into place at the right time.
I hope the Captain’s health is improving daily. What a wild ride you’ve been through! Sending you a big virtual hug. – Jolandi
This post so touchingly reflects the “holding-pattern” I too am experiencing. I have to remind myself as well to have patience. I have to remember how lucky I am to be healthy and safe, to have freedoms others can’t. And I have to remember to let in the empty space, to allow for the not doing, keeping perspective on where my own desires lie in the larger context of what’s happening around me. Wishing you well.
It is such an unsettling time, and so difficult to move projects forward that were started long before all the uncertainty we now have to contend with on a daily basis. I fluctuate greatly between feeling at peace and frustrated, Atreyee. Even when, like you, I know I have so much to be grateful for. Wishing you well too. – Jolandi
Nice blogpost
Kind regards,
Thank you, Rob. We hope you are doing well in these challenging times. Stay well.